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Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) dates as far back as 5,000 years ago and has been in existence for a prolonged time span compared to the Western forms of therapy, which have been in practice for a much shorter duration. So what is the underlying principle behind TCM? Well, it’s based on the belief that the normal operations of the body are regulated by a vital force or energy referred to as Qi’. Basically, Qi flows all over the body, between body parts and along paths referred to as meridians’.

According to the Chinese system of medicine, disease or illness is as a result of excesses or deficiencies of Qi or energy flowing through a particular part of the body, causing an unbalanced state of existence. Consequently, TCM uses a selection of techniques to re-establish harmony and balance to the entire body, mind, as well as spirit to sustain total wellness. Many people every so often associate the practice of acupuncture with TCM. This is because acupuncture is arguably the most practiced element of traditional Chinese medicine. Nevertheless, TCM also encompasses a variety of other methods such as acupressure, cupping, moxibustion, magnet therapy and massage techniques such as gua sha and tuina to help patients achieve and retain health.

UNDERSTANDING ACUPUNCTURE FROM THE CHINESE TRADITIONAL PERSPECTIVE

The knowledge of how acupuncture functions has advanced with its practice, however the descriptions laid down from the onset have essentially been retained. Before the advent of microscopes which are used to see individual cells within the body, physicians projected the inner workings of the body based on the environment outside the body. Just like the system of water channels, including rivers, streams, man-made canals, and the ocean, the body boasts of a moving, life-providing fluid known as Qi, and the paths through which it circulated are the meridians. 

The flow of Qi across the meridians, similar to the flow of water across a stream, may be clogged by an obstruction across the watercourse such as a fallen tree. In the human body, it might be as a result of something disturbing the body, such as the effect of poor nutrition, physical and psychological stress or injury. If you go to the point of obstruction and remove it, then the water can restart its natural flow. Similarly, if the Qi in the meridian suffers blockage, the body experiences disorders and only the removal of the blockage within the meridian can restore the natural flow.

In a human body, injecting ultra-fine sterile needle at the point of blockage within the meridian will reinstate the free circulation of Qi to re-establish balance and activate the body’s natural healing power. From the above description of the concept of acupuncture, the approach entails: locating the points of disturbance, isolating the key blockage points, and clearing away the blockage in order to rectify a disruption in the circulation of Qi.

AN APPOINTMENT WITH A TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICAL PRACTITIONER

On your first visit, a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner will conduct a detailed analysis of your overall health through observation and conversation with a view of finding any imbalances. The TCM practitioner will note your gait, your tone variation, the glare of your eyes as well as examine your tongue and take your pulse. Additionally, your practitioner will also ask for details about your family history, your sleep patterns and emotions. If fitting for women, your child-bearing history and menstrual cycle will also come up as a topic of discussion.

Well, you might be stunned at the depth of discussion and careful assessment you experience with your practitioner. Note that each enquiry and observation is an instrument to assist the practitioner develop an understanding of the unique arrangement of your life energy in order to ascertain the balance and imbalance. Ultimately, a treatment plan is personalised for you to boost the circulation of Qi in your body. Your practitioner may recommend acupuncture, nutritional advice, or a merger of treatments.

CONDITIONS TREATED BY DR. DIEM, MS OF TCM, LAc

Conditions that respond well to TCM include:

Neurological

• Headache
• Migraine
• Neuralgia
• Stroke Residual

Digestive

• Abdominal Pain
• Hyperacidity
• Chronic Diarrhea
• Indigestion
• Constipation

Emotional

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Nervousness
• Hypertension
• Insomnia
• Trauma

Respiratory

• Sinusitis
• Allergy (hay fever)
• Common Cold
• Asthma
• Tonsillitis
• Bronchitis

Skin & Beauty

• Psoriasis
• ​Acne
• Anti-aging
• Eczema
• Shingles
• Dermatitis
• Herpes Zoster
• Common Warts

Gynecological

• Impotence
• Menopause Syndrome
• PMS
• Cramps

Muscular-Skeletal

• Pain and weakness
• Neck, Shoulders, Arms
• Hands, Fingers
• Knees, Legs & Feet
• Backache
• Muscle Cramping
• Localized traumatic Injuries
• Sprains or Strains
• Sport Injuries
• Disc problems
• Sciatica
• Arthritis

Other Areas

• Increases vitality and energy
• Stress reduction
• Skin rejuvenation
• Deep relaxation
• Weight control
• Stop smoking
• Alcohol
• Drug and other addictions
• Pain control
• Regulates heart rate
• Blood pressure
• Stabilizes the immune system

In conclusion
Today, TCM and acupuncture are fast turning out to be alternative mainstream treatment alternatives. With an increase in the number of doctors becoming familiar with the models of TCM and acupuncture, modern medicine and TCM will start to complement one another instead of challenging each other.

If you'd like to learn more, feel free to contact us or schedule an appointment.

How Did Traditional Chinese Cupping Aid Michael Phelps Win His Gold Medals

Cupping has been holding a golden moment recently, primarily gratitude to Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian of all time, who showcased cupping spots on his shoulders and back during the 2016 Olympics. Though cupping might be infrequent in the United States, it has a thriving history of thousands of years in traditional Chinese medicine. But what exactly is cupping, and how did it aid Phelps perform at his peak? Let's probe.

What is Cupping?

Cupping is an alternative therapy employed to cure muscles and is available in distinct forms. Most methods fall under dry cupping, but there is also wet cupping—a type that involves bloodletting or medicinal bleeding. For those aspiring to wet cupping in NYC, the classic techniques are blended with trendy expertise, delivering a remarkable and effective experience.

Dry cupping, also named bloodless cupping, is the fundamental cupping technique. In conventional cupping, glass cups are warmed from the inside and placed on the skin. As the air inside the cup chills, a vacuum is formed, forcing the skin to be sucked upward. The suction impact aids in stretching tense muscles and the connective tissue around them, promoting relaxation. The suction also expands blood vessels, increasing blood flow to the treated area. The more blood outpours a spot receives, the faster it heals.

The cups generally stay in place for 5-15 minutes. Due to the suction, blood vessels can rupture, leaving behind circular purple marks once the cups are removed. Nowadays, some therapists use modern devices, relying on mechanical pumps to create suction rather than relying on heat.

The Effect on Phelps

When Phelps took to the water during the Olympics, many spectators were curious about the eye-catching purple marks on his upper body. In an interview pursuing the 4x100-meter relay, Phelps proclaimed that he had asked for cupping treatment the day before because he was feeling pain. He had been utilizing this treatment for some time, even conveying a photograph of himself receiving cupping on Instagram in 2015.

Especially for swimmers, Olympic participation is quite demanding. Phelps and other athletes must swim in competitive races on subsequent days, occasionally with rare hours in between. Phelps contests in the 100-meter butterfly semifinal, for instance, less than an hour after concluding the 200-meter Individual Medley final during the 2016 Olympics. Among these were his rigid training schedules, which included speed drills, daily swimming workouts spanning up to six hours, and weight-lifting sessions four to five days a week. Given his workload, it makes sense that he sought powerful painkillers.

By improving blood circulation, cupping helped repair Phelps’ muscle fibers after tough workouts. It also helped him heal and recover quicker after races hence perform at his peak despite the packed Olympic schedules. Although his personal trainer, Keenan Robinson, downplayed the therapy by saying that it was just another recovery modality, and there was nothing special about it, its contribution to Phelps’ legendary career cannot be overlooked given how committed the great Olympian is to using it.

Cupping's Impact Beyond Phelps

Michael Phelps wasn't the sole athlete who was aided by cupping treatment. Other athletes, such as swimmer Pavel Sankovich and gymnasts Alex Naddour and Chris Brooks, have also adopted this conventional therapy. Naddour, for example, remarked that cupping was more profitable than anything else he had expended money on.

Although there is still some controversy among medical authorities concerning the significance of cupping, high-profile athletes continue to use it to speed up their recovery. If you don't have a bleeding disorder or aren't taking medication with bleeding as a side effect, cupping might be worth a try for you, too. Whether you opt for traditional dry cupping or wet cupping in NYC, it's a relatively painless process with no significant risks when done correctly.

Interested in Trying Cupping?

If you are interested in undergoing the advantages of cupping treatment, feel free to contact us or schedule an appointment. Whether it's for muscle recovery, pain relief, or curiosity about this ancient practice, we're here to guide you on your journey.