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What is Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)?
What is acupuncture?
What should I expect during treatment?
Is Acupuncture safe?
What if I Absolutely Hate Needles?
How many treatments are necessary?
Do I Have to Believe in Acupuncture For It
to work?
Are there any Do's and Don'ts for me on the
day of a treatment?
What are Chinese herbs?
What are herbs used for?
What are some of the typical reasons for
taking herbs?
Does Chinese herbal medicine have side
effects?
How long does it take to see results from
Chinese herbal medicine?
What is Tui Na?
How does Tui Na work?
What is the Sandlin Technique?
What is Hypnotherapy and Guided Visualization?
What are the benefits of Counseling?
What is T'ai Chi Ch'uan (Taijiquan)?
What is Moxibustion?
What is Cupping?
What is Chi Kung (Qi Gong)?
What is Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)?
TCM primarily includes acupuncture, herbs, and Tui Na (therapeutic
bodywork) and has been evolving as a medicine for over 2,500 years.
Many countries, both east and west have adopted Chinese medicine
as part of their healthcare system. In China today modern medicine
and TCM are used side by side offering the best of both worlds
to their citizens.
In the US there are more integrative health centers and acceptance
of acupuncture and Chinese medicine but it is far from mainstream.
However, the national Institute of Health's Consensus Development
Panel on Acupuncture (November 1997) has acknowledged that there
is evidence that acupuncture is efficacious for numerous medical
conditions.
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What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is the insertion of thin, sterilized, stainless steel
needles into specific points on the body to enhance the body's
innate healing abilities. Points are chosen based on a TCM diagnosis
and needles are usually retained in the body for 15 -20 minutes.
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What should I expect during treatment?
Most patients find the treatment very relaxing, which brings
on the feeling of well-being. Most are surprised at how comfortable
they are during treatment and how easily the needles are placed.
Some people even go to sleep during treatment. A patient may feel
a slight sensation upon entry and then pressure or a "dull"
or "surging" reaction when the needle influences the
energy flow. The tiny, thin needles are specifically designed to be virtually painless. Rest assured, the needles are different
from the hypodermic needles given in injections.
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Is Acupuncture safe?
Very. One of the great advantages of acupuncture is that there
are minimal risks of side effects. Needles generally cause no
bleeding on entry or removal. We only use one time disposable
and sterilized needles in our clinic, thus greatly reducing the
risk of infection. There is minimal risk of organ or blood vessel
penetration.
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What if I Absolutely Hate Needles?
We will use one of several other methods that do not require
the use of needles.
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How many treatments are necessary?
Each person is unique with an individualized treatment plan.
No two conditions or people respond exactly the same. The length
of treatment depends on the type, severity and duration of the
condition, and the physical state at the time of treatment. Both
examination and your response can give us an idea. In short or
lengthy cases, I do an evaluation with you to assess your progress.
In order to get the best therapeutic results, it is important
to follow the treatment plan and recommendations carefully. It
is also vital to complete the course of therapy to restore health.
Our additional programs for health maintenance are designed and
aimed toward prevention and promoting health, longevity as well
as vitality to the body.
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Do I have to believe in acupuncture
for it to work?
No. Acupuncture is used successfully on cats, dogs, horses and
other animals. These animal patients do not understand or believe
in the process that helps them get better, A positive attitude
toward wellness may reinforce the effect of the treatment received,
just as a negative attitude may hinder the effects of acupuncture
or any other treatment. A neutral attitude ("I don't know
if I really believe in this") will not block the treatment
results.
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Are there any do's and don'ts for me
on the day of a treatment?
Yes, the following suggestions will help you get the maximum
benefits from your treatment.
DO
· Maintain good personal hygiene to reduce the possibility
of bacterial infection.
· Remember to keep good mental or written notes of what
your response is to the treatment. This is important for your
practitioner to know so that the follow up treatment can be designed
to best help you and your problem.
· Continue to take any prescribed medicines as directed
by your western doctor.
· Plan your activities so that after the treatment you
can get some rest, or at least not have to be working at top performance.
This is especially important for the first few visits.
DON'TS
· Avoid being too full or hungry before the treatment
· Avoid over exercise, sex, alcohol shortly before or after
the treatment.
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What are Chinese herbs?
In China, herbs or herbal medicine has been part of the written history of Chinese medicine for over 4000 years. There are approximately 300 to 500 herbs that are commonly used to treat a variety of conditions. The herbs consist of roots, barks, flowers, seeds, fruits, leaves, branches, insects and animal parts. They are often dried and prepared as a tea, soup, tablet, pill, granule or powder.
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What are herbs used for?
Herbal therapy has three main functions:
1. to treat the immediate problem, such as killing bacteria or
virus
2. to strengthen the body, helping it to recover from trauma or
illness
3. to maintain health long-term
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What are some of the typical reasons
for taking herbs?
Chinese herbal medicine treats the full range of human disease.
It treats acute diseases, like intestinal flu and the common cold,
as well as chronic diseases, such as allergies, gynecological
disorders, autoimmune diseases, chronic viral diseases and degenerative
diseases due to aging. In particular, Chinese herbal medicine
is especially good for promoting the body's ability to heal and
recuperate.
For health maintenance -
Herbal therapy can also be used for general health maintenance.
Tonics herbs are used to increase energy and to slow the aging
process. They are also used for enhancing sexual energy and for
cosmetic purposes.
For prevention -
Herbs are often taken as a method of prevention. For a person
suffering from frequent headaches, taking herbs to prevent the
headache from ever starting is a much better option than taking
a pain reliever after the fact. Herbs are also used to prevent
the flu, menstrual cramps and pre-menstrual syndrome, among many
other things.
To assist Western medication -
Herbal medicine can assist with the effects and side effects of
Western medication. For example, if a cancer patient is suffering
from side effects such as nausea from chemotherapy, herbs can
help alleviate these unwanted side effects.
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Does Chinese herbal medicine have
side effects?
If taken responsibly, there are usually no side effects. Most
of the medicinals in the Chinese material medica have a very low
toxicity compared to even common, over the counter western drugs.
If a patient experiences any discomfort while taking Chinese herbs,
they should tell their practitioner, who will then modify their
formula accordingly. It is important to keep your practitioner informed of any medications or supplements you may be taking.
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How long does it take to see results
from Chinese herbal medicine?
In acute conditions, the results can be expected in a matter
of minutes. In chronic conditions, some results should be seen
within two to three weeks. Although chronic conditions may require
taking herbal medicine for a longer time, nonetheless, signs that
the medicine is working should be apparent to the patient and
practitioner alike almost from the very start.
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What is Tui Na?
Tui Na is one of the ancient branches of Chinese Medicine. Some
of its techniques are akin to massage or physical therapy. Yet,
Tui Na is a unique technique of body manipulations that addresses
a variety of conditions. Its indications are both external and
internal, and it presents therapeutic methods leading to excellent
and sometimes immediate results.
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How does Tui Na work?
Tui Na is based and applied on the same theories and treatments
as acupuncture and herbal medicine.
Because the Chinese concept of the human body includes special
networks of modulation of the internal organs at the level of
the skin (meridians), Tui Na can actually address internal conditions,
as well as local pathologies.
Tui Na methods include pressing, circular kneading, pushing,
grasping, shaking, stationary circular pressing, rotating, patting,
tapping and so forth. The practitioner uses these methods with
the fingers, palms, fists, or elbows.
William uses a variety of therapeutic techniques and Tui Na therapies
that rest upon a solid understanding of both Western and Chinese
concepts of health and disease.
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What is the Sandlin Technique?
The Sandlin Technique is a gentle, non-intrusive approach to healing that incorporates the body, mind and spirit. It was developed by Virginia Sandlin, a Cherokee mystic, who has demonstrated extraordinary abilities in healing and parapsychology. This work complements and enhances all other treatment modalities and helps accelerate the healing process.
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What is Hypnotherapy and Guided
Visualization?
Both are techniques that utilize deep relaxation and the alpha
brainwave state to access the subconscious and facilitate healing
and transformation on a deep level.
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What are the benefits of Counseling?
Various counseling techniques are used to help a patient not
only gain insight into their situation but to help with reframing,
problem-solving, building self esteem and learning new strategies
to cope with life's challenges.
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What is T'ai Chi Ch'uan (Taijiquan)?
Originally a devastating martial art which was modified as a
versatile health exercise which is likened to moving meditation.
There is an emphasis on maintaining internal and external balance
while encountering one's environment. Usually one begins this practice by learning a set sequence of slow movements that have roots in self defense and energy circulation.
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What is Moxibustion?
Moxibustion using Artemisia vulgaris (a plant of the composite
or daisy family) evolved in northern China. In this cold, mountainous
region, the effect of heating the body on the energetically active
points was a logical development. Moxibustion is thought to have
preceded the use of needles. The crushed leaves, or moxa, or vulgaris
may be used in loose or cigar form. In theory, the burning from
the moxa releases a radiant heat that penetrates deeply and is
used to affect the balance and flow of qi. It is particularly
useful in pain conditions that are worse with cold and better
with warmth.
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What is Cupping?
Cupping is a technique of applying suction over selected points
or zones of the body. A vacuum is created by warming the air in
a jar of bamboo or glass and overturning it onto the body to disperse
areas of local stagnation. This therapy is used in the treatment
of arthritis, bronchitis, severe muscle tension and other ailments.
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What is Ch'i Kung (Qi Gong)?
Qi Gong is the art and science of using breath, movement, and
meditation to cleanse, strengthen, and circulate the vital life
energy and blood. Three basic principles are observed in the performance
of the exercises: relaxation of mind and body; association of
breathing with attention; and the interaction of movement and
rest. There are thousands of different qi gong sets. Many are gentle and simple to learn and with regular practice one can reap great benefits.
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info@threetreasuresinc.com
© 2004 Three Treasures
Inc.
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