chinese medicine

i am fortunate to have met several chinese medicine practitioners in town, and that they all love to teach.  it has been an eye-opening experience to discuss a totally different method of health care.

the practice of traditional chinese medicine (tcm) is based on a system unlike that used in western modern medicine.  this model centers on the concept of qi, loosely translated as energy, and its effects on physiological function and health.  tcm functions to promote the bodies ability to heal itself.  it uses natural laws and energetic principles rooted in taoism with the application of needles, energy, and pressure to specific points on the body.  each point provides a specific function in the body in regulating the free flow of vital energy for health and well-being.

when most people hear "chinese medicine," they think of acupuncture, but there are many different facets to the tcm system.  the holistic and homeopathic treatments used in tcm include massage, stress-reduction, acupuncture, exercise, cupping, lifestyle change, moxibustion, and herbal medicine.  i am most interested in the herbs for a variety of reasons.  i like that they come from the earth.  i like that they each have a purpose, but can be (and are usually) taken in combination with other herbs.  i like that they can be acquired in raw bulk, granules or capsules.  and i like that i will never know all of the herbs and their purposes because of the immense amount of information available and developing.

i am anxious to learn more about chinese medicine as well as a variety of other wellness-focused curricula.  i am so fascinated with the body and i want to ensure that me, my family and my community are taking care of ourselves to the best of our ability.