Traditional Chinese Medicine Clearwater, Florida
Traditional Chinese Medicine (or TCM, aka Oriental Medicine) is the oldest, continually practiced form of medicine in the world. It is comprised of a complex system of diagnostic & natural treatment strategies that are as valuable today as they ever were.
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TCM utilizes the body’s innate healing mechanisms to safely restore natural balance (or homeostasis) within the body, and address the underlying causes of disease. It includes the modalities of acupuncture, cupping, manual therapy, relaxation techniques, nutrition, and the use of herbal medicines.
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Most TCM modalities may be combined with other forms of medicine or treatment, depending on your condition.
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How does Traditional Chinese Medicine work?
Traditional Chinese Medicine is based on the idea that humans are not just a collection of individual parts; We are complexes of interrelated and interconnected energetic systems and functions. That is to say, we contain Life Energy, also known as Qi (“chee”). In TCM, one is said to be in perfect health when this Qi energy is flowing unimpeded, in adequate amounts, throughout the body. Proper Qi flow is the foundation for the proper functioning of our organs and systems, and the smooth interaction of our physiological processes. It provides structural integrity and stability, physiological efficiency, and the potential for life, health and healing.
When this energy becomes imbalanced, blocked or deficient we experience pain, discomfort and disease. The type of disorder that occurs depends on how the energy is disrupted, and can include symptoms on physical, mental and emotional levels. Energy becomes imbalanced due to many possible factors: 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.
TCM considers you as a whole picture. Your physical, emotional, mental and spiritual well-being are all equally important pieces of your health, that cannot be separated. Your sleep patterns, physical activities, digestion, cravings and even your mental outlook, among other factors, are all integral to the overall diagnosis of your condition in Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Once a TCM diagnosis is made, the modalities of acupuncture, nutrition, Chinese herbal medicine, manual therapies, and gentle exercise can be used individually or collectively to directly and indirectly regulate the flow of Qi. The goal is to encourage the Qi to flow into areas where it is deficient and breakthrough areas where it is stagnant. By adjusting and managing the flow of Qi, Traditional Chinese Medicine addresses the underlying cause of illness, promoting the body’s own healing functions, and creating the favorable circumstances for health and harmony in the body.
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