ECM bringing you the TCM
What is TCM anyways?
TCM stands for Traditional Chinese Medicine.
WAIT! Isn't that witch craft? VooDoo? or stuff for hippies? NO!
This field of medicine originated in China and developed across other Eastern countries. It has been around and evolving for over 3000 years! Passed down from teacher to student for generations. It's a multidisciplinary field of medicine that includes, acupuncture, fire cupping, acupressure massage, moxa, and herbal remedies!
Practitioners use multiple techniques, and individual treatment plans for their clients to help encourage the body to heal itself, by either removing excess obstruction in energy channels, called meridians. Or by nourishing the organ systems which make, store and circulate blood, because when blood is moving- energy is moving, and this is when the HEALING happens! TCM practitioners ask questions about every aspect of your life and your health- both MENTAL and PHYSICAL in order to get to the root of your problem.
Think of the acupuncture needles as little tools, used to open or support the channels in the body. These channels are like bridges or canals, and if they become obstructed or weak, than the cars and boats can't pass, it's the same in the body! If the channels (meridians) become obstructed or weak then energy and blood cannot flow freely. This can leave you feeling all sorts of ways such as tired, sore, achy, anxious, and irritable. Acupuncture needles are TINY (as thin as a few strands of hair) and are used to stimulate points along energy channels, meridians- to direct, tonify, or clear excess energy (know as Qi) and blood to relieve pain, build energy and allow a body system which supports organs to function more effectively. There are over 300 points which all have specific jobs related to building, cooling, calming, moving blood, qi and body fluids in the body. An Acupuncturist will create an individual point prescription to address individual conditions!
The great thing about this type of medicine is that you don't have to choose between western medicine or eastern medicine. It shouldn't be war between which medicine is better, because they BOTH have their time and place where it makes more sense to use one or the other. Or use both modalities to treat the root and the symptoms at the same time! My point is, the decision to take your healing is in your hands. You may have more options than you thought!
If you suffer from headaches, dizziness, PMS symptoms, anxiety and mental illness, musculoskeletal pain, poor digestion, insomnia, nausea, asthma, arthritis, tinnitus, fibromyalgia, or sinus conditions, TCM may be worth looking into for you!
If you're thinking about trying TCM or at least learning more about it, I encourage you to reach out and see how a TCM practitioner can help you.