What is Traditional Chinese Medicine?
Traditional Chinese Medicine includes but is not limited to acupuncture, herbal treatment, cupping, moxa, gua sha, and tui na (Chinese style massage). However, most people use the term “acupuncture,” rather than traditional Chinese Medicine.
Traditional Chinese Medicine originated in China more than 5,000 years ago. It is a practice that manages body’s flow of Qi (pronounced as Chi: energy, force, or electromagnetic field as some claim). Qi flows in the body along pathways called meridians. Along these meridians there are points that link each other to maintain the flow of Qi. The body is in balance and well when Qi is in its smooth steady state. When the flow of Qi is interrupted for various reasons, it is imbalanced and we become unwell. Through manipulation of acupuncture points and meridians, our body regains its lost balance and well-being.
How do acupuncture and herbs work?
Fine needles are inserted into various points along the meridian to stimulate, enhance, or soothe the flow of Qi. Depending on the state of the body, once the flow of Qi along the meridians is activated, enhanced, or soothed, our ailments are relieved and the body returns to its original or reaches a better state. Chinese herbs do the same except they work primarily from within the body.
For example, when liver Qi becomes sluggish, we may feel discomfort in the chest, moody, irritable, depressed, and lethargic, etc. In women, it may cause pre-menstrual breast tenderness, irregular menstruation and/or dysmenorrhea. The treatment protocol would be to soothe the Liver Qi.
How about the needles? Do they hurt?
Only sterile disposable single-use needles are used. Size of the needles may vary. Most commonly used needles are very fine, about the size of a hair. What goes in what comes out – needles are removed at the end of the session and disposed of according to OHSA guidelines. Needling acupuncture points generally does not hurt. Needling sensation varies with each individual. In most cases, it is a dull, bursting, or numb feeling around the needling points. However, some points are more sensitive than others and, from time to time, you may have stronger feeling over these points.
Are there any side effects from an acupuncture treatment?
There are no harmful side effects from an acupuncture treatment. There may be, however, some bruises, particularly in those who have Spleen Qi deficiency. Occasionally, some people getting acupuncture for pain management feel the pain becomes intensified. This occurs in chronic conditions where the long-term obstruction of Qi flow is accompanied by the loss of sensation. Sudden release of the obstruction results in greater sensation. This is normal and will not last for more than a day or two. A complete relief of the pain will follow.
How will I feel during the treatment?
Other than the needling sensation described above, most people feel calm and peaceful after a few needles are inserted. In fact, many of our clients take advantage of the treatment to enjoy music, relax, or even take a nap. However, if you never had an acupuncture treatment before, you may feel nervous. We encourage first-timers to relax and not to focus on the “needles.” We will work with you to relieve your tension. Some of our clients bring their favorite CD to play during the session. Some don’t even feel much during the needling, but they still benefit from the treatment.
How long is each treatment session?
Each treatment generally lasts about 45 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the practitioner and the patient conditions. The first treatment, however, may be longer (up to 1.5 hours) since we will spend time listening to you, understanding your condition, and assessing your needs. You may also have lots of questions, and we will try to answer them for you.
How many treatments do I need?
The frequency and number of treatment are determined by various factors – nature of the illness, severity and duration of the condition, patient’s general state of health and age. For example, an acute back pain due to strained muscle may need just a few sessions while infertility due to irregular menstruation may take 6 months to a year or even longer. Many of our patients come in with multi concerns and it takes a bit longer time to resolve them all. Some people prefer to have acupuncture once a month or every other week to keep the body in shape.
Does health insurance cover acupuncture?
Many insurance plans today cover acupuncture. Please review your health policy or contact your insurance provider to confirm acupuncture coverage. Either way, bring your insurance card with you and we will check it out for you. As long as your insurance covers acupuncture, we accept it.
Texas Governor signed into law the House Bill 2371 on June 17, 2005. Effective September 1, 2005, any HMO and other insurer that include acupuncture in their services may not refuse to provide reimbursement for the performance of a covered acupuncture service solely because the service is performed by an acupuncturist.
How do I pay for the services?
We accept cash and personal checks. To cut down the cost for you and us, we do not take credit cards.
What conditions have been effectively treated by Chinese medicine?
Conditions commonly seen include:
- Nervous system: headache, neuralgia, epilepsy, migraine, stroke, Parkinson's disease, facial paralysis, and multiple sclerosis; stress, fatigue, depression, anxiety, insomnia…
- Musculoskeletal system: arthritis, acute & chronic pain, in back, neck, hands, legs, knees, sports injuries, fibromyalgia, and sciatica…
- Circulatory system: angina, chronic heart failure, high blood pressure, poor circulation…
- Respiratory system: asthma, chronic breathlessness, hay fever…
- Digestive system: colitis, constipation, diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, indigestion, stomach ulcers…
- Skin and connective tissues: acne, psoriasis, rashes, itch, shingles, lupus erythematosus…
- Urinary and reproductive systems: cystitis, impotence, incontinence, dysuria, infertility, PMS, morning sickness, menopause syndrome…
- Others: weight loss, smoking cessation, face-lift…
The following conditions have been recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as treatable by Chinese Medicine:
Many other conditions and illness can be treated or cured by Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Can I get acupuncture when I feel fine?
Yes, absolutely. Our bodies usually have been out of tune (imbalanced) for some time before disease symptoms develop. Chinese Medicine praises doctors that practice preventive medicine as it believes “Top doctors cure diseases before they manifest (上 工治未病).” We can pick up the imbalances through your pulse, tongue, and other observations we make. We have maintenance program to help put your body back in balance.
When the great doctor Bian Que met with the Marquis Qi Huan, he told Qi Huan, “You have illness in the superficial area, and it will become worse without treatment.” Qi Huan responded “I am not ill.” After Bian Que left, Qi Huan told his followers, “This guy has an undeserved reputation, telling a healthy person he is ill.” Five days later, they met again. Bian Que said, “You have illness in the blood vessel and meridian regions. I am afraid it will go deeper if not treated.” Qi Huan was upset and told him, “I am not sick.” Five days later, Bian Que told Qi Huan, “Your illness has reached internal organs. It will exacerbate and become difficult to treat if you don’t seek help now.” Marquis Qi Huan was very upset this time and turned away.
Five more days later, when Bian Que saw Qi Huan coming to his direction, he turned around and ran away. Qi Huan was perplexed and sent someone to question him. Bian Que told the messanger, "When the lord was ill superficially, it could be cured by simple herbal decoctions; when it was in blood vessels and meridians, it could be cured by needles and moxibustion; in internal organs, adding some vinum would have worked; now it has reached deeply in the bone marrow, it is beyond my ability." Another few days had passed and Qi Huan became sick. He sent for Bian Que and found the doctor had left. Qi Huan passed away becasue his condition finally became incurable.
I really want to try Acupuncture/Chinese Medicine. What should I do if my doctor does not want me to see Chinese Medicine?
Depending on the conditions you have, there are times that Western Medicine is preferred to Chinese Medicine. Ask your doctor about the concern(s) he or she has. For example, to deliver a baby and for other obstetrical concerns, you want to see an obstetrician, and you must see a dentist if you have a cavity. Other problems, such as asthma, stroke, open fractures, etc., can be safely treated and obtain quicker results through western and Chinese medicines working together. They are also many disorders that are better treated by Chinese Medicine.
You may want to talk to a few more practitioners. Knowledgeable health practitioners will help you make proper decision based on your condition. After all, traditional Chinese Medicine in the west is still new to many, and it is not always easy for someone to accept something different to their trainings and beliefs.
Some claim Acupuncture/Chinese Medicine is not scientific, is it?
Does it really matter – scientific or not? What actually counts is if it works. Chinese Medicine treats and cures many health concerns and, as mentioned above, preventive medicine is also an integral part of the practice.
The word “science” comes from the Latin "scientia," meaning knowledge. According to Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary, science is "knowledge attained through study or practice," or "knowledge covering general truths of the operation of general laws, esp. as obtained and tested through scientific method [and] concerned with the physical world."
The major controversy over Chinese Medicine is that it is not supported by much scientific research. Reviews of limited clinical trials have been conducted by the Cochrane Collaboration and Bandolier according to the protocols of evidence-based medicine; some reviews have found efficacy for headache[7][8] and nausea[9][10], but for most conditions have concluded a lack of well-conducted clinical trials.
The theories, diagnoses, and treatments of Chinese Medicine developed over thousands of years of practice (and research) in real human beings. Current “scientific method” may not even be able to clearly explain Chinese Medicine. As they laughed at Galileo and they laughed at Einstein, some laugh at Chinese Medicine when we mention Qi and meridians. Western Medicine or Chinese Medicine? The question you should ask is, “Does it work for my conditions?”
Why was my friend’s condition not resolved after he saw another acupuncturist?
Most of the people will not think about Chinese Medicine when they first become ill. The majority of patients seek Chinese Medicine treatment only after they have gone through other forms of medicine for a long time. This is particularly true for chronic conditions. Some expect instant result or complete cure with one Chinese Medicine or acupuncture treatment.
One critical part in Chinese Medicine is the “diagnosis.” Proper treatment protocol comes after accurate diagnosis. Our body conditions are ever changing in Chinese Medicine’s view and we make diagnoses as shooting at a moving target. Most of the patients we see do not come with one simple condition, but rather with several conditions that we call complicated patterns in GuanYin Chinese Medicine. For those with complicated patterns, such as co-existing conditions and chronic diseases, it is imperative that you give your acupuncturist a chance to fully evaluate the root cause(s) of your conditions. Your acupuncturist should be able to tell you if they can help you or not.
Can you provide some real cases that GuanYin Chinese Medicine treated?
Certainly. Here are some simple and complicated patterns:
a. Simple pattern
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Chief complaint: |
Acute Lumbar Sprain |
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History: |
Patient, 45-year male, strained his back muscle while working in the yard. The pain was severe enough that he could not walk or drive. The patient was brought to GuanYin by his daughter. When palpated, the pain was felt along the Du and Bladder meridians in the low back area. |
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Diagnosis: |
Qi stagnation in Du & Bladder meridians |
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Treatment: |
Acupuncture to resolve the stagnation |
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Results: |
Patient was able to walk and drive after one acupuncture session. Two sessions completed the treatment.
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b. Complicated pattern
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Chief complaint: |
Rashes (acnes) on the face |
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History: |
Patient, 25-year female, had acnes on the face for several years, diagnosed by Western Medicine as overproduction of male hormone (male hormone-dependent acne). Patient also had other hormone related symptoms. |
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Diagnosis: |
Liver Qi Stagnation, Damp Heat Accumulation in Liver Meridian |
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Treatment: |
Acupuncture and herbal formula to soothe Liver Qi, drain Liver heat, resolve dampness, and enhance female hormone production. |
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Results: |
Rashes conceded dramatically after the 1st and completely after the 2nd treatment.
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c. More complicated pattern
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Chief complaint: |
Irregular Menstruation |
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History: |
Patient, 38-year female, had had irregular menstruation over 3 years. The symptoms started after the first child was born. She was on hormonal therapy. However, the menstruation was still irregular, sometimes once every 3 months and the longest being once every 6 months. She had not had menstruation for 3 months when we first saw her. |
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Diagnosis: |
Kidney Yang Deficiency, Liver Qi Stagnation, and cold in Chong and Ren Meridians |
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Treatment: |
Acupuncture, moxibustion, and herbal formula to sooth Liver Qi, tonify Kidney Yang, and warm Chong and Ren Meridians. |
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Results: |
Menstruation came back within one week of the first session. Second period came two weeks after the first one. Treatment continued for about three months and ever since the second one, her menstruation period remained regular. In every period, she had normal ovulations indicated by high levels of luteinizing hormone (LH).
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d. Even more complicated pattern
to be added. . .
What should I be aware before and after treatment?
Before you arrive:
- Do not engage in strenuous exercise.
- Do not come in on an empty stomach. If it is around mealtime, eat a moderate warm meal about an hour before you arrive.
- Do not drink milk, coffee, alcoholic beverages, and colored beverages including tea.
- Avoid spicy, cold, and greasy foods.
- If you brush your teeth, do not brush the tongue.
After the treatment:
- Do not engage in strenuous exercise.
- Do not drink alcoholic beverages right after treatment.
- Do not over-eat, as always.
- Allow some time to rest after acupuncture treatment.
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