What is Oriental Medicine?

Oriental Medicine orginated in China and is the oldest continuously practiced medical system in the world. For more than 20 years, Americans have benfited from this ancient healing system. This system of medicine is based on natural laws that describe the movement of life energy in nature and all living beings. The fundamental principle of Oriental Medicine is to treat the whole person--body, mind, and spirit. The intention is to diagnose and treat the underlying causes of disease in addition to alleviating the symptoms.

Life energy, Qi (pronounced chee), flows through our bodies in channels similar to rivers that course through the Earth. When the Qi in our bodies is full and moving freely, health is promoted. When our Qi is depleted or blocked, disease can begin. Symptoms are the body's distress signals warning one that there is a problem. The placement of needles in specific points along those channels and appropriate prespription herbal medicine restore the smooth flow of Qi and optimum health.

Oriental Medicine is concerned with the whole person and addresses itself to many levels of functioning. It is also a particular form of treatment with its own limitations. Acupuncture is often complementary, not alternative, medicine. It works well with other health-promoting treatments. In many cases, patients already have other health care providers and need to remain in thier care. Acupuncture practitioners work together with other health care proveders and do not recommend altering medications or other therapies without consulting one's personal physician or health care provider.

Who Benefits from Acupuncture?

Nearly everyone! Imbalances in Qi manifest in many different ways, unique to each person. Acupuncture can be used to treat a wide variety of physical problems, as well as helping to maintain good health. The World Health Oranization recognizes 45 conditions that benefit from acupuncture treatment. These include: headaches, allergies, fatigue, depression, back and joint pain, digestive disorders, menstrual disorders, sleeping problems, addictions and stress. Recently, the Traditional Acupuncture Institute conducted a national survey of acupuncture patients:

* 91.5% reorted "disappearance" or "improvement" of symptoms after treatment
* 70.1% said they avoided surgery
* 78.9% said they used fewer prescription drugs

What Happens in An Oriental Medicine Treatment?

Your initial visit is designed to help your practicitioner understand your reasons for seeking acupuncture or herbal medicine treatment, assess the underlying problems leading to your symptoms, and learn about influences in your life that may be affecting your health. This initial visit lasts 1-2 hours. It includes an interview that covers your physical and personal history and a physical exam. This confidential meeting gives you the opportunity to openly share all your concers. No needles or herbal medicines are used during this visit.

Subsequent treatments are scheduled to last an hour in order to have ample time to attend to your particular needs. The frequency of treatments varies with each individual's needs. Initially, you will be seen weekly for 6 to 8 weeks to create an internal balance, which can be maintained between treatments. As this balance is achieved, treatments can be extended to every other week, every month, and eventually seasonally. The goal is to move you to a maintenance schedule that promotes optimum health.

What About the Needles?

The needles used to stimulate acupuncture points are solid-state stainless stell, pre-sterilized, and disposable. They are NOT hypodermic needles. They are very slender, about the thickness of two human hairs.

Most insertions are made beneath the skin's surface and sensations vary from person to person. Sometimes a person feels nothing at all, or perhaps a dull, momentary ache or tingling sensation. The fewest number of needles are used in each treatment. Sometimes, a nurturing herb called moxa is used in treatment.

What About the Herbal Medicine?

Herbal medicine is a main modality or treatment method withing Oriental medicine. Traditional Chinese medicine is the world's oldest continually practiced professional medicine. Although acupuncture was the first Chinese modality to gain wide acceptance in the West, Chinese herbal medicine is quickly establishing itself as one of the most popular and effective alternative therapies in the West.

Chinese herbal medicine, when practiced as part of Oriental Medicine, is based on an indivdualized pattern diagnosis as well as a disease diagnosis. This means the patient receives a custom written herbal prescription designed to treat both the symptom or disease and also their individual pattern.

What is Recommended for Those in Treatment?

Various changes, subtle or profound, may occur during and after treatment. You and your practitioner will monitor all changes. Progress is different and unique for every individual.

A guide to support your treatments:

* Plan your activites so that after each treatment (especially after the first few) you can relax and allow yourself to gain the maximum benefit.
* Continue prescription medicine exactly as directed by your physician.
* Be aware of chages in your patterns of functioning (attitude, emotions, sleep, appetite and levels of energy, etc.)
* Cultivate respect for your body-mind-spirit and strive to live in mederation. Treat yourself to adequate mental and physical rest, exercise and a healthy diet.
* Let your thoughts and attitudes reinforce the support each treatment provdes.

Research has shown that your own mental energy helps significantly to aid the healing process.