TCM and Acupuncture | What Is Acupuncture - Viva Healthy Life

TCM and Acupuncture | What Is Acupuncture - Viva Healthy Life

TCM, which is an abbreviation for traditional Chinese medicine, is popular all over the world and recognized by the World Health Organization. Acupuncture is one of the most ancient and advanced techniques in TCM. An entirely new healing approach has begun to spread in the US over the last few decades, after spreading in Europe for the past 100 years. For many years, practitioners of TCM utilized the approach that the human body is a part of the galaxy and uses cosmic energy.

Humans represent the reflection of the natural harmony established between the universe and our planet. In simple form, the practitioners of traditional acupuncture see the individual as a product of various energies and minds. Professionals mainly focus on energy, all the ways life shows itself, emotions, and important body functions, as these help them find any imbalances in a person’s energy.

If you chose Viva Healthy Life as your holistic clinic, you made the right choice, because Dr. Tsan and Dr. Wu are recognized as “Top 5 Acupuncture Practitioners in Philadelphia.” All three had outstanding experience and graduated from the most prestigious Oriental medical schools in the world.

According to Asian medical philosophy, any disease is a manifestation of the imbalance of the Qi energy in 12 meridians. Discord between the stomach and spleen, for instance, is the cause of the majority of digestive disorders. The spleen plays a central part in the health and vitality of the body, taking a lead role in the assimilation of nutrients and the support of an individual’s physical strength. It turns the digested food from the stomach into valuable nutrients and qi (energy). The functioning of the “middle” is the key to all aspects of vitality. By taking into account a person’s constitution and various symptoms, a treatment plan is designed specifically for the individual to bring their “middle” back into harmony and optimize the proper functioning of the digestive system. We use various techniques during treatment, such as acupuncture, lifestyle/dietary recommendations, and energetic exercises, to restore digestive health.

For over 2500 years, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has used acupuncture to recover from various ailments and physiologic breakdowns in clinical practice. The World Health Organization recommended acupuncture as a viable elective treatment for forty-three conditions in 1980 due to its effectiveness.  In the course of recent decades, different speculations about the meridian framework and instruments and, additionally, hypotheses about the five elements have been proposed to clarify how acupuncture may function. A large portion of these systems and elements, nonetheless, cannot yet clearly explain why acupuncture is effective in treating so many different ailments.

The Theory of Meridian

According to TCM, our body has a network called the meridian framework that links different parts together; this network creates a detailed map of the body, providing qi (vital energy) to all areas, aiding in the flow of blood and fluids, maintaining balance between yin and yang, and protecting the body from illness. Along these pathways, acupoints are the spots where the qi from the organs and meridians reaches the surface of the body. Acupoints, located along these channels, transport the qi from the organs and meridians to the surface of the body. Most people understand that clearing the affected meridians or organs can address infections. Acupuncturists deal with these points to manage related organs, or meridians, so the body can come back to a condition of parity and health.

The meridian framework consists of a series of channels that follow each other in the distribution of qi, the vital energy. In the system, the twelve main meridians create the main structure; they branch out into twelve large collaterals that go into the chest and abdomen to connect with the internal organs, and fifteen external collaterals that run along the arms and legs. There are also twelve collaterals that help control the muscles and ligaments, along with smaller collaterals found on the skin; the eight extra meridians improve communication and functions within the system. They interact closely with each other, and when one malfunctions, it typically affects the other. In Chinese medicine, learning about the meridian framework is as critical as life structures and physiology in Western medical science.

All twelve meridians go through the limbs, with specific meridians and their corresponding organs making an interior and exterior pairing. For example, the lung meridian (greater yin of the arm) and the digestive organ meridian (brightness yang of the arm) are connected based on their routes, and in practice, they are linked; problems with the lung or its meridian can also be treated by using points on the larger digestive tract meridian. Moreover, the arm and leg meridians of similar yin/yang names are equally related. For example, problems with the lung or its meridian (which is more yin in the arm) can be treated by using different points on its partner, the spleen meridian (which is more yin in the leg), in addition to the points on the lung meridian.

The Five Elements in TCM Philosophy

One of the significant frameworks of thought inside traditional Chinese medicine is 5 Element TCM. In light of the five elements of nature—fire, earth, metal, water, and wood—5 Element TCM has been utilized in TCM as a strategy for determination and treatment for more than 2000 years. Sometimes referred to as the “Five Phase” theory, it is believed that the five elements represent our controlling and creative energies. In a perfect world, every one of the five of these elements ought to be in balance.

The acupuncturist starts surveying the patient’s condition by assessing sense organs, tissue, shading, taste, and feeling. These findings will empower the acupuncturist to decide the specific component an individual speaks to and to define a customized treatment plan.

To the extent nature permits, this old Five Phase framework helps the brain, body, and soul in recuperating themselves. Unlike simply hiding side effects, 5 Element TCM manages the fundamental reasons for sickness, planning to counteract repeats later on. Five Element acupuncture manages your condition by reestablishing the general purity of your energy. Therefore, you can use it as a preventive measure.

A similar widespread power governs our general surroundings, overseeing our brain, body, and soul. Similar cycles of progress revealed in the seasons of the year impact us. The manner in which the elements and their related segment interfaces are clarified by the cycles inside the Five Element Hypothesis.

In this practice, TCM has been most useful in treating perpetual conditions. It can prove useful for nearly everybody, particularly those with enduring nervousness, stomach-related issues, IBS, endless pressure, restless, unsettling influences, TMJ, a passionate, awkward nature, and numerous other concerns. A standout among the most intricate frameworks in customary Chinese prescriptions, acupuncture can take years, if not decades, to completely get it.

Traditional Chinese Medicine is a complete medical system that originated in China more than 3000 years ago. It utilizes the traditional Oriental philosophy to diagnose and treat illness, prevent disease and improve well-being by inserting acupuncture needles at critical points throughout the body. Due to its proven effectiveness, this method has been becoming more and more popular throughout the world.

There are two kinds of explanations about how this traditional Chinese treatment works. I would like to give a conventional example. TCM is about the meridian system, which encompasses the human body. The meridians contain Qi, or a stream of energy, which flows through these meridians and acupoints to support the tissue, muscles, and organs. When the Qi is obstructed in certain critical points or acupoints, the function of tissue, muscles, and organs will be impaired. Inserting acupuncture needles into acupoints helps release the Qi flow and corrects Qi imbalances at the organ level to improve your energy and internal processing.

Ear acupuncture, also known as auricular therapy, is another TCM technique that can be a very effective for weight loss, appetite control, digestive system adjustment, increasing metabolism, and relieving acute pains and chronically stiff joints. Occasionally these treatments are so effective that they cure the afflictions within minutes. For some problems, it can be more effective than stimulation of the regular body acupoints. Organ diseases and glandular disturbances may not be healed as quickly, but ear needling will always be very helpful as a support method with other forms of treatment.

Traditional Chinese Medicine can correct or improve many conditions by promoting the body’s natural healing ability. Furthermore, it is widely believed that acupuncture is a comprehensive system of preventive health care and health maintenance. The effectiveness of acupuncture extends far beyond the conception that it is only useful for chronic pain management or as an analgesic. Many athletes claim that acupuncture treatments help them reach optimal performance levels. Recently, acupuncture detoxification treatments have been recognized as a valid form of therapy for chemical dependency problems such as alcohol and drug abuse as well as smoking. Throughout its long history, acupuncture has established a solid reputation as an excellent alternative form of health care.

Before the first treatment, many people are skeptical of the statement that any hypnotherapy can be painless. You may feel a variety of sensations like soreness, numbness, distension, warmth, and pressure, but the energetic sensation is not pain. People often comment that the feeling is unfamiliar but pleasant and relaxing. Acupuncture needles are very thin, about the size of a thick hair. They are solid, and nothing is injected through them. Over the centuries, clean needle insertion techniques have been developed that enable the skilled alternative medicine practitioner to insert a needle with little or no sensation. If you are afraid of needles, discuss the phobia with your acupuncturist. An appropriate acupuncture treatment strategy can always be agreed upon.

Yes, acupuncture needles are safe and completely hygienic. Today these needle treatments are carried out with sterile and disposable needles approved by the FDA.

Since each person is unique, the number of treatment sessions that the patient requires will vary. The determining factors include the type of condition, whether it is chronic or acute, and the individual’s vitality. Again, you should discuss your treatment program with your acupuncturist.

What is the typical number of needles used in each acupuncture procedure?

According to my experience, six to fifteen needles on average are inserted during each treatment. Ten or more needles may be used in a single session to treat two or more symptoms or conditions. For instance, in a situation where a patient is suffering from both back pain and headaches for a prolonged period, the patient can be treated for both ailments in the same session instead of treating only one symptom per session. However, it is not advisable to treat too many ailments in one session, as it may disrupt the results. Some acupuncturists insert as many as thirty needles in one procedure. This approach may mean that by using many needles, the practitioner attempts to increase the chance of inserting the needles precisely in the acupoints. This approach, however, may set the treatment effects out of control, cause fatigue rather than beneficial relaxation, and, as a result, hinder the patient.

I usually render acupuncture two to three sessions a week for the first two weeks. After reviewing the progress of treatment, I may decrease the number of sessions to once or twice a week. However, the decision entirely depends on the physical condition of each individual.

Normally, each session takes 20 to 40 minutes. It depends on the sensitivity of each individual and the condition or ailment that the patient is fighting. Generally speaking, the quality of the acupuncture treatment relies on the experience and skill of the acupuncturist. The effectiveness of the treatment will depend on the practitioner’s ability to diagnose the symptom, accurately pierce the acupoints, timing, the depth, and angle of insertion, techniques of manipulation, etc.

No. You should continue to follow your current physician’s instructions even if your acupuncturist suggests stopping medications, as they are not a replacement for medical advice. Please remember that this treatment is used to complement and supplement your physician’s treatments, not to replace them. You should discuss this issue with your physician and acupuncturist.

A patient should not receive acupuncture treatment under the following conditions:

It is preferable not to have acupuncture treatment during the first trimester of pregnancy unless the practitioner deems it necessary or beneficial.

DOES MEDICAL INSURANCE COVER TCM TREATMENT? I cannot give you a “yes” or “no” answer. The coverage varies depending on the state where you live, your medical insurance company and the type of health insurance plan you currently have. In some states like New Mexico, California, New Jersey, New York, Maryland, etc., most health insurance companies offer medical insurance programs that cover TCM treatments, including Chinese herb formulas. Currently, in Pennsylvania, most health insurance companies do not offer medical insurance programs that cover these holistic treatments. A few insurance companies, like Aetna U.S. Healthcare, began to offer acupuncture treatment coverage in some of their medical insurance programs. As far as I know, Independence Blue Cross is considering introducing an alternative health care program administered by American Specialty Health Networks.

If you are a resident of Pennsylvania, you should contact your health insurance company to check whether your current medical insurance covers acupuncture treatments. If you have injuries caused by car accidents or work injuries, your auto insurance or workers compensation insurance will most likely cover this treatment. However, you should still contact your auto insurance or work insurance company to confirm the treatment coverage.

Your most valuable asset is excellent health. Invest in it wisely. Consider TCM.

At Viva Healthy Life Dr. Wu, LAC performs acupuncture treatment under supervision of the internationally known acupuncturist Dr. Tsan who has extensive experience in this area and graduated The Graduate School of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences (GSCACMS), Beijing, China These two doctors will take care of all your medical problems and help you recover as quickly as possible.

Viva Healthy Life ranked #1 Acupuncture office in Philadelphia by Mojo Pages Fox29

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