Western VS. Eastern ?

So, the all out question that is constantly asked...

which is best WEST or EAST ?

When it comes to medicine...  You can argue that Western medicine is the best medicine as it has many advances such as fixing broken hearts, mending bones, life saving surgeries... Drugs that would allow the weakest child to survive and keep those who should have died years ago alive and healthy today! Medical advances are amazing aren't they? Just truly a marvel to behold! Without our new western medicine where would we be? But what did we do before there was the scalpel? Just think... what did we do when we were sick? We couldn't go to the pharmacy down the road... or beg a doctor to take time to see us. We were left to the mercy of nature... to die? Well no, its not that harsh... But in every culture we had our different cures, aides and herbal remedies to help us when we were ill. Some culture believe in evil spirits, some believe in purulents.. others believe its the will of god. Regardless what we believed we all depended on those elderly that were familiar with plant life and modalities to help aide us when we were sick! What am I getting at? Regardless where you live... we all were people of the land and we aided our family and friends by whatever way that would heal or get them better. Whether that was using cupping, needles, bones, soup, herbs or chanting. Just like our medicines, the east was perfecting their own, and was well advanced for the time and age it started.

Eastern Medicine is far older than the newer Western Medicine we are using now.. Eastern medicine was developed way back into the stone age. Using pressure or pricks on different aspects of the body, and lighting or eating particular herbs, scraping the body to allow areas to heal... Blood letting was also very popular. This medicine was the result of curiosity and trial / error science. Yes it was crude at the time, but through the ages and the development of tools and knowledge of the body, this form of science or Medicine was perfected. So something that aged, and knowledge behind it should be better than Western Medicine correct?

Not really... Why? Well can I as an Acupuncturist fix a broken bone? No, Can I as a TCM Practitioner perform life saving surgery to a baby whose heart was just not strong enough? No. But turn this around, Can A doctor take the time and energy and patience to really look at your body as a whole.. not just arm leg torso head.. but I mean emotions, right to memories and feeling to physical properties and symptoms and relate why a certain pain isn't going away because of difficult Qi due to a death? Or really listen to a patient and help them without use of drugs. Can a doctor really tell a patient I don't know why that bothers you.. but learn to live with it ?  TCM Practitioners, or Eastern Practitioners really can provide answers for those people. People of the West and Now All over the world rush to medication for every ache and pain. Which is over use of medication.. and a fault of Western Medicine. There are many faults to western medicine just like western living.... but that doesn't mean its all bad.

Both medicines cannot do everything, that is why its very important to integrate them and provide help for EVERYONE. I refer to a doctor any time I suspect a patient having problems that I know I cannot help with, such as heart problems, Severe mental disorders, pains that are extremely sharp.. or anything that is un explainable. I tell all of my patients before I even treat them, if at any time you experience anything your worried about.. such as flu, heart problems, extreme pain or anything you think is dangerous etc GO TO YOUR DOCTOR, because some people consider us as a primary care provider, we are a care provider but I stress that I cannot cure everything and we need our western doctors to help fight infection, disease and cure things that are miracles in themselves. If Acupuncturists/TCM Practitioners worked along side doctors we could help solve overwhelming issues of pain management, lessen prescriptions, help emotionally where doctors don't have the time. And help the unsolvable !

We both have our strengths and Weakness' but honestly we need a little Yin and Yang here and there. Eventually it will all come into balance, until then stay healthy and hope that its sooner than later :)

Roberta Hammond R.Ac, D.Ac. N.D

Chinese Medicine Modalities

Welcome to Chinese Medicine Modalities! I am an Acupuncturist, so most of these will be from my perspective, ill have information and pictures on each plus videos provided by you tube :) Enjoy, I may continue to update this if I forget something or need to add additional links.

Acupuncture: Is the art of using philiform needles to activate specific points on the body to aide in healing, blood flow, Qi flow and to create relief from pain and assorted illness. The needles are made so that it gently slips through the skin, it doesn't break the skin apart so it doesn't hurt like a normal needle would! The pictures I have demonstrate how small the needles are, and a patient receiving acupuncture, as well the video shows how small the needles are, and how we insert a needle. The video is old, so just to point out, although we can insert needles without a guide tube, we don't anymore, as guide tubes are more comfortable for the patient and easier for the practitioner.
Acupuncture - Video of Acupuncture

Auricular Acupuncture : Did you know almost any part of your body can be considered a mini full body micro system? For example: Your ear can be used to treat multiple parts of your body! Its actually a quite successful and strong treatment! Your practitioner can actually use this to treat your condition with minimal needles!

Acupressure: Acupressure is when your practitioner uses pressure instead of needles to help a patient during treatment. This can be used when a patient is undergoing treatment and a specific area can be quite tender, or if  a practitioner would like to incorporate it in her treatment which acupuncture is no feasible, such as a in the middle  of a massage, or in the middle of cupping. It doesn't activate quite as well as acupuncture, but it can be effective in some cases.

Cupping: During treatment your acupuncturist may need to do a deep tissue massage, or extract pathogens from the body. In these cases, cupping maybe used to do so. To use the cupping method, your practitioner will use either a plastic, glass, bamboo or even bone cup to suction to your skin. Your practitioner can use a manual method to apply the suction, that almost looks like a bicycle pump. Or they may use fire cupping, a more traditional and stronger method to apply the cup to your skin. The fire is used to void all oxygen from the cup before application to the skin. The fire NEVER touches the patient, and the cup is safely added to the skin to create a suction. This suction is like a hickey... but is a deep massage that lifts skin from muscle to allow blood and energy to that area, besides usually it feels quite nice :) You can have different types of cupping. There is slide cupping, in which the cup is slid all over the back, leg, shoulder, arm, neck to provide relief in a massage type of treatment. Or stationary cupping, where a cup is placed in a single area and not generally moved to allow relief. There is also flash cupping, used to heat a area or cleanse heat from an area with use of fire cupping... Quickly suctioning a cup to a patient and then releasing over and over.. its a unique but amazing experience :) Cupping has been used for centuries by many many civilizations, its almost a topic all on its own..
                                                                       Video Of Cupping

Guasha: Is the art, of using a tool such as a spoon, bone, ivory, jade etc to scrape the body causing a raising of the skin, and discoloration.. don't worry it sounds much worse than what it is! It is an amazing and useful modality! It brings blood and energy to the area causing healing and the breaking up of scar tissue!! It almost always creates pain relief, and aides healing to the area. Its amazing for neck pain, when you cannot fit cups and shoulder issues.

Electro Acupuncture : This modality is being used more and more here in the  west. Most have had TENS, where electric signals are sent to the muscles by using two pads to create a small current in the muscles, to heal and aide in pain relief. Acupuncture can use this modality much in the same way, but ... by use of needles :) We find that if there is a very stubborn case or a severely injured muscles its great to use electro acupuncture to quicken the relief and strengthen the acupuncture treatment.


There are multiple forms of modalities. If there are any questions, let me know ill be adding more modalities as I come across them :)

Roberta. D.Ac, R.Ac

Explanation of Modalites to come!!!!

So in my first post, I was talking about some assorted modalities that I told you I would explain further down the road. Im going to include pictures, and a description of each modality, and try to find videos for you!! This is going to be a big project so bear with me .....

Your First Appointment

Your first appointment! Congratulations on starting a path to new health! Well now your wondering.. well what am I in for now? I go to my family Dr. regularly… so is it the same as that? Or do we do things differently?

TCM is mysterious! We like it that way, but here in the West… where questions come second in nature to breathing J we are constantly wondering and researching down to the last detail! But that is why I am here!!! I will help you understand your practitioner down to the last detail!!

I will describe this from your Acupuncturists point of view, similarly your herbal practitioner and Dr. Tcm, Dr. Acupuncture will have the same type of introduction, but just in case this will be solely from an Acupuncturists point of view, even though I am a TCM Practitioner.. I just wanted to make that clear J

First of all! Don’t be nervous! Your in control! You have taken the first step towards conquering your health and self awareness! This is an important step for anyone, and naturally your going to have questions, and worries about something new.  So ill let you know step by step how your first encounter with your TCM Practitioner – Acupuncturist will be.

Step One- Finding an Acupuncturist, you can do this by looking in your yellow pages, calling to health establishments , chiropractors, Physio Therapy, Massage or Holistic type business’ to see if they have a REGISTERED Acupuncturist on staff. There are other forms of needling that some call acupuncture so be careful ! 

Step Two – Making the appointment, be prepared for at least an hour long appointment most likely it will be 90 Min's to cover your first intake – question sheet, and your treatment!! Costs can range, I know in Newfoundland the lowest cost is 65.00, most insurances cover the cost of Acupuncture and Alternative Therapies.. So you better check that out, and whether or not your Acupuncturist can do direct billing.

Step Three - Arriving at your appointment, you should have eaten a small snack or meal an hour before and wear something comfortable :) Forget all your worries and focus on yourself and your health.

Step Four - Meeting your Acupuncturist, Hello! Your Acupuncturist is here to help you, answer your questions and honestly think about you before themselves! They will get you to fill out a consent form and talk to you about what to expect during treatment and how you may feel, that there may be bruising etc.

Step Five - Private Consult - this is where your Acupuncturist will talk to you about what is ailing you.. no five min talks here!! This can take anywhere from 20 mins to up to an hour at times, depending on the patient. You will be asked some personal questions regarding life, health, habits, drugs, food, femine quesitons, male questions, children questions and of course questions about what is ailing you. We will take your pulse - Chinese Style, meaning we observe your health energies from your pulse on both arms, determining and pondering through many questions to aide us in healing you. As well be prepared for us to look at your tongue! Do NoT Brush your tongue!! Or have anything flavored, colored etc as it will alter your tongue color and coating.

Step Six -After your questions have been asnwered and so have mine :) I may take your blood pressure, then I will show you my tools such as needles, cups, alcohol - yes everything is treated with cleanliness, such as presterile needles that come pre packaged, and I use alcohol or Witch hazel to clean an area. I will explain what I will be doing whether today its massage, cupping or electro, or maybe just Acupuncture and Massage I will tell you exactly what I will be doing, no surprises. Then I will go out and formulate my treatment, pick points, think of specific treatment principles etc. After about 10 mins or less, I will be back when you are finished undressing to allow me access to your back legs etc, and we will start treatment. Treatments are usually 20 - 35 mins long on average! Sometimes longer, depending on the patient.. When treatment is over, some liniment is usually applied, a light massage is given and you are grounded by a foot massage. I will talk to you about your treatment, how you feel and I will tell you when you should come in, and future suggestions to help you such as food suggestions or emotional excersizes I think you should do. Its important to follow suggestions as it will greatly improve your health and overall experience.

Many people feel drowsy, excited, grounded, lightheaded, Euphoric after a treatment, some that recieve really strong treatments may not be able to drive due to euphoria or lightheadedness. Your practitioner can give you some idea during treatment how you should feel afterwards, but its important to be honest to your practitioner! So if you feel funny let us know, we can help curb that with some massage on the feet or usage of alternative points.

Well that is a pretty brief explanation of what would or will happen during your first treatment, I hope it has helped you a little bit more than before you didnt know. If you have more specific questions let me know, and ill be sure to help. Ill fill in more details about theory, tongue, pulse and needles etc later on down the road.. It takes time :) But be sure to email me any questions and ill try and answer them best I can.

Roberta Hammond. D.Ac. R.Ac

What is Traditional Chinese Medicine?

What is Traditional Chinese Medicine? Or we call it TCM? Im not sure if I should simplify allot of what I am writing as I am used to translating into a mix of Chinese and English words, so if anyone doesn’t understand let me know!



TCM comes from the country China, and covers a broad range of alternative means to Western Healthcare. By Western Healthcare, I mean literally Healthcare that was formed here in the West (I live in Canada). Western Healthcare is more about looking at a physical organ, or system inside the body. Eg. The Liver in Liver failure. Where Chinese Medicine is based on Eastern Philosophy that the body needs to be in full balance, or close to full balance with its own energies and body fluids to make a person healthy. If the energies or fluids are out of balance... the person will be sick, but it is not usually the fault of one single problem. If the energy of the kidney is out of balance then the energy of the liver will be out of balance. Such is the theory of Five Elements. Unlike Western Doctors, Chinese Practitioner will look at the body as a whole, not just pieces and parts of a machine. Every Symptom and Emotion links your Practitioner to an underlying cause that eventually will be treated in some form.



This is not to say Western Doctors do not have a place!! You wouldn’t go to your Chinese Practitioner fix a failing heart! Or a broken bone! NO! But you see Eastern Medicine can help with many problems that Western Medicine cannot aide you with. And our medicine is complimentary to Western Doctors!! Such as a Western Doctor fixes that broken heart or arm and we can help you stay healthy, happy, aide in recovery and stop allot of that pain associated with your recovery. As well, where Western Medicine hits a roadblock in treatment... such as a Dr. just cannot figure out your headaches, dizziness, depression etc.. and you have had years of drug treatments or therapy to no avail? Your TCM Practitioner may understand your body better than you do! It may be a simple imbalance that cannot be seen by your Western Doctor!!
Practitioner


You will be surprised how well your TCM treatments can help you! Where can you receive TCM treatments? Who can practice TCM? There are TCM Practitioner all around the world who practices a few art forms such as Acupuncture, Chinese Herbal Doctor, Dr. TCM. Dr. Acupuncture. In different countries and states it may be listed differently.



I, for example, am an Acupuncturist and I am trained to perform Acupuncture, Auricular acupuncture, addiction acupuncture, cosmetic acupuncture, cupping, gua sha - Scraping, bleeding, diet therapy, TDP lamp, Electro acupuncture, Tui Na - Chinese Massage, Moxibustion, Acupressure, and the use of liniments/scents and assorted Chinese products to help aide recovery. All of these will be explained in a future blog... as im sure your all curious :)



A Dr. of Acupuncture in Canada, is an Acupuncturist who has been in the working force for 10 years after graduation from a college or university with a diploma in Acupuncture.



A Dr. of TCM has 4 years or more of schooling in Acupuncture and Herbal components where dispensing herbs for healthcare is taught. The same types of Chinese Medicine listed above is taught, but the difference is these Practitioner are able to sell and provide Herbal Medicine to Patients such as a pharmacist would at your grocery store, except these medicines are usually raw in nature, tailored to you and your specific needs and usually in conjunction with Acupuncture or other TCM medicine.



So that is the Practitioner... now what Fundamentals do they practice??? By fundamentals I mean Theories that they base diagnosis and treatment from? Well there are many many different theories us TCM Practitioner use to peel away your onion to find the core of your problem.. I like the onion theory :) It really helps people understand... what is on the surface may be completely different than what is in the center and core of your problem .


I will go into detail on each theory later on, but here is a brief list from the top of my mind:


8 Principal, 5 Element, Ben Biao, 6 Stage, 4 Levels, Zhong Fu, Channel, etc.



Each of these Theories form a different way for you to diagnose a patient. Each Practitioner forms their own form of each of these to help them provide the best and most effective diagnosis for you to help get to the core of your problem so we can solve the problem not just help the symptoms. Some of these theories are used more than others, and sometimes a Practitioner will use multiple theories to help diagnose you! There is a reason why we have a minimum of 5 years education while completing studies in Traditional Chinese Medicine... I literally have over 15 books just on TCM in my home.. and crave more :)


TCM isn’t just a medicine, its a way of life! Hopefully your life will be touched by TCM as well.. It maybe mysterious.. but together I can help unlock this mysterious medicine to help your decision on healthcare! Check back for more updates, add me, email me, and ill do my best to help!!!


Roberta Hammond D.Ac. R.Ac