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Why You May Want To Consider Traditional Chinese Medicine To Boost Your Health

By Johanna Leave a Comment

Back in the 1980s, when I began my journey into Chinese Medicine, there was little information available. You had to work to put the pieces of the puzzle together.

The very first book I bought on the topic was “The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine” by Ilza Veith. I didn’t realize at the time, but the book is one of THE classics of Chinese Medicine.

It was a tough read for a novice, and truth be told, much of it went over my head. The book answered a few of my questions and triggered an avalanche of new ones. A journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step…

Even though we have more information available today, I still want to address a fundamental question. What is Traditional Chinese Medicine or TCM? 

An Overview Of TCM

Traditional Chinese Medicine is one of the oldest professionally practiced healthcare systems in the world today. It is a comprehensive system with a continuous clinical tradition of over 3000 years. While the medicine most likely originated in China, it is practiced in many other countries today.

Chinese immigrants brought Acupuncture to America in the mid-1800s. It was largely ignored until a New York Times reporter, in 1972, underwent an emergency appendectomy while in China. His post-surgical discomfort was treated with Acupuncture. He was so impressed by the experience that he wrote about is, which set a movement in motion. As a result, Acupuncture was legalized in the US in the 1970s. The profession is licensed in most states and covered by insurance in many instances. You can learn more about the profession by going here.

Traditional Chinese Medicine, just as Western Medicine (WM), is a self-contained system.  Both look at the same body and disease. However, the information is gathered, organized, and evaluated very differently. And the treatments that follow, of course, are different as well.

Five Branches

Traditional Chinese Medicine, formally also referred to as Oriental Medicine, is an umbrella term that includes five distinct branches or modalities, all based on the same theoretical foundation.

Acupuncture:
read more below

Herbology:
read more below

Tuina:
It is a combination of massage and adjustment used in the treatment of muscular-skeletal conditions.

Dietary Therapy:
What we eat can help us stay healthy or make us sick. Some practitioners specialize in dietary therapy based on the principles of TCM and the needs of the individual.

Moving/breathing Exercises:
Included are Tai Qi and Qi Gong, the martial art “soft styles.” Chances are you’re familiar with Tai Qi or Qi Gong.

While not every practitioner uses all five branches of TCM in their work, most use acupuncture, herbs, or a combination of the two. And that’s why I want to discuss acupuncture and herbs in a bit more detail.

What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is the most commonly used and best-known modality of the five branches. It is most often used in the treatment of pain, even though it can treat a wide range of other conditions.

Treatment with acupuncture involves the insertion of extra thin, solid, sterile needles into specific points on the body to influence a persons’ well-being.

Acupuncture points are located along meridians or acupuncture channels. You may think of these meridians as a system of channels that cover and connect the entire body.

You may compare it to the waterways across our planet, which inter-connect through rivers, streams, and brooks.

The meridian system is made up of 12 main acupuncture channels, distributed bilaterally, and a few other, “extra meridians.” There are over 365 regular points located along those meridians and numerous “extra” points not  found on the meridians.

Relax! Most practitioners only use a handful of acupuncture points during a typical treatment.

Through the channels flow Qi and blood. Together they nourish the tissues, warm the body, hold the organs in place, to mention just a few of their functions.

TCM states if there is enough Qi and blood flowing freely through the channels, there is balance, there is health. However, once they get blocked, there will be pain, and at some point, “dis-ease” will set in.

Hence, the function of Acupuncture is to move and adjust the flow of Qi and blood.

Chinese Herbal Medicine

Frequently, acupuncture and herbs are used hand in hand in China. Chinese herbs are widely used, often alongside western medicine

Over 3000 + substances have been categorized. Herbs include plant, mineral, and animal substances.

Chinese herbs are safe when taken appropriately. A few years ago, the herb Ma Huang, or Ephedra, was in the news. It was used outside the traditional scope, in diet pills. But it was never intended to be used that way. In Chinese Medicine, the herb Ma Huang may be used to treat a cold, the flu, or asthma.

Chinese herbals typically are prepared and consumed in groups, called a formula. While there are exceptions, herbs usually are not consumed by themselves, as is customary in other herbal traditions.

Why Consider TCM?

Holistic

Chinese Medicine operates from a holistic mindset; it looks at the entire person, including body, mind, and spirit. All relevant information, including symptoms and general characteristics (such as a tendency to run hot or cold, level of energy, sleep patterns, etc.,) are taken into consideration when arriving at, what is called, a pattern of disharmony

In comparison, Western Medicine is compartmentalized and rarely considers the entire person when making a diagnosis or devising treatments.

Let me give you an example of what this may look like in real life.

Let’s say we have a  group of 5 patients, all complaining of problems with their sleep. The western diagnosis for all five may be insomnia, whereas the TCM diagnosis could be different for each one of them.

The TCM diagnosis may include sleep problems due to deficient Blood, Heart-Fire Blazing, Heart-Yin deficiency, etc. TCM not only considers the chief complaint… problems sleeping, but also considers constitutional and situational factors of the individual before constructing a diagnosis.

Emphasis on Prevention

Without a doubt, both Western and Chinese medicine taut prevention.

However, in the western model, prevention consists mostly of tests and scans to enable early detection of disease. At this time, there is little focus on changing habits and lifestyle to prevent it.

Not so in TCM. Emphasized are proper diet, habits, and adjusting lifestyle to achieve better health and quality of life.

Safe and Effective

While any treatment has the potential for adverse side effects, so does TCM.

Potential side effects may include bruising, bleeding, and temporary soreness at the insertion sites. While other side effects are possible, they are rare. When delivered by a qualified provider, TCM is safe and effective; dangerous side effects rarely occur.

 

What are your experiences with Chinese Medicine? Tell us in the comments below…

 

Filed Under: CAM Tagged With: Acupuncture, Herbs, western medicine

5 Things To Move Closer To The Fountain Of Youth

By Johanna Leave a Comment

The never-ending search for the Fountain of Youth may be as old as humanity… dating back to when we first emerged on our planet.

But why are we so preoccupied with holding on to our youth? Is it the decline of influence and power that accompanies aging? Or is it the discomfort we feel about the unknown territory ahead?

Regardless of the reason, both men and women look for ways to hold on to their youth, looking for remedies to make they look and feel younger. Sadly, many choose medical interventions when they could reach for less invasive and healthier alternatives.

While not as dramatic as procedures, there are many natural alternatives to help you look and feel younger. You don’t need to go for Botox injections or more invasive procedures like liposuction or even a facelift.

Here are five gentler ways to help you look and feel younger than you really are. Work toward integrating them into your daily routine and see for yourself what a difference they can make.

#1 – Regular Exercise

Few things are more beneficial to your overall health than regular exercise. Pick an activity you enjoy and can commit to for the long run. Regardless of the exercise you choose, moving your bones can “roll-back” years from your body and mind.

Exercise increases blood flow to every part of your body. It will keep you strong and flexible and your mind alert and sharp. Commit to regular exercise and prepare to be amazed by the results.

#2 – Manage Your Stress

Some degree of stress is a normal part of life. In a way, you might even say stress is positive; it’s healthy. It keeps you functioning at your best, helps you grow and reach for new heights.

But of course, that’s not the kind of stress we’re talking about; we’re concerned with negative stress. It’s the stress that works against you and over time will take a toll on your health.

Whatever the cause of stress in your life, don’t allow it to control you. Take steps to manage and reduce stress to a reasonable level.

You can do that in a number of ways. Engaging in ongoing exercise is your first step in controlling stress in your life. Additionally, consider taking up stress-busting activities like meditation, hypnosis, Tai Qi, Qi Gong, Yoga… to name a few.

And of course, if at all possible, go after the source of stress and get rid of it.

#3 – Improve Your Sleep

Most of us take sleep for granted until there is a problem. That’s when we realize how important it is.

When you’re younger, it’s much easier to cheat sleep and get away with it. But as you get older, the lack of sleep catches up with you; you look and feel tired and sprout bags below your eyes.

But when you get enough quality sleep, your face won’t show as many lines, and your eyes won’t be as puffy. As a bonus, getting proper rest has you feeling and functioning at your best.

So, if you’re dealing with interruptions in your sleep, start by tightening up your evening routine. Stop watching TV or stop looking at your phone or iPad one to two hours before turning off your lights.

Also, try to go to bed around the same time each night. While this may not always be possible, try to stick to a window of time you go to sleep each night.

Additionally, try drinking a cup of herbal tea or taking a supplement to help you get better sleep.

#4 – Improve Your Diet

Here’s a famous quote: “You are what you eat.” In other words, if the food you eat is of low quality, don’t expect to feel great or stay in top form.

Also, our metabolism slows down as we get older, making it easy to put on too much weight. Eating better quality food and less junk food helps you keep your weight on track and your body healthy.

Make it a point to eat as fresh as you can… fresh vegetables and fruits, avoiding processed foods. If possible, eat organic. Stay away from sugar, too much caffeine, and avoid refined foods.

By making these adjustments, you’re off to a good start, keeping your body healthy and your mind sharp.

#5 – Ditch Bad Habits

If you smoke… stop. Note, it’s not smoke less, but it is “stop smoking!”

It’s bad for you no matter how you look at it. Smoking ages your body, giving you a leathered look. Never mind what it’s doing to your lungs or the rest of your body.

If you drink too much alcohol, cut down on the amount you drink.

While there may be some health benefits to drinking alcohol, they are lost when consuming too much. Drinking too much alcohol can damage the liver, negatively impact the brain, decrease immunity, lead to malnutrition, and decrease overall health.

If you drink too much, and you know if you do, cut down or stop altogether.

In Summary

Implementing the suggestions above will help you look and feel younger. But here’s one more thing you can do…

Improve your outlook and your attitude!

Try to adopt and then maintain a positive outlook and attitude. Take responsibility for your actions and your life. Do your best to greet life with open arms, ready to learn and grow.

When you change your attitude, not only do you impact the people around you, but you also change how you respond, and how you feel about yourself.

 

Filed Under: Healthy Aging Tagged With: Diet, Exercise, sleep, Stress, Weight

10 Stress-Busting Strategies To Relieve High Stress

By Johanna Leave a Comment

Stress is hard on both the mind and body. Unfortunately, we all have days considerably more challenging and stressful than others.

But too many high-stress days can take its toll. And what’s worse, you could even become so used to being in this “high state of alert” that you start to feel like it’s normal.

Don’t let this happen to you!

And that’s why it’s essential you develop strategies that help you relieve stress and strengthen your self-soothing abilities.

[Read more…] about 10 Stress-Busting Strategies To Relieve High Stress

Filed Under: Emotional & Mental Health Tagged With: Exercise, Healthy Eating

How To Take A Bite Out Of Macular Degeneration

By Johanna Leave a Comment

Macular degeneration is a chronic eye disease most often associated with aging.

The macula is the tissue just inside the back of your eyeball. And if you have macular degeneration, it begins to slowly deteriorate thereby affecting your central vision.

While this disease doesn’t result in a complete loss of vision, your lifestyle may go through drastic changes. Such changes might include the inability to drive a car because you have a blind spot in your vision which prevents you from seeing “the whole picture.”

Although aging is the main cause of macular degeneration, people who smoke, drink too much alcohol, are obese or have a family history of the disease are at higher risk for developing macular degeneration.

Other risk factors include gender (women appear to be at greater risk than men) and high blood pressure. [Read more…] about How To Take A Bite Out Of Macular Degeneration

Filed Under: Health Concerns, Vision Tagged With: Aging, Fish Oil, Nutrition, Prevention, Stop Smoking

7 Simple Strategies To Age Gracefully

By Johanna Leave a Comment

Regardless what the “anti-aging” crowd is telling us… there is no way to stop it!

Aging is a process that’s as natural as breathing. While we hear talk of anti-aging all the time, I’ve not yet heard anyone talk about anti-breathing. And of course, it wouldn’t make any sense…

Sure, it would be great if we had a choice in the matter of aging. I’d be first in line, along with everyone else, if there was such a thing as turning back the clock (at least most days I would).

But let’s face it, this aging thing is NOT optional. And no matter how much we delude ourselves, it is out of our control.

If we’re fortunate enough, [Read more…] about 7 Simple Strategies To Age Gracefully

Filed Under: Mindset Tagged With: Aging, Tai Qi, Yoga

Five Habits To Start Eating Healthy

By Johanna Leave a Comment

Of all the things you do for your health, paying attention to eating healthy may provide you with the greatest leverage.

After all, we eat every day; some graze while others eat three meals a day.

Studies show that what we put into our mouths’ plays a bigger part in the presence or absence of disease than most anything else.

If you eat a healthy diet, chances are you’ll enjoy a longer and better quality of life, compared to those who don’t eat healthily.

Unfortunately, over the years many of us have adopted some unhealthy habits, such as emotional eating, mindless eating, or overeating.

At one time or another, most of us have eaten not because we’re hungry, but because we’re tired, frustrated, or we’re feeling down. And that’s ok from time to time.

However, for some, it’s habitual, which can lead to serious health problems. [Read more…] about Five Habits To Start Eating Healthy

Filed Under: Diet and Nutrition Tagged With: Diet, Habits

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