What Are Yin and Yang Aspects?

You have probably seen a classic Yin and Yang symbol before. It looks like two elongated teardrops — one black, one white — nestled within a circle. Each has a dot of the opposite color in the head of the teardrop. Yin and Yang are fundamental concepts in the philosophy of traditional Chinese medicine. References to Yin and Yang date back to 700 B.C.E. in the book I Ching, according to the Traditional Chinese Medicine World Foundation. … Read More

Massage Techniques: Swedish Massage Therapy

Swedish massage is a widely practiced and popular massage therapy technique in the United States. This form of bodywork aims to improve blood circulation to the heart, among other positive health perks. As part of a Swedish massage session, a therapist will use the hands, forearms and elbows to manipulate a client's muscles using long, gliding strokes. Other techniques that may also be used include kneading, tapping, applying a circular pressure and stretching. … Read More

What Are Yin and Yang in Chinese Medicine?

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

Looking for a Natural Treatment for PTSD? Try Acupuncture

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

Chinese Medicine Helps Ease Symptoms of Acid Reflux

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

How Massage for Wellness Helps Sports Injuries

Massage therapy has become increasingly important in the field of athletic training. You can now regularly find massage therapists working at sports medicine centers, within collegiate and professional athletic training programs, and more. Massage for wellness and injury prevention prepares athletes for optimal performance by reducing muscle tension and swelling and increasing energy, among other benefits. … Read More

Differences in Diagnosis: Chinese Medicine vs Western Medicine

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

Flexible Careers in Holistic Health

Are you looking for a new career? Do you need a flexible work schedule? Do you yearn for a professional path into a field that's growing? Do you want to help people every day? If so, exploring flexible careers in holistic health makes sense. Find out some of the top careers in natural and integrative health fields that offer practitioners the ability to make their own schedules, choose from a variety of work settings, and otherwise customize their professional life to their needs, interests and desires. … Read More

What Are Yin and Yang Correspondences?

Posted February 07, 2017 by Dr. Daniel Chuanxin Wang, DAOM, A.P. & filed under Holistic Medicine

To understand traditional Chinese medicine, it helps to learn more about some important underlying concepts, including Yin and Yang. These two elements define Yin-Yang Theory and have various properties that inform the philosophy of traditional Chinese medicine and healing. Nothing in the universe can exist without these elements, which are opposite but also dependent on one another. But what are Yin and Yang exactly? … Read More

Massage for Wellness: Strengthen Your Immune System

Many health benefits of massage therapy are well known, including increasing range of motion, improving coordination, and reducing stress and anxiety. But many people don't know that massage for wellness also serves as an important immune system booster. People who undergo treatment can experience measurable changes in their immune and endocrine response, making massage a great promoter of wellness and immune health. … Read More

What Do You Study at Acupuncture School?

Are you considering attending or planning to enroll in acupuncture school? If so, congratulations! You're well on your way to an exciting career helping people live their healthiest and happiest lives. But what exactly does a program at acupuncture school look like? What classes will you take and what will you learn? Each acupuncture school is likely to offer a program that's a little different from the others, but read on to learn about the basics of what you can expect. … Read More

How Massage for Wellness Helps During Pregnancy

Having a child often comes with many great changes, be they physical, mental or spiritual — or all three. One great way to help with any developments that might be uncomfortable or even painful during the nine months of pregnancy is to have a prenatal massage. Even if you don't have any pain, massage can help you feel your best during pregnancy due to its general benefits but also some specific reasons that it helps expectant mothers. … Read More

Massage for Wellness: Treating Stress

Stress can have a long-term impact on physical and mental health and many Americans grapple with the condition on a chronic basis. According to the American Institute of Stress, 60% of human illness and disease is caused by stress. Some 44% of Americans say they feel more stress than they did five years ago, and one in five experience symptoms of extreme stress, like heart palpitations, shaking and depression. Stress increases your likelihood of developing other health problems. So what can you do? Using massage for wellness is also a great way to minimize and alleviate stress. … Read More

Massage for Wellness: Managing Chronic Pain

If you live with chronic pain, you know how debilitating it can be from day to day. You've likely tried to alleviate your suffering with many different treatments. You may know that many people turn to massage for wellness, but did you also know that it can help in managing chronic pain? Find out more about chronic pain and the ways that massage therapy can help. … Read More

Massage Types: What Is Shiatsu Massage?

Whether you're planning to get a massage or intend to pursue a career as a practitioner, it helps to understand the differences between some of the major massage therapy techniques used by professionals. One popular modality — an industry word for technique — is Shiatsu, a style of massage therapy developed in Japan. It was introduced to the country in the 6th century by a Buddhist monk, according to the Shiatsu Society. What is Shiatsu massage? The word literally translates to "finger pressure," which gives some insight into how practitioners use the technique. … Read More

Subscribe to Email Updates

Sign Up for the AMC Newsletter

Recent Posts