The traditional Chinese medicine system of healthcare extends beyond just acupuncture.

ACUPUNCTURE – ONE OF THE 5 PILLARS OF TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE

You may know that acupuncture is a treatment modality that can be effective for many conditions including pain, headaches, stress, digestive issues and many others. But did you know that acupuncture is part of a bigger system of healthcare known as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)?

TCM has been in development for over 2000 years and is still practiced extensively in China and increasingly in other parts of the world, including here in Australia. In a modern setting, acupuncture can be practiced alone but it is actually just one of several modalities that make up TCM. They are:

1. Acupuncture.

This involves regulating the body using fine sterile needles, but also encompasses practices such as moxibustion (heating specific acupoints by burning mugwort herb), cupping therapy (using suction to regulate blood circulation) and bloodletting (pricking to bleed areas of congested blood).

2. Herbal Medicine.

Using specific combinations of herbs to heal ailments is the original basis of internal medicine. Chinese Herbal Medicine literature is extensive, detailed and has been refined over the centuries as the most effective formulas were recognised.

3. Massage.

Tui Na (to push and squeeze), is the practice specific to Chinese medicine, and uses the same meridian theory as acupuncture.

4. Dietary therapy.

Understanding the properties of food as well as how and when to eat has a huge impact on our health. Food is medicine if we have the know-how.

5. Exercise therapy.

Tai Chi and Qi Gong are practices that involve focused breath with specific movements to gently exercise our body to maintain its normal function or restore health.

As you can see, the TCM system of healthcare extends beyond just acupuncture. To understand more, have a chat to our TCM practitioner, Dr Rory Davis, at your next appointment.

To make an appointment with Dr Rory you can conveniently book online @ www.blackwoodvillagehealth.com.au or call us on P 8178 0181.