Chinese Medicine
Variations of Chinese medicine (CM) have been THE medicine for much of the world's population for thousands of years. All of the illnesses and specialities we know in Western medicine are part of Chinese medicine. What is different is the language/framework for understanding why health changes and treatment options.
In modern China, most hospitals have Western and Chinese medicine sides. Doctors are trained in both until they specialise.
There are about 4,000 teaching CM hospitals the size of Southampton General in China. - Specialist departments often treat alongside each other.
- Doctors gave 90% of hospital patients herbs in the Covid-19 pandemic.
- In Australia and New Zealand, most GP surgeries have an acupuncturist.
- In Germany, about 30,000 GP's use acupuncture.
The Chinese medicine framework is based on the function of "Body Systems." These have various aspects (Yin/Yang, Full/Empty, Hot/Cold) and symptoms show when these are unbalanced.
Treatment aims to:
- Improve balance in the systems.
- Prevent the problem from returning.
- Strengthen health generally.
At a simple level, this can involve warming someone who's too cold or cooling someone too hot. It usually gets more complicated than this! Treating the person rather than the condition has the benefit of raising well-being and quality of life, as well as direct relief from complaints.
Acupuncture
How does acupuncture work? It stimulates the body to heal itself, a bit like altering wiring in a house; it's possible to change how well it works.For muscular-skeletal problems, it's more about releasing muscles and improving circulation. Choosing the right combination of points to get the correct changes is the tricky part!
Current research indicates the needles alter the function of the fascia that surrounds organs and muscles. The needles are very thin and encourage healing in the tissues, organs or channels of the body. Acupuncture can stimulate the immune system, release muscles, expel illnesses and balance emotions.
Herbal Medicine
Herbal medicine in the UK has been VEGAN since 2006. It's three years of training to get into the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (RCHM).There are hundreds of herbal combinations for a wide range of problems. A genius called Zhang Zhong-Jing wrote an extraordinary book on treating infections with herbs (Shang Han Lun) in 210AD. About 80% of modern formulae are based on formulas in that book, so many millions of people have tested them.
Herbs are usually slower and more gentle than modern drugs, and scripts often need modification as conditions improve.
If you have any questions about acupuncture and how it can help you please email Justin Hextall
