Treatments We Offer

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.