TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE (TCM)

PictureXin Yi Hua - Magnolia . FlowerCopyright RJCannon 2009
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a comprehensive holistic health system that is  designed to support all levels of wellness - physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. 

Historical evidence suggests that TCM has been developed and refined for more than 3000 years. The fundamental philosophies of TCM are rooted in the wisdom of Daoism which precedes TCM. 

A significant proportion of TCM is lifestyle based: prevention is better than cure therefore positive dietary habits and exercise practices are encouraged to promote longevity for a healthful life. Treatment may consist of Acupuncture, Tuina (Chinese massage), Acupressure, QiGong, TaiChi, Moxibustion, Cupping, Guasha, Chinese herbs along with home care recommendations relating to dietary, exercise and lifestyle choices.

ACUPUNCTURE & MOXIBUSTION
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Acupuncture treatment or "fascia medicine" involves the insertion of fine needles into the superficial layers of your skin, fascia & muscles at specific anatomical landmarks to improve the smooth flow of nutrients ( Qi and Blood) to every cell in your body via channels, meridians or energy highways.  The aim of acupuncture treatment is to move Qi and restore balance of Yin and Yang. 

"The Huang Di Nei Jing" or the "Yellow Emperor's Canon of Internal Medicine" is one of the most detailed classic texts dating back to the late Warring States period and early Han dynasty (475 - 220CE).
Translations by scholars throughout the world has enabled the west to be introduced to the fundamental concepts and theories of acupuncture, that are still taught today.

Moxibustion is a warming therapy that is generally used in conjunction with acupuncture or as a stand alone treatment, to warm cold areas and move stagnant Qi & Blood. It helps to strengthen and heal surrounding tissue and enhance blood circulation.

Our bodies are thermally warm in nature and moxibustion reinforces this. Ai Ye (Artesmia Vulgaris or Mugwort) is a herb that is used in moxibustion and internal Chinese herbal medicine.


How does ACUPUNCTURE work?

The great challenge facing western medicine today is revealing how and why acupuncture works from a western medical scientific perspective.

Eastern medicine has time tested theories and anecdotal evidence that explains how acupuncture works, however these theories do not make sense within the reductionist western scientific framework.

Systemic positive physiological responses and changes have been recorded before and after acupuncture treatments in many clinical studies.

Philosophical terms are traditionally used to diagnose, describe and differentiate patterns of illness in TCM, taking into account the many factors and correlating organ systems contributing to imbalance rather than having one definitive or limiting diagnosis. Headaches for example can have several differential diagnosis or patterns in TCM eg Liver Yang Rising, Liver Blood Deficiency, Gall Bladder Qi stagnation.


DOES ACUPUNCTURE HURT?

Generally NO - Rebecca uses very gentle needling techniques.

​Again this will depend on the individual's interpretation and sensitivity to pain. The needles that are used in acupuncture are sterile single-use micro-fine surgical stainless steel filaments, and 7-10 of them can fit into the head of a hypodermic needle used for blood tests etc.

The needles are inserted swiftly through the skin, sometimes you may feel a slight prick, or heaviness around the point, but once the needles are in place, you can relax -- many people become deeply relaxed, fall asleep and start snoring on the table during their treatment!

​Acupuncture is NOT "Dry Needling”, yet “Dry Needling” is a classical Acupuncture technique called “setting the mountain on fire” that involves “rotating, lifting and thrusting the needles” to illicit changes in the fascial and muscle tissues. “Ah Shi” points in Acupuncture theory are directly translated to refer to areas of pain and tenderness that may travel to other parts of the body, very similar to Trigger Points.

"Dry Needling "was originally performed using hypodermic needles (blood drawing needles) that were inserted into trigger points. Obviously using such large needles created intense pain and was not an attractive nor sustainable practice, so therefore "Dry Needling" adopted the use of acupuncture needles to perform acupuncture techniques on trigger points. Many allied health professionals (osteopaths, physiotherapists, chiropractors, podiatrists, massage therapists) have integrated Acupuncture or Dry Needling into their treatment repertoire when their standard model of care has needed extra help to resolve a condition.

The main difference to point out between "Dry needling" and acupuncture is the duration of education requirements and government regulations. Dry Needling can be taught to anyone that is interested over a one day or weekend course and there are no ongoing regulations or industry safety standards to protect the general public. Acupuncturists must be university trained with a minimum of 4 years full time study in Australia whilst also being Fully qualified, insured and registered with AHPRA before performing any needling. 

​Always ask your practitioner about their duration of education before letting them perform any type of needling on you.


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CHINESE HERBAL MEDICINE

CHINESE HERBAL MEDICINE has incredible roots spreading over 5000 years in history and is one of the most comprehensive herbal pharmacopeia in the world.

Documented historical evidence of the medicinal plants and minerals that have been used in Chinese herbal formulas and food therapy can be found in both ancient and modern texts.
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Continued scientific research is proving that Chinese herbs contain numerous effective active ingredients that may hold the key to treating many modern diseases.

What substances are used in Chinese herbal medicine?
There are over 400 substances commonly used in Chinese herbal medicine.

You may find some common Chinese herbs in your pantry: ginger, turmeric, nutmeg and cinnamon, and plants such as dandelion, camellia, chrysanthemum, peony, peppermint, honeysuckle and magnolia in your garden.

How is Chinese herbal medicine prescribed?
Rebecca  prescribes Chinese herbal medicines in conjunction with acupuncture, pulse, tongue and Hara diagnosis alongside dietary & lifestyle changes. 

​Chinese Herbs are generally prescribed as a formula or combination of herbs to treat a specific pattern/syndrome rather than a specific symptom or a single herb for a single symptom. When a formula is constructed, the herbs work together synergistically, maximise effectiveness to help your condition whilst avoiding unwanted side-effects or toxicity of one individual herb.

Traditionally raw Chinese herbs are  cooked and decocted into a tea.   For compliance and ongoing results Rebecca prescribes Practitioner Only TGA approved and Quality assured granulated herbs, powders, tinctures, patent pills or capsules depending on your personal preferences.

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Resources: 

Tai Chi and Qigong:                          Ba Duan Jin Qi Gong Demonstration (Front View with Instructions) - YouTube - www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gd_sS_jGHG8
Chinese Food Therapy Lessons
Acupressure for Labour: 
Postpartum Care: 
The Golden Month | Pre + Postnatal Care
Matrescence Sisters - Elide and Bonnie Newton - follow them on Instagram

Australian Stockists of  Medicinal Mushrooms:​
Reading Materials:  
  • The Golden Month by Jenny Allison 
  • The First Forty Days - The Essential Art of Nourishing the Mother by Heng Qu 
  • The Web That Has No Weaver by Ted Kaptchuk
  • Healing With Wholefoods by Paul Pitchford
  • The Spark in the Machine by Dr Daniel McKewn
  • Tao Te Ching 
  • I Ching