How does Chinese Medicine work?

Chinese Medical Theory views the human body as a system of interconnected pathways or meridians (rivers). These meridians form a web throughout the whole body and are responsible for circulating your energy (Qi) to all your organs, tissues and systems.

Simply put, imagine a healthy river. A river with abundant and freely flowing waters. When it flows properly, it is clean and free of debris. Its waters nourish and cleanse everything near its path. This river supports healthy ecosystems. Now imagine a river that is blocked by garbage and debris. This river is stagnant and unhealthy. Its slow moving waters encourage disease and excessive plant growth. The two are very different.

Chinese medicine views your body as a system of rivers that function optimally when they are flowing freely. If a energy meridian (river) is stagnant, it creates pain and disease.

Acupuncture and herbal medicine restore the balance to the flow of your rivers, returning your body to a healthy and vital state.

"Does Chinese Medicine/Acupuncture provide lasting results?"

YES! Chinese medicine addresses the underlying cause of disease, not merely the symptoms. When the cause of the problem is corrected, the results are long-lasting or permanent.

"How does a treatment feel?"

People often ask if acupuncture is painful. The thin needles used in an acupuncture treatment are much smaller than hypodermic needles used for injections. When a needle is properly inserted, it creates a sensation of pressure, much like someone pressing that spot with their thumb. There is generally little to no pain. Once the needles are in place, treatments are often so relaxing people fall asleep or report falling into a dreamlike, or meditative state. In this state of relaxation your body has the opportunity to heal. After the treatment, you leave feeling relaxed and renewed, like the weight of the world has been taken off your shoulders.

"Do you have to believe in Acupuncture for it to work?"

No. You can be completely and utterly skeptical and still get positive results using acupuncture. Some people only turn to acupuncture when they have tried everything else. The treatment will still work and you will be pleasantly surprised. We welcome your concerns, it is a foreign concept after all.

"How many treatments will I need?"

The number of treatment needed varies wildly according to the condition. Generally, we recommend a course of 4-8 treatments, with weekly visits. Chronic illnesses may require longer treatment and acute problems generally respond much faster. Occasional treatments throughout the year are usually recommended to maintain good health.

"How long does a session take?"

The first treatment generally lasts between 60- 90 minutes. This first treatment includes a detailed intake, answering questions, acupuncture and getting comfortable with one another. Follow up treatments are generally 60 minutes and include a discussion of your progress, acupuncture, and possible herbal prescription.

"Do the needles hurt?"

Acupuncture needles are very thin(about the size of a single hair) and are inserted quickly to avoid the sensation of pain. Sometimes there is a mild discomfort felt upon the insertion of the needles. Once the needles are in place, the patient usually does not notice them. And many people report not feeling anything.

"Are the needles disposable?"

YES. We use only one time use disposable needles. We are committed to using a very high quality needle that is painless and safe.

"Are there alternatives to needles?"

Yes, we carefully assess your condition and your comfort with needles. Generally, with children and elderly people we use acu-pressure (instead of needles, we use ours hands), Qigong (energy work), herbal medicine, or tuning forks( similar to tuning forks used with instruments, the music or sound frequency is deeply healing)

"Is Acupuncture covered by insurance?"

It depends on your policy. Due to public demand, more and more health insurance companies are covering acupuncture . Chinese Medicine is the number one most requested form of alternative medicine by policy holders. We willingly accept insurance, just ask us to check on your policy.

"Is there proven scientific research about acupuncture?"

Yes, please refer to our links page for web information, or come into our office and access our library of information.

Acupuncture is the insertion of thin needles into specific points on the body. These points are carefully selected by a Licensed Acupuncturist according to the patients signs and symptoms. The treatment corrects and removes the blockages along your rivers of energy, thus restoring the body to health.

While acupuncture is most commonly recognized for its use in alleviating pain, the World Health Organization recognizes over 250 illnesses successfully treated by acupuncture. This modality is wonderful for both chronic and acute conditions.

Throughout history, more people have used acupuncture and Oriental Medicine than all other health modalities combined. Today this medical system still helps people throughout this country and around the world. Emphasis is placed on understanding and treating the underlying cause of each individual's imbalance. This holistic approach not only treats physical complaints but also emotional, spiritual and lifestyle imbalances.

Chinese herbal medicine is a very ancient practice with a history of many thousands of years. Over this long span of history the herbalists’ have carefully observed, documented, and taught about their findings. This has allowed the ancient art to adapt to the changing times and continue to be a wonderful modality of health care in today’s world.

Chinese herbal medicine is a completely natural, powerful, and effective form of medicine. It combines the use of various natural matters; roots, berries, flowers, seeds, bark, leaves, stems, bugs, etc. The special combination of these substances is based on the careful diagnosis your practitioner makes based on your condition. This diagnosis allows them to refer to one of the many 1000 herbal formulas that have been passed down through time.

After selecting the appropriate formula for you they will then modify or tailor the formula to fit your exact condition. Formulas generally contain between 6 to 18 herbs, and are carefully balanced in their various properties to bring safe and effective results.

Herbal medicine offers an alternative to prescription medication without the negative effects of the high-costs or side effects. Today, this medicine is used to treat many common diseases such as, digestive problems, IBS, anxiety, depression, insomnia, menstrual complaints, hot flashes, allergies, cancer, HIV, etc. In our practice we use herbs to promote the body’s own healing capacity, addressing the root cause of disease, enhancing immune system function, replenishing depleted reserves and promoting your overall well-being. Herbal medicine continues to provide humanity with a healing tool that employs the amazing power of nature.

HOW DO I TAKE THE HERBS?
Herbs can be prepared and given in many forms. At Middleway medicine we provide herbal medicine in bulk, granules, pills and tincture form.

BULK - the strongest and most raw form, you take home with you a bag full of roots, berries, flowers, etc. to make a strong tea/decoction. The plant matter is cooked, strained, and drank to make a strong medicine.

GRANULES -a powdered concentrate of herbs. The herbs are cooked down and sprayed onto a starch (potato). You take home a powdered herb mix to add to hot water.

PILLS - pre-made formulas that come in the form of small, easy to take pills.

TINCTURES - a solution of soluble plant constituents in a solvent (alcohol or glycerin). You take home a small glass bottle and take the herbs orally via a dropper.

HOW DO THE HERBS TASTE?
The herbs taste medicinal. They do not taste like candy or something you would fantasize about.

HOW LONG DO I TAKE THE HERBS FOR?
It depends on your condition. Generally, we will have you try the herbs for a week and then have you come back in for a follow up on your progress with the herbs. Herbs can be taken for a few days, weeks, or months...it just depends on your needs.

SHIATSU
We practice a style of massage called Shiatsu. Shiatsu is a Japanese form of bodywork, rooted in ancient Chinese techniques dating as far back as 5000 years. Long before the use of needles existed in Asian Medicine, people used their hands, thumbs and fingers to press points in an effort to treat pain, imbalance, and disease. Shiatsu is a very powerful modality that integrates the depth of Chinese medical theory with a healing touch.

“SHIATSU” is the Japanese word for finger pressure. Shiatsu Therapy uses touch as a holistic and powerful tool for balancing the body. The goal of Shiatsu is the same as acupuncture, to balance your energy or unblock the rivers that flow through you(refer to Acupuncture for a more detailed description of the “rivers”). The balance of your rivers frees you from pain and disease.

Treatments begins with an abdominal diagnosis, this information allows your practitioner to formulate their approach to balancing your rivers. They will use their thumbs primarily to balance the river pathways which run along both your front and backsides. Treatments are performed with the with the patient fully clothed in relaxing pants and top. You can expect an effective and soothing treatment that lasts roughly 60 minutes.

Conditions which respond well to shiatsu

• Poor circulation
• menstrual complaints
• headaches
• fluid retention
• digestive problems
• Insomnia/fatigue
• sinus congestion
• anxiety/depression
• Immune deficiencies
• backache
• sprains/strains
• neck/shoulder problems
• joint pain/restriction

How often do I need Shiatsu treatments?
It depends on your condition/imbalance. Generally, chronic conditions require more treatment for longer periods of time and acute conditions heal faster with less treatment. We often recommend treatments once per week for a month and then reevaluate your progress.

Does Shiatsu work as well as acupuncture?
Yes, it has the power to work equally as well or better, it really depends on your comfort with either modality and commitment to regular treatments.

Will I feel tired after my treatment?
You likely will feel refreshed and energized.

The word Qigong (pronounced chi kung) is a combination of two ideas: “Qi” means air, breath of life, or vital energy of the body, and “gong” means the skill of working with, or cultivating, self-discipline and achievement. The art of Qigong consists primarily of meditation, relaxation, physical movement, mind-body integration, and breathing exercises. Practitioners of Qigong develop an awareness of qi sensations (energy) in their body and use their mind to guide the Qi.

For thousands of years, millions of people have benefited from Qigong practices and believed that improving the function of Qi maintains health and heals disease. In traditional Chinese medicine, good health is a result of a free flowing, well-balanced energy system. It is believed that regular practice of Qigong helps to cleanse the body of toxins, restore energy, reduce stress and anxiety, and help individuals maintain a healthy and active lifestyle. It has been said that Qigong is one of the most powerful healing traditions ever developed in human history. It is literally a health wonder of the world.

Medical qigong treatment has been officially recognized as a standard medical technique in Chinese hospitals since 1989. It has been included in the curriculum of major universities in China. After years of debate, the Chinese government decided to officially manage qigong through government regulation in 1996 and has also listed qigong as part of their National Health Plan.

Check our resources section for upcoming and ongoing Qigong classes