Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has an uninterrupted history of development in China and other parts of East Asia dating back thousands of years. The primary feature of modern TCM is the premise that good health relies on the restoration and maintenance of harmony, balance and order to the individual.

TCM takes a holistic approach to understanding normal function and disease processes and focuses as much on the prevention of illness as it does on the treatment. As a healthcare model, TCM is based on personalised assessments and treatment.

What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture, a predominant treatment method in TCM, takes a holistic approach to healing the body; it focuses on treating the body as a whole (human body, mind and spirit). The origins of acupuncture in China can be traced back at least 2000 years, making it one of the oldest and most long-standing health care systems in the world.

Today, acupuncture is an effective, natural and increasingly popular form of health care that is being used by people from a wide range of cultural and social backgrounds.

What should I expect from a TCM session?

During an acupuncture session, questions about the current signs/symptoms and medical history will be asked along with other things such as; sleeping patterns, diet, digestion and emotional wellbeing. Even though some questions may seem irrelevant to the condition, all information obtained will help form a complete picture of your health and lifestyle.

Feeling the pulse at the wrists and examining the tongue are diagnostic tools of TCM and helps give an insight of the body at a deeper level. This information assists in forming a diagnosis according to TCM theory.

The acupuncture points that are selected for treatment selected are based on the TCM diagnosis and are not necessarily in the area of which pain/discomfort is experienced. The needles may be inserted just under the skin or deeper to reach muscle tissue. Generally it is painless and once the needle is inserted you may feel tingling, numbness, or a dull ache. The needles can be left in for approximately 10 to 30 minutes.

Some people feel energised while others feel relaxed after a treatment.

What is it good for?

Not only has acupuncture been used for the treatment of specific conditions or symptoms, but also as a preventative measure and for general wellbeing. You do not need to suffer from a particular condition in order to receive acupuncture. Whether you are prone to common colds or injuries, a treatment can strengthen your general constitution and boost energy.

Conditions which can be treated include back pain, headache, migraine, and chronic pain. However, acupuncture provides more than just pain relief. In addition, it is an effective therapy for anxiety, insomnia, digestive problems, menstrual problems, weight control, infertility and much more.

On a physiological level, acupuncture can benefit by increasing peripheral circulation, increase skin and muscle blood flow, reduce elevated blood pressure, stabilise gastrointestinal motility, and improve immune function.

Acupuncture also stimulates the body to produce its own natural pain killers, natural anti-inflammatory and anti-stress hormones, thus assisting in the body’s own healing mechanism.