Traditional Chinese Medicine
All About Balance
TCM is based primarily on a theory of balanced "energy" in the body. During your first visit, Dr. Odell will conduct a comprehensive intake to assess your health status and energy balance.
TCM assessment includes a complete health history, a review of medical records, and special observations of your pulse and tongue.
Once an imbalance is determined, Dr. Odell then goes to work restoring balance with acupuncture, herbal remedies, and various other modalities.
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is the formal term for the combined therapies of acupuncture, Chinese herbs, moxibustion and other healing modalities. TCM theory achieves good health by balancing energies in the body. The theory has evolved over thousands of years and is safe and highly effective.
TCM uses a "wholistic" approach, meaning it treats any individual problem by treating the whole body at the same time. A patient can expect TCM to provide benefits for virtually any illness. Many people choose a TCM practitioner as their primary natural healthcare provider to complement the care they are receiving from their primary care physician.
TCM works on the premise of meridian theory: that there are patterns of energy flow called "Qi" (pronounced chee) throughout the body which are related to the organs, glands and tissues. When the body is in good health, energy flow is balanced and consistent. However, when energy flow is disrupted due to trauma, poor diet, medications, stress, or other factors, pain and illness result.
TCM is used not only for pain management, but also for the treatment of most acute and chronic diseases. The World Health Organization lists more than 100 illnesses that are effectively treatable with acupuncture. Athletes use TCM to achieve optimum performance levels and increased endurance, strength and stamina. Traditional Chinese herbal remedies have been clinically proven to aid organ function and strengthen the immune system.
Today, traditional Chinese medicine is a comprehensive healthcare system based on 23 centuries of cross-cultural knowledge of the human body and mind. It is accepted around the globe as a safe, effective and wholistic complement to conventional western medicine.
TCM Services Offered
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Traditional Chinese Acupuncture – needles are inserted in selected acupuncture points and gently manipulated by hand. Most patients find acupuncture painless.
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Electric Acupuncture - the use of very small electrical impulses applied to the acupuncture needles. The voltage is very low, but the frequency of the currents can vary from 5 to 2000 HZ, depending on the patient's physical condition.
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Tuina - a form of Chinese manipulative therapy often used in conjunction with acupuncture, moxibustion, and cupping. Tuina methods include the use of hand techniques to massage the soft tissue (muscles and tendons) of the body, acupressure techniques to directly affect the flow of vital energy or Qi, and gentle muscle massage techniques to realign the musculoskeletal and ligamentous relationships. Sometimes external herbal poultices, compresses, liniments, and salves are also used to enhance the other therapeutic methods.
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Moxibustion - a TCM technique involving the burning of mugwort, a spongy herb applied to warm acupuncture points. The moxa cones or sticks produce a mild heat, which is able to penetrate deeply into tissues. Patients usually feel a nice, relaxing, energy flowing sensation during treatment. In traditional Chinese medicine, moxibustion is used on people who have a cold or stagnant condition, such as in certain types of arthritis. The burning of moxa on acupuncture points is believed to expel cold and warm the meridians, which leads to smoother flow of blood and Qi.
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Cupping - a therapy in which a glass vacuum jar is attached to the skin surface to massage and stimulate circulation to muscles and tissues. The vacuum created by the lack of oxygen in the cup anchors the cup to the skin, and pulls it upward on the inside of the glass as the air inside the jar cools. Drawing up the skin is believed to open up the skin’s pores, which helps to stimulate the flow of blood, balances and realigns the flow of Qi, breaks up obstructions, and creates an avenue for toxins to be drawn out of the body.
• For more on Pulsating Cupping Therapy, click here.