Update: Due to the popularity of this post, we have written a much more in-depth article about Yin-Yang and Traditional Chinese Medicine. The concepts of Yin and Yang are important intellectual aspects of chinese philosophy and chinese culture and they form the foundation for understanding traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). The earliest reference to Yin and Yang is approximately 700 centuries bce in an ancient text called I Ching or the book of changes. According to the Traditional Chinese Medicine World Foundation, Yin and Yang theory — considered the most fundamental concept in TCM — drives the understanding of health and wellness among practitioners of this ancient system of health care. The theory informs how diagnoses are made, and underpins the physiology, pathology and treatment of illness. It is an important part of the study of TCM. … Read More

Acupuncture is a safe, holistic therapy for the management of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It's a natural treatment that alleviates stress and anxiety, depression, insomnia and other common PTSD symptoms. Many sufferers of PTSD may opt for treatment like cognitive behavior therapy, pharmaceutical prescriptions or stress-reduction techniques. However, increasingly veterans are opting to augment traditional medical health treatments with alternative and holistic therapies like massage, yoga and acupuncture. … Read More

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common digestive ailment that is more commonly called acid reflux or heartburn. The symptoms that occur with the condition cause mild to severe discomfort. Most people experience episodes of GERD from time to time, though some people suffer from chronic or extreme cases of the disease. … Read More

So many differences distinguish Chinese and Western medicine, from underlying philosophy to methods of treatment. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is an ancient system of health care that dates back thousands of years, while Western medicine is a comparatively recent phenomenon. Find out how practitioners make a patient diagnosis in Chinese medicine vs Western medicine. … 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

More than a third of Americans use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) for therapeutic or preventive health care, according to the National Institutes of Health. Complementary and alternative medicine covers a range of practices and treatments that includes: … Read More

There are many types of Asian bodywork that have roots in traditional Chinese medicine. Many massage therapists practice Shiatsu therapy, one of the many forms of bodywork recognized by the American Organization for Bodywork Therapies of Asia (AOBTA). Some of the other forms recognized by the AOBTA include: … Read More

Between 25 and 45 million people in the United States suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), according to the International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders. Between 10 to 15 percent of people worldwide are affected by the disorder. Traditional Chinese medicine herbs may improve symptoms of abdominal pain, bloating and distension caused by IBS, according to a Cochrane Library systematic review. Learn more about the disorder and how traditional Chinese medicine can help. … 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

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is a holistic system of health care that uses a variety of therapies and treatments to combat and prevent illness and achieve optimal health in patients. One of those avenues of treatment involves traditional Chinese medicine herbs. More than 5,700 medicinal substances of plant, animal and mineral origin are used by practitioners of TCM, according to the Center for Spirituality & Healing at the University of Minnesota. … Read More

Persistent atopic dermatitis — more commonly known as eczema — is a condition that makes your skin itchy and appear red or brownish gray in color. Eczema patches may have small raised bumps on the skin that leak and weep fluid when scratched. A variety of causes and conditions can induce flareups of eczema. … Read More

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a comprehensive medical health care system comprised of a range of traditional therapies including, but not limited to: Acupuncture, acupressure, moxibustion, herbal medicine, nutrition, tui na massage and exercises (tai chi and qigong). … Read More

Editor's note: Updated 8/3/2017 for clarity of content. Acupuncture treatments and their ability to maintain well-being and health have a basis in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) refers to a wide-set of related medical practices that originated in China almost 2,000 years ago. By 111AD, TheYellow Emperor's Inner Canon, had already become an authoritative text in Chinese medicine, as it explained why people get sick and how to remedy it. According to the Canon, people get sick when Yin-Yang become unbalanced and that balancing it can be done through acupuncture. While these concepts may seem foreign to Western readers, the Canon explains this by establishing a view of the body. … Read More

If you suffer from the common condition of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), you may experience symptoms like coughing, fatigue and frequent respiratory infections. You may also have breathing issues, including shortness of breath, trouble catching your breath or wheezing, according to the National Institutes of Health. … Read More

Holistic health practitioners have long recognized that combining healthy living, vitamins and Chinese medicine is key to achieving wellness of the spirit, mind, and body. These healthy living tips will help you live better -- holistically, every day. … Read More