One of the most well known types of Integrative Medicine is Chinese Traditional Medicine (CTM). Chinese Traditional Medicine has been increasingly growing in popularity over the past few years as new research has been emerging on its proven benefits. Chinese Traditional Medicine (TCM) encompasses how the human body interacts with all aspects of life and the environment, including the seasons, weather, time of day, our diet and emotional states. The key to achieving good health is through balancing these many factors in order to support mind, body and spiritual well being. One of the major philosophies of TCM is maintaining the proper balance of “qi”. When healthy, an abundant supply of qi (pronounced chee) or “life energy” flows through the body’s meridians (a network of invisible channels through the body). If the flow of qi in the meridians becomes blocked or there is an inadequate supply of qi, then the body fails to maintain harmony, balance and order, and disease or illness follows. Qi stagnation is when your qi or energy lines are blocked. This can cause a host of issues for the patients, stagnation will usually correspond with the areas of discomfort.

Some of the treatments that may be provided by your practitioner of Chinese Medicine may include:

Acupuncture– Acupuncture is a technique that stimulates points on the body which sometimes include painlessly inserting thin needles into predetermined energy points.

Cupping- Is a technique that is done by placing glass or bamboo cups on points of the body. Prior to placement the cups are heated in order to create  suction on the surface of the skin. This suction helps to increase blood and energy flow to the tissue in the desired areas.

Gu Sha- is an East Asian healing technique. Gua means to scrape or rub. Sha is a ‘reddish, elevated, millet-like skin rash’ (aka petechiae). Sha is the term used to describe Blood stasis in the subcutaneous tissue before and after it is raised as petechiae. Gua Sha is one technique that intentionally raises Sha rash or petechiae.

Traditional Chinese Herbs- can be used topically or orally in order to help balance mood, pain and immune responses.

A combination of these treatments may be used in order to obtain a proper balance and insure proper channeling of an individuals qi.