chinese medicine is eco health

Chinese exercise and healing remains an "'environmental medicine" encouraging a harmonious

balance between people and the planet.

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1. the logic

2. how does it work and the benefits

3. what does it treat

4. chinese medicine techniques

 

An indepth view on ailments and conditions that can be treated;
chinese medicine efficacy statments

Dr Jeff Lan's abilities precede all accolades achieved over the years. A man of few words as he believes that action is more effective than talking.

Registered as an acupuncture practitioner & a doctor of Chinese medicine (registered & practice number) Certified 8th dan Chinese martial arts & 8th dan Qi Gong coach.

the logic

Acupuncture is a complete and scientific system of medical diagnosis and treatment developed in China beginning over 3,000 years ago. Because of its history of safety and effectiveness, acupuncture is now practiced worldwide, and has become the subject of modern scientific investigation. Scientific research is confirming acupuncture's physiologic basis and clinical efficacy. 

...To East

In the Far East, the ancient practice of acupuncture continues to garner outstanding results for all sorts of malfunctions within the body. It involves the insertion of very thin needles into special points on the body. Each of these points, more than 2,000 of them, are associated with various pathways of the natural energy flow of the body, called the Qi (pronounced chee). When there is a blockage in the flow of energy, the body malfunctions-physically, mentally and emotionally. In acupuncture practice, the pathways (called meridians) are unblocked and the Qi is allowed to flow properly. In turn, this helps regulate and improve body functions.

Western medicine has looked at healing through one specific lens and until recently has brushed other forms of medicine off as illegitimatel, or not verifiable. However, it is undeniable. Acupuncture works and, fertility acupuncture has been successful in treating and complimenting traditional treatment for many infertility issues. Western research has finally verified (although somewhat veiled) that acupuncture has clear impact on the body's systems. From eliminating pain and strengthening immunities to regulating hormones and addressing infertility, acupuncture is now recognized as an acceptable and effective method of healing.

Based on the problem you’re experiencing, different combinations of points are stimulated using acupuncture needles. These long, thin needles vary in length according to which point it is to be inserted into. By stimulating these points, energy flow is rebalanced and your natural healing ability can do its work.

...To West

The practice of acupuncture remains somewhat controversial among Westerners. Because modern scientific thought can’t explain just how acupuncture works, many refuse to believe that this ancient medicine is anything more than a bunch of mumbo jumbo. The fact that the energy pathways don’t actually correspond to any recognized body system (like the blood or nervous system) only increases people’s skepticism.

However, the National Institutes of Health in the United States have noted that many researchers are investigating the issue.

Some possible theories as to just why acupuncture works include:

Changes to the central nervous system during acupuncture sessions alter the regulation of blood pressure and flow as well as body temperature.

Acupuncture stimulates the central nervous system causing neurotransmitters and neurohormones to be released, thereby boosting your body’s natural ability to heal itself.

Acupuncture reduces pain by releasing the endorphins, which naturally occur in the body’s pain control system, into the central nervous system.

Regardless of just how it works, the fact remains that it is a relatively painless procedure with minimal side effects when done by a professional. Going to a fully trained and certified practitioner significantly reduces these risks. Acupuncture should not be performed on people with bleeding disorders or those using blood thinners.

Finding An Acupuncturist
Many medical doctors utilize acupuncture in their everyday practice. These doctors need 200 to 300 hours of acupuncture training to be allowed to practice on people. There are many more professionals who specialise just in acupuncture. These individuals have between 2,000 and 5,000 hours of training and have completed board exams (AHPCSA - Allied Health Professions Council of South Africa) to receive their accreditation. Regardless of which type of professional you prefer, there are some things to keep in mind when deciding on who to see.

Always check that a potential acupuncturist has the appropriate training and certification as mandated by your country (the requirements can vary depending on where you live). Ask your friends and family if there is anyone they would recommend. And don’t forget to inquire about the cost of the treatment. Some medical aid plans cover acupuncture treatments, so you may want to look into that as well.

Acupuncture is not a one-time procedure, though. You will need to see your acupuncturist once or twice a week for a series of weeks or possibly even months. A series of up to 12 treatments is normal. Each appointment will take about an hour and should include time for an exam and discussion of your current condition, things you can do yourself at home and any questions you may have.

A few general ailments that can be treated; an in depth view on ailments and conditions that can be treated; chinese medicine efficacy statement

A scientific view
Quantum mechanics seems to suggest that the sub-atomic world and even the world beyond the atom - has no independent structure at all until defined by human intellect.
Werner Heisenberg, who transformed physics when he developed this concept in 1927, notes: "Natural science does not simply describe and explain nature; it is a part of the interplay between nature and ourselves... What we observe is not nature itself, but nature exposed to our methods of questioning." Quoted from the illustrated I Ching by R.L. Wing
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how does it work and the benefits

Chinese Medicine considers that health depends upon the continuous and unobstructed circulation of blood and "Qi" (pronounced “chee,” and often translated as "intrinsic energy" or "vital force") throughout the body. The genius of the ancient Chinese physicians was to discover that the tiny stimulus of inserting fine needles could regulate the flow of qi and blood and bring about powerful therapeutic effects by using the body's own regulatory systems and self-healing potential.

Stimulation of acupuncture nodes with needles, heat, pressure, electricity, or other means initiates a complex cascade of subtle but powerful neural, vascular, endocrine, lymphatic, and immunological responses that together result in:

Pain reduction

Muscle relaxation

Restoration of blood flow to limbs and organs

Normalization of organ activity

Reduction of inflammation and swelling

Tissue and wound healing

Enhanced immune response

Increased joint range-of-motion

Stress reduction and mood enhancement

The full potential of acupuncture and its supplementary Chinese medical modalities is to bring about more harmonious functioning and general well-being. As patients heal during acupuncture treatment, they often describe profound feelings of peace, clarity, and self-awareness. With repeated treatment, this sense of wellness may become increasingly the norm experienced by the patient in their daily life and functioning.

The net effect of these processes restores both local and systemic "homeostasis:" the body's normal state of dynamic, balanced function.

General improvements in health status have been observed in conjunction with acupuncture treatment. For example, a study of 762 patients who received 6 acupuncture treatments in an outpatient setting showed significant improvements in 7 of 8 outcome measures (General health, Bodily pain, Vitality, Social functioning, Mental health, and Roles-physical and -emotional ) compared with a no-treatment control group.

General improvement in health status is consistent with models of the physiologic basis of acupuncture that indicate therapeutic effects through a wide range of mechanisms and body systems. The ability of acupuncture to regulate sympathetic/parasympathetic imbalances and promote immune function may account for its general clinical benefits.

A few general ailments that can be treated; an in depth view on ailments and conditions that can be treated; chinese medicine efficacy statements

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what does it treat


Used across the world as a general medical technique as well as a specific medical context, such as childbirth, immune disorders, sports medicine and addiction.

Acupuncture treats a wide variety of ailments including stress, anxiety, trauma, depression, insomnia, headache, migraines, general aches & pains, back & neck pain, menstrual problems including PMT & menopause. Read more ....

Fertility

On its own, acupuncture can be seen as an alternative way of treating fertility problems. It is also often seen as a complementary therapy to modern fertility treatments. When used alone, though, acupuncture is most effective. Some practitioners will also recommend Chinese herbs for infertility that will supplement the acupuncture and any other treatment you may be receiving. If you take herbs while receiving other medical treatments, be sure to tell your doctor. Some herbs can interfere with the function of fertility drugs and procedures. Read more ....

A few general ailments that can be treated; an in depth view on ailments and conditions that can be treated; chinese medicine efficacy statements

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chinese medicine techniques

Diagnosis is done at each session; to view the change after the last treatment. This is done in a variety of ways; client history, lifestyle, viewing, five elements, yin yang theory, pulse and tongue diagnosis to name a few.

Patients treat specific ailments; but continue to maintain treatment after the symptoms are gone to maintain general well being.

It is an extremely safe & effective form of medicine. Correctly & professionally done, acupuncture rarely causes serious side effects.

Acupuncture's mastery and elegance seeks the one point that transforms the whole. Fine needles balance and restore meridians and health. Fine needles that balances and restores health. Correcting blockages in the body. Similar to fixing a short circuit found in an electrical system.

Acupuncture is an Oriental Medicine treatment where acupuncture needles are inserted into the body. The needles are inserted into acupuncture points to adjust the Qi, or energy, of our body. These acupuncture points exist along energy channels called acupuncture meridians, which connect the surface of our body with our internal organs. By altering the flow of Qi, acupuncture can adjust many aspects of our mental and physical functioning

Needles are inserted into points on each of meridians patterns according to patients present condition and underlying constitution. More questions answered lower down the page.
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Moxibustion - Therapy using Artemisia (mug wort) to warm and nourish the energy field is known as moxibustion.

Moxibustion - Therapy using Artemisia (mug wort) to warm and nourish the energy field is known as moxibustion. A key component of acupuncture practice and was earlier referred to as acumoxa therapy. It is used for skin conditions and the correction of breached birth.

A key component of acupuncture practice and was earlier referred to as acumoxa therapy. it resembles tan-coloured cotton wool; rolled into a cone, or cigar shaped is used to warm the point. Is used for skin condition and for correcting the breach of baby. Moxibustion, frequently used in conjunction with acupuncture, places burning herbs near the skin or directly on the acupuncture needles, using heat to stimulate the same meridian points.

Moxibustion could be used in diverse types of illness, and is recommended namely in: Chronic illness, that weaken the body; Degenerative illness; Elderly people; Children and weak persons in general; Sportsmen and athletes, to improve their performance; To prevent illness and to maintain health.

Acupuncture and moxibustion have both been successful in curing internal disease through external means.
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Herbs have been an integral part of oriental medicine and longevity practices for  more than 2000 years. Inseparable from food science and meditation.

Herbs have been an integral part of oriental medicine for  more than 2000 years. Inseparable from food science and meditation. It can be administered in the form of pills or loose herbs prescribed uniquely for each patient.

Chinese herbal medicine has been used effectively and safely for thousands of years. When used in proper dosages and in specific individualized formulations, herbs are extremely powerful and rarely have side effects.

Chinese herbs promote the body’s restoration to a normal balance by stimulating the Qi and blood to move freely and with proper force.

These herbs should only be used when prescribed by a licensed practitioner to avoid complications.
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Pics: qi gong posture, herbology, de da sun sang & gua sha.

Tui Na - is literally to push and grab. Effective with muscular and baby massage; techniques based on the oriental diagnostic framework.

De Da is literally bonesetting; setting bone, manipulate joints, muscle, sinew and tendon stemming from martial art incapacitation routine (namely Chin na).

Auricular acupuncture - Weight loss & Quitting smoking acupuncture is an ADJUNCT therapy. It is not a panacea or a wonder cure in the treatment of weight control.

Quitting smoking can be one of the best things you can do for your health. Unfortunately, the nicotine in cigarettes is extremely addictive, making it hard for many people to stop smoking. The good news is that recent research has shown that acupuncture can be a very effective way to quit smoking. Read more on stop smoking as treatment.

Weight loss acupuncture is effective in making it easier to lose and maintain that loss if the patient is willing to change their lifestyle. The exact mechanism by which acupuncture works is unknown but we know that acupuncture needles inserted into specific points on the body and in the ear release endorphins which have a calming and relaxing effect that makes it easier to deal with stress, frustration and anxiety that can trigger overeating and bingeing on fattening foods. Also endorphins affect the digestive and hormonal systems so acupuncture can help rebalance the organ systems that are running too fast- or in this case too slow—i.e., the metabolism and the will power. Read more on weight control as treatment.
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Cupping
Chinese cupping therapy has long been an ancient part of traditional Chinese medicine and involves relieving the body of local congestion.

It is performed by placing cups onto the skin using either heat or suction methods.  Underlying tissue is then drawn under the cups when they are left on the skin for a few minutes and blood stasis will form, and this is when healing takes place.

They can be used to relieve pain, tension & stress or to 'draw out' illness such as the common cold, asthma, headache etc. the cups can be left in a static position or gently moved (feeling like a deep massage) along the oiled surface of the skin.
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Gua Sha or scraping therapy is a natural therapy based on traditional Chinese medicine.

Through the use of edged tools, scraping the meridians, channels and points on the surface of the skin can improve circulation while dredging the channels and meridians helps regulate surplus blood, invigorate circulation, make hearts and lungs healthy, relieve rheumatic pains and cold, eliminate bumps and relive pain, stimulate and improve immunity, and protect the body’s natural abilities.

Gua Sha is valuable in the prevention and treatment of acute infectious illness, upper respiratory and digestive problems, and many other acute or chronic disorders.

Treatments using cupping or Gua Sha will most certainly leave bruising & can last for up to 5 days.
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Seven star needle or plum blossom needling – A plum blossom needle is shaped like a very small hammer with a group of needles on the head shaped like a flower.

We use this to tap gently along a meridian line. It is used to encourage the flow of energy along the channel & promoting health.

It can often be employed to treat peripheral neuropathy (a syndrome which includes symptoms of numbness, tingling, insensitivity, pain, and muscle weakness and atrophy)
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5 elements eating analysis - Foods are consumed on the principles of the 5 elements - water, wood, fire, earth, metal; and its relation to elements, seasons and patterns. But this does not mean that we cannot break away to the occasional "wrong food or drink item".

In the body, all five elements are represented because they correspond to the five major organs: kidneys, liver, heart, stomach and lungs.  Usually one is stronger than the others, and one is slightly deficient.  One of the most important ways to create balance in the body is to choose to eat more foods, which strengthen and replenish the elements in which we are deficient.

Essentially, there are five elements, or factors, which have an inter-relationship which must be kept in balance. The Five Elements are: Fire, Earth, Metal, Water and Wood. Read more on this..

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Feb 2011