Oriental medicine is a comprehensive system of health care with a continuous clinical history of over 3000 years. Oriental medicine includes acupuncture, Chinese herbology and bodywork, dietary therapy and exercise based on traditional Oriental medicine principles.

These therapies work with the natural vital energy inherent within all living things to promote the body’s ability to heal itself. This system of health care is rapidly growing in popularity in the West.

Oriental medicine is based on an energetic model rather than the biochemical model of Western medicine. The ancient Chinese recognized a vital energy behind all life forms and life processes. They called this energy Qi (pronounced chee).

In developing an understanding of the prevention and cure of diseases, these healing practitioners discovered that this energy flows along specific pathways called “meridians”.

Each pathway is associated with a particular physiological system and internal organ.

Disease is considered to arise due to a deficiency or imbalance of energy in the meridians and their associated physical systems.

Acupuncture points are specific locations along the meridians. Each point has a predictable effect upon the vital energy passing through it.

Modern science has been able to measure the electrical charge at these points, thus corroborating the locations of the meridians mapped by the ancients.

Traditional Oriental medicine uses an intricate system of pulse and tongue diagnosis, palpation of points and meridians, medical history and other signs and symptoms to create a composite Oriental medical diagnosis.

A treatment plan is then formulated to induce the body to a balanced state of health.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT?

Many conditions may be alleviated very rapidly by acupuncture and Oriental medicine. However, some conditions that have arisen over a course of years will be relieved only with slow, steady progress.

As in any form of healing, the patient’s attitude, diet, determination and life style will affect the outcome of a course of treatment. Patients are encouraged to actively participate in their healing process.

Although Oriental medicine can treat most conditions, there are circumstances that can be dealt with more effectively by Western medicine.In such cases, your acupuncturist will recommend you contact a western medical doctor.

Acupuncture and Oriental medicine should be seen as complementary to Western medicine.