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| acupuncture / herbs |
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 Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is an ancient healing tradition that has been in existence for over 4,000 years. Two of its major components are Acupuncture and Chinese herbs.
Acupuncture became popular in the United States in the early 1970�s and since then, its use has grown dramatically. This holistic healing modality helps restore health by balancing the body�s energy. In traditional Chinese medicine, this energy is known as �Qi� (pronounced �chi�) and flows through meridians (channels or  pathways) that cover the body somewhat like nerves and blood vessels. Pain and illness are caused by imbalances or blockages in this flow of energy. Acupuncture uses very fine disposable sterile needles (about the thickness of a strand of hair) at specific points on the body to access, manipulate and bring Qi into balance, thereby helping to restore health.
In 1997, the National Institute of Health determined that Acupuncture may be useful for the treatment of certain health conditions, including but not limited to:
- Anxiety / Depression / Stress
- Allergies / Asthma
- Arthritis
- Back / Knee / Neck aches
- Chemo / Radiation side effects
- Chronic Fatigue / Fibromyalgia
- Digestive disorders
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- Headaches
- Infertility / Morning sickness
- Insomnia
- Menopause
- Menstrual cramps / Endometriosis
- Smoking cessation
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Acupuncturists receive extensive training in both Western and Eastern Medicine and are licensed by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Medicine to practice in a variety of health care settings, including hospitals and clinics.
Chinese herbs, like the needles in acupuncture, promote health by balancing the body’s energy or Qi. They can be prescribed in 3 different ways: raw, powdered or pill form. Raw and powdered forms can be tailor made to fit a specific individual’s needs, while the pill forms are easier and more convenient to take. Herbal formulas usually consist of many single herbs. It is the combination of the different properties of the different herbs that make the formula most effective. Side effects are rare, the most common being digestive upset. If this or any other issue occurs, the practitioner should be notified so that the formula can be modified. Chinese herbs can be used alone or in combination with acupuncture. |
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