Treating Hair Loss with Eastern and Western Methods
When 41-year-old Ryu Yeong-ho realized that her seborrheic dermatitis was not getting any better, she decided to seek an alternative route. Her condition, a debilitating scalp condition that can ultimate lead to permanent hair loss among other complications, has recently affected an increasing number of individuals.
For Ryu, the diagnosis had been the same: all the dermatologists she visited had prescribed similar shampoos and ointments to stave off the symptoms and told her it was incurable. Discouraged, she began using the prescriptions, but each improvement would prove only temporary, and the symptoms soon returned afterwards. Her hair loss gradually worsened.
Dr.Lee Moon-Won believes Ryu’s previous treatments failed because they relied only on Western methods. De Lee says:
[blockquote style=”3″]To fully get to the root of our body’s ailments and diseases, we must have a deep understanding of both Eastern and Western medicinal practices. I’ve heard of many cases where symptoms have returned because Western treatments are only able to offer temporary relief to persistent scalp diseases.[/blockquote]
Lee, who runs a clinic bearing his own name, is no stranger to cases like Ryu’s. He has been studying the effects of hair loss for 11 years. Since 2005, he has administered over 40,000 treatments to patients with scalp disease and other hair loss-related conditions.
With a Ph.D. in human anatomy from Woosuk University, Lee is convinced both Eastern and Western medicine must be applied in order to target and treat scalp conditions. Chronic scalp disease is a condition affecting a growing number of people today. However, a surprising number let it continue its course until it gets progressively worse, in some cases leading to hair loss.
Opened in 2002 in Seoul’s affluent Cheongdam-dong south of the Han River, Lee Moon Won Clinic is the first of its kind in Korea, offering comprehensive treatment for hair loss and scalp disease. Specialists here remove pathogenesis, strengthen immunity and regenerate scalp tissue.
Ryu says that after three months of herbal remedies and herbal acupuncture, what Lee calls rh-2, her condition has shown signs of improvement, far greater than what she had experienced before.
Though the cause of hair loss can be genetic, there are other factors such as stress and a weakened immune system that come into play, most of which can be prevented if treated in time.
“Scalp disease, such as seborrheic dermatitis, can worsen hair loss in combination with other factors,” Lee says. “Seborrheic dermatitis alone cannot cause hair loss. However, when patients suffer from severe stress, this speeds up hair loss.”
“In severe cases such as folliculitis or pyocele, the damage of hair loss can be permanent,” Lee continues. “That is why it is advisable to treat these conditions in time before they lead to further complications.”
One of the strongest merits prevalent in Korean oriental medicine is that there are not any significant side effects. Furthermore, treatments are long-lasting and are prescribed on an individual basis.
For 33-year-old Kim Hae-suk, her hair loss was the result of prolonged exposure to sunlight on a trip she took to Jeju Island.
“After my friends and family began noticing that I had significant balding around my crown, I became increasingly self-conscious and began stressing out,” Kim says. This, in turn, only exacerbated the problem.
[blockquote style=”3″]After six rounds of oriental herbal medicines and acupuncture at Lee’s clinic, she says much of her hair loss has been recovered.[/blockquote]
In the case of scalp diseases, Western medicine tends to focus on the treatment of symptoms by applying anti-inflammatory, antibiotic, sebum restrainer and antihistaminic medicines.
“Such methods are highly dependent on chemical ingredients,” asserts Lee. “Symptoms are likely to reoccur as soon as the patient is taken off the medication.”
Original article and pictures take www.corespirit.com site
The Trager Approach, also referred to as Trager Psychophysical Integration, is a gentle, non-invasive method of using body movements to “re-educate” the body and mind in order to facilitate pain-free movement and a sense of complete relaxation. Developed by Dr. Milton Trager, the approach consists of two distinct phases. The first is a passive session, during which the Trager practitioner methodically (but not in a rigid sense) holds and manipulates body parts in order to help the client develop an understanding of what pain-free movement is possible (Scholl, 1993). The practitioner’s actions are guided by the feel of the client’s joints and tissues, as well as by the client’s verbal feedback. The second phase, in which the client practices the learned movements in everyday life, is referred to as “Mentastics”® (Trager.com).
Important aspects of this approach are the recognition that the mind and body are interconnected and constantly impacting one another; that both body and mind can be re-educated to alleviate stress and allow greater freedom of movement; that no movement ever be forced upon the client; that no movement be initiated or continued that will bring pain to the client; and that the practitioner be sensitive to the client’s needs, feelings, and condition through both physical and mental connections. Practitioners stress the importance of “being in the present” during a session, both for themselves and the client (K. Deibel, CTP, personal communication, Feb. 17, 2011). This mental connection with the client is referred to as the “hook up,” and is vital to the approach (Vanderbilt, 2004).
The Trager Approach has been successfully used to alleviate symptoms of stress, pain, stiffness in clients suffering from a variety of problems such as stroke, oxygen deprivation at birth, spinal cord damage, peripheral sensory/motor injuries, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, polio, and multiple sclerosis (Juhan, 1993). Studies have been conducted which showed the effectiveness of the Trager approach for patients with Chronic Lung Disease (Witt, 1986), pain due to spinal cord injuries (Dyson-Hudson, 2001), and rigidity as the result of Parkinson’s Disease (Duval, 2002). Mastectomy patients have benefited from the mind/spirit healing aspects, as well as the physical improvements brought about by the approach (Vanderbilt).
Contraindications and precautions include fresh injuries, recent surgery, active thrombophlebitis, infectious diseases, metastatic cancer, and nerve impingements. Use of narcotics or any type of pain medication is cautioned, as these substances may mask pain while the table-work is in progress. Trager practitioners are cautioned not to work with anyone exhibiting signs of substance abuse or severe mental illness (Clark, 2011). Special precautions are advised for clients who are pregnant, especially during the first and last trimester (J. Fasone, RN, CTP, personal communication, February 24, 2011).
Like Occupational Therapy, the Trager Approach is client-centered. During a session every effort is made to ensure that the client is comfortable physically and emotionally, and that the expressed needs of the client are met. The practitioner relies on continual feedback from the client to assess and address areas of weakness and strength, tightness and freedom. The client is then responsible for his or her ongoing movement re-education through the use of Mentastics. In effect, the client is able to design a program that is sustainable, flexible, and tailored to his or her needs and everyday schedule. Progress is monitored by the client and practitioner at sessions, and can be confirmed through evaluations performed by OT or PT practitioners and medical personnel. Trager Mentastics can also be learned and practiced in a group setting (Trager Mentastics, 2010 ). Clients interested in doing this can easily organize group sessions at the local gym, church, or virtually any place with the space to accommodate the group, including a home.
The Trager Approach is by no means useful only to those who have suffered pain or disability. Anyone can benefit from getting in touch with their mind and body and letting go of the unknown restrictions being placed on them by the stresses of everyday life. Health care workers, and caregivers can use this approach to head off health problems associated with the physical and emotional stresses of providing care for others. From heavy manual labor to office work, the Trager Approach can be helpful in restoring and/or maintaining pain-free movement and a sense of emotional well-being.
The Trager Approach can be used in conjunction with many other health-promotion activities, such as Yoga, Massage Therapy, and Reiki (Clark, 2011). Occupational Therapy Practitioners may recommend it for clients who have restricted ROM, spasticity, paralysis, or physical and emotional scarring from injuries or surgeries. The increased freedom derived from the sessions can improve physical and occupational performance, and Mentastics movements may be incorporated into occupation-based activities at the clinical site or at home.
A word on what the Trager Approach is not: it is not a type of massage therapy. It is not something that is done to a client, but is an approach that requires the active attention of both the client and the practitioner. It is not, in most cases, a reimbursable service. Although the Trager Association requires that practitioners be certified with a minimum of 226 hours of instruction and fieldwork, as well as ongoing education (Association, 2009), most insurance providers do not yet recognize it as a therapy. However, as research continues to prove the efficacy of the Trager Approach it will most likely become recognized as a very viable and valuable approach to health promotion and maintenance.
Original article and pictures take www.corespirit.com site
By focusing on energy imbalances, this ancient healing
art restores vitality and well-being.
By Lisa James
A visit with health practitioners at a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) clinic begins with questions—lots of questions.
The practitioner then carefully examines your tongue and notes your pulse, not just in terms of beats per minute but also whether it shows qualities such as “wiry” or “floating.” You’re told you have “kidney deficiency” but are reassured that the actual organs are not diseased. Perhaps you are given instructions in such gentle Chinese exercises as tai chi. Or you might receive acupuncture, which could involve sticking fine needles into your ankle and leg.
Finally, you’re given a list of herbs that you take to an herbal formulary. On one side shelves hold row upon row of glass jars containing dried stems and leaves; on the other side sit similar rows of plastic bottles filled with powders. The herbalist behind the counter places material from the jars in a bag with instructions on how to brew them into a decoction. If you don’t have the time to do that you might receive the powdered herbs instead.
Though experiences such as these still seem a little exotic to most Americans, more Westerners are coming to Chinese medicine to reap its benefits, says Yun Li, MD, LAc, Dipl Ac & Chinese Herbal Medicine (NCCAOM), Oriental sciences chair at the New York College of Health Professions in Syosset (www.nycollege.edu). The differences between Chinese medicine and its Western counterpart start with how each views the body.
Energy in Motion
While Western physicians see the body as cells organized into tissues, organs and systems, Chinese healers see it in terms of energy flows organized into sets of paired opposites, most notably yin (cold, inward, passive) and yang (hot, outward, active).
This elemental energy is called chi (or qi), which circulates along defined channels called meridians through “organs” that carry familiar names—liver, kidney, heart—but which refer to specific functions rather than physical masses of tissue.
“When I diagnose someone with ‘heart blood deficiency’ one of the possible Western medical diagnoses is anemia,” says Bill Reddy, LAc, DiplAc, vice president of the American Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (AAAOM). “If a woman is not ovulating the diagnosis may be ‘kidney chi deficiency’; in Western medicine, the kidney has nothing to do with reproduction.”
Health problems stem from imbalances in the flow of energy. “You take a symptom like hot flashes,” says Bryn Clark, LAc, Dipl OM, cofounder of New Harmony Wellness in Beverly, Massachusetts. “The body is no longer in a peaceful state of oneness—there is an exuberance of yang that shows up as heat.”
Needles and Herbs
Naturally, a TCM practitioner asks about the patient’s symptoms. But there are also questions about the person’s background—everything from sleep patterns and diet to emotional state and personal habits. To learn how and where energy is being disrupted, the tongue is checked for color and condition. Then the pulse is taken in several different positions and the body is palpitated.
Acupuncture, the practice most often identified with TCM, uses extremely fine needles inserted at various locations along the meridians. “For some pathologies acupuncture is most effective,” Li says. “In America it is popular for pain.” Diet, exercise, massage and other therapies—including tui na, which Li describes as “a combination of massage and chiropractic manipulation”—are also used in treatment.
Herbalism is the other big gun in TCM’s arsenal. Chinese theory classifies herbs in several different ways, but the most general system uses three categories. First-level, or “superior,” herbs are responsible for overall body balance. On the second level, tonics and boosters promote particular bodily functions, such as blood circulation, while third-level herbs are taken for limited periods of time to battle specific ailments.
TCM practitioners generally use herbs in combination. Sometimes they employ “patent medicines,” which in this context indicate traditional formulas that have become standardized over time. Other formulas are custom-designed to deal each patient’s unique needs. Herbs may be used along with acupuncture as needed.
TCM in the USA
The first time most Westerners heard of TCM was in 1971, when New York Times reporter James Reston received acupuncture for discomfort after an emergency appendectomy during a visit to China. As public interest in alternative medicine grew in the following decades, TCM started to establish itself in the US.
Today there are roughly 26,000 acupuncturists in the country and over 50 accredited schools, according to Reddy. He says the profession is regulated by three organizations. The Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM) accredits the schools, the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) tests the schools’ graduates for competency to practice and his group, the AAAOM, is a membership organization he describes as “the AMA of acupuncture.” (Their website, www.aaaomonline.org, allows you to search for practitioners.) Some professionals are licensed or registered acupuncturists (LAc or RAc); others combine acupuncture with herbal medicine.
TCM and conventional medicine can be used together. “If someone has high blood pressure, let’s say, there are herbs, along with acupuncture, that can help,” says Reddy, who practices in northern Virginia. “I try to get patients to the point where they’re not taking as much of the drug in order to limit side effects.”
Its practitioners say that TCM is ideal for treatment of ongoing, chronic ailments. Reddy sees people with everything from musculoskeletal problems to sinus troubles; Clark has patients who are dealing with mental and reproductive health issues. At the New York College of Health Professions, Li says patients come seeking help with a wide range of disorders including gastrointestinal, cardiovascular and thyroid conditions, in addition to diabetes and pain.
Leg and lower back pain stemming from sciatica is what brought Linda Smith, 73, of Westbury, New York to the college after she had tried several other options. “I’ve gone to physical therapy, gotten three epidurals and seen a neurologist,” says the retired AT&T worker. She was at the school for an herbal consultation after having previously received acupuncture. While it was too soon to see definitive results, Smith did find the visits “very relaxing” when compared with a regular doctor’s appointment.
One of TCM’s strengths is its whole-body approach to healing. Clark, who serves as a NCCAOM commissioner, has a patient in her 70s with hepatitis C who came to him with liver damage and nerve problems in her feet. “Yes I’m treating a liver condition, but we did a thorough diagnosis to understand the whole person,” he says. After six weeks of treatment to not only support the liver but also correct an underlying energy deficiency, Clark says the woman “came walking in, grabbed me and we waltzed around the reception room.”
Barbara Carver, senior vice president at New York College, says that a combination of rigorous training and an increasing amount of research has led many conventional medical programs to integrate TCM into their practices. “Hospitals hire acupuncturists on a regular basis,” she notes. “It’s integrative; you take the best from Western and Eastern medicines.”
TCM “has the potential to transform healthcare in this country,” says Clark. “We can learn not only what’s wrong with the body today but project where the body is likely to go for 25, 30 years into the future.” He believes that this preventative approach can help the country enjoy better public health at a lower cost.
Carver thinks TCM has a bright future in the US. She likens Chinese medicine to the prevention-driven boom in supplements. TCM, she says, “fits right in with that type of thinking.”
Herbs in the chinese Tradition
The following are only a few of the herbs used in TCM. Often practitioners will recommend that herbs be taken as part of formulas, either as traditional patent medicines or custom mixed. If you have a pre-existing condition—and especially if you are already taking prescribed medication—work with a qualified healthcare practitioner to create an herbal supplementation program that best meets your specific needs.
Name
Traditional Use
Modern Research
Notes
Astragalus (A. membranceus)
Known as “yellow leader” for both its color and its importance in TCM; one of the most widely used herbs in China
Helps regulate immunity—is used tofight infections and chemo-induced immune suppression; also improves stamina and protects the liver
Mentioned in Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing, one of ancient China’s classic medical texts
Dong Quai (Angelica sinensis; also known as tang kuei)
Long esteemed as a woman’s herb; used for blood deficiencies, such as those resulting from menstruation or childbirth
Regulates the female reproductive system; promotes better blood flow; one of the few good non-animal sources of vitamin B12
Not recommended for use during pregnancy
Eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus)
A Siberian herb used in TCM to stimulate chi and to treat rheumatism, low energy levels
Acts as an adaptogen, a substance that helps the body deal with stress; helps boost immunity
Used by athletes to improve endurance
Ginkgo (G. biloba)
Used to relieve wheezing and coughing, aid digestion and regulate urine flow
Improves circulation in the brain and eases inflammation; has shown promise in helping people with stroke damage and Alzheimer’s
Often planted as a shade tree, the ginkgo is long-lived—some specimens are reported to be thousands of years old
Ginseng (Panax ginseng)
One of Chinese medicine’s best-known herbs; used to increase chi, relieve fatigue and improve overall well-being
Acts as an adaptogen; used for physical and mental revitalization; has been found to disrupt cancer development
Should not be confused with American ginseng, which is also used in Chinese medicine
Green Tea (Camillia sinensis)
Has a 5,000-year history of usage in Chinese medicine; valued for its invigorating properties; used to clear excess heat
Tea consumption has been linked with reduced cardiovascular-related mortality; may reduce the risk of liver disease and some cancers
Black tea leaves come from the same plant; unlike green tea leaves, they are fermented before drying
Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra)
Used in many herbal formulas to harmonize the action of other herbs and to improve the flavor
The whole root contains glycyrrhizin, which can raise blood pressure; chewable DGL, without glycyrrhizin, is used to help ease peptic ulcers
Most “licorice” candy sold in the US contains none of the actual herb
Rhodiola (R. rosea)
Siberian herb that is used in Chinese medicine to treat nervous-system conditions
Helps improve mental and physical performance under stress; fights inflammation; has helped ease mild depression in studies
Many early studies were done in the USSR, which treated them as classified documents
Schisandra (S. chinensis)
Used to stop excessive sweating and to “quiet the spirit and calm the heart”; one of TCM’s 50 fundamental herbs
In Russian studies, has reduced fatigue and improved vision under low light conditions; also used to ease insomnia and protect the liver
Chinese name translates to “five flavor berry” because it is salty, sweet, sour, pungent and bitter
Original article and pictures take www.energytimes.com site
Traditional Chinese Medicine Benefits, Herbs & Therapies
Over the past several decades, Eastern alternative (also called complementary or integrated) medicine practices have continued to be adopted by conventional medical establishments in the U.S. and other Western nations. The Department of Complementary-Alternative Medicine at Medical University of South Carolina reports that according to a 2013 study of 3,200 physicians conducted by Health Products Research, more than 50 percent of physicians in the U.S. planned to begin or increase use of alternative medicines, including those rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), within the following year. (1)
More and more medical schools are now recognizing the importance of training students and staff in “mind-body” practices that emphasize disease prevention and holistic treatments. Although some physicians and patients tend to be skeptical about the effectiveness of many TCM practices, research continues to show that complementary modalities can make a big difference in many patients’ quality of life.
Several of the advantages that Traditional Chinese Medicine and other Eastern practices have to offer include a high level of patient compliance (often due to patients noticing improvements in their symptoms quickly), reduced stress levels, natural pain management, improved sleep, stronger immunity and decreased need for medications.
What Is Traditional Chinese Medicine?
Traditional Chinese Medicine is a type of holistic, natural health care system that dates back at least 2,000 years to the year 200 B.C. TCM is “holistic” and “natural” because it stimulates the body’s own healing mechanisms and takes into account all aspects of a patient’s life, rather than just several obvious signs or symptoms. TCM practitioners view the body as a complex network of interconnected parts (part of a larger concept known as Qi), rather than separate systems or organs.
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, Traditional Chinese Medicine treatments aim to correct imbalances in the body and primarily work in three major ways: (2)
Addressing a patient’s external factors and environment
Helping patients relate to their internal emotions in a healthier way, including managing stress
Improving someone’s lifestyle factors, including diet and exercise routine
Organs that are especially focused on during TCM treatments include the kidneys, heart, spleen, liver, lung, gallbladder, small intestine and large intestine. Depending on the specific type, the benefits of TCM therapies range considerably. Some of the health problems most commonly treated with Traditional Chinese Medicine therapies include:
TCM was mostly practiced in Asia and not commonly known of or studied in the U.S. until around the 1970s. Since Eastern practices, such as yoga, meditation, tai chi and acupuncture, started to gain notoriety in the media during this time period, hundreds of studies have investigated the health effects of such modalities.
Traditional Chinese Medicine draws on the belief that Qi (which roughly translates to “vital energy” and is pronounced “chee”) is essential for overall health.
Qi is said to circulate throughout the body along pathways called meridians, and proper Qi is needed to keep all systems in balance.
Meridians are utilized in many TCM practices, including acupuncture and acupressure, which focus on treating specific meridian points throughout the body that can be located anywhere from the head to the soles of our feet.
Meridians are believed to be connected to specific organ systems, and therefore focusing on certain meridians helps resolve specific symptoms. Restoring Qi can be beneficial for preventing diseases from developing and treating existing inflammation, injuries, pain or illnesses.
Another concept that’s vital to Traditional Chinese Medicine is yin and yang, defined as opposing but complementary energies. You might be familiar with the yin-yang symbol (a circle that’s half white and half black with smaller circles inside), which is used to represent the concept of all of earth’s opposing forces, including hot and cold, winter and summer, energy and rest. Just like Qi, yin and yang negatively affect your health when they’re out of balance and one is more dominant than the other, so a primary goal of TCM treatment is to restore their equalizing relationship.
Chinese Herbal Medicines
According to the Cleveland Clinic, “Chinese herbal medicine is a major part of Traditional Chinese Medicine … it has been used for centuries in China, where herbs are considered fundamental therapy for many acute and chronic conditions.” (4) Chinese herbal therapy has its roots in a traditional medicinal text called “Materia Medica.” Thousands of different herbs, minerals, teas, tinctures and other extracts are listed in this text and utilized by trained herbalists depending on a patient’s specific symptoms.
Who can benefit most from Chinese herbal medicines?
Chinese herbs focus on correcting dysfunction of certain organs and unhealthy body patterns. The goal of herbal therapy is to bring the body back into a state of homeostasis (balance) and restore proper energy (also called Qi).
Patients with many different symptoms can be treated with herbs, including those with frequent colds or the flu, fatigue, trouble breathing, infertility, allergies, chronic pain, anxiety or depression, trouble sleeping, menopausal symptoms and even people recovering from cancer or chemotherapy.
Some scenarios that make a patient a good candidate for herbal therapy include having more than one unexplained symptom, feeling fatigued on top of having other symptoms, not responding well to medications or experiencing side effects, feeling anxious or depressed, in addition to having other symptoms.
Here’s what you can expect during a Traditional Chinese Medicine herbal session: Customized, various herbs (almost always more than one) are prescribed following an exam with the herbalist. Sometimes herbs are used as a complement to another treatment, such as acupuncture. Chinese herbal therapy is usually not covered by insurance, but in some cases a referral from a physician can help lower the cost. Oftentimes a herbalist works closely with a physician to manage a patient’s treatment, especially if the herbal therapy can interact with the patient’s prescription medications.
Benefits of Traditional Chinese Medicine
1. Lowers Inflammation and Might Offer Increased Cancer Protection
The Journal of Traditional & ComplementaryMedicine reports that Traditional Chinese Medicine practices, including herbal treatments and the use of medicinal mushrooms, can have positive “antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic and autophagic regulatory functions. ” (5) This translates to lowered levels of oxidative stress and inflammation, thereby protecting cells, tissues and organs from long-term disease development. Inflammation is the root of most diseases and tied to the majority of common health problems, including cancer, heart disease, autoimmune disorders, cognitive impairment and diabetes.
TCM treatments, including acupuncture, acupressure and herbal treatments, can also help patients overcome a variety of harmful lifestyle habits related to inflammation, such as cigarette smoking, overeating, resisting chronic pain, chronic stress and alcohol-induced liver damage. Certain treatments are capable of lowering the body’s “fight-or-flight” stress response, which helps patients manage the effects of chronic stress — which can include poor sleep and hormonal imbalances.
Several herbal treatments that have been found to directly help lower oxidative stress include:
Medicinal mushrooms, including reishi and cordyceps: promote stronger immnity, help fight fatigue, have anticancer properties, help balance hormones and control the body’s stress response
Monascus adlay and Monascus purpureus: used to lower lung inflammation and damage
Virgate wormwood decoction (Yīn Chén Hāo tāng): also used to lower liver damage
Green tea extract and its active components, catechins: help protect the brain, reduce fatigue and regulate appetite
Crataegi Fructus (Shān Zhā): helps treat symptoms of hyperactive bladder
Five Stranguries Powder (Wǔ Lén Sǎn): has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory abilities
2. Reduces Chronic Pain and Headaches
Two of the most popular TCM treatments for managing pain are acupuncture and acupressure. Acupuncture is a practice that is more than 3,500 years old. It’s most often embraced by patients who are looking to alleviate chronic headaches, pain due to arthritis, neck or back pain, plus many other symptoms related to injuries or stress too.
Studies have found that acupuncture, especially when combined with other Traditional Chinese Medicine methods like tai chi and a healthy diet, can be valuable, non-pharmacological tools for patients suffering from frequent chronic tension headaches. (6) Research done at Memorial Sloan Kettering found that patients receiving acupuncture experienced less neck muscle aches and pain, osteoarthritis and chronic headaches compared to patients in the placebo control group. (7) Research published in the American Journal of Chinese Medicine even showed that one month of acupressure treatment can be more effective in reducing chronic headaches than one month of taking muscle-relaxant medications. (8)
Research conducted at Toronto Western Hospital has found that tai chi contributes to chronic pain management in three major areas: “adaptive exercise, mind-body interaction, and meditation.” Trials examining the health benefits of tai chi have found that patients often experience improvements in five pain conditions: osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, low back pain and headaches. (9)
3. Balances Hormones and Improves Fertility
Research suggests that certain “adaptogen” Chinese herbal medicines contain antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds that can change the way that nerves transmit messages to the brain, improving various functions within the endocrine and central nervous systems. This helps naturally improve the body’s healing abilities and helps balance hormones — including cortisol, insulin, testosterone and estrogen.
Studies done by the Department of Food Science and Nutrition at Zhejiang University in China show that reishi mushroom supplementation can help lower symptoms of diabetes, fatigue and other hormonal imbalances, while improving fertility and reproductive health. (10) By reducing the body’s stress response, TCM therapies like acupuncture, tai chi and massage therapy can also be beneficial for treating hormonal imbalances.
Even in the West, massage therapy has been recommended for diabetes for over 100 years, and various studies have found it can help with other hormone-related conditions by inducing relaxation, raising energy levels, helping people become more active, reducing emotional eating, improving diet quality and improving sleep. (11) A 2001 study published in the Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine showed that acupuncture plays a positive role in hormonal balance and treating infertility. Acupuncture seems to work by modulating the central and peripheral nervous systems, the neuro-endocrine and endocrine systems, ovarian blood flow, and metabolism. It’s also been shown to help improve uterine blood flow and decrease effects of depression, anxiety and stress on the menstrual cycle. (12)
4. Improves Liver Health
Herbal medicine and nutrition are important aspects of TCM, since a poor diet can directly contribute to liver damage — and the liver is one of the focal organs in Eastern medicine. The Traditional Chinese Medicine World Foundation explains that TCM views the liver as “the organ responsible for the smooth flow of emotions as well as Qi and blood. It is the organ that is most affected by excess stress or emotions.” (13) TCM therefore draws a link between liver damage and illnesses like obesity, fatigue, indigestion, emotional stress, trouble sleeping and much more.
A diet and herbal treatment plan that follows Traditional Chinese Medicine guidelines is one that’s very similar to eating an alkaline diet, helping restore the body’s proper pH and preventing deficiencies of key minerals. Stress reduction, exercise, sleeping proper amounts and many herbal medicines are used to treat liver problems. Acupressure massage is also used to stimulate the liver, improve blood flow and relieve tension caused by stress.
Adaptogen herbs (including reishi mushroomsor cordyceps) are commonly prescribed to improve liver function and prevent liver disease. A 2013 study published in the International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms found that reishi induces hepatoprotective effects on acute liver injury because it contains antioxidant properties. (14)
Foods that can help improve liver health, prevent liver disease and improve detoxification include raw and fresh vegetables (especially dark leafy greens), herbs and spices like garlic and ginger, healthy fats, and sweet potatoes. Alcohol, processed carbohydrates, sugary snacks or drinks, synthetic ingredients, fried foods, and refined oils or fats are all damaging to the liver and therefore usually reduced or eliminated when working with a TCM practitioner.
5. Protects Cognitive Health
By way of reducing inflammation and oxidative stress, Chinese herbs can help protect brain health and memory. Cognitive disorders, including dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, are linked to heightened inflammation, free radical damage, an inability to use glucose properly, vitamin deficiencies, stress and environmental toxins. Therefore, an alkaline diet, herbal supplements, exercise, proper nutrition and reducing stress all help control the body’s immune response and regulate hormones that protect the brain.
According to a 2007 report published in Clinical Interventions in Aging, “There has been a long history of research and medical practice in dementia in China, during which the ancient Chinese people have formed a whole theory and accumulated abundant experience in the treatment of dementia.” (15) In recent decades, it’s been shown through a growing number of clinical studies that certain herbal extracts — including glycyrrhiza, atractylodes, rhubarb, ginseng, fructus lycii, polygala, angelica and safflower — serve as expectorants and promoters for blood circulation.
Medicinal mushrooms have also been shown to help decrease the amount of toxins or heavy metals that can accumulate within the body, therefore promoting higher energy levels, better concentration, improved memory and better quality sleep (all important for a sharp mind and mood control). Coupled with other holistic treatments that promote well-being, they help prevent and treat many common age-related cognitive disorders.
6. Helps Lower the Body’s Stress Response
Acupressure (a type of massage therapy that’s also called Tai chong in TCM) is beneficial not only for liver health, but also for reducing stress. Tai chong is believed to stimulate a key point on the liver channel meridian, located at the top of the foot, that is related to emotional trauma and negative “energies,” such as resentment, bitterness, worry, anxiety and depression. Releasing these negative feelings helps lower the body’s “fight-or-flight” response, which has significant benefits: reduced blood pressure, improved sleep, more energy, less muscle tension and more.
Acupuncture and tai chican also be very helpful for managing stress. Tai chi is a type of qigong exercise that’s considered a “mind-body” practice because it combines the principles of martial arts with controlled breathing and focused attention. The spiritual dimension of tai chi, focus on turning attention inward and quieting of the mind can help prevent cortisol levels from rising and improve someone’s overall sense of well-being. Similar to yoga or meditation, a study published in the International Journal of Behavioral Medicine found that tai chi is an effective natural stress reliever that can have positive effects in patients dealing with insomnia, anxiety or depression. (16)
7. Preserves Muscle Strength, Flexibility and Balance
Harvard Medical School reports that a regular tai chi practice can help address several core benefits of exercise: boosting muscle strength, maintaining flexibility, increasing and sustaining balance, and sometimes even providing an aerobic workout that’s important for your heart. Studies conducted by Harvard researchers have shown that 12 weeks of tai chi practice can help patients, especially those who are older or might have limited abilities, build a “healthy body, strong heart and sharp mind.” (17)
Massage therapy/acupressure are also beneficial for improving muscle recovery and helping prevent injuries. Massage practices rooted in TCM date back thousands of years, and ancient medical texts show that practitioners living in pre-dynasty China used massage to alleviate common aches and pains and improve the flow of Qi energy. Deep tissue massaging helps bring blood flow to muscles and strained tissue, lowers the body’s stress response (stress makes recovering from injuries tougher), decreases muscle tension, and might even help enhance athletic performance. Some massages rooted in TCM also utilize other mind-body practices like visualization, meditation and deep breathing to calm the nervous system.
Precautions Regarding TCM and Herbal Medicines
Who teaches Eastern medicines, and are they safe?
More effort than ever before is being made to regulate training and certifications of TCM practitioners. A 2010 report published in the Journal of Complementary and Alternative Medicine states that “Consumer-driven development has resulted in an introduction of education programs for practitioner training, development of product and practitioner regulation systems, and generation of an increasing interest in research. Significant efforts have been made in validating the quality, effectiveness, and safety of TCM interventions evidenced by a growing number of published trials and systematic reviews.” (18)
Qualifications for different practitioners ranges from state to state and country to country. There are now more than 50 Eastern training programs offered at universities and accredited organizations throughout the U.S.
That being said, keep these points in mind regarding safety of TCM:
Always do your research and visit a practitioner who is well-trained in whatever method you’re being treated with. Look for a facility that displays certifications, and in the case of acupuncture, make sure needles are new and sterile.
The National Institute of Health considers acupuncture to be “generally considered safe when performed by an experienced, well-trained practitioner using sterile needles.” (19) The FDA regulates acupuncture needles as medical devices and requires that they be “sterile, nontoxic, and labeled for single use by qualified practitioners only.”
Chinese herbs should be taken under supervision and not used by women who are pregnant or breast-feeding. Chinese herbal products manufactured outside of the U.S. can be mislabeled, contain dangerous additives, and sometimes have traces of heavy metals, including lead, cadmium and mercury. Look for high-quality, pure products made from trusted and certified retailers, or work directly with an herbalist.
In general, TCM treatments are still usually recommended as complementary treatment methods, meaning it’s best to try them in addition to seeing a medical physician and following your doctor’s advice.
You’re likely to get the best results overall from TCM when you incorporate different preventative and lifestyle habits, including eating a healthy diet, exercising, getting enough sleep, using beneficial supplements, and in some cases receiving physical therapy or taking medications for pain management.
To help you locate a qualified practitioner in your area, check listing from the following organizations:
Final Thoughts on Traditional Chinese Medicine
Traditional Chinese Medicine is a natural, holistic medicinal system that originated in ancient China thousands of years ago and is still practiced throughout the world today.
TCM practitioners use herbal medicines, mind and body practices like tai chi, acupuncture, massage therapy, and nutrition to help treat patients of all kinds, including those with chronic pain, fatigue, headaches, infetility and hormnonal imbalances.
In the West, TCM is primarily considered to be a”complementary health approach,” which means it’s best utilized when working with a physician and addressing other aspects of health like diet and exercise.
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