chinese medicine is eco health

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 acupuncture practitioner & doctor of Chinese medicine

registered AHPCSA & Practice number

Certified 8th dan Chinese martial arts & 8th dan Qi Gong coach.

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

balance between people and the planet.

Click on the topic of choice for easier selection.

1. the logic

2. how does it work and the benefits

3. what does it treat

4. chinese medicine techniques

5. questions and answer

 

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

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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 painless 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 specialize 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 state or province (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 insurance 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 q" 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 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.

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.

 

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.

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.

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.

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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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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	FIRE	EARTH	METAL	WATER	WOOD
Yin Organs	HT & PC	SP	LU	KD	LV
Yang Organs	SI & TH	ST	LI	UB	GB
Sense Organs	Tongue	Mouth	Nose	Ears	Eyes
Colors	red	yellow	white	blue/black	green
Sounds	Laughing	Singing	Crying	Groaning	Shouting
Emotions	Joy	Worry or Pensiveness	Grief or Sadness	Fear	Anger
Seasons	Summer	Late Summer	Autumn	Winter	Spring
Environment	Heat	Dampness	Dryness	Cold	Wind
Tastes	Bitter	Sweet

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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questions & answers

Is acupuncture safe? What about side effects? 
With modern sterile, single-use, disposable needles, acupuncture has an outstanding safety record. The NIH report states: "one of the advantages of acupuncture is that the incidence of adverse effects is substantially lower than that of many drugs or other accepted medical procedures used for the same conditions."
Rarely, patients experience temporary, mild worsening of symptoms before improvements begin to occur. Often the relaxing effects of acupuncture are so profound that patients feel a greater sense of well being and vitality.

 

What does Acupuncture feel like? 
Acupuncture needles are very different from hypodermic needles used for injections or blood sampling; they are twenty times smaller and generally painless. Patients typically have little or no sensation of the acupuncture needle insertion when applied.
To obtain a therapeutic response, needles are manipulated until the patient feels a light distending, cramping, warmth, or tingling around the insertion site. Sometimes these sensations are felt to travel along pathways in the body. The sensation typically subsides within seconds, but may be re-enforced through manual or electrical stimulation of needles (barely perceptible milli- or micro-amps).

 

 

What is an acupuncture treatment like? 
Acupuncture diagnosis and treatment begins with a detailed interview to obtain information about the patient’s medical history, symptoms and goals for treatment. The acupuncturist proceeds to perform a physical examination that begins with taking vital signs (pulse, blood pressure, etc.). The acupuncturist then inspects and carefully palpates the disease or injury site, and/or acupuncture vessels associated with the affected area. Special tests may be conducted to further define the nature and cause of the condition. The practitioner may also inspect the patient’s tongue and feel the qualities of the radial pulse, which give important clues to the patient’s overall health status. 
Information gathered from the interview and examination is used to reach a diagnosis and formulate a treatment plan. If acupuncture is indicated, the practitioner chooses a combination of related nodes at locations that may include the limbs, torso, and head.

Acupuncture is usually performed with a patient lying comfortably on a treatment table. The acupuncturist inserts typically from four to a dozen needles at the chosen locations. After the needles are manipulated for a few seconds to produce a therapeutic stimulus, they are retained while the patient lies quietly for 45-60 minutes. Supplementary techniques may also be performed, including:

• warming of the needling sites with a smoldering Chinese herb called moxa;
• applying friction (gua sha), suction, or herbal liniments or plasters to the skin;

Chinese medical massage (tui na and acupressure).
Following a treatment, your practitioner may also recommend traditional Chinese herbal and dietary remedies, as well as exercises and stretches (taiji, qi gong, dao yin).

 

 

How many treatments are necessary? 
After the initial consultation, your acupuncturist will explain your diagnosis and discuss a treatment plan, including number of visits, expected benefits, costs, risks, and alternative treatments. The number of treatments required varies with each patient and their condition. 
Symptomatic relief is often felt during the first treatment. In many conditions, significant and lasting improvement is evident by the 3rd or 4th treatment, or even sooner. Chronic or complex conditions may require 1-3 treatments per week for several months. More recent conditions may be effectively resolved after only a few treatments. Q: What does modern research say about acupuncture efficacy? In 1997, the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) issued a consensus report that concluded "The data in support of acupuncture are as strong as those for many accepted Western Medical therapies…There is sufficient evidence of acupuncture's value to expand its use into conventional medicine and to encourage further studies of its physiology and clinical value" (NIH 1997) .

 

Is belief necessary for acupuncture to work?
No. Beneficial effects of acupuncture have been demonstrated on animals and children, as well as on adults who have never received acupuncture before. Other studies have shown that acupuncture effects are not dependent on psychosocial variables . As with any medical modality, a positive and open attitude towards healing can only serve to re-enforce the therapeutic outcome.
Acupuncture can be used as a stand-alone treatment, or may be safely combined with other Chinese medical or conventional Western treatments. Patients are advised not to quit their current treatments without discussion with the physician who prescribed that care.

 

What are acupuncture "points" and "channels?"
Ancient Chinese studies identified over 600 sensitive sites on the surface of the body that reflect internal disease states, and can be stimulated for pain relief and other benefits. Modern science has found that these sites (usually called "points" or "nodes") have special properties including higher electrical conductance and inter-cellular communication, and a greater density of fine neural, vascular, and lymphatic structures. Working through the neural and vascular systems and through organizing networks in the body's electrical field, the nodes regulate muscles, blood vessels, lymphatics, organs, and the body's biochemical and hormonal balance

 

What is the role of acupuncture in modern healthcare? 
The extensive history of clinical usage, and the excellent safety record, make acupuncture a reasonable complementary treatment for almost all diseases and conditions. Acupuncture has almost no known contraindications, and is not reported to interfere with other treatment modalities. It may be safely used to complement and enhance other treatments, and to reduce the adverse side effects and complications that are sometimes associated with surgery, pharmaceuticals, and other more invasive procedures. 

For some conditions, conventional treatments may be contraindicated or deemed undesirable because of risks of inadequate or even adverse outcomes. Patients' prior medical history and experience may also indicate that they are not likely to respond well to certain conventional therapies. In these cases, acupuncture is a reasonable alternative. Acupuncture is a safe and conservative first-line treatment choice, not only for those conditions where its efficacy has been proved, but also where the efficacy, safety, or appropriateness or other therapies is in doubt.

Increasingly, acupuncture is being practiced in integrative medical settings in conjunction with conventional therapies. For example, acupuncture may combine with conventional therapies to reduce post-surgical pain and swelling, and increase range-of-motion. Using acupuncture lowers the need for pain-killing drugs and thus reduces the risk of adverse drug effects. The NIH report states: "One of the advantages of acupuncture is that the incidence of adverse effects is substantially lower than that of many drugs or other accepted medical procedures used for the same conditions" (NIH 1997).

 

Can I claim treatments from medical aid? 
Yes; claims are not processed by us; you pay for sessions when in attendance.

 

Is Dr. Jeff Lan accredited and registered? 

Dr. Jeff is a registered acupuncture practitioner and doctor of Chinese medicine and has a practice number with the Allied Health Professions Council of S.A. (AHPCSA). Biography click here.

 

Why is your fee so nominal? 
The purpose is to allow patients to return; regardless of the amount of sessions it takes to obtain a full recovery. Health remains the first priority.

 

Why are there more sessions for some and less for others? 
Every condition manifests differently in each individual; same condition, different circumstances. No two treatments are alike; they may be similar.

 

Can I train after treatment and how soon?

Depending on the extent of ailment and treatment; some conditions require mild excises such as stretching, qi gong, taiji and meditation.

 

After a session; I find that acupuncture has treated some issues not addressed to the doctor; why is this? 
Treatment cannot be singled into one symptom, one treatment concept; many symptoms may stem from a single ailment. The body is a linked network system; treatment will cure as such.

 

How often is treatment needed.

This depends on the nature of the condition. Generally patients attend until the symptoms and root of the problem are fully treated.

 

Follow up treatments can range between 1 and 3 days after initial sessions. Acute conditions take far less time to heal than do chronic ones.

Seeking treatment early greatly reduces the length of healing time. This can range from 2 to 10 or more sessions dependant on ailment and recovery to treatment.

 

Can I maintain my body with acupuncture? 
Yes; like a car the body needs a regular service too; a recommended once a month session, helps to maintain the bodies balance.

 

Can I use it with Western Medicine? 
Absolutely! In fact, Chinese Medicine can help alleviate side effects of surgery and medication and aid certain “untreatable” conditions.

Just notify your practitioner of any medication you may be using to avoid interactions. 

 

Acupuncture can treat most conditions.

Dr. Jeff will advise when a condition is not treatable? 

 

 

Is it painful and sore when getting acupuncture.
If you are alive; then yes you will feel. The first "pain" is the finger pressing;  point location prior to needle insertion.

 

Energy surges happens on insertion or removal of needles. Like hitting the funny bone; or a sensation of warm, tingling, heaviness, or numbness can be felt after the initial insertion. This is the sensation of Qi and is normal and desired for a beneficial treatment.

Most patients generally feel relaxed both during and after the treatment. 

 

 

Possible reactions that could be felt after:
After treatment some patients may experience discomfort or further reactions. These can last for 1-3 days.

This is due to the fact the body is still responding to treatment.

The areas in the body that are affected are the places where the "Qi" is blocked, this is translated as "energy breaking through the channel".

 

Some patients feel 'spaced out' after a treatment or just deeply relaxed & sleepy. Care must obviously be taken if returning to work or driving after a treatment. This is simply an indication that the body is starting to re balance itself & is nothing to be concerned about.

 

 

Symptoms and reactions to treatments;

Differ From Person To Person

• Shooting sensation (same as hitting the funny bone) is an instant surge of blocked energy or involuntary body movement may occur.
• Emotional outbursts can also be experienced i.e. laughing, crying etc.
• With insertions and manipulation of the needle, various reactions are felt on different points causing different sensations i.e. dizziness, nauseousness or fainting; this is due to a strong imbalance that is being corrected.
• Bleeding after the needle is withdrawn or bruising may also occur. This is sometimes done purposefully to boost the immune system.
• Reactions to treatment can last up to 1-3 days after a session. This is due to the fact that the body is still responding to treatment.
• Relief can be felt immediately or delayed or the opposite could occur.
• Imbalance/illness develops gradually over time; treatments assist through stages therefore more than one session is often needed.

Acupuncture and dry needling what's the difference.
Acupuncture takes years of continuous study – needles are inserted up to 3 Qi (intrinsic energy) layers deep (1.5 to 3 inches) over the body along the constantly moving meridians. Treats deeper more intense and bigger proportion of ailments.
Dry needle therapy – can be done as a short course (weeks) and is practiced by most medical practitioners; needles is placed lightly in the upper layer of the skin; almost non penetrating also known as "painless" acupuncture. Treats milder conditions and ailments.

Are the needles reused? 

Never. We only use disposable needles; they are completely sterile.

 

 

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August 11, 2010