Chinese Medicine - A path to wellbeing

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), now recognised in Australia as a profession, was developed in China over 5,000 years ago.

Today more than ever before, we face the danger of toxicity, the side effects of chemical drugs and unnecessary surgical procedures. Many physicians and patients worldwide have increasingly turned to natural alternatives such as Chinese medicine because it’s safe, effective, drug- and surgical-free.

Traditional Chinese Medicine use Acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, remedial massage (“anmo”, “tuina”), exercise and breathing therapy (such as “qigong”), diet and lifestyle advice to restore balance to the body’s energy and to strengthen the weakened organs, thus treating the cause rather than the symptoms.

TCM takes a holistic approach to understanding normal function and disease processes and focuses as much on the prevention of illness as it does on the treatment.

When healthy, an abundant supply of “qi” (pronounced “chee”) or "life energy" flows through the body's meridians (a network of invisible channels through the body). If the flow of “qi” in the meridians becomes blocked or there is an inadequate supply of “qi”, then the body fails to maintain harmony, balance and order, and disease or illness follows. This can result from stress, overwork, poor diet, disease pathogens, weather and environmental conditions, and other lifestyle factors and becomes evident to TCM practitioners through identifiable signs of body dysfunction. TCM practitioners look carefully for these signs of health and dysfunction, paying particular attention to not only the presenting condition, but also the medical history, general constitution, and the pulse and tongue.

Clinical assessment, diagnosis, and treatment principles are based on the theoretical frameworks of TCM which seeks to identify underlying symptom patterns that indicate how the body is or has become dysfunctional. Treatment is focussed on the underlying condition as well as treating the presenting symptoms. Clinical decision-making and patient management strategies are also influenced by contemporary Western approaches to health care, including infection control practices and known interactions of herbal medicines with pharmaceuticals and other therapeutic substances.

The primary feature of modern TCM is the premise that good health relies on the restoration and maintenance of harmony, balance and order to the individual.

TCM treatments work on the basis of individualised formulae for each patient.

 

Numerous testimonials and letters from satisfied, healthy and happy patients substantiate the effectiveness of traditional Chinese treatment methods.