The Holistic Wellness Center

What is the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)?

The Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), a holistic health care system, has been used for thousands of years and is considered an alternative medical system in much of the western world while remaining a form of primary care throughout most of Asia. It has evolved through meticulous observations of nature and the cosmos, applied knowledge of the human body, and use of time honored therapies.

Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicines are complementary therapeutic modalities that are often used together in the treatment of a variety of medical conditions. As part of traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture aims to restore and promote natural healing through the stimulation of specific points in the body along meridian pathways.This safe and almost painless insertion of a thin needle can unblock the obstructions of Qi (or life energy).

What is acupuncture?

Acupuncture is the procedure of inserting and manipulating very fine disposable needles into various points along fourteen major energy channels called Meridians on your body to relieve pain or to treat many health conditions. The main goal of acupuncture is to promote the body's natural ability to correct imbalances, unblock the obstructions of Qi circulation, and to heal itself.

What is Qi (pronounced as "chee")?

Qi is considered the core element in Chinese medicine. It flows throughout the body and protects against illness, pain, and disease. A person's health is influenced by the quality, quantity, and balance of Qi. Acupuncture treatment allows Qi to freely circulate throughout the body and to provide adequate nourishment to cells, organs, glands, tissues and muscles. This can eliminate pain, and restore balance and harmony as well as enhance the body's ability to heal itself - ultimately leading to optimal health and well-being. TCM derives its remarkable success from the ability of the practitioner to formulate and customize treatment protocols based on the individual condition of each patient.

What are meridians?

Meridians are the channels that Qi, the internal vital energy, circulates throughout the body. There are fourteen major meridians in the body, twelve of which are duplicated on the left and right sides of the body. Two are on the center of the body, one on the front and the other on the back. These meridians form an interconnecting network to facilitate Qi flow and nourish all organs of the body.

Over thousands of years of trial, error, meticulous observation, and experience, Chinese physicians have identified hundreds of specific points(acupoints) on the meridians that Qi can be accessed and stimulated by acupuncture to address many health conditions and issues.

What conditions does acupuncture treat?

Acupuncture is recognized by World Health Organization (WHO) and National Institutes of Health (NIH) to effectively treat these conditions:

With the combination of herbs, more health conditions can be treated. Consult with your acupuncturist and herbalist on your health condition if it is not on this list.