Oriental Medicine

What is Oriental Medicine?

Oriental medicine is a primary care system of natural health care that is about 3,500 years old. It is the oldest, continually practiced form of medicine in the world, and it consists of a complex system of theory, diagnosis and treatment strategies that are as valuable today as ever. Oriental medicine emphasizes the re-establishment of natural balance and utilizes the body's innate healing wisdom to safely address the underlying causes of diseases and symptoms.

It includes modalities such as acupuncture, massage and bodywork, gentle exercise, relaxation techniques, lifestyle and nutritional recommendations, as well as the prescribing of non-pharmaceutical herbal medicines.

Oriental medicine may be combined with any other form of medicine or treatment, but it is important to disclose any pharmaceuticals you are taking, so as to avoid any possible interactions.

How Does Oriental Medicine Work?

Oriental medicine is based on the idea that humans are not just a collection of physical molecules, but we are also complexes of interrelated energetic systems and functions. That is to say, we contain Life Energy, which in China, is known as Qi (“chee”). One is said to be in perfect health when this energy is flowing unimpeded, and in an adequate amount throughout the body. Qi is the basis for the proper functioning and smooth interaction of all of our organs and physiological processes: it provides structural integrity and stability, physiological efficiency, and the potential for life, health and healing in general.

It is when this energy becomes imbalanced, blocked or deficient that we experience pain, discomfort and disease. What type of illness occurs depends on how the energy is out of balance or disrupted, and can include symptoms on physical, mental and emotional levels. Energy becomes imbalanced in a number of ways including poor nutrition, genetic predisposition, lack of exercise, poor lifestyle choices, injuries, chronically poor posture, environmental toxicity, dietary & pharmaceutical chemicals, intense emotional situations, overwork, stress, lack of rest and outside pathogenic influences, such as viruses, bacteria and parasites.

Oriental medicine directly addresses the flow of Qi, encouraging it to flow into areas where it is Deficient, and break through areas where it is Stagnant. By adjusting and managing the flow of Qi, Oriental medicine addresses the underlying cause of the illness, promoting the body's own healing abilities and creating the favorable circumstances for health and harmony in the body.

Unlike Western medicine, which usually treats solely on the basis of physical symptoms, Oriental medicine considers the whole picture. Your physical, emotional, mental and spiritual well-being are all equally important pieces of your health. Your sleep patterns, physical activities, digestion, cravings and even your mental outlook, among other factors, are all integral to an overall diagnosis of your condition. Oriental medicine recognizes you as a complex of interrelated and interconnected systems, not simply a collection of individual parts. It is this characteristic that makes Oriental medicine a valuable and holistic approach to health.