What is Traditional Chinese Medicine?
Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine is a tried and true form of medicine that has been successfully practiced for 5000 years. Some assume it is “new age” but in reality it is a very old and complete medical system. The focus is on finding the root cause of disease in order to bring the body’s internal regulating system back into balance.
What can Chinese medicine treat?
Chinese medicine can treat a multitude of disorders. Here is a list of some commonly treated conditions.
- Digestive ailments and disease
- Headache
- TMJ Dysfunction (jaw pain)
- Insomnia
- Depression
- Menopausal symptoms
- Gynecological and Fertility disorders
- Chronic pain and injury
- Arthritis
- Fibromyalgia
- Low immunity
- Fatigue
- Chronic cough
- Circulatory disorders
- Sinusitis
- And much more……
How Does Acupuncture Work?
Traditional Chinese Medicine looks at the body as a whole. All parts of the body must work together to produce a smooth flow of chi (Qi) or energy. When this energy becomes blocked due to a disharmony, we experience pain or illness. Acupuncture works to stimulate Qi within a system of meridians or pathways that circulate within the body. Fine filiform needles are inserted into carefully selected points to promote healing and create body balance. Points selected are based on complex Chinese medical diagnosis. Chinese Herbs complement treatments very well and can speed up recovery time, especially in chronic disorders.
What Does All of This Mean?
One perspective from a western medical perspective is that the insertion of fine acupuncture needles can regulate the nervous system and stimulate the release of pain relieving chemicals. These chemicals can change the experience of pain or trigger other hormones or chemicals to stimulate the bodies own internal regulating system. Studies have shown that acupuncture treatment is able to stimulate changes in brain activity, blood pressure, heart rate, endocrine function and immune system response.
Is Acupuncture Painful?
Acupuncture should not be a painful, unpleasant experience but should be healing and peaceful. You should however feel “de qi” upon insertion of the needles. This is often experienced differently from person to person and is often described as a grabbing sensation or moving sensation to another area of the body. This is completely normal. Some treatments may be stronger then others which is often a sign of a successful treatment. Please inform your practitioner if you have concerns or questions at any time.
When Will I Feel Results and is One Treatment Enough?
It may take a couple of days to see results and it is possible that your condition may appear slightly worse before it gets better. Some will feel immediate results!
Treatment plans vary in length. If the condition is chronic then more treatments are needed. Some conditions can be treated in a few sessions. Remember, the goal is to treat the “root” of the problem by correcting the body’s imbalance. In some instances, this may take time.
What is the treatment procedure?
Your Chinese Medicine Practitioner will go through a thorough intake with you regarding your own signs and symptoms. You are treated according to your individual manifestations. Each person can experience the same condition in a variety of ways and has their own unique constitution.
Your very own treatment plan will now be in place. This may involve any one or combination of modalities of Chinese medicine, as seen fit. This may involve:
- Acupuncture
- Traditional Chinese herbs
- Diet therapy
- Tuina massage
- Cupping, gua sha and moxabustion.
- Electrostimulation
Please do not hesitate in asking questions at anytime during your in- take or your treatment!
TMJ Treatments
Types of TMJ Treatments at NPW:
Acupuncture/TCM is extremely helpful in relieving pain and tension related to TMJ pain and strain.
Acupuncture works to relieve muscle tension/ spasms, decrease pain and swelling, and to release the jaw creating more free movement.
Acupuncture is helpful in reducing the stress/ anxiety and tension which can be an underlying cause of the TMJ pain you are experiencing.
TCM works with the pain at hand, but also always with the root cause/s. Patients with acute pain can experience relief in a few treatments, with chronic cases it can take a series of treatments.
