What is Traditional Chinese Medicine?

Traditional Chinese Medicine, TCM, teaches it’s Doctors a different approach to healing. This approach examines the human body’s flow of energy and balance. The flow of energy is known as Qi (pronounced chee). The balance is referred to as the Yin and The Yang, its symbol is in our logo.

Acupuncture is the main method of treatment used by TCM Doctors. The TCM Doctor will use acupuncture needles to free the flow of energy (Qi), in doing this they are looking to restore the body’s balance.

It works by stimulating healing responses in the body. This is done by encouraging the body to have a good flow of Qi. These energy flows, which pass through channels beneath the skin, are known as meridians. The Doctor will stimulate these meridian points with needles, the needles will be introduced to a very specific point on the meridian line within your body. This will allow the free flow of energy and restore balance. Please see the section on Acupuncture for a more detailed explanation.

However, Acupuncture is only part of the story.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine a wide variety of natural Herbs are used as part of the treatment. These herbs are dispensed in capsule or natural form, and they range from green tea to help you slim, too herbs you heat and soak your hands in, to alleviate arthritis.

Many of the herbs used by Traditional Chinese Medicine have, in the ancient past, been used in this country, but long ago forgotten.

The great advantage that herbs have over chemical medicine is the lack of side effects.

The flow of energy referred to as "Qi" is governed by the time of day, the seasons of the year, the traditional 5 elements, cold, heat, dampness, dryness, etc.; and by internal factors such as the emotions and the indiscriminate use of food.

Chinese medicine therefore, sees health as balance in the body of the two opposing forces Yin and Yang, which provides a harmonious and correct flow of "Qi". It considers that an unbalanced diet, lifestyle or environment will disrupt this balance and thus the flow of "Qi"; this in turn manifests as the symptoms of disease.

The aim of the practitioner of Chinese Medicine is to restore health by removing the cause, correcting abnormal function, opposing the imbalance and normalising the flow of "Qi".