What is Traditional Chinese Medicine?

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) was developed over 5000 years ago. TCM doctors combine diet, Chinese herbs and acupuncture to maintain the proper balance of Qi (pronounced “chee”) in the body.

Qi is the energy or “life force” that flows through the meridians in the body.  The meridians are like rivers and streams that run all over the body.  If a tree were to fall and block the river, the water on one side of the blockage would become murky and stagnant.  The other side of the blockage would be dry and deficient.  This is a state of imbalance.

Qi, when properly balanced, maintains a state of good health.  When Qi becomes imbalanced, a disease process can begin.  If balance is not restored to the body, the disease can set itself deep within the body and create even more problems later on in life.

TCM doctors recommend dietary changes, prescribe herbs and use acupuncture according to the patients own state of imbalance.  The TCM Doctor reads the patients pulses and looks at the tongue to find out where the Qi is “blocked” and then forms a TCM diagnosis. 

Acupuncture points are chosen along the meridians.  The acupuncture points are like light switches with specific uses.  The TCM doctor uses acupuncture needles to “turn on” the acupuncture point.  This tells the Qi in the body to perform a specific function, such as to remove the blockage from a specific organ in the body.

Chinese Herbs can be prescribed to assist with restoring balance to the body, strengthening the constitution, increasing stamina and boosting the immune system.

TCM can treat any imbalance in the body from the common cold to cancer.  Some ideas of what else TCM can treat are Fibromyalgia, pain, addiction, infertility, women’s issues, diabetes, hypertension, migraines, cold, flu, allergies and so on.