What is Electroacupuncture? In previous articles, I have cited studies that utilized electroacupuncture, but I have not explained this modern version of acupuncture. Electroacupuncture is a modern variation of acupuncture that adds electricity to its needles. At an initial glance, it seems that modern technology and a 2,500-year-old system of traditional Oriental medicine would little in common. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) by its very name is, well, traditional. Tradition and change are mutual opposites, yet inseparable, like … Read More

Disclaimer: The information provided on this site is intended for your general knowledge only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified healthcare provider. Please consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition. Conventional vs Holistic Medicine: In the first article of our Philosophy and Traditional Chinese Medicine series, we discussed the differences between conventional and holistic medicine. Conventional or Western medicine takes a reductionist or pure physical (bodily) approach to healing, while holistic or non-conventional medicine takes a whole-person or physical (bodily) and non-physical (mind) approach to healing. … Read More

Disclaimer: The information provided on this site is intended for your general knowledge only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified healthcare provider. Please consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition. In our Philosophy and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) blog series, we discussed the differences between holistic and conventional medicine and explained why Traditional Chinese Medicine, also known as Oriental Medicine, is considered to be holistic medicine. … Read More

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as Complementary Medicine Disclaimer: The information provided on this site is intended for your general knowledge only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified healthcare provider. Please consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition. In the last article, we discussed the current state of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as a medical practice in the West. We noted that the terms alternative and complementary are used interchangeably to describe TCM (also called Oriental Medicine). While these terms accurately describe TCM as a medical practice, I make the argument that the two terms should not be used interchangeably, because of their different meanings. … Read More

Disclaimer: The information provided on this site is intended for your general knowledge only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified healthcare provider. Please consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition. … Read More

Over the past several weeks, we have been discussing the TCM view of the human body, which is the model taught At the core of this model is the notion that a set of three entities, call the functional entities, are responsible for producing and maintaining health. The three functional entities are: … Read More

Over the past few weeks, we have been discussing health and illness in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). According to TCM, a person is healthy when there is specific yin-yang and qi balance of the Functional Entities. … Read More

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has many different healing modalities. In this article, we will discuss four of the most common healing modalities: Acupuncture, Tui Na, Nutrition Therapy, and Herbal Medicine. … Read More

What is Qi (chi)? Definition of Qi | AMC Acupuncture School Blog | Miami, Florida In English, qi (also known as chi) is usually translated as “vital life force,” but qi goes beyond that simple translation. According to Classical Chinese Philosophy, qi is the force that makes up and binds together all things in the universe. It is paradoxically, both everything and nothing. Unless you're enrolled at an acupuncture school, this concept may seem strange and inapplicable to medicine and healing. As such, in this article, we will explore the concept and definition of qi, as it relates to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Understanding what Qi is in TCM In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the concept of qi or chi has two main branches. There is the physical or nourishing portion of qi that makes up the air, water, and food that we take in. The other branch of chi is more insubstantial. It is the vital fluids and the energy itself that flows through our bodies. Chi flows along the meridian points of the body and serves the basis for understanding acupuncture. The first, as stated above, could be thought of as those things we take in and make a part of us while the second is what has already become part of us and is then released to continue the cycle of life. It is the imbalances and interruptions of this flowing force that is responsible for most human ailments whether physical, mental, or emotional. In this article, we will explore the concept of qi in the human body and how it relates to Oriental Medicine. … Read More

Editor's Note: The following is a fictional story and is not meant to portray any actual people nor to give medical advice. Dolores is a 34-year old married mother in Miami with 3 children. Recently, she lost her job and is stressed about her family being able to pay bills. She needs a new job, but knows she lacks the skills that will make her competitive in the job market. She’s not sleeping well and begins having arguments with her husband, which only makes her feel worse. She has also been overeating and spends a large part of her day on social media, instead of actively looking for a new job. Eventually, she just spends as much time in bed as possible. Dolores’ husband definitely notices the mood change and suggests that she should go see a doctor. Dolores knows she has the option of seeing either Dr. West or Dr. East. The two doctors are smart people, but have different approaches to treatment: … Read More

Holistic medicine treatments are on the rise in the United States and that includes the use of acupuncture. More and more Americans are looking for approaches that treat the whole person instead of just physical symptoms. According to a National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) that looked at a five-year period, acupuncture is one of the treatments that is on the rise. … Read More

Holistic health is more than just a way to treat illness or improve your wellbeing, it's a way of life. You may wonder what the path to holistic health looks like, given that it comprises every aspect of your being, including mind, body and spirit. It also involves more than visiting a holistic health practitioner — it involves taking charge of your own health and wellness. … Read More

If you're already considering a career in massage therapy, there's probably a reason you're attracted to the field. Maybe you are seeking a new professional challenge that will give you financial security in an exciting area. Perhaps helping people is one of your career goals. Maybe you yearn to get out from behind a desk or pursue work that has more personal meaning to you. … Read More

Fibromyalgia is a syndrome of unknown cause that affects the body's muscles and connective tissues, causing pain and fatigue. Currently, the disorder affects as many as 5 million Americans, according to the National Institutes of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. It has been reported to be two times as prevalent in veterans. Find out how acupuncture for fibromyalgia, along with other holistic treatments, may help alleviate the symptoms of this disorder. … Read More

Embarking on a course of study in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) offers a range of personal and professional benefits. A program in TCM gives students a broad base of knowledge, diagnostic skills and an understanding of the subtleties of therapies used by practitioners of this ancient system of health care. … Read More