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What
is Oriental Medicine? |
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WHAT IS ORIENTAL MEDICINE? Oriental medicine is an ancient art of healing, encompassing acupuncture, herbal medicine, and tuina. The oldest text discussing some of the principles of Oriental medicine dates back 4000 years and originates in China. Over the centuries Oriental medicine has developed and matured into the comprehensive form of medicine it is today. It is practiced on a daily basis in many of the hospitals and clinics in China as well as other Eastern countries. Since the 1970’s Oriental medicine started gaining popularity in the West. Today Oriental medicine is practiced in most Western countries, and more and more insurance companies are providing coverage for this service. What
is Oriental Medicine?
WHAT IS ACUPUNCTURE? All
the physiological processes in the body are the result of energetic
interactions across defined pathways called meridians. The energy
flow through these meridians allow for cell metabolism, circulation,
reproduction, repair, warming, and health of all the tissues in
its distribution. Disease or dysfunction is the result of disruption
or imbalance in the flow of vital energy through this system. Pain,
swelling, and inflammation are all manifestations of this imbalance.
Imbalance can be the result of things like improper nutrition, poor posture, stress, not enough sleep, environmental pollutants etc… Frequently lifestyle changes are required to prevent further problems once the person has healed. At East West Healing Arts, we council individuals on diet and nutrition, exercise, posture, and stress management. What
is Oriental Medicine?
WHAT IS TUINA? Tuina is a combination of massage and manipulation techniques. In certain situations, it is not enough to restore energetic balance. Physical stretching and manipulation of the tissue maybe required to address structural blockages or dysfunction. In the West, these skills are frequently performed by chiropractors and physical therapists. At East West Healing Arts we are licensed in both acupuncture and physical therapy, and have over 18 years of expertise in these areas. Patients with brain injuries and strokes will greatly benefit from the combination of acupuncture and exercise therapy, whereas pain patients frequently need massage and manipulations, as well as acupuncture. What
is Oriental Medicine?
WHAT IS CHINESE HERBAL MEDICINE? An Oriental medicine practitioner is trained in the use of Chinese herbs. The Chinese pharmacopoeia has developed over 4000 years containing hundreds of formulas and herbal substances. These herbs can be anything from roots, berries, and leaves, to minerals, and aminal extracts *. In California, a Chinese Herbal practitioner has to pass a Board exam in order to prescribe Chinese herbs. More and more people are interested in herbal medicine because they are scared of the side effects of prescription medications. People believe herbs are safe because they are natural. Always remember that herbs are used because of their pharmacological compounds just like prescription drugs. In fact many prescription drugs were derived from herbs in the first place. The advantage of herbs is that they generally do not create the side effects that are inherent with prescription medications. There are a number of reasons why there are not as many side effects. One is that the active ingredients in the herbs are buffered by other ingredients in the plant. Secondly ,as holistic practitioners, we treat the whole person, not just the disease. Most of our herbal prescriptions are formulas containing anything from 4 to 16 herbs. These herbs are combined strategically to prevent side effects and address the energetic imbalance of the whole individual. There is no such thing as one herb fits all. That is Western thinking. Oriental medicine has a long history of treating disease with classis as well as individually tailored herbal formulas, a far cry from jumping on the Ginseng, Ginkgo, and Echinacea band wagon. Chinese herbal medicine is well documented and can provide a safe alternative to prescription medication. At East West Healing Arts, we only provide high quality herbs that have been tested for purity and meet dosage requirements. * At East West Healing Arts we guarantee no illegal or protected animal substances are used in our formulas. What
is Oriental Medicine? Recommended
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