What is TCM?

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been in existence for thousands of years. It is a complete medical system involving the use of several different modalities which together, function to bring the body back into balance and harmony. Here in the U.S., Acupuncture is one of the most popular and widely known modalities, but other modalities which include Chinese Herbal Medicine , Qi Gong , Tui Na and Food Therapy are also a very important part of TCM.

TCM is a holistic medical system which means that all aspects of an individual, body, mind and spirit, are taken into consideration. TCM is a completely natural medical system which focuses on the innate wisdom of the body to repair and heal itself without the use of harsh pharmaceuticals or invasive medical procedures.

The Cornerstone of TCM is Prevention

"The sages of antiquity did not treat those who were already sick, but those who were not sick... When a disease has already broken out and is only then treated, would that not be just as late as to wait for thirst before digging a well, or to wait to go into battle before casting weapons?" - Nei Jing

The above quote is from an ancient Chinese medical text, the Huang Di Nei Jing, which has been the fundamental basis for traditional Chinese medicine for more than two thousand years. In ancient China , doctors were paid for keeping their patients well. In sharp contrast, our modern medical system would completely fall apart if there were not sick people to treat! The cornerstone of Chinese medicine is prevention.

Why do we wait until we are really sick or completely run down before we seek medical attention?
We do this because it is how we have been conditioned to behave. It is the culture of health we are accustomed to. TCM is a viable alternative to this way of thinking.

Have you recently gone to your doctor and told him/her that you were just not feeling right? Maybe you have noticed that you don't sleep as well as you used to, you have nagging aches and pains and you are exhausted a great deal of the time. Did your doc then take a series of tests which came back negative or tell you that you were just "getting older"? Is this OK with you? Do you want to wait until you have something serious enough to really get your doctor's attention? Of course you don't! 

Perhaps changing the way you think about your health and how you care for yourself and your family is a better option. Here are some ideas for you:

1. If you have been feeling irritable, moody and exhausted and you feel like you are on a never ending stress cycle, acupuncture and herbs can interrupt that cycle and put you back on the right track. Take our Stress Survey.
2. If you suffer from allergies, start getting acupuncture treatments and taking herbs about a month BEFORE allergy season. Chinese medicine is not only helpful to alleviate allergy symptoms, but it will also treat the root cause.
3. If your daughter recently began her menstrual cycle and she is suffering from PMS, cramping and bloating, this is NOT normal! Acupuncture and herbs can help to regulate her menstrual cycle and it will help her to start thinking about preventative medicine and engender positive health habits!
4. If you are training for a marathon or involved in rigorous physical activity or sports and want to ensure your body remains in optimal condition, acupuncture and herbs can be extremely beneficial. See "Olympic Gold Medalist talks Acupuncture".
5. If you have just recently had a baby, Chinese medicine is a great way to restore your energy, alleviate stress and any residual pain or discomfort you may be experiencing. Acupuncture, herbal formulas and food therapy can help a great deal to restore the precious energy and vital substances (qi, blood, yin and yang) which are depleted during labor and delivery.

These are just a few ideas of how Chinese Medicine can help you to stay healthy and vibrant.
For a complimentary 30-minute evaluation, please call 312-420-7190 or email info@hgacu.net.