Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is one of the oldest systems of
medicine in the world. Records exist as far back as 2000 years before
the birth of Christ that detail instances of Chinese medicine.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is quite complex and based on the
Daoist belief that everything in the universe is interconnected with
everything else including our bodies. The mind and body are not
separate but one. Our organs and the systems they are apart of are not
separate but work together to form a healthy body.

There are certain principals of Chinese medicine that are not found
anywhere in Western medicine such as the concept of qi (the flow of
energy). Qi flows through the body through channels called meridians.
When there are imbalances in Qi, the body becomes ill. Wellness is
restored when the balance is restored. The balance is restored using
techniques such as acupuncture, acupressure, qigong and herbal
therapies. Such Chinese concepts are concerned not only with restoring
qi but the balance of yin and yang and the five element theories are
also important in Chinese medicine.

Each concept and therapy is but a part of the whole and none are more
important than the others. Other techniques that are a part of Chinese
medicine include moxibustion, manipulative and massage techniques such
as gua sha and tuina, and also diet and lifestyle changes.

Oriental medicine is not traditional Chinese medicine the two are very
different. Traditional Chinese medicine is the standardized practice
of Chinese medicine since before the Chinese Revolution; Oriental
medicine is used to describe different styles of acupuncture, herbal
medicine, exercise and massage that have been developed and practiced
in Asia and worldwide.

Traditional Chinese medicine is starting to be more understood in
America, especially acupuncture and herbal therapy. One reason
Americans are turning to TCM is the lack of side effects, and the
effectiveness of the techniques used in traditional Chinese medicine,
especially acupuncture. Acupuncture has especially become known when
dealing with back pain, foot pain, and headaches including migraines,
neck pain and nausea.

The role of traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture has evolved
from the back roads of China to the highways of America bringing with
it the healing knowledge of the ancients and the wisdom of the Chinese
professionals whose skill and understanding of the balance of life has
combined with the understanding of the universe and all the peoples
contained within it. There is a balance in nature and in how our
bodies can heal themselves. Mankind is but an instrument for that
healing. Everything is interconnected, the old with the new, Chinese
medicine and those who practice Western medicine who find value in
Chinese techniques such as acupuncture.