How Does Oriental Medicine Work?

Oriental Medicine works by balancing all parts of the individual, including mind and body. As long as the body is in balance and all functions are working optimally, then the body will be strong enough to fight off disease. When the body is out of balance, due to stress, emotional or physical trauma, or unhealthy lifestyle, the body cannot protect itself from outside diseases. When the body is strong, it can prevent disease or heal itself if the body is attacked by disease.

Even though acupuncture has been practiced for over three thousand years, in much of the United States, how it works is still a mystery. In Oriental Medicine, Qi, Blood, and body fluids maintain vital activities of the body. Qi (pronounced “chee”), is the vital energy that animates the body. And Blood is more than just the red liquid that circulates in the blood vessels. Qi moves and warms, while Blood provides nourishment and moisture. Qi and Blood cannot be separated and depend on each other throughout the body.

Qi travels all thru the body in invisible pathways called meridians. Meridians are much like the blood circulatory paths, moving from large pathways down to smaller ones. There are fourteen large pathways, or major meridians in the body, and Qi flows thru these meridians to bring energy and nourishment to every cell. Meridians are pathways in which Qi and Blood are circulated. But if the meridians become blocked, then the Qi stagnates and cannot flow freely, resulting in pain, illness and eventually disease.

Acupuncture is used to remove these blockages and restore the free flow of Qi. Needles are placed in the body where the meridian flows closer to the surface of the skin, promoting balance in the body and relief from pain. Also, acupuncture is cumulative, so the healing increases and lasts longer with every treatment. In addition to acupuncture, other therapies such as herbal medicine, electro-stimulation, cupping, and Tuina (a type of therapeutic massage), are used to relieve pain, strengthen the body, promote healing, and tonify underlying deficiencies. Oriental Medicine not only addresses symptoms such as pain, but also treats the source or cause of the pain.

Many times Oriental Medicine can help where Western Medicine can’t because Oriental Medicine diagnoses differently than Western Medicine. It’s an entirely different paradigm. For example, for two patients with the same problem, they may have different diagnosis, based on the symptoms, history, and body constitution. In contrast, two patients with different diseases may have the same diagnosis. Each patient is unique and are treated as an individual, not in a “cookie cutter” fashion that you get with many Western Medicine approaches.

How Can Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine Help?

• Ear, Nose and Throat:
  • Sinus and Nasal Congestion
  • Laryngitis
  • Toothache
  • Earache
• Respiratory:
  • Common Cold/Flu
  • Asthma
  • Bronchitis
  • Emphysema
  • Allergies
• Digestive:
  • IBS
  • Weight Control
  • Indigestion/Acid Reflux
  • Diarrhea
  • Constipation
  • Food Allergies
  • Nausea
  • Ulcers
  • Colitis
• Circulatory:
  • High Blood Pressure
  • High Cholesterol
  • Arteriosclerosis
  • Angina Pectoris
• Gynecological:
  • Menstrual Pain and Irregularity
  • Endometriosis
  • PMS
  • Infertility
  • Menopause
  • Genital Herpes
  • Post-Partum Recovery
• Musculoskeletal:
  • Acute or Chronic Pain
  • Neck, Shoulder and Low Back Pain
  • TMJ
  • Sciatica
  • Tennis Elbow
  • Frozen Shoulder
  • Arthritis
  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Knee Problems
• Psychoemotional and Neurological:
  • Stress
  • Depression
  • Insomnia
  • Migraine/Headache
  • Anxiety
  • Trigeminal Neuralgia
  • Intercostal Neuralgia
  • Post-Stroke Paralysis
  • Dizziness
  • Tinnitus
  • Chronic Fatigue
  • Addictions
• Urinary:
  • Urinary Tract Infection
  • Cystitis
  • Stress Incontinence
  • Neurogenic Bladder
  • Prostatitis Hypertrophy
• Others:
  • Diabetes
  • Dermatological Problems
  • Mei Zen Cosmetic Acupuncture
  • NAET Allergy Elimination

Acupuncture and herbal medicine can help with most symptoms or diseases. Ask to speak with a practitioner for more information on how acupuncture and herbal medicine can help your specific concern.