Traditional Chinese Medicine

What is Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)?

Ultimately, the practice of Traditional Chinese Medicine, also referred to as Oriental Medicine, is a system of health care that brings the body into balance and returns it to a natural state of harmony. Developed over the course of several thousand years, Traditional Chinese Medicine employs a method of inquiry and analysis of external observations to acquire information of the internal systems of the human body. The interconnected relationships are examined to understand the fundamental roots that govern the functioning of the body. It applies this understanding to health care to examine imbalances that cause disease. Treatment and prevention of disease are derived from the application of this information.

This medicine is a unique, comprehensive, and systematic structure based on the Theory of the 5 Elements, the Theory of the 8 Parameters, the Meridian system, the principles of Yin-Yang, and the interactions of the Blood, Qi, and Body Fluids. Treatment is conducted with reference to this philosophical framework. Through the use of Acupuncture, Chinese Herbal Medicine, Tui Na (massage), Fire Cupping, Guasha, and other modalities our acupuncturist seeks to balance the body's systems to restore the proper health.

Qi? What's that?

Qi is an energy, vital substance, or principle theorized by traditional Chinese culture that is believed to reside in all matter. It is sometimes spelled "Ch'i" and in romanized Japanese is spelled "Ki". It is often compared to the concept of "prana" that developed in India. Traditional Chinese Medicine often describes various types of Qi as they relate to biological functions. For example, "Wei Qi" describes one of these types as the vital force in charge of protecting the body from external influences. Overall Qi can be viewed in two distinct ways by Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).

First, Qi can be viewed as a physical form of energy circulating throughout the body, similar to the flow of blood. Traditional Chinese Medicine often refers to "meridians" or "channels" through which Qi flows. The meridians, or channels, are different from blood vessels because they are not pipe-like structures. Rather, the Qi permeates the body like an ocean of energy, and the meridians are like the currents that circulate through it. Acupuncture points are locations on the body where the meridians, or currents, rise close to the surface of the skin. This offers points where the Qi can be accessed through the use of acupuncture needles and other techniques.

The term Qi can also be used to describe the fundamental principles of underlying biological processes. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Qi has the functions of movement, transforming, transporting, warming, protecting, and containing. Using the functions that define Qi, practitioners can describe biological processes within the context of TCM. For example the immune system defends the body against the invasion of viruses and bacterium. In the context of TCM, the immune system actions are described in terms of "Wei Qi", or the defensive principle. When a person catches a cold, practitioners view this as the "Wei Qi" being overwhelmed by an invading pathogen, or being insufficient to defend the body against the pathogen.

By applying the two views of Qi to the human organism, acupuncturists are able to assess illness, pain, and disease. Based on the assessment they can develop and implement a course of treatment.

How safe is TCM?

We are often asked if Traditional Chinese Medicine is safe. As with many other fields of health care, it is very safe when practiced by trained and qualified professionals. In most states, including Wisconsin, a trained and qualified acupuncturist is licensed or certified by the state regulatory body. This generally requires an acupuncturist to have earned a graduate degree and hold a national board certification.

Additionally, acupuncture is defined as a minimally invasive procedure and has an extremely low factor of risk. Further by using proper needle techniques, Clean Needle Protocol, and pre-sterilized single-use needles acupuncture procedures are among some of the safest medical procedures. The needles used in acupuncture are very fine and insertion is for the most part painless.

Chinese herbal medicine is another part of Traditional Chinese Medicine that is often used during a course of treatment. The actions and effects of the individual herbs and the multiple combinations used in herbal formulas have been observed over thousands of years. When used correctly and in the proper amounts Chinese herbal medicine can effect great improvement with little to no negative side effects. Occurrences of adverse reactions are low and generally mild in nature. The products used at the North Cape Acupuncture clinic are purchased from reputable manufacturers who have their products independently tested to insure the purity and to insure that their products are free of contaminants.