China Acupuncture & Herbal Clinic was founded in 1997 by Dr. Simon Mai, an orthopedic surgeon from China, and Dr. Nancy Zhu, a physician from China.
We have more than 30 years experience and have offered high-quality acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in the greater Vancouver area for more than 16 years.
Two LocationsCome visit us at our two clinic locations: in Port Coquitlam and Burnaby, BC
Acupuncture (the insertion of very fine needles to promote the flow of energy within the body) is a balancing technique purported to restore the body to optimal health.
The classical Chinese explanation is that channels of energy run in regular patterns through the body and over its surface. These channels, called meridians, are like rivers flowing through the body to irrigate and nourish the tissues, blood flow and nervous pulses also follow meridians to run through the body to various parts, structures and organs. An obstruction in the movement of these energy rivers are like a dam that backs up the flow in one part of the body and restricts it in others. Any obstruction and blockages or deficiencies of energy, blood and nervous pulses would eventually lead to disease.
Needling the acupuncture points can influence the meridians: the acupuncture needles unblock the obstruction at the dams, and reestablish the regular flow through the meridians. Acupuncture treatments can therefore help the body's internal organs to correct imbalances in their digestion, absorption, and energy production activities, and in the circulation of their energy through the meridians.
According to the needling methods, acupuncture can be divided into traditional acupuncture, ear acupuncture, electro-acupuncture, scalp acupuncture and hand acupuncture etc. Over the last few decades, traditional acupuncture was widely used combining with other techniques, like moxi-needling, cup-needling etc, to increase the therapeutic effects.
Modern science explain the functions of acupuncture as following: Needling the acupuncture points stimulates the nervous system to release chemicals in the muscles, spinal cord, and brain. These chemicals will either change the experience of pain, or they will trigger the release of other chemicals and hormones, which influence the body's own internal regulating system.
Acupuncture has been used by Chinese people for thousands of year, and it becomes more and more popular in the Western societies. Here is the BBC documentary film about the acupuncture.
The following conditions have been recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as treatable by acupuncture:
|
|
Many more conditions and diseases can be treated or cured by the Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Acupuncture (the insertion of very fine needles to promote the flow of energy within the body) is a balancing technique purported to restore the body to optimal health.
The sensation experienced by the patient with acupuncture is largely subjective and may be quite variable. Needling sensation is not painful, but it is a dull, bursting or numb feeling around the site of the inserted needle. Occasionally sensations may travel up and down the channel on which the acupuncture point is situated; for example, the stimulation of an acupuncture point on the left leg may precipitate a strange warm or numb sensation in the right shoulder.
Acupuncture needling sensation is probably best defined by some patient's statement: "When needling sensation is experienced, the needle no longer feels like a needle!"
Each treatment takes about an hour. Acupuncture is usually given in a series of treatments. Since each person is unique, the number of treatments will vary. The determining factors include the type of conditions, whether the conditions is chronic or acute, and the individual response to the treatment.
It is almost impossible to predict how a patient will respond to acupuncture. Very occasionally, one treatment is all that is required, whereas other people may need a number of treatments to gain the same result for the same disease. In general most people, and their problems, do not respond magically to one treatment, and between 5 and 10 teatment sessions may be required in order to obtain the best results from acupuncture.
Acupuncture usually works in stages. The first 2 or 3 treatments represent a process of "understanding the needs of the patient", and are therefore a sort of experiment designed to assess the specific requirements for that person in that particular condition. Some people respond to classical body or ear acupuncture, whereas others respond better to acupuncture with electricity or moxabition. This partially reflects the skill of the acupuncturist in the use of specific techniques, but it also represents the fact that the body responds in a slightly different way to different stimuli.
If there has been no response to treatment after the first 5 sessions, then it is doubtful whether any response will occur. However, sometimes improvement may be very delayed and symptoms may not clear until the treatment ceased. Occasionally patients who have been abandoned, with no improvement after three weeks, will suddenly find improvement some weeks after cessation of acupuncture.
Although in China acupuncture is given daily, acupuncturists in the West tend to treat people on a weekly basis. After 10 years of practice in the West, we notice that the best plan is twice treatments in the first 2 weeks then followed by weekly basis.
Many clinical reports claim that acupuncture can have a curative effect in the treatment of conditions like acute injuries, but there is no evidence to support that acupuncture can reverse the damaged structure, like osteoarthritis, to normal. Although majority of patients get a long-term relief of the symptoms after acupuncture, it doesn't mean that their bodies have already gone back to normal, the problems they suffered before will possible recur later on. The traditional Chinese approach is to attempt to maintain the patient in a state of health, and regular one-monthly treatment patterns for those who with chronic problems, like osteoarthritis, may therefore be justified. However, for most people who with non-chronic conditions, we usually treat them when symptoms recur.
Sometimes the patient may experience a temporary worsening of symptoms due to acupuncture; this response to treatment and in general is a good sign, usually only lasting for a day or two and being followed by improvement.
After an initial evaluation the acupuncturist should provide you with a treatment plan that includes the modalities to be used as well as the frequency and duration of treatment.
Now, acupuncture has been accepted by most of insurance companies like MSP (for low incomes),WCB, ICBC, DVA and a lot of the extended health benefit plan. Patients who have coverage can reimburse all or part of the treatment fees. Fees also can be deducted from personal income tax under the medical portion.
Canceling or Rescheduling Appointments Your time is valuable and so is ours. If you are unable to keep your appointment, please provide at least 24 hours notice.
To learn more about our services or to arrange a consultation, please contact us at: 604-464-6523 or 604-298-6523.
Extremely fine stainless steel needles are used. To avoid the risk of transmission of contagious disease, all needles are pre-sterilized and pre-packaged by the manufacturer, and disposable after being used.
Unlike injection, there is no medicine on the acupuncture needles. The acupuncture aims to stimulate one's own internal healing power, it is unlikely to cause any side effects as the medication. Therefore, it is a particularly safe form of therapy.
Many people, when learning acupuncture, are very worried about the fact that needles may penetrate nerves or organs to cause paralyse and serious damage. However, this possability is very little because a well qualified acupuncturist has good knowledge of anatomy and good needling technique to avoid this potential hazard. Occasionally a small amount of bleeding at the site of needled insertion does occur, then a small local bruise can result, but these are not dangerous and never been reported as adverse reactions. The use of an electro-acupuncture is contraindicated if the patient has a cardiac pacemaker, because it may either switch off the pacemaker or drive it at a dangerous rate.
In conclusion, acupuncture is a very safe procedure, providing the practitioner has well training and experience. Over the last 22 years of practice, we have never seen any damage caused by acupuncture. All the serious acupuncture adverse reactions reported by the literature are due to inadequate training, thoughtlessness or incompetence of the practioners. For the safety of the general public, the College of TCM and Acupuncture of B.C. advises you to seek out a licensed registrant. To find out a licensed registrant in your city, you can go to www.ctcma.bc.ca or call the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of British Columbia (CTCMA) at (604) 638-3108.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (T.C.M.) is one type of Oriental Medicine. It has a recorded history of about 3000 years, but some authorities claim that it has been practised in China for much longer.
The ancient Chinese used the concept of Yin and Yang and the number 5 to explain everything, including our human body, in the nature world. The Yin and Yang are two opposing forces in the universe. The Yin stands for negative, down, dark, cold, female, water etc; the Yang, on the other hand, represents positive, up, bright, hot, male, fire etc. These two forces are always in balance in the nature world, for example, stable objects with same amounts of protons and electrons; day followed by night, hot season followed cold season, similar percentage of male and female population etc.
In human body, if Yin and Yang attain perfect harmony, we are healthy, if they are out of balance, disease will occur. However, perfect harmony is rarely attained and most of us exist in a state of fluctuating health: one day we feel well and the next day less well. The healthy body has healing power to keep a normal fluctuating balance of the Yin and Yang. It is only when the change causes persistent and irreversible disharmony that it results in established disease.
The essential principle of traditional Chinese medicine is to specify the exact nature of the imbalance between Yin and Yang, and the pathogen causing the trouble; and then to select the appropriate therapies, such as acupuncture, herbal remedy, massage (TuiNa), food therapy, moxibustion, cupping, qigong or even sport therapy ( e.g. Taiji ) to correct these pathological processes. As the nature forces of the body become balanced, the disease will be eliminated.
As TCM is a holistic approach, when making diagnosis, a Chinese doctor needs to listen to the patient's complaints and gether relevant information including family history, lifestyle, working environment, diet and other physical and spiritual concerns. Then the doctor needs to check physical signs and assess the Yin and Yang balance state by feeling the pulse and observing the tongue.
Chinese Herbal Medicine has undergone a considerably long history. As early as in the Chinese primitive society, our ancestors discovered, while going in search of food, drugs and used them for curative purposes. Initially they only used a single drug in a dose. But through long clinical practice, they recognized that a recipe composed of two or more drugs proved more advantageous for treatment of diseases, and various prescriptions were gradually formed.
Chinese herbal Medicine consists mostly of nature herbal plants and mineral substances. The herbal medicine can be used to treat diseases by oral taking or external application. Herbal formulas can be oral taken in a variety of ways. The patient may be prescribed raw herbs. He/she will take home, and following simple instruction, steep these herbs into a tea to be drunk at home. Although we call it "tea," some patients find the taste to be a little less than "delicious." For this reason, many practitioners also offer herbal supplements in pill and capsule form. Herbal formulas tend to be created for a single patient and their specific pattern of disharmony.
As we have already known, some herbs in the nature have not only therapeutic effect but also side effect or even toxicity. However, when these herbs are applied with other herbs togrther, their side effects or toxicity will be inhibited, and the curative effect of the compound herbs will be strengthened. Under the Regulation of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture in the province of British Columbia, only T.C.M. registrants can legally prescribe Chinese herbs to a patient. For the safety of the general public, the College advises you to seek out a licensed registrant.
The following are the instructions of tea preparation:
Place herbs into a glass pot with 4-5 cups of water and let soak for about 10 minutes until all herbs have absorbed some water.
Boil with the lid on the pot for about 1 hour stirring a few times while reducing the liquid to approximately 1 cup. Use a pot that has a small hole in the lid or place the lid so that some vapor will escape.
Strain liquid into a smaller dish then add 2-3 cups of water to the herbs and boil again until there is 1 cup remain. It takes about 45 minutes.
Strain liquid and mix the two strained portions together. Divide this in two and this will provide 2 days of drinking tea.
The tea may taste bitter but if you stick to the guidelines given to you, you will notice improvement. Remember this is not a quick fix like taking a pill but rather a cleansing or supporting of the internal organs.
Yes, a disscusion of TCM is incomplete without mentioning all other therapeutic modalities. Except for acupuncture and herbs, the following methods are usually used individually or combined together:
Moxibustion is a form of heat therapy where an moxa stick which made from the dried leaves of Artemesia vulgaris, is burned and used to indirectly heat specific acupuncture points or regions of the body. The Chinese character 'Jiu' is used to describe the art of moxibustion, and literally means 'to scar with a burning object'. Moxibustion does not now involve scarring, but moxa is still used to provide local heat over acupuncture points.
Acupuncture and moxibustion are considered complementary forms of treatment, and are commonly used together. Moxibustion is usually used for the following ailments such as pain which aggravated by cold and damp, chronic fatigue, poor circulation, asthma, certain types of paralysis, some arthritic disorders and so on.
Tuina is a Chinese word that means manipulation and massage of the human body. Many manipulating techniques have been developed in Tuina in the past few thousand years. They cover a wide range of procedures from the very gentle to the firm or vigorous. Some of these techniques are quite simillar to what the massage therapists, physiotherapists and chiropractors use today. Acupressure is one of these techniques, which gives gentle but firm pressure on some points of the body. As a healing art, tuina is as old as instinct itself - the spontaneous manipulating of a place on the body that is aching, wounded, or tense.
More than five thousand years ago, the Chinese discovered certain points on the body which - when pressed, punctured, or heated - had a beneficial effect on some ailments. Gradually, through trial-and-error and the sharing of experience, more and more points were discovered, and the Chinese noticed that points with similar functions lined up to form 14 meridians in our body. Stimulation of these points or meridians not only alleviated pain but also influenced the functioning of certain internal organs. Now it has been proven scientifically that these points have a lower skin resistance, that is, they transmit a greater current of human energy that is necessary for staying health.
Tuina has much in common with acupuncture. They use the same theory of points and meridians to promote healing through the release of tension and the increase of blood circulation. The fundamental distinction lies in the needles used in acupuncture and the skilled hands used in Tuina.
Although Tuina, especially the acupressure, can stimulate the meridiands and points to relieve various health problems, its most advantage is on its passive movement techniques on any structure as a form of treatment for musculoskeletal disorders. Frequently, tuina is used for soft tissue and joint injuries, relaxation, and preventive maintenance. In some instance, tuina or acupressure is used for replacement of acupuncture for those patients who can not take needles like haemophliliacs.
Cupping is a modality that uses a partial vacuum on various parts of the body for curative purpose. This is one of the oldest form of therapy. According to document records, this therapy was used not only in ancient China but also in Egypt. The ancient Chinese used bamboo, wood or coconut shells to serve as "cups". Howerver, the cups widely used now are usually made by glasses, metals or plastics.
When applied to the surface of the skin the underlying soft-tissue is drawn to the cup. The treatment gives the tissue a superb massage. It breaks down adhesions and thus removes hindrances to the circulation. Sometimes, the cups may be moved to provide an extensive form of massage and skin stimulation. After the cupping, slight bruising might take place in the treated areas, but this is of little consequence.
Cupping is unique in its ability to provide a suction effect on the soft-tissue. Among the numerous complaints and diseases that can benefit from cupping are any painful congested area, bronchitis, swellings, arthritis, lumbago, low backache, sprains, and soft-tissue injuries.
Food therapy is one of the most important parts of the Chinese Medicine. The Chinese believe there are two vital forces in our body, Yin and Yang. When these are in a state of balance, we are healthy and when they are out of balance, disease will occur. Since foods also can be classified as yin and yang, or neutral, depending on the energy they impart to the body, they therefore can be used for preventing or treating many diseases. For example, if you suffering from "Yin diseases" like anemia, Yang foods may relieve such problems, on the other hand, if you suffering from "yang infections" like sore throats, measles, you had better to eat Yin foods; Intake of right food in right time can keep or restore the body's Yin and Yang in a balanced situation. To preventing diseases, the Yang season, like summer, should eat more Yin foods, and winter more Yang foods on the other hand.
The cooking methods can be classified as Yin and Yang as well, for example, steamed or boiled ways, or food eaten in raw belong to Yin, and fatty and fried foods belongs to Yang. Therefore, if you want your foods less Yin or Yang, you can cook it in an opposite way. For example, many Chinese seniors love to eat watercress for their constipation, but they don't like its "cool nature" because it makes them feel uncomfortable (e.g. stomachache, gas, cold hands and feet or dizziness) after eating it, so they fried the watercress with fresh ginger, eating in this way, they don't worry about its "cool nature" any more.
For more information about the Chinese food therapy, please click HERE
Qigong is an exercise involved deep breathing, concentration, and relaxation techniques used by individuals for themselves. Qigong had been incorporated into Chinese medicine for very long time.
In Chinese Medicine, there is only one cause of illness and that is congestion. When Qi (vital energy) is blocked within the body system, the Yin and Yang become imbalance, then the body eventually manifests some physical imbalance or sickness. Qigong, like other practical methods as acupuncture, tuina etc, can influence the flow of vital energy and naturally help relieve congestion and therefore, is beneficial to health.
Some Qigong masters claimed that they had cured a wide variety of diseases including cancer, heart disease, AIDS, arthritis, and asthma etc. Unfortunately, until now, there are no large, scientifically organized clinical trials to support these claims. Therefore, although Qigong can undoubtedly improve fitness and general well-being, there's no reason to believe that it will cure any serious disease.
In short, Western Medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) have been viewed as two distinct and divergent medicines. Their approaches to physiology and healing appear quite different in perspective.
The western doctor observes the facts before him and uses the current physiological theories to explain them. It separates the various systems and organs of the body and delves deeper and deeper into the particles that comprise matter.
Chinese medicine views the body and further, the whole person, as a unified organic whole. Spiritual, mental, emotional and physical aspects are all seen as interrelated and interdependent. This perhaps explains why some people see Chinese Medicine as a "holistic therapy".
| West Medicine | TCM | |
|---|---|---|
| Theory | Use modern pathology, physiology, microbiology and pharmacology knowledge to study human disease. Its research process from macro to micro (start from system, now develop to DNA molecular). Although its history is not long, the theory updates very quickly.
|
Use the theory of Yin and Yang and Five elements to human body. When the entire system is in balance, optimal health occurs. Disease occurs when there are obstructions to the flow of Qi, deficient or excessive Qi, or when there is an imbalance of Yin and Yang. Despite the long history, but the basic theory is almost unchanging. There is unfortunatly still not enough evidence-based medcine in TCM as there is in conventional medicine
|
| Diagnosis & Treatment | Making Diagnosis: Treatment:
|
Making Diagnosis:
|
| Pros & Con | Advantages: Disadvantages:
|
Advantages: Suitable for patients with chronic functional problems, especially for those that Western medicine can’t find the cause, but there are uncomfortable symptoms.By correcting organ dysfunction, TCM may prevent severe diseases before they are detectable by Western medicine. Compare to Western medicin, TCM, particulary acupuncture, has few and less severe side effects.Disadvantages: |
In spite of their radically different philosophical assumptions, it is wiser to look upon Chinese and Western medical systems as mutually beneficial rather than exclusive. Each approach has ideas and therapeutic methods that can be explained both scientifically and philosophically, each can benefit the individual and together they can broaden the philosophical and idelogical bases of medicine.
Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture is a recognized and regulated profession under the B.C. Health Professions Act. You can look up or inquire a licensed practitioner in your vicinity through www.ctcma.bc.ca
or telephone the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of British Columbia (CTCMA) at (604) 638-3108.
There have been numerous surveys shown that, of all the complementary medical systems, acupuncture enjoys the most credibility in the medical community. Evidence from Randomized Controlled Trial research is probably not the main basis for this positive opinion. A more likely reason is the existence of a substantial body of data showing that acupuncture in the laboratory has measurable and replicable physiologic effects that can offer plausible mechanisms for the presumed actions. Extensive research has shown that acupuncture analgesia may be initiated by stimulation in the muscles of high-threshold, small-diameter nerves. These nerves are able to send messages to the spinal cord and then activate the spinal cord, brainstem (periaqueductal gray area), and hypothalamic (arcuate) neurons, that, in turn, trigger endogenous opioid mechanisms.
These responses include changes in plasma or corticospinal fluid levels of endogenous opioids (for example, endorphins and enkephalins) or stress-related hormones (for example, adrenocorticotropic hormone). In one study, the effects of acupuncture in one rabbit could be transferred to another rabbit by cerebrospinal fluid transfusion. Although questions remain, other studies have shown that acupuncture analgesia could be reversed with naloxone (an endorphin antagonist) in a dose-dependent manner. Acupuncture may inhibit early phase vascular permeability, impair leukocyte adherence to vascular endothelium, and suppress exudative reaction to a degree equivalent to that of orally administered aspirin and indomethacin. Evidence also supports the possibility that one mechanism of acupuncture may be a form of stimulation for the gene expression of neuropeptides. The latter may uncover the basis of the substantial response to pain that we often dismiss as "placebo."
Functional magnetic resonance imaging is also beginning to demonstrate that acupuncture has regionally specific, quantifiable effects on relevant structures of the human brain. One study found that a specific acupuncture point, traditionally related to vision, activated an occipital lobe region that was the same area activated by stimulation of the eye using direct light. The point was located on the lateral aspect of the foot; stimulation of nearby sham points did not result in similar activation. Other studies show that specific acupuncture points, but not controls, activate structures of descending antinociceptive pathways and deactivate multiple limbic areas that participate in pain processing.
These functional magnetic resonance imaging studies follow earlier efforts showing that electro-acupuncture results in significantly increased concentrations of neuropeptide Y, neurokinin A, and substance P in the rat brain (specifically, the occipital cortex and hippocampus).
Another study, carried out on a set of volunteers by scientists at Hull York Medical School, England in 2005, showed a measurable brain MRI evidence of that an acupuncture technique using deep needling led to the deactivaton of part of the brain's limbic system, which helps the body to be conscious of pain.
According to Chinese acupuncture theory, there are over 350 acupuncture points on the body that connect to 12 principal and 8 secondary pathways called meridians.(1) These pathways are thought to conduct Qi, ( translated as energy or life force) throughout the entire body. Health is maintained by the unobstructed flow of Qi that regulates the physical, mental and spiritual balance. In addition, the opposing forces of yin and yang regulate all organs. When the entire system is in balance, optimal health occurs. Disease occurs when there are obstructions to the flow of Qi, deficient or excessive Qi, or when there is an imbalance of yin and yang. By placing needles in strategic acupuncture points, acupuncture relieves obstructions to the flow of Qi, balances yin and yang and restores general balance. Acupuncture treatments are individualized, based on the individual’s unique characteristics. For example, patients with same low back pain complain might receive different treatments if their imbalance of yin and yang are different.
In modern medical research, acupuncture has been shown to have measurable physiologic effects that may explain the mechanism of pain relief by acupuncture. When needles are inserted into acupuncture points, regional increases in blood flow occur (measured by skin temperature recordings) and laser Doppler flow values and electromagnetic impulses increase. (2) The nerve stimulation sends messages to the spinal cord, brain stem and hypothalamus. These stimulate the release of endogenous opioids such as beta- endorphins, met-enkepalins, and dynorphin.(3) In addition, acupuncture affects the release of neurotransmitters and neuropeptides such as serotonin and melatonin.(4) These may explain the relaxing effects seen after acupuncture. Enhanced immune function also occurs. For example, patients with asthma who receive acupuncture have increased CD3+ and CD4+ cells and decreased IL-6 and Il 10 and eosinophils after acupuncture treatment. (5) There also may be inhibition of the nociceptive pathways involved in pain processing.(6) Recent studies using functional MRI have demonstrated that acupuncture has quantifiable effects on the central nervous system. (7)
Acupuncture has been used in virtually any medical condition, but most westerners go to acupuncturists for pain control. Typically, acupuncture is a series of biweekly or weekly treatments. A typical session involves 5-15 needles and a treatment lasts from 20-60 minutes. Usually there is a clinical response within 10 treatments. Maintenance treatments are usually necessary.
Available DataA recent well designed study has been published that has shown the effectiveness of acupuncture. (8) Berman studied 570 patients with osteoarthritis of the knee in a randomized controlled trial. Patients were randomized to the true acupuncture group that received 23 acupuncture treatments over 26 weeks, the sham acupuncture group with the same number of treatments or to an education control group. The primary outcomes of pain and function were measured at 4, 8, 14, and 26 weeks by the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). Patients were allowed to continue all medications. Pain decreased and function increased to clinically significant degrees in the true acupuncture group only. Pain decreased in the true acupuncture group at all assessments, but did not reach statistical significance until week 14. The WOMAC pain score decreased 3.6 units (40% decline) in the true acupuncture group compared with 2.7 units in the sham acupuncture group. Statistical improvement in function occurred by the 8th week. Function improved more than 12 units, corresponding to a 40% improvement. Patient assessment of global function, the time to walk 6 minutes, quality of life measures and medication usage did not differ between the groups. Side effects were minor and not significant.
HeadacheAlthough many new pharmaceutical agents have been developed to treat headaches, substantial numbers of patients continue to have pain, despite medications. This has led many to try non-drug approaches to headache, especially acupuncture.
Vickers(9) randomized 401 patients with chronic headache (predominantly migraine) to acupuncture (12 treatments over 12 weeks) or to usual care. All patients continued their usual medications. There was a 34% reduction in headache scores in the acupuncture group compared with 16% reduction in the control (p=0.0002). Pain free headache days were reduced in the acupuncture group by 1.8 days/28 days. There was also improvement in 3/9 variables in quality of life as measured in the SF-36 including physical functioning, energy and health change. Visits to physicians, sick days and use of medications were reduced, but did not reach statistical significance.
In conclusion, preliminary studies support the use of acupuncture in headaches, especially migraine headaches.
Other Painful ConditionsMany pain conditions have demonstrated improvement with acupuncture. A partial list includes: lateral epicondylitis(10), peripheral neuropathy (11), temporomandibular disorders(12), phantom limb pain (13), chronic pelvic pain (14), irritable bowel syndrome and other functional gastrointestinal disorders(15) and Crohn’s disease. (16) These studies have generally included small sample sizes.
Adverse EffectsThe risk of serious events associated with acupuncture treatments is quite low and is estimated at 0.5 per 10,000 treatments. (17) Almost all practitioners use single use, disposable needles. The needles are thin (less than 30 gauge), flexible and solid. The most common side effects are minor ecchymoses and forgotten needles. Acupuncture can safely be performed on patients taking antiplatelet drugs. Infections are rare, but have been reported. Vasovagal reactions have also been reported.
References
1. Helms J. Acupuncture Energetics- A Clinical Approach for Physicians. Berkeley, CA: Medical Acupuncture Publishers;1995.
2. Kuo TC, Lin CW, Ho FM. The soreness and numbness effect of acupuncture on skin blood flow. Am J Chin Med. 2004;
32:117-129.
3. Cheng RS, Pomeranz BH. Electroacupuncture analgesia is mediated by stereospecific opiate receptors and is reversed by
antagonists of type I receptors. Life Sci.1980;26:631-638.
4. Spence DW, Kayumov L, Chen A, Low, A Jain,U, Katzman MAA. Acupuncture increased nocturnal melatonin secretion
and reduced insomnia and anxiety: a preliminary report. J Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2004;16 :19-28.
5. Joos S, Schott C, Zou H, Daniel V, Martin E. Immunomodulatory effects of acupuncture in the treatment of allergic asthma: a randomized controlled study. J Altern Complement Med. 2000;6:519-525.
6. Cao X. Scientific bases of acupuncture analgesia. Acupunct Electrother Res. 2002;27:1-14.
7. Yoo SS, The EK, Blinder RA, Jolesz FA. Modulation of cerebellar activities by acupuncture stimulation: evidence
from fMRI study. Neuroimage. 2004;2:932-940.
8. Berman BM, Lao L, Langenberg P, Lee WL, Gilpin A. Hochberg MC. Effectiveness of acupuncture as adjunctive therapy in osteoarthritis of the knee. Ann Intern Med.2004; 141:901-910.
9. Vickers AJ, Rees RW, Zollerman CE, McCarney R, Smith C, Ellis, N et al. Acupuncture for chronic headache in primary
care: large, pragmatic, randomized trial. BMJ.2004; 328(7442):744, Epub 2004 Mar 15.
10. Trinh KV, Phillips SD, Ho E, Damsma K. Acupuncture of the alleviation of lateral epicondyle pain: a systematic review.
Rheumatology.2004; 43:1085-1090.
11. Phillips KD, Skelton WD, Hand GA. Effect of acupuncture administered in a group setting on pain and subjective peripheral neuropathy in persons with human immunodeficiency virus disease. J Altern Complement Med.2004;10:449-453.
12. Wong YK, Cheng J. A case series of temporomandibular disorders treated with acupuncture, occlusive splint and point
injection therapy. Acupuncture Med.2003; 4:138-149.
13. Bradbrook D. Acupuncture treatment of phantom limb pain and phantom limb sensation in amputees. Acupunct Med.
2004; 2:93-97.
14. Chen R, Nickel JC. Acupuncture ameliorates symptoms in men with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome. Urology. 2004; 61:1156-1159.
15. Ouyang H, Chen JD. Review article: therapeutic roles of acupuncture in functional gastrointestinal disorders. Aliment
Pharmacol Ther. 2004; 20:831-841.
16. Joos S, Brinkhaus b, Maluche C, Maupai N, Kohnen R, Kraehmenr N et al. Acupuncture and moxibustion in the
treatment of active Crohn’s disease: a randomized controlled study. Digestion. 2004: 69:131-139.
17. White A. A cumulative review of the range and incidence of significant adverse events associated with acupuncture.
Acupunct Med. 2004; 3:122-133.
Couples with fertility problems are twice as likely to get pregnant using traditional Chinese medicine as western drugs, say researchers.
They found a two-fold improvement in pregnancy rates over just four months of treatment from practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine.
At least six million Britons have consulted a Western or traditional Chinese herbal practitioner in the last two years, according to Ipsos Mori research.
Previous research suggests acupuncture may help some childless couples to conceive.
The latest study from researchers at Adelaide University, Australia, reviewed eight clinical trials, 13 other studies and case reports comparing the efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with western drugs or IVF treatment
The review funded by the Australian government included 1,851 women with infertility problems, says a report in the journal Complementary Therapies in Medicine.
Review of the clinical trials alone found a 3.5 rise in pregnancies over a four-month period among women using TCM compared with western medicine.
Other data covering 616 women within the review showed 50 per cent of women having TCM got pregnant compared with 30 per cent of those receiving IVF treatment.
The overall analysis concluded there was a two-fold increase in the likelihood of getting pregnant in a four-month period for women using TCM compared with orthodox approaches.
The study’s authors said ‘Our meta-analysis suggests traditional Chinese herbal medicine to be more effective in the treatment of female infertility - achieving on average a 60 per cent pregnancy rate over four months compared with 30 per cent achieved with standard western drug treatment.’
It said ‘Assessment of the quality of the menstrual cycle integral to TCM diagnosis appears to be fundamental to the successful treatment of female infertility.
Dr Karin Ried of the university’s school of population health and clinical practice, who led the study, said infertility affects one in six couples and even after investigations 20 per cent of infertility remains ‘unexplained’
She said TCM recognizes many more ‘menstrual disturbance’ than contemporary medicine to minimize the financial and emotional strain on people’
She said ‘Infertility issues can be treated with the integration of TCM and contemporary medicine to minimize the financial and emotional strain on people
Read more:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2066254/Chinese-medicine-double-chances-childless-couples-conceiving.html#ixzz21ZSb792w
Some of other previous studies:
1. Effect of acupuncture on the outcome of in vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection: a randomized, prospective, controlled clinical study
A joint collaboration between researchers in Germany and China, Stefan Dieterle M.D and his colleagues set out to determine the effect of luteal phase acupuncture on the outcome of IVF/ICSI.
225 IVF/ICSI infertile patients were randomly assigned to 2 groups. One group received Traditional Chinese acupuncture and the other half received sham acupuncture. As in the previous study, in the group that received true acupuncture, the clinical pregnancy rate and ongoing pregnancy rates (33.6% and 28.4%, respectively) were significantly higher than in sham acupuncture group (15.6% and 13.8%).
Fertility and Sterility Volume 85, Issue 5 , May 2006, Pages 1347-1351
2. Acupuncture on the day of embryo transfer (ET) significantly improves the reproductive outcome in infertile women: a prospective, randomized trial
In this study, Westergaard LG, et.al., set out to evaluate how the use of acupuncture effected pregnancy rates in patients treated with IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).
273 patients were randomly assigned to one of three groups:
One group had acupuncture on the day of the transfer, a second group had acupuncture on the day of the transfer and then again 2 days after the transfer, and a third control group did not receive acupuncture.
The results clearly showed that the first acupuncture group that received treatment the day of the transfer had a statistically significant higher rate of pregnancy than the control group (37 of 95 [39%] vs. 21 of 87 [26%]). Comparison of ongoing pregnancy rates also favored the acupuncture group (34 of 95 [36%] vs. 19 of 87 [22%]).
There was no improvement on the reproductive outcome by adding an acupuncture treatment 2 days after ET.
Fertility and Sterility Volume 85, Issue 5 , May 2006, Pages 1341-1346
3. Influence of acupuncture stimulation on pregnancy rates for women undergoing embryo transfer
This study from Australia, lead by Caroline Smith Ph.D., examined 228 women and again compared a true acupuncture to a placebo group. The design of this study was to treat the women three separate times: the first session on day 9 of stimulating injections, the second session before ET, and the third immediately after ET.
They reported their results as follows:
The pregnancy rate was 31% in the acupuncture group and 23% in the control group. For those subjects receiving acupuncture, the odds of achieving a pregnancy were 1.5 higher than for the control group, but the difference did not reach statistical significance. The ongoing pregnancy rate at 18 weeks was higher in the treatment group (28% vs. 18%), but the difference was not statistically significant.
They did conclude that acupuncture was safe for women undergoing embryo transfer.
Fertility and Sterility Volume 85, Issue 5 , May 2006, Pages 1352-1358
4. At the October 2004 meeting of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) another study was presented that confirms the value of acupuncture to the success of IVF treatment. The research, done at Reproductive Medicine and Fertility Centre in Colorado Springs, studied 114 women undergoing IVF. Half of the women received acupuncture and the control group did not. The acupuncture group showed improved outcome in the following ways:
(1). Acupuncture group 51% pregnancy rate compared to 36% in control group
(2). Acupuncture group 08% miscarriage rate compared to 20% in control group
Acupuncture also was found to reduce the risk of tubal pregnancy and increase the live birth rate. The live birth rate for each IVF cycle was 23 % higher than the cycles for the control group.
5. Below is the very first paper published on this research. It is from the journal: Highlights in Fertility and Sterility (Vol. 77, No. 4, April 2002)
Results from a recent study in Germany indicate that adding acupuncture to the treatment protocol of IVF patients greatly enhances their chances of becoming pregnant. While the physiologic mechanisms by which acupuncture may affect the uterus and reproductive system have not been identified, the researchers found that as a practical matter, at least among their small study population, the technique worked.
In a study of 160 patients undergoing in vitro fertilization, researchers utilized acupuncture, an important element in the 4,000-year-old tradition of Chinese medicine, before and after the embryo transfers of half their patients. The patients, who were all required to have embryos of good quality, were evenly and randomly divided into two groups similar in age and diagnosis.
The group receiving acupuncture treatments had one treatment before transfer and another after embryos had been transferred to their uteruses. Sterile needles were inserted into the patients' bodies at very specific points. According to the principles of traditional Chinese medicine, energy flows through the body along defined pathways, or meridians. Acupuncture is a means of influencing this energy to induce a desired physiological effect. Points were chosen for these patients along the spleen and stomach/colon meridians in an effort to positively influence blood flow and energy to the uterus and to provide a sedative effect. Additional needles were inserted in the patients' ears to influence the uterus and stabilize the endocrine system. Needles were left in place for 25 minutes while the patients rested. The control group also rested, lying still for 25 minutes after embryo transfer, as part of the IVF protocol.
The difference between pregnancy rates for the two groups was notable. Patients were examined using ultrasound six weeks after their IVF procedures. In the control group, 21 out of 80 patients became pregnant. Of the patients who had received acupuncture treatments, 34 of 80 became pregnant. The researchers plan to conduct further studies to try to rule out possible psychological or psychosomatic effects.
Why don’t try acupuncture?
Depression and anxiety are medical illnesses characterized by both physical and psychological symptoms that can be detrimental to one's normal daily functioning. Patients usually complain of persistent feeling of sadness and a lack of interest in activities that they previously enjoyed, poor sleeping habits, crying spells, anxiety, worry, poor memory, inability to concentrate, head and body aches, stomach disturbances, and in extreme cases, thoughts of suicide or self-harm.
The etiologies of depression and anxiety are still not fully understood. The earliest theory relates to low levels of noradrenaline and serotonin in the synaptic clefts.(1) These two neurotransmitters remain the focus of subsequent research, but other neurotransmitters may also have a role.(2) Recent studies have investigated the potential role of various neuropeptides(3), the immune system(4) and genetic factors.(5)
The three most commonly treatments for depression are psychotherapy, psychiatric medication, and (in severe cases) electroconvulsive therapy. Because of the significant number of patients who do not respond to or cannot tolerate conventional treatments for depression, other options must be explored.
In 1973, Dr. Wen, a neurosurgeon from Hong Kong, learned that acupuncture may significantly reduce drug withdrawal symptoms. Scientists started to pay attention to the hypothesis that this ancient Chinese therapeutic technique may be beneficial to the treatment of mood disorders like depression and anxiety. Since 1980s, many studies over the world have published and found that treating depression with acupuncture has a positive and holistic effect on depressed individuals, particularly when used in combination with psychotherapy and herbal treatments.
A study at the Wayne County General Hospital in Michigan, USA, acupuncture treatment was given to 85 patients all suffering from psychological disorders (including depression). The treatment was shown to be beneficial in over 78% of the patients. (6)
In theory, they have found that acupuncture produces an increase in brain chemicals that are believed to be in short supply in people who are depressed. Many researchers found that cerebral serotonin has antidepressant and analgesic effects(2) and that cerebral serotonin can be released by the stimulation of certain acupuncture points. (6)
In another double-blind, placebo-controlled study reported by a psychologist John Allen at the University of Arizona in Tucson, and an acupuncturist Rosa Schnyer,(7) 38 women were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups and received treatment that lasted 8 weeks: (1) specific acupuncture for depressive symptoms (n = 12), (2) nonspecific acupuncture for general feelings of “disharmony” (n = 11), and (3) wait-list controls (n = 10).9 Patients and acupuncturists were blinded using valid but different acupuncture points. All acupuncturists expected that the treatment they provided would be effective for depression.
Symptoms were reduced significantly more in the specific group (P < .05) than in the nonspecific group. However, the difference between specific acupuncture and wait-list groups was marginal (P < .12). These findings might be explained by the small sample size of the study. The remission rate (64%) was comparable to that for conventional treatments of depression.
The study findings suggest that using acupuncture alone could be as effective as other types of treatments for relieving depression symptoms typically used in Western medicine, such as psychotherapy and drugs.
The use of acupuncture for depression is of course still a little controversial. In 2010, Smith et al(8) found “insufficient evidence of a consistent beneficial effect from acupuncture” in treatment of depression, even though they found no evidence that medications are better than acupuncture in helping patients achieve remission or in preventing relapse.(9) Despite this, most studies have shown acupuncture to be a safe and promising therapeutic option, and to have a more favorable adverse effects profile than psychotropic medications. It is also associated with low attrition rates. As such, the World Health Organization has approved acupuncture as a treatment for depression. Overall, the data collected in the last four decades suggest that acupuncture deserves further research as an alternative option for the treatment of depression.
In our clinic, treatment of depression and anxiety is based on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) approach. According to the TCM theories, health is maintained by the unobstructed flow of Qi that regulates the physical, mental and spiritual balance. In addition, the opposing forces of yin and yang regulate all organs. When the entire system is in balance, optimal health occurs. Depression and anxiety can be the result of an imbalance of yin and yang in liver and heart which causes blockage of related meridians. We use acupuncture to remove obstructions to the flow of Qi, and use herbal treatments to restore balance in organs. This is a holistic healing approach, which is not only effective in treating emotional problems; it also addresses the physical realm.
The video below is a testimonial from one of our clients, who sought treatment for her depression.
Reference
1. Bunney Jr, W.E., Davis, J.M., 1965. Norepinephrine in depressive reactions. A review.Arch. Gen. Psychiatry 13 (6), 483–494.
2. Barros, H.M., Calil, H.M., Guimarães, F.S., Soares, J.C., Andreatini, R., 2002. The brain decade in debate: V-neurobiology of depression. Prog. Neuropsychopharmacol. Biol. Psychiatry 26 (3), 613–617.
3. Madaan, V., Wilson, D.R., 2009. Neuropeptides: relevance in treatment of depression and anxiety disorders. Drug News Perspect. 22 (6), 319–324.
4. Miller, A.H., 2010. Depression and immunity: a role for T cells? Brain Behav. Immun. 24 (1), 1–8
5. Smoller, J.W., Block, S.R., Young, M.M., 2009. Genetics of anxiety disorders: the complex
road from DSM to DNA. Depress. Anxiety. 26 (11), 965–975.
6. Chen A., 1992. An introduction to sequential electric acupuncture (SEA) in the treatment of stress related physical and mental disorders. Acupunct Electrother Res. Oct-Dec;17(4):273-83.
7. Allen JJ, Schnyer RN, Hitt SK. The efficacy of acupuncture in the treatment of major depression in women. Psychol Sci. 1998;9:397-401.
8. Smith, CA., Hay, PP., MacPherson, H., 2010. Acupuncture for depression. Cochrane Database Syst. Rev. Issue 1. Art. No.: CD004046. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD004046.pub3.
9. Smith CA, Hay PP. 2005. Acupuncture for depression. Cochrane Database Syst. Rev. (2):CD004046.
A UBC researcher has shown that acupuncture treatment can be used to reduce substance use among addicts in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside (DTES).
Patricia Janssen, an Assistant Professor of Health Care and Epidemiology, led a team that offered acupuncture to residents of the DTES on a voluntary, drop-in basis five days a week. Over 2,700 treatments were given over a three-month period at two locations in the DTES.
Subjects reported a reduction in overall use of substances in addition to a decrease in intensity of withdrawal symptoms.
The study is the first of its kind in Canada. It has been published recently in the Journal of Urban Health: Bulletin of the New York Academy of Medicine.
Acupuncture is an inexpensive treatment and it shows real promise as part of a community-based harm reduction program to reduce substance use,¡± says Janssen. ¡°A reduction in symptoms can provide a window of opportunity for users to become engaged in more comprehensive and long-term approaches to addressing their addiction.¡±
The researchers wanted to determine if addicts in the DTES would accept acupuncture as a treatment, to assess safety for individuals providing the service and to explore the effectiveness of acupuncture as an additional treatment for substance use in this setting.
The DTES has an estimated 4,000 addicts concentrated in an area of 10 city blocks.
Acupuncture was offered at a drop-in facility open to the general public, the Vancouver Native Health Society Positive Outlook Drop-in, and at the Salvation Army Harbour Lights detoxification and treatment facility.
Male and female participants, most of whom were aged 30-49, received acupuncture at five points in each ear, at about 10-day to two-week intervals. They reported reduction in severity of withdrawal symptoms that included shakes, stomach cramps, hallucinations, and suicidal feelings. Participants who attended treatment at least four times reported a significant decrease in their drug use.
Acupuncture to treat substance use has been used in many North American addiction treatment facilities since the 1970s. It was first used in a community facility in the DTES in 1999, when the UBC study was undertaken. Acupuncture treatment for substance use continues to be offered at the Salvation Army Harbour Lights Centre.
Janssen, who is also a scientist at the Child & Family Research Institute, and a team of researchers will begin next month to conduct a trial of acupuncture to help chemically dependent women reduce or eliminate their use of illicit drugs during pregnancy. The trial takes place at BC Women's Hospital & Health Centre. Researchers will compare severity of withdrawal symptoms observed in newborns born to women who have received acupuncture during pregnancy with those among newborns whose mothers did not receive acupuncture. The study is funded by the Toronto Sick Kids Foundation.
New MRI research confirms that acupuncture activates memory centers of the brain and therefore may benefit Alzheimer disease patients and those with mild cognitive impairment. Researchers used a Siemens verio 3-Tesla MRI scanner and discovered that stimulation of acupuncture points Liv3 (Taichong) and LI4 (Hegu) successfully activate regions of the cerebrum responsible for memory and cognition.
Three groups were studied: a mild cognitive impairment group, an Alzheimer’s disease group, a healthy patient control group. It was discovered that the resting state of healthy patients was significantly different than the resting brain states of Alzheimer’s disease and mild cognitive impairment patients. MRI imaging confirmed that acupuncture successfully activated specific brain states in Alzheimer’s disease patients and mild cognitive impairment patients that are otherwise pathologically deactivated. The researchers “speculate that acupuncture may have a great effect on patients such as AD (Alzheimer’s disease) and MCI (mild cognitive impairment) through modulating special brain network(s) or brain regional activity.”
Reference:
Wang Z, Nie B, Li D, Zhao Z, Han Y, et al. (2012) Effect of Acupuncture in Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer Disease: A Functional MRI Study. PLoS ONE 7(8): e42730. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0042730
Anne Underwood
A western doctors would say you are perfectly, but "you are not!" proclaims Nan Lu, a doctor of traditional Chinese medicine in New York's China town. Dr. Lu has just just examined my tongue and taken my pulse or rather my pulses, one for each of 12 organs. The diagnosis: an "energy leak" from heart, causing insomnia. "The heart governs the mind," Lu explains. "you have too many thoughts. you can't get them out of your brain when you want to sleep." This feels like a palm reading, but the doctor's description is accurate. OK, I reply. What's the remedy? According to Lu, it will require acupuncture, qigong(Chinese yoga), meditation, dietary modifications and herbal remedies¡ªin short, major lifestyle changes. I leave with three herbal formulas containing green orange peel, sour-date seed and licorice root along with dozens of exotic ingredients, and I promise to come back for a qigong class. Acupuncture? I'll think about it.
If traditional Chinese medicine feels unscientific to the Western mind, that should come as no surprise. Its foundations sere laid down more than 2,000 years ago in The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine. Yet modern science is starting to verify that some of these age-old remedies really work. A major conference in Beijing in September brought together 1,500 researchers from 28 countries. Together the scientists presented more than 1,000 research papers, most of them relying on strict Western rules of evidence to evaluate the safety, efficacy and biological mechanisms of traditional Chinese treatments. The beauty of the research is that it seems strongest in areas where Western medicine is weakest¡ªnamely, chronic illness. "Even in China, no one says 'Get me to an herbalist' after a car crash," says Dr. David Eisenberg, director of Harvard Medical School's Osher Institute for complementary and integrative medicine. But the Chinese do routinely seek out traditional cures for recurring migraines, arthritis, menopausal symptoms, chronic digestive disorders, even inoperable cancers. The evidence is promising enough that Western researchers have begun looking to China for potential new therapies.
That the two systems can find common ground for dialogue at all is remarkable. Traditional Chinese medicine is grounded not in biochemistry or pathology but in concepts of balance and harmony¡ªbetween Yin and Yang, the "five elements" (wood, fire, earth, metal and water), the "six pathogenic factor" (cold, wind, dryness, heat, dampness and fire) and the "seven emotions" (joy, anger, anxiety, obsession, sadness, horror and fear). Excesses or deficiencies can cause illness, according to Chinese medical theory. So can too much or too little food, drink, work or exercise . In addition, good health requires the life force or vital energy that the Chinese call qi ("chee") to flow smoothly through the body along 14 major channels, or "meridians". Put this all together, and it means that a traditional Chinese doctor wouldn't diagnose peptic ulcers, but "deficient yin of the stomach," "damp heat affecting the spleen" or disharmony of the liver invading the spleen." Acupuncture or herbs might be needed to unblock "stagnant qi".
Of all the Chinese treatments, acupuncture has been the focus of the most research in the West. It has been tested, with mixed results, for conditions ranging from asthma to ringing of the ears. So far, the strongest evidence is that it relieves pain and nausea. Numerous lines of research show that it boosts levels of the body's own opiates called endorphins. This would help explain its effect on pain. It also appears to increase the brain chemical serotonin, which confers a sense of well-being. At the September conference, Dr. Han Jisheng of Beijing University presented a study suggesting that acupuncture could even lessen drug cravings. In a study of 611 Chinese heroin addicts in rehab, acupuncture with low level electrical stimulation reduced the relapse rate to less than 80 percent after nine months¡ª compared with nearly 100% for most Chinese addicts.
What's most puzzling is why the 2,000 acupuncture points on so-called meridians should be special. Western doctors have long complained that the meridians don't correlate to any anatomical structure, such as nervous system. But Dr. H¨¦l¨¨ne Langevin from the University of Vermont may have found the key. In December the journal of the American Association of Anatomists, The Anatomical Record, will publish Langevin's cutting-edge research showing that acupuncture points tend to correspond to areas where connective tissues are thickest. "Connective tissue forms a web that runs continuously through the body," she says. This tissue also contains many nerve endings, which may explain why a needle in the right hand would affect the left shoulder.
Chinese herbology presents its own set of research challenges. Western trials are set up to study a single medication. But Chinese remedies are blends of many herbs. "Chinese medicine is not like a tennis match with two opposing players¡ªdisease and drug,"says Lu."It's more like a football game, with many types of players in different roles." Some herbs might be star quarterbacks; others might tackle toxic side effects. It may be the combination of herbs or their subcomponents that makes them effective. Take the herb huang lian, which Dr. Gary K Schwartz at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center is studying as a potential cancer treatment. The herb contains seven main compounds and 30 minor ones. Together, they kill cancer cells in the lab by interfering with the cells' development. Individually, the compounds don't have the same activity.
Chinese medications tend to have fewer side effects than Western pharmaceuticals, but they are not risk-free. Anything strong enough to have pharmacological activity also carries the risk of toxicities, notes Ted Kaptchuk, a doctor of East Asian medicine who teaches at Harvard Medical School. In 1996, Australian researchers surveyed the most populous states in their country for adverse effects from both herbs and acupuncture. They noted one adverse event for every eight to nine months of a doctor's full-time practice, or one problem per 633 consultations. The problems with herbal medicines included allergic reactions and interactions with prescription drugs. Elsewhere, toxic impurities and incorrectly mixed herbs have sometimes resulted in kidney failure and even death. Still, Western medicine, for all its efficacy and high standards of purity, is riskier. A 1998 study in the Journal of the American Medical Association found more than 100,000 fatal drug reactions among patients in U.S. hospital in a single year.
Chinese medicine seems likely to find a growing place in Western medical practice, if only due to popular demand. Americans and Europeans are increasingly asking for it¡ªeven traveling to China to get it. One traditional hospital in Beijing has a special foreigners' ward. Other Chinese hospitals are offering medical tour packages. "You can see the Great Wall, the Forbidden City¡ªand get three days' worth of treatment as well," says Yianni Solos, a Greek medical student in Beijing. For those not ready to make the journey, China is exporting $500 million worth of herbal medicines annually. And since 1987, more than 20,000 Westerners have studied in traditional Chinese Medical academies. Equally important, training programs now exist in West, along with licensing procedures for qualified practitioners. The result: more Chinese medicine is available stateside.
Those seeking it out include people like research scientist Amy Howell of Rutgers University. After suffering from West Nile virus two years ago, Howell began having serious dissy spells. Western specialists told her the cause was "probably multiple sclerosis or a brain tumor," but they were unable to fix the problem. Finally, in desperation, she turned to an acupuncturist in Cherry Hill, N.J. He diagnosed "stagnant liver qi" and administered acupuncture and herbal remedies. Seven months later Howell's dizzy spells are gone. So are her allergies and a chronic shoulder problem. "I'm a scientist," says Howell. "This doesn't make sense, but there's something there".
If Chinese medicine can help complications of West Nile virus, can it work for insomnia? The jury is out, but I'm optimistic.
In the Yellow Emperor's Classic of Medicine it is said, "People and nature are inseparable. In nature the cyclical movement of the heavenly bodies produces atmospheric influences that exert control over the rhythms of the seasons and is responsible for change to the myriad living and nonliving things…warmth of the spring gives rise to birth, the fire of the summer fuels rapid growth and development, the coolness of autumn matures all and provides harvest, and the coldness of winter forces inactivity and storing".
As fall turns into winter, many people are prone to a mild form of depression that seems to lift in the warmer months of spring. Along with a depressed mood, one can experience irritability, headaches, extreme fatigue and lethargy, increased appetite, carbohydrate cravings, an inability to concentrate, and decreased libido. These set of symptoms form a condition commonly referred to as seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Seasonal affective disorder affects over ten million people in the United States each year, two-thirds of which are female. While the true cause is not known according to western medicine, it is thought that decreased melatonin levels arising from the limited exposure to sunlight in the winter are involved. Other factors that may contribute to SAD include genetics, hormones, and stress.
Conventional western treatment
Current methods of treating seasonal affective disorder in conventional western medicine involve light therapy. Light therapy is based on the theory that increasing exposure to bright lights will increase the levels of melatonin. For some cases, antidepressants are also prescribed. Most of these drugs work by increasing the actions and effects of the chemical stimulants noradrenaline and serotonin in the body. While all these treatments can control depression, they do not address the underlying causes associated with it. Furthermore, antidepressants can produce side effects such as Anxiety, palpitations, insomnia, high blood pressure, reduced libido, excessive sweating and rash.
Traditional Chinese Medicine
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, everything has a yin and yang aspect: opposing forces that also complement one another and form part of a greater whole. Yang is positive in sign and relates to masculinity, activity, warmth, and brightness. It also refers to qualities such as increasing, lifting and dispersing. Yin on the other hand, is negative in sign and relates to femininity, nourishment, passiveness, cold, and darkness. Yin also refers to the decreasing, descending and contracting aspects of nature.
In terms of the seasons, the start of the yin cycle begins in autumn when the amount of daylight gradually decreases, and continues until the spring equinox when the days and nights are of the same duration. Since the autumn months mark the beginning of the yin cycle, there is a tendency towards isolation, sadness, and grieving. For those people whose constitution (due to gender, genetics, environment, and lifestyle) is more yin in nature, these feelings may be even more pronounced. Hormonal changes in both men and women can influence mood. Based on TCM, the winter months are associated with the Kidney system, the root of our vital Qi (energy). It is natural to crave those foods that provide a quick source of energy and that are high in calories since extra energy can be stored as fat in the body to help keep the body warm. Since our body must already use a lot of energy in the winter to fend off the wind and cold, it is also natural to feel more lethargic and emotionally and physically sensitive to our surroundings at this time. Undue physical, mental, or emotional stress, a lack of sleep, and poor nutrition will only deplete the body's energy further and increase the chances of experiencing not only depressed mood, but depressed immunity.
TCM Therapies
Traditional Chinese Medicine is an ancient art and science based on over three thousand years of clinical experience that incorporates several modalities such as acupuncture, herbal medicine, tuina (Chinese massage therapy), exercise (tai chi and qigong), and diet therapy to regulate energy flow and restore balance in the body. In TCM, energetic imbalances are closely associated with chemical, mental, emotional, and physical disturbances within the body. The bioelectric properties of acupuncture points and meridians have been substantiated in several experiments. While research in TCM continues to grow exponentially, acupuncture itself, has been accepted by the World Health Organization as a useful therapy for many conditions. Although it is already well known for its effects on pain control, acupuncture is also helpful in treating several neurological, immunological, and hormonal disorders and preliminary studies have given promising results for its treatment of depression. From a western medical perspective, these studies have shown that acupuncture releases serotonin and noradrenaline-norepinephrine in animals, common stimulants used in the treatment of depressive disorders. As well, recent studies suggest that electro-acupuncture maybe a viable alternative to the use of tricyclic antidepressants. The benefit of this is that acupuncture carries no extra side effects.
From a TCM perspective, the body must be viewed as a whole that is part of a greater whole. Each person is unique and therefore, specific signs and symptoms relating to a person's physical, mental and emotional state as well as their lifestyle, diet, and environment must be taken into account. Since the diagnosis and treatment are holistic in nature, it is possible to discover the underlying cause as well as any contributing factors of the condition. For a condition such as seasonal affective disorder, Traditional Chinese medicine considers it essential to look at the whole body and its surrounding environment and treat according to the particular pattern (excess/deficient, hot/cold, wet/dry, etc.) associated with the disorder. An imbalance of either yin or yang qualities eventually leads to illness and must therefore be treated accordingly so that the body's innate ability to heal itself on all levels is restored.
What to do about SAD
Acupuncture and other modalities of TCM, can indeed be helpful for those who suffer from seasonal depression as they can bring the body to a more balanced state. In certain conditions, medication and psychotherapy may be necessary, and the advice of a physician should be heeded. The following are ways in which you can achieve a more harmonious state of existence by following the wisdom of the changing seasons:
During the fall and winter months, it is important to keep physically active but not to overstrain oneself. Outdoor activities such as skating, skiing or snowshoeing or even indoor stretches and exercises such as swimming, yoga, or tai qi, are excellent ways to keep a healthy mind and body. Special care should be taken to ensure that one has proper nourishment, rest and a comfortable living environment. At this time, there is a tendency to reflect inwardly and conserve energy, in order to prepare for the spring when energy is once again full and abundant. Allow your self to rest more and spend time in solitude to consider the past, present, and future. Although the tendency to become more inactive and isolated is reflective of the retracting nature of winter, it is also important to communicate openly with those close to you so that you can nourish your personal relationships and maintain a healthy and positive outlook on life. By addressing your physical and mental needs in the winter, you can prevent other ailments from occurring in the future. And by appreciating the natural changes in the seasons and within ourselves, you naturally adopt a more healthy and balanced lifestyle in mind, body, and spirit.
For more about the author, please go to the following link:www.acupao.com
References
1.Cohen, MR (1996) The Chinese way to healing: many paths to wholeness. New York, NY: The Berkley Publishing Group.
2. Gascoigne S (2001) The clinical medicine guide: a holistic perspective. Cork, Ireland: Jigme Press.
3. Haas EM. (2003) Staying healthy with the seasons. Berkeley, CA: Celestial Arts.
4. Hans JS (1986) Electroacupuncture: an alternative to antidepressants for treating affective diseases? Int J Neurosci. 29:79-92.
5. Helms JM (1995) Acupuncture energetics: a clinical approach for physicians. Berkeley, CA: Medical Acupuncture Publishers.
6. Herring MA, Roberts MM (2002) Blackwell complementary and alternative medicine: fast facts for medical practice. Oxford, England: Blackwell Science, Inc.
7. Luo H, Jia Y, Zhan L (1985) Electro-acupuncture vs amitriptyline in the treatment of depressive states. J Tradit Chin Med. 5:3-8
8. Ni M. (1995) The yellow emperor's classic of internal medicine: a new translation of the neijing suwen with commentary. Boston, MA: Shambhala Publications, Inc.
9. O'Toole M, (ed.) (1997) Miller-Keane encyclopedia and dictionary of medicine, nursing, and allied health-7th edition. Philadelphia, PN: Saunders.
10. Rakel RE, Bope ET, (eds.) (2003) Rakel and bope: conn's current therapy 2003. Philadelphia, PN: Saunders.
11. Schnyer RN, Flaws B (1998) Curing depression naturally with chinese medicine. Boulder, CO: Blue Poppy Press, Inc.
12. Stux G, Pomeranz B (1987) Acupuncture: textbook and atlas. Berlin, Germany: Springer-Verlag.
13. Tao DJ (1993) Research on the reduction of anxiety and depression with acupuncture. Am J Acupunct. 21:327-329
More than five thousand years ago, the Chinese discovered certain points on the body which -- when punctured, pressed, or heat -- had a beneficial effect at the painful site and on certain diseases. Gradually, through trial-and-error and sharing of experience, more and more points were discovered, and Chinese developed acupuncture and acupressure techniques not only to alleviate pain but also to influence the functioning of certain internal organs.
Except for the body points, the Chinese also noticed that many points on our ears, feet and hands were able to influence the functioning of the related organs. When there is an imbalance in an organ of the body, tender points will be found in the corresponding areas on the ear, feet and the hands. These findings help us to find out and to treat the problems inside our body. The recent studies (Norman & Laura, 1999) showed that crystallized calcium deposits tended to accumulate over the nerve endings where reflex points are located . Pressure on these points would break up and dissolve the deposits.
In this paper, I would like to introduce Foot Acupressure Point Charts to our readers. This reference chart will help you find these trigger points that help to diagnosis and treat the inside problems.
Finding and treating the inside problems by pressing soles of the feet
The technique to be introduced here called Reflexology, a form of therapeutic foot massage that has been widely used in West. It is based on stimulating the nerve ending on soles of the feet which trigge benefits to the corresponding organs or areas.
How to find the problems
On the Foot Acupressure Point Chart (click HERE or the picture for details), you can see toes represent areas and organs of the head and neck. The internal organs locate in the middle of the soles, and the musculoskeleton system locate around the edge of the sole. When there is an imbalance in an organ of the body, it will register in the corresponding areas of the feet, for example, if you had respiratory problems, you would find some tender spots on the "lung area" while you using a stick to press it; another example is that people who eat a lot of processed foods and who do not get enough exercise may have many tender spots on their feet. This indicates that the glands, organs, and nerves are in poor condition and that there are blockages in the body.
How to treat the problems
Using your finger or a stick to give between 3 and six pounds of pressure on the tender points. Your first reflexology treatments should be a maximum of twenty minutes long. This can be repeated as often as every other day for the first week. Gradually work longer on the points or areas that need special attention, namely the most tender spots. As you gain experence, you will learn how to adjust the pressure and begin to relate these points to specific body parts by referring to the reflexology charts.
Foot massage is especially good for arthritis patients as well as for the elderly, sick, or disabled. It simply feels good, and relaxes and rejuvenates the entire body. It improves the circulation so that toxic materials held in the body can be released, benefiting the blood, organs, glands and nerves.
If you have any questions about practicing these acupressure techniques, please don't hesitate to contact Dr. Nancy Zhu at 604-464-6523
Yes, a disscusion of TCM is incomplete without mentioning all other therapeutic modalities. Except for acupuncture and herbs, the following methods are usually used individually or combined together:
Moxibustion is a form of heat therapy where an moxa stick which made from the dried leaves of Artemesia vulgaris, is burned and used to indirectly heat specific acupuncture points or regions of the body. The Chinese character 'Jiu' is used to describe the art of moxibustion, and literally means 'to scar with a burning object'. Moxibustion does not now involve scarring, but moxa is still used to provide local heat over acupuncture points.
Acupuncture and moxibustion are considered complementary forms of treatment, and are commonly used together. Moxibustion is usually used for the following ailments such as pain which aggravated by cold and damp, chronic fatigue, poor circulation, asthma, certain types of paralysis, some arthritic disorders and so on.
Tuina is a Chinese word that means manipulation and massage of the human body. Many manipulating techniques have been developed in Tuina in the past few thousand years. They cover a wide range of procedures from the very gentle to the firm or vigorous. Some of these techniques are quite simillar to what the massage therapists, physiotherapists and chiropractors use today. Acupressure is one of these techniques, which gives gentle but firm pressure on some points of the body. As a healing art, tuina is as old as instinct itself - the spontaneous manipulating of a place on the body that is aching, wounded, or tense.
More than five thousand years ago, the Chinese discovered certain points on the body which - when pressed, punctured, or heated - had a beneficial effect on some ailments. Gradually, through trial-and-error and the sharing of experience, more and more points were discovered, and the Chinese noticed that points with similar functions lined up to form 14 meridians in our body. Stimulation of these points or meridians not only alleviated pain but also influenced the functioning of certain internal organs. Now it has been proven scientifically that these points have a lower skin resistance, that is, they transmit a greater current of human energy that is necessary for staying health.
Tuina has much in common with acupuncture. They use the same theory of points and meridians to promote healing through the release of tension and the increase of blood circulation. The fundamental distinction lies in the needles used in acupuncture and the skilled hands used in Tuina.
Although Tuina, especially the acupressure, can stimulate the meridiands and points to relieve various health problems, its most advantage is on its passive movement techniques on any structure as a form of treatment for musculoskeletal disorders. Frequently, tuina is used for soft tissue and joint injuries, relaxation, and preventive maintenance. In some instance, tuina or acupressure is used for replacement of acupuncture for those patients who can not take needles like haemophliliacs.
Cupping is a modality that uses a partial vacuum on various parts of the body for curative purpose. This is one of the oldest form of therapy. According to document records, this therapy was used not only in ancient China but also in Egypt. The ancient Chinese used bamboo, wood or coconut shells to serve as "cups". Howerver, the cups widely used now are usually made by glasses, metals or plastics.
When applied to the surface of the skin the underlying soft-tissue is drawn to the cup. The treatment gives the tissue a superb massage. It breaks down adhesions and thus removes hindrances to the circulation. Sometimes, the cups may be moved to provide an extensive form of massage and skin stimulation. After the cupping, slight bruising might take place in the treated areas, but this is of little consequence.
Cupping is unique in its ability to provide a suction effect on the soft-tissue. Among the numerous complaints and diseases that can benefit from cupping are any painful congested area, bronchitis, swellings, arthritis, lumbago, low backache, sprains, and soft-tissue injuries.
Food therapy is one of the most important parts of the Chinese Medicine. The Chinese believe there are two vital forces in our body, Yin and Yang. When these are in a state of balance, we are healthy and when they are out of balance, disease will occur. Since foods also can be classified as yin and yang, or neutral, depending on the energy they impart to the body, they therefore can be used for preventing or treating many diseases. For example, if you suffering from "Yin diseases" like anemia, Yang foods may relieve such problems, on the other hand, if you suffering from "yang infections" like sore throats, measles, you had better to eat Yin foods; Intake of right food in right time can keep or restore the body's Yin and Yang in a balanced situation. To preventing diseases, the Yang season, like summer, should eat more Yin foods, and winter more Yang foods on the other hand.
The cooking methods can be classified as Yin and Yang as well, for example, steamed or boiled ways, or food eaten in raw belong to Yin, and fatty and fried foods belongs to Yang. Therefore, if you want your foods less Yin or Yang, you can cook it in an opposite way. For example, many Chinese seniors love to eat watercress for their constipation, but they don't like its "cool nature" because it makes them feel uncomfortable (e.g. stomachache, gas, cold hands and feet or dizziness) after eating it, so they fried the watercress with fresh ginger, eating in this way, they don't worry about its "cool nature" any more.
For more information about the Chinese food therapy, please click HERE
Qigong is an exercise involved deep breathing, concentration, and relaxation techniques used by individuals for themselves. Qigong had been incorporated into Chinese medicine for very long time.
In Chinese Medicine, there is only one cause of illness and that is congestion. When Qi (vital energy) is blocked within the body system, the Yin and Yang become imbalance, then the body eventually manifests some physical imbalance or sickness. Qigong, like other practical methods as acupuncture, tuina etc, can influence the flow of vital energy and naturally help relieve congestion and therefore, is beneficial to health.
Some Qigong masters claimed that they had cured a wide variety of diseases including cancer, heart disease, AIDS, arthritis, and asthma etc. Unfortunately, until now, there are no large, scientifically organized clinical trials to support these claims. Therefore, although Qigong can undoubtedly improve fitness and general well-being, there's no reason to believe that it will cure any serious disease.
In short, Western Medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) have been viewed as two distinct and divergent medicines. Their approaches to physiology and healing appear quite different in perspective.
The western doctor observes the facts before him and uses the current physiological theories to explain them. It separates the various systems and organs of the body and delves deeper and deeper into the particles that comprise matter.
Chinese medicine views the body and further, the whole person, as a unified organic whole. Spiritual, mental, emotional and physical aspects are all seen as interrelated and interdependent. This perhaps explains why some people see Chinese Medicine as a "holistic therapy".
| West Medicine | TCM | |
|---|---|---|
| Theory | Use modern pathology, physiology, microbiology and pharmacology knowledge to study human disease. Its research process from macro to micro (start from system, now develop to DNA molecular). Although its history is not long, the theory updates very quickly.
|
Use the theory of Yin and Yang and Five elements to human body. When the entire system is in balance, optimal health occurs. Disease occurs when there are obstructions to the flow of Qi, deficient or excessive Qi, or when there is an imbalance of Yin and Yang. Despite the long history, but the basic theory is almost unchanging.
|
| 诊治方法 | Making Diagnosis: Treatment:
|
Making Diagnosis:
|
| 优、缺点 | Advantages: Disadvantages:
|
Advantages: Suitable for patients with chronic functional problems, especially for those that Western medicine can’t find the cause, but there are uncomfortable symptoms.因为其可及时纠正人体的功能不适，防止随后继发的器质性病 变。对比西医，中医所产生的付作用要少得多。尤其是针灸，其付作用几近于零。由于其有调整全身的功效，数千年中国人都将其用于疾病预防。 缺点： |
In spite of their radically different philosophical assumptions, it is wiser to look upon Chinese and Western medical systems as mutually beneficial rather than exclusive. Each approach has ideas and therapeutic methods that can be explained both scientifically and philosophically, each can benefit the individual and together they can broaden the philosophical and idelogical bases of medicine.
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Citing the rising popularity of alternative medicine, the American Medical Association on Tuesday released a series of studies testing the effectiveness of some common treatments.
Journal researchers reported that in 1997, four out of 10 Americans used alternative medicines, spending an estimated $21.2 billion. The survey included practices such as spiritual healing, massage, chiropractic care, homeopathy and acupuncture.
U.S. alternative medicine visits increased from an estimated 427 million in 1990 to 629 million in 1997, the survey found. By comparison, visits to all U.S. primary care physicians in 1997 totaled 386 million.
"The market for alternative medicine is vast and growing," said study author Dr. David Eisenberg of Beth-Israel Deaconess in Boston. "This trend must be guided by scientific inquiry, clinical judgment, regulatory authority and shared decision-making."
Journal not alone in questioning practice
The Journal of the American Medical Association is the second major medical journal to tackle the topic of alternative medicine in recent months. In September, the New England Journal of Medicine cautioned patients against using alternative treatments that were not adequately researched and tested.
JAMA studies found that while some traditional therapies are helpful, others show no measurable health benefits.
Doctors in Italy and China said moxibustion, the application of heat from burning herbs to acupuncture points, can help a fetus in breech position to turn head-down when the treatment is administered to a pregnant woman.
A breech position occurs when a fetus is in a position other than headfirst, sometimes causing the buttocks, legs or feet, instead of the head, to emerge first in delivery. It can be dangerous for both mother and child.
The study's authors said, "If the results of this trial are confirmed, moxibustion should be extensively used on account of its noninvasiveness, low cost and ease of execution."
Another treatment, using Chinese herbs to treat irritable bowel syndrome, can reduce pain and irregularity, said researchers from the University of Western Sydney in Australia.
Some treatments fall short
The Obesity Research Center at St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital in New York looked at Garcinia cambogia, an herb often used for weight loss.
"The herbal product Garcinia cambogia failed to produce significantly more weight loss than a placebo tablet," said the study's author, Dr. Steve Heymesfield.
The reports said at least 14 products containing hydroxycitric acid, the active ingredient in Garcinia cambogia, are currently available to consumers over the counter.
Researchers at the Odense University in Denmark said spinal manipulation does not improve tension headaches that affect more than one-third of the population and account for more than two-thirds of all headaches.
Alternative medicine says it supports research
Practitioners of alternative therapies say they welcome the research.
"In the future, we should try and find a combination that would work," said Nadav Shraibom of the Pacific Institute of Oriental Medicine. "Find a place that the Western medicine is at and try to make things (work) together."
Before the two fields can work together, researchers say, there's much more to learn, and communication is key.
They say very few people discuss their use of alternative therapies with their doctors.
"Fewer than 40 percent of the alternative therapies are discussed with one's physician," Eisenberg said. "In my personal view, the current status quo which could easily be described as 'Don't ask and don't tell,' needs to be abandoned -- that is not in anyone's best interest."
Acupuncture (the insertion of very fine needles to promote the flow of energy within the body) is a balancing technique purported to restore the body to optimal health.
The classical Chinese explanation is that channels of energy run in regular patterns through the body and over its surface. These channels, called meridians, are like rivers flowing through the body to irrigate and nourish the tissues, blood flow and nervous pulses also follow meridians to run through the body to various parts, structures and organs. An obstruction in the movement of these energy rivers are like a dam that backs up the flow in one part of the body and restricts it in others. Any obstruction and blockages or deficiencies of energy, blood and nervous pulses would eventually lead to disease.
Needling the acupuncture points can influence the meridians: the acupuncture needles unblock the obstruction at the dams, and reestablish the regular flow through the meridians. Acupuncture treatments can therefore help the body's internal organs to correct imbalances in their digestion, absorption, and energy production activities, and in the circulation of their energy through the meridians.
According to the needling methods, acupuncture can be divided into traditional acupuncture, ear acupuncture, electro-acupuncture, scalp acupuncture and hand acupuncture etc. Over the last few decades, traditional acupuncture was widely used combining with other techniques, like moxi-needling, cup-needling etc, to increase the therapeutic effects.
Modern science explain the functions of acupuncture as following: Needling the acupuncture points stimulates the nervous system to release chemicals in the muscles, spinal cord, and brain. These chemicals will either change the experience of pain, or they will trigger the release of other chemicals and hormones, which influence the body's own internal regulating system.
Acupuncture has been used by Chinese people for thousands of year, and it becomes more and more popular in the Western societies. Here is the BBC documentary film about the acupuncture.
Chinese Herbal Medicine has undergone a considerably long history. As early as in the Chinese primitive society, our ancestors discovered, while going in search of food, drugs and used them for curative purposes. Initially they only used a single drug in a dose. But through long clinical practice, they recognized that a recipe composed of two or more drugs proved more advantageous for treatment of diseases, and various prescriptions were gradually formed.
Chinese herbal Medicine consists mostly of nature herbal plants and mineral substances. The herbal medicine can be used to treat diseases by oral taking or external application. Herbal formulas can be oral taken in a variety of ways. The patient may be prescribed raw herbs. He/she will take home, and following simple instruction, steep these herbs into a tea to be drunk at home. Although we call it "tea," some patients find the taste to be a little less than "delicious." For this reason, many practitioners also offer herbal supplements in pill and capsule form. Herbal formulas tend to be created for a single patient and their specific pattern of disharmony.
As we have already known, some herbs in the nature have not only therapeutic effect but also side effect or even toxicity. However, when these herbs are applied with other herbs togrther, their side effects or toxicity will be inhibited, and the curative effect of the compound herbs will be strengthened. Under the Regulation of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture in the province of British Columbia, only T.C.M. registrants can legally prescribe Chinese herbs to a patient. For the safety of the general public, the College advises you to seek out a licensed registrant.
Tuina is a Chinese word that means manipulation and massage of the human body. Many manipulating techniques have been developed in Tuina in the past few thousand years. They cover a wide range of procedures from the very gentle to the firm or vigorous. Some of these techniques are quite simillar to what the massage therapists, physiotherapists and chiropractors use today. Acupressure is one of these techniques, which gives gentle but firm pressure on some points of the body. As a healing art, tuina is as old as instinct itself - the spontaneous manipulating of a place on the body that is aching, wounded, or tense.
More than five thousand years ago, the Chinese discovered certain points on the body which - when pressed, punctured, or heated - had a beneficial effect on some ailments. Gradually, through trial-and-error and the sharing of experience, more and more points were discovered, and the Chinese noticed that points with similar functions lined up to form 14 meridians in our body. Stimulation of these points or meridians not only alleviated pain but also influenced the functioning of certain internal organs. Now it has been proven scientifically that these points have a lower skin resistance, that is, they transmit a greater current of human energy that is necessary for staying health.
Tuina has much in common with acupuncture. They use the same theory of points and meridians to promote healing through the release of tension and the increase of blood circulation. The fundamental distinction lies in the needles used in acupuncture and the skilled hands used in Tuina.
Although Tuina, especially the acupressure, can stimulate the meridiands and points to relieve various health problems, its most advantage is on its passive movement techniques on any structure as a form of treatment for musculoskeletal disorders. Frequently, tuina is used for soft tissue and joint injuries, relaxation, and preventive maintenance. In some instance, tuina or acupressure is used for replacement of acupuncture for those patients who can not take needles like haemophliliacs.
Moxibustion is a form of heat therapy where an moxa stick which made from the dried leaves of Artemesia vulgaris, is burned and used to indirectly heat specific acupuncture points or regions of the body. The Chinese character "Jiu" is used to describe the art of moxibustion, and literally means 'to scar with a burning object'. Moxibustion does not now involve scarring, but moxa is still used to provide local heat over acupuncture points.
Acupuncture and moxibustion are considered complementary forms of treatment, and are commonly used together. Moxibustion is usually used for the following ailments such as pain which aggravated by cold and damp, chronic fatigue, poor circulation, asthma, certain types of paralysis, fetal incorrect positions like Breech fetus, some arthritic disorders and so on.
Cupping is a modality that uses a partial vacuum on various parts of the body for curative purpose. This is one of the oldest form of therapy. According to document records, this therapy was used not only in ancient China but also in Egypt. The ancient Chinese used bamboo, wood or coconut shells to serve as "cups". Howerver, the cups widely used now are usually made by glasses, metals or plastics.
When applied to the surface of the skin the underlying soft-tissue is drawn to the cup. The treatment gives the tissue a superb massage. It breaks down adhesions and thus removes hindrances to the circulation. Sometimes, the cups may be moved to provide an extensive form of massage and skin stimulation. After the cupping, slight bruising might take place in the treated areas, but this is of little consequence.
Cupping is unique in its ability to provide a suction effect on the soft-tissue. Among the numerous complaints and diseases that can benefit from cupping are any painful congested area, bronchitis, swellings, arthritis, lumbago, low backache, sprains, and soft-tissue injuries.
Scientists have known for years that the most troublesome health problems plaguing Westerners -- heart disease, diabetes, obesity and cancer of the breast, colon and prostate -- are far less common in China. For every 5 American women who die of heart trouble, only one Chinese woman suffers the same fate. The disease kill 17 times more middle-aged men in United States than in China. And China has the lowest rate of breast cancer in the world.
The difference is not just a matter of having the right genes. Studies tracking Chinese born in the Unite States, whose diet has changed to American style, find they wind up with about the same health risks Americans face. In recent years, scientists have found that some classic Chinese food and spices are loaded with chemicals that fight disease. Here is an expanded list of key findings
Qigong is an exercise involved deep breathing, concentration, and relaxation techniques used by individuals for themselves. Qigong had been incorporated into Chinese medicine for very long time.
In Chinese Medicine, there is only one cause of illness and that is congestion. When Qi (vital energy) is blocked within the body system, the Yin and Yang become imbalance, then the body eventually manifests some physical imbalance or sickness. Qigong, like other practical methods as acupuncture, tuina etc, can influence the flow of vital energy and naturally help relieve congestion and therefore, is beneficial to health.
Some Qigong masters claimed that they had cured a wide variety of diseases including cancer, heart disease, AIDS, arthritis, and asthma etc. Unfortunately, until now, there are no large, scientifically organized clinical trials to support these claims. Therefore, although Qigong can undoubtedly improve fitness and general well-being, there's no reason to believe that it will cure any serious disease.
I have had a terrible tendonitis on my right shoulder for the past two months, which had been treated with NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, physiotherapy, and steroid injections, but with little improvement. I had a patient who had had similar problems that hadn't responded to physiotherapy and medicine like me, he went to see Simon Mai and had excellent results. Therefore, I decided to give Simon a try with my problems. After several sessions of acupuncture treatment, I was so glad to find that I am eventually getting better and am back to my golfing. I have referred several patients with painful conditions to him, and most of them have positive results. I highly recommend Simon.
I am very grateful to Nancy for her expertise, friendly demeanor, patience and gentle care for my medical issues. When western medicine had exhausted its options for treatment for my conditions, Nancy offered an alternative and hope for improvement. Her skillful delivery of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine has given me an opportunity to heal and regain my daily functioning—a very precious gift! Her focus on the whole person and traditional philosophies emphasizing the stimulation of underlying energetic healing potential in one’s body have made a huge difference. She has successfully applied her techniques to both major and minor problems I presented. I heartily recommend Nancy and her treatment options to anyone seeking improvement and support in their healing process.
Since 1999, Nancy has been treating me for fibromyalgia and injuries resulting from a pedestrian accident. I have tried all the usual western medicine therapies (as well as drugs) and I have found acupuncture is the only one has ever given me significant and lasting pain relief. Nancy finishes my treatment with massage therapy that made me feeling refreshed and relaxed. I have never had another caregiver who can equal for her compassion and genuine concern for my total well being.
I have been coming to Nancy Zhu for acupuncture over four years. Here attention to detail and human compassion is second to none. I always feel comfortable with her suggestions and her care is something I work into my lifestyle. A few days before my next appointment, my body tells me “you need to go to Nancy!”….she is simply that awesome!
When we came back from camping last August, I noticed that my 15 year old daughter lost movement on her right side of her face; her right eye couldn’t close completely and face was crooked to left side while she smiled. She was also having difficulties keeping liquid in her mouth. We were very panic and took her to a doctor who diagnosed her with moderate to severe Bell's Palsy. Oral steroids were recommended but it would come with certain possible side effects. We felt that we needed to do something and opted to go with acupuncture. Because we didn't know any acupuncturist in Langley area, I searched on the Internet and was attracted by his medical background and experience. I called him and asked lots of questions. Dr. Mai was very helpful and patient on the phone. I also spoke with another acupuncturist that someone recommended but was bit turned off by her absolute promise to cure. Subsequently, my daughter had six sessions of treatment with Dr. Mai during a four week period. After six sessions my daughter is now about 95% to almost 100% recovered. We are very grateful to Dr. Mai.
2288-A Elgin Ave.
Port Coquitlam, BC V3C 2B2
(604) 464-6523
Monday to Friday: 9:00am to 5:30pm
Saturday: 9:00am to 4:00pm
Other times and house calls by appointment
860 Duthie Avenue
Burnaby, BC V5A 2P8
(604) 298-6523
Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 10:00am to 5:30pm
Other times and house calls by appointment
Dr. Simon Mai is an orthopaedic surgeon from China. He graduated from Zhongshan Medical School with a MD degree in 1983. When practicing Western medicine in the past, Dr. Mai incorporated acupuncture techniques, e.g. acupunctured anaesthesia was used during and after operations. He lived in England for seven years where he had a private acupuncture clinic and was a Clinical Research Fellow at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital. In order to provide more effective treatments to his patients, Dr. Mai also completed a Physiotherapy Course in England. He moved to Canada in 1997 and set up China Acupuncture & Herbal Clinic in Port Coquitlam and in Burnaby, with his wife Nancy Zhu, M.D. He practises Eastern medicine incorporating Western therapeutic techniques since.
Qualifications:
Dr. Nancy Zhu is a physician from China and also a Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine. From 1982 to 1990 Dr. Zhu practised in government hospitals in China, combining her expertise in western medicine with TCM. For example, using acupuncture and her knowledge of herbs to help her patients to relieve the side effects of chemotherapy. In 1991 Dr. Zhu moved to England with her husband where they set up an acupuncture and TCM clinic. Now she practices acupuncture and Chinese Medicine in our Port Coquitlam Office.
Qualifications:
We are happy to answer any question you may have.