This page runs through the types of traditional Chinese medicine
Acupuncture Treatments
There are a wide range of acupuncture treatments available:
Body Acupuncture
This is the most common type of acupuncture. It involves very fine steel needles being inserted into various acupuncture points on the body. Each acupuncture point has a different therapeutic effect. The points are literally all over the body from head to toe. The needles are so fine that very little discomfort is felt when the needle is inserted. This type of acupuncture is used to treat most conditions.
Auricular Acupuncture
Traditional Chinese Medicine believes that there are acupuncture points representing all areas of the body, in the ear. These may be stimulated using very fine, minute steel needles. Tiny press needles or seeds on an adhesive plaster may also be used and in fact, may be left in the ear for up to one week at a time. This method is particularly useful for treating addictions such as smoking or alcohol. It is also used in conjunction with body acupuncture for the treatment of infertility very successfully.
Electro Acupuncture
This is used in conjunction with Body Acupuncture. It is where an electro acupuncture machine is connected to the top of the Body Acupuncture needles. The needles are then stimulated with an electric current. The patient feels a mild, tingling sensation. This is useful for many conditions but is not suitable for all patients.
Acupressure
This is where the acupuncture points are pressed or massaged by the acupuncturist. In the treatment of certain conditions, the therapist may teach the patient to locate one or two key points and teach them how to massage these points themselves. This is particularly useful in painful conditions and especially in the treatment of headaches and morning sickness.
Magnets and Acupuncture
This is where small magnets are placed over acupuncture points or are kept in place on the acupuncture point by using elastic bands. These can even be purchased in some pharmacies and are very useful for some patients in the treatment of morning sickness or motion sickness.
Moxibustion and Acupuncture
This is where small amounts of a herb are attached to the top of an acupuncture needle and lighted. The herb will then smoulder slowly and this will have a warming effect on the needle and the area. It is used to treat many conditions especially those of a cold nature from a Chinese Medicine perspective.
Heat Treatments and Acupuncture
Heat Lamps are often placed over acupuncture needles. This heats the needle and the heat travels down the needle into the acupuncture point and then has a strong therapeutic effect. Most patients find this a very enjoyable treatment and get great benefit from it. It is especially useful for painful conditions, sports injuries, cold or damp conditions from a Chinese Medicine perspective and a lot of women’s gynaecological problems.
Cupping and Acupuncture
This is where either glass or bamboo cups are used in conjunction with acupuncture. The therapist lights a flame and places it in the cup briefly. This causes the oxygen in the cup to burn off and this creates a vacuum effect. The cup is then quickly placed on the desired area. The vacuum within the cup causes a suction effect and the cup sticks onto the area. The cups can feel quite tight on the skin and it may even feel like a pinching. Occasionally, bruising or discoloration may occur on the area where the cup was used. This is just where the suction has brought blood to the surface of the skin. It is not painful but your therapist will explain this to the patient and it is usually used on areas that are easily covered such as the back. Cupping increases therapeutic benefit greatly when treating certain conditions especially those
involving stagnation of Qi or energy. Oil may be applied to the area and the cups may be dragged or moved and this method is also used for moving stagnation.
Other traditional Chinese medicine treatments other than acupuncture are listed below:
Chinese Herbal Medicine
Ancient Formulas have been established by the Chinese over thousands of years for the treatment of many conditions. These formulas combine different herbs, which come from China and have different treatment properties. Care should be taken when combining Chinese Herbs with Western Medicines. You should seek the guidance of your Chinese Herbalist. Not all medicines and herbs are compatible. Chinese Herbs are, however, invaluable in the treatment of many conditions whether used on their own or in conjunction with acupuncture. All the therapists in our clinics have completed their Chinese Herbal Medicine training and have many years of experience in treating patients with them.
Tui Na Massage
This is another part of Traditional Chinese Medicine. It is a vigorous type of massage usually done while the patient is fully clothed! It is a very deep massage and some of the techniques involve vigorous friction. If these movements are performed directly on the skin they can actually cause friction burns. It is particularly useful in treating muscular sports injuries. However, it does treat a wide range of conditions.
All the pages in our Acupuncture section:
