Chinese Medicine by Barbara Lee

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Body Contouring and Inch Loss

Combining acupuncture with electrical stimulation is an effective proven way to reduce inch loss. By speeding up the metabolism and constricting and tightening the abdominal muscles it has reduced inches and been instrumental in reducing scar tissue build up and residual pain of surgery due to scar tissue.

What is Chinese Medicine?

The World Health Organization has acknowledged the benefit of Chinese medicine for over 200 disorders including:

Allergies: Hay fever, pollen

Psychological: Stress, anxiety, depression, panic attacks, insomnia

Respiratory: Asthma, acute & chronic bronchitis, common cold, flu, chronic cough, frequent colds

Neurological: Stroke, headaches, migraines, trigeminal neuralgia, Bell's Palsy, peripheral neuropathies, numbness, dizziness, poor memory

Musculoskeletal: Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, "frozen" shoulder, shoulder pain, "tennis elbow", carpal tunnel syndrome, back pain, knee pain, neck pain, joint pain, chronic pain, sciatica, sports or other injuries

Gastrointestinal: Diarrhea, indigestion, acid reflux, constipation, gastritis, nausea & vomiting, digestive problems, Irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis, Chron's disease

Circulatory: Anemia, angina, coronary heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes

Addictions: Nicotine, alcohol, and substance abuse

Eye, ear, nose, mouth, & throat disorders: Conjunctivitis, macular degeneration, tinnitus, sinusitis, rhinitis, sore throat, and toothache

Respiratory: Asthma, acute & chronic bronchitis, common cold, flu, chronic cough, frequent colds

Urological: Bedwetting, incontinence, impotence, male infertility, prostate problems

Other: Side effects of chemotherapy, radiation, fatigue, general health maintenance, among many other conditions

What Does It Feel Like?

Most people think of the needles used in injections and blood tests. Acupuncture needles are much finer — only a little thicker than a human hair. When the needle is inserted, the feeling is often described as a tingling or dull ache accompanied by a feeling of relaxation.

Accupuncture

In Chinese medicine, disease as seen as imbalances in the organ system or chi meridians, and the goal of any remedy or treatment is to assist the body in reestablishing its innate harmony. Disease can be caused by internal factors like emotions, external factors like the environment and weather, and other factors like injuries, trauma, diet, and germs. However, infection is seen not as primarily a problem with germs and viruses, but as a weakness in the energy of the body which is allowing a sickness to occur. In Chinese medicine, no two illnesses are ever the same, as each body has its own characteristics of symptoms and balance. Acupuncture is used to open or adjust the flow of chi throughout the organ system, which will strengthen the body and prompt it to heal itself.

Moxibustion

Moxibustion evolved thousands of years ago in early northern China. It is part of traditional Chinese medical practices and came about at the same time as acupuncture.

Moxibustion involves the burning of moxa, an herbal wool made from the leaves of the Mugwort plant, over specific acupoints. The moxa is often formed it into a small cone and placed on the tip of a needle or rolled into a cigar-like shape and passed over the skin in wave-like motions. The radiant heat produced by moxibustion penetrates deeply into the body to restore balance, promote circulation, and reduce pain. This form of treatment, usually combined with acupuncture, is indicated for improving general health and treating chronic conditions such as arthritis, digestive disorders, pain, infertility, ulcers, and many other ailments.

Many times the practitioner will send the patient home with a moxa stick so that it can be applied regularly between treatments. The burning of moxa will produce a potent smoke. For people who have asthma or respiratory problems, smokeless moxa can be used.

Auricular (Ear) Acupuncture

Auricular acupuncture involves the stimulation of the acupoints located on the ear with tiny seeds or pellets. The seeds are no larger than the tip of an unsharpened pencil, do not pierce the skin, and are painless when affixed. The client will leave these seeds in for up to 1 week and re-stimulate the points by massaging the ear several times each day.

There are over 200 acupoints on each ear that represent the anatomical parts and functions of the human body. These points are arranged on the ear in the image of an inverted fetus. By observing points of tenderness, coloration changes, protrusions or depressions, and skin variations, a trained practitioner can not only treat a wide range of diseases using only the ear, but can diagnose them as well. When we stimulate these points we access the central nervous system through the cranial nerves on the auricle of the ear. This sends a direct message to the brain that results in a healing response.

This therapy is most often used for addiction, smoking cessation, and weight loss.

Cupping

In addition to acupuncture and herbology, cupping therapy has been part of Chinese medicine for over 2,500 years. Originally, animal horn was used for cupping, later on brass, ceramic, and bamboo cups were used. Today, we use glass cups in a variety of different sizes.

Cupping is like a very deep tissue massage. The practitioner applies heat in a cup and then applies that cup to the body, most commonly on the back. The heat creates a vacuum effect and draws the skin up into the cup. The result is a movement of fresh blood to the area, release of toxins, acupuncture point stimulation, increased circulation of blood and lymph, relaxation of tight muscles, and reduced inflammation.

Cupping does leave noticeable marks similar to a bruise or hickey that is sometimes referred to as "cup kisses". Although they can look alarming, they are not painful and will disappear on their own within 3-7 days.

Most commonly, it's used for aches and pains of various types including low back and leg pain, neck and shoulder tension, and fibromyalgia. It also helps open up the chest and benefits the lungs to treat respiratory problems such as cough, bronchitis, asthma, and the like. It and can even benefit menstrual problems and digestive problems including stomach aches, vomiting, and diarrhea.