In conjunction with seeing your Medical Doctor, Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine may help address conditions, disorders, and diseases.
The World Health Organization released in a study posted in 2003 a list of conditions and diseases that acupuncture may treat. Below is a list of these conditions based off of body system.
Cardiovascular Health and Heart Disorders
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the heart is considered to be the most important of all the internal organs. It's function is essential for the proper supplying of blood to the entire body. When this function is disrupted, it may manifest as poor facial complexion, heart palpitations or fluttering, insomnia, poor memory, fatigue, cold hands and feet, and much more.
The ways in which TCM address this would be through the use of acupuncture, herbs, dietary therapy, and meditation.
Respiratory Health and Lung Disorders
The lungs govern energy or "qi" in Traditional Chinese Medicine and are in direct contact with the environment. Because of this they are the organ most affected negatively by cold weather, external pathogens, and connect with the skin. The lungs also play a role in the immune system. When this function is impaired, a person may experience upper respiratory infections or consistent seasonal allergies, fatigue or tiredness, a weak voice and shortness of breath, spontaneous sweating, and more.
The way TCM would address this would be through the use of acupuncture, cupping, herbs, and proper lifestyle modification which would involve breathing exercises like qi-gong as well as wearing proper attire in cold weather.
Digestive Health and Stomach Disorders
The Stomach organ's function is to aide in digestion, (actually in TCM it's also the function of the spleen). In TCM, nutrition from our food which is why proper diet and eating seasonally is such a staple and of utmost important in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It is all about quality when it comes to food, and not quantity meaning that often times the idea of Calories in versus Calories out may be inaccurate when relating to problems of weight gain or loss.
When digestion is impaired, the body as a whole cannot function properly. Low energy, fatigue, insomnia, and many other conditions relating to digestion may occur. TCM heavily relies upon proper eating and dietary therapy and in conjunction with Acupuncture and Herbs.
Mental-Emotional Disorders, Stress, and Liver Health
In TCM, the Liver's main function is to ensure the correct and proper flow of qi/energy and physiological blood in the body. In some ways, it is similar to Modern Western Medicine in its detoxification function to the extent that if there is a problem with the liver itself, the rest of the body feels the effects. It also ties in a lot with our mental emotional state and how we react to stressful life situations. Many liver disorders mimic or contribute to other disorders in the organ system such as digestive distress, depression, insomnia, anger, and in women, menstruation and fertility.
TCM addresses liver health through Acupuncture, Herbs, Meditation, and Lifestyle Modification to help an individual cope better with stressful life events.
Healthy Aging and Kidney Health
Like the Heart organ in TCM, the Kidneys are considered the root of life. In some ways, their function moves beyond the simple filtering of blood and excretion of metabolic waste (urine), and are tied in with the genetics of our entire being as Humans. What this means is that in TCM, the Kidneys govern life in a way that Western Modern Medicine doesn't address. From growth to puberty, to fertility / sexual function in both men and women, to immune disorders, as well as memory disorders, the Kidneys govern many aspect of our lives.
In TCM, Acupuncture, Herbs, and Qigong/meditation are the main modalities that may help boost kidney and immune function
Pain (Chronic and Acute)
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, pain may be due to blood stagnation or a lack of proper blood flow to an injured area of the body. When there is a lack of proper blood flow, the body cannot heal and instead may encapsulate the area with scar tissue. This may cause a longer lasting or chronic imbalance leading to chronic pain. For acute pain, the body reacts by releasing a cascade of chemical and nerve signals which puts the body in a state of distress. Because of this, a person may experience insomnia, fatigue, lowered immunity, and more.
TCM addresses both through Acupuncture, Cupping, and herbs. We may also perform manual therapy such as Tui-Na Massage or therapeutic sports massage to release muscles, provide more blood flow, and alleviate pain.
Sports and Orthopedic Medicine
Similar to that of both acute and chronic pain, TCM views acute and chronic injuries as a general lack of proper blood flow. However, because of the increase of blood flow and proper nutrition, Acupuncture, Cupping, and Manual Therapy may decrease recovery time, increase range of motion, and also prevent future injuries. In addition, it may also reduce the need for steroid injections that are harmful to the body long term, pain killers/opioids which are highly addictive, and unnecessary surgery which may more often do more harm than good to the body.
The main modalities we use when treating injuries includes a Acupuncture, Cupping, Manual Therapy such as therapeutic massage or Tui-Na, kinesiology taping, TENS, and electro-acupuncture/e-stim.