Nurturing life with
Chinese Medicine
In “The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Medicine”, one of the most important sources of wisdom and quotes about Taoism and Chinese medicine, the Emperor was asked why in the old days people had lived one hundred years without showing the usual signs of aging, but in modern times they aged prematurely.
He was also asked if that happened due to environmental changes or because people did not lead the same way of life anymore.
The Emperor replied: “These days, people do not understand the principle of balancing yin and yang. They live an excessive life full of indulgence, and seek emotional excitement and momentary pleasures. People fail to regulate their lifestyle and diet or breathe properly. They do not live in harmony with the universe and fail to maintain healthy body and mind.”
Although the society has changed tremendously over the past 3000 years, the natural cycles that govern your body and the universe have not. You can increase your vitality and avoid diseases if you understand those cycles, practise self-cultivation including meditation and breathing techniques, follow a moderate diet and take care of your body and mind.Disease is a sign of disharmony and may be associated with pain, anxiety, fatigue and infertility. It is important to bring your body back to its homeostasis.
Acupuncture will first and foremost balance your yin and yang, and reduce all excessive energy. By needling meridian points, the ‘energetic highways’ in your body, it will fight the weakness, unblock whatever is stagnant, as well as restore and preserve your Qi (energy), ‘essence’ and blood.
Here is a great quote from the “Yellow Emperor’s” that summarises the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle: “Treating an illness after it has begun, is like suppressing a revolt after it has broken out”.
Wishing you all a healthy year.
Meirav Mellzar
What is Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal medicine
Acupuncture: uses fine, sterile, single use needles to gently stimulate specific points along your body’s network of energy channels. This is to regulate and restore the natural flow of energy in the body. Acupuncture improves Qi, blood circulation and digestion, addresses respiratory and skin conditions. It may enhance your emotional well being, help to restore reproductive health and provide pre and post natal support. A course of treatment is often recommended to get lasting results.
Herbs: Are mainly parts of plants, some recognisable as food products, used at therapeutic doses. They are prescribed to normalise imbalance of energy in the body. Studies have shown Chinese herbal medicine to be successful in treating a range of disorders, from common cold and flu to gastrointestinal and gynaecological conditions.
The range of herbs can be packaged as powders, tablets or in raw – a method which involved cooking at home. Prescribed herbs are all TGA (Aust) approved.
Moxibustion: Involves the use of a burning moxa which is a herb. It comes in forms of a stick or loose punk which are placed on or near the skin to warm the channels and reduce pain.
Gua Sha: Is a healing technique with the use of an implement, usually made of stone or jade, to scrape along the body’s energetic channels for therapeutic purposes. Gua Sha can be used to prevent diseases and strengthen the body by stimulating the immune system, detoxing, promoting circulation, removing blockages and pain, revitalising and regenerating the body.
Cupping: Is the technique that uses small glasses or cups as suction devices that are placed on the skin. Generally cupping is combined with acupuncture treatment, but it can be used alone. The suction provided by the cupping can loosen muscles, encourage blood flow and calm the nervous system. Cupping is a deep tissue therapy which can help toxins to be released, clear blockages and improve blood flow. It may help to relieve back and neck pain, stiff muscles, migraines, rheumatism and fatigue. This treatment is valuable for congested lungs, common colds and other respiratory conditions.
TREATING CHILDREN
A very quick and gentle form of acupuncture needles are used for infants and toddlers. Herbs in a form of liquid extract may be prescribed for young children which are easy to use, highly effective and are tolerated by most children.
Shoni Shin technique: is a Japanese form of acupuncture for infants and children that does not use needles or puncture the skin. It focuses on gentle, specialized, mostly non-inserted treatment techniques that children find comfortable and even pleasurable. Shoni shin techniques involve rhythmic stroking, rubbing, tapping, and pressing the skin to give different kinds of gentle stimulation. These techniques harmonize and fortify the child’s vital energy, and strengthen the child’s constitution.
Philosophy and History of Chinese medicine in a nutshell
to be continued...