To the Chinese, health is about aligning oneself with QI, the vital energy that flows through the body.
Harmony between yin and yang, the two opposing yet complementary forces.
Disease occurs from the imbalance between these forces.
Yin balance prevents disease and enhances immunity.
Some Chinese healing guidelines:
- Acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, tui na (Chinese therapeutic massage), dietary therapy, and tai chi and qi gong (practices that combine specific movements or postures.)
- It helps to restore the balance of the yin and yang energy.
Acupuncture Benefits
- Reduce your stress and anxiety
- Help you cope with depression
- Assist with chronic pain management
- Improves sleep
- Boosts immunity
- Lowers your blood pressure
- Fosters a healthier self-esteem
- Helps to stop smoking and to fight other addictions
- Eases the stress associated with chronic health conditions like ulcerative colitis and cancer
Before using Chinese medicine, consider the following.
- Do not use Chinese Traditional Medicine (TCM) to replace effective conventional care or as a reason to postpone seeing a health care provider about a medical problem.
- Look for published research studies on TCM for the health condition that interests you.
- It is better to use TCM herbal remedies under the supervision of your health care provider or a professional trained in herbal medicine than to try to treat yourself.
- Ask about the training and experience of the TCM practitioner you are considering. You can find information about the credentials and licensing of complementary health practitioners on the NCCIH Web site at nccih.nih.gov/ health/decisions/credentialing.htm.
- If you are pregnant or nursing or are thinking of using TCM to treat a child, you should be especially sure to consult your (or the child’s) health care provider first.
- Tell all your health care providers about any complementary or integrative health approaches you use. Give them a full picture of what you do to manage your health. This will help ensure coordinated and safe care.