Posts Tagged chinese herb
Alternative Ways To Back Pain Relief
Indeed, today’s fast, modern and stressful world can make more and more people prone to a variety of illnesses, aches and pains, especially upper and lower back pain. People who spend almost all of their daily eight-hour shift working in front of a desk or a computer, are more likely to strain their back muscles and their spine. While extremely common in this busy modern world, it is recommended that those suffering from back discomfort seek treatment right away to avoid complications or a permanently damaged spine.
Unfortunately, many individuals who suffer from chronic back discomfort find that their muscular pain relievers are good for but a few hours and will not necessarily resolve their back problems. Thus, more and more people are now discovering and resorting to old world Chinese remedies and treatments like acupuncture to give their strained, painful backs the needed relief.
Often, the use of traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of back pain will involve the use of a mixture of dried Chinese herbs which can be taken in powder or tea form. Most of these traditional Chinese medicine concoctions will help relax our strained back muscles. Relaxed muscles lead to good blood flow and circulation in the muscle area and will facilitate the replacement of damaged cells in the area, leading to longer lasting back pain relief. Moreover, there are certain traditional Chinese medicine supplements that are good sources of calcium and vitamin D which can help strengthen your spine.
Many advocates of the traditional and oriental ways for the treatment of back pain may not only recommend the use of traditional Chinese medicine, but other forms of alternative oriental treatment like massages and acupuncture.
Acupuncture treatment for back pain involves the use of special needles inserted in certain points alongside the spine which have been identified by traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture experts as energy points. Stimulating these points or areas have been said to lead to a balanced chi or energy flow in the body. The proper administration of acupuncture for the relief of severe or chronic back pain has no known side effects.It is encouraged to both practice acupuncture along with other traditional Chinese medicine treatments which may also include physical exercises and meditation. It has been said that the balance that is created in our body through the intake of traditional Chinese medicine and periodic acupuncture treatments results to the much sought after relief for chronic back pain.
Tags: acupuncture, acupuncture treatment, back muscles, back pain, back pain relief, balance, chinese herb, chinese herbs, chinese medicine, chronic back pain, exercise, exercises, herbs, lower back pain, massage, massages, muscle, muscles, pain relief, pain reliever, remedies, treatment, treatment for back painRelated posts
What is Oriental Medicine?
Oriental medicine is a system of healthcare that seeks to treat the whole person, as all holistic health methods do. Balancing the mind, body and spirit, Oriental medicine therapies like acupuncture, herbal medicine, acupressure, Tuina, and other Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) applications have been in existence before the dawn of modern civilization. A matter of fact, Oriental medicine predates the birth of Christ by nearly 5,000 years.
In addition to nutritional counseling, modern Oriental medicine practitioners commonly use a combined variety of natural healing therapies including acupuncture, Tai Chi, moxibustion, cupping, and Chinese herbal medicine, among others, when treating patients.
Acupuncture in Oriental medicine is based on the foundation that the body contains meridians; also known as energy channels. These meridians have “acupoints” that control the flow of “chi,” or life energy. The theory behind this Oriental medicine technique is that by inserting fine, hair-like needles into these acupoints, underlying pathologies (of health conditions) can be relieved. How? The philosophy is that needle insertion (at respective acupoints) removes blockages, and allow the Chi to flow freely and unobstructed throughout the meridians. This, in part, balances the life force and is believed to restore health and balance to the body.
A unique form of acupuncture that some Oriental medicine doctors administer is auriculotherapy. This particular needling technique involves the insertion of acupuncture needles along the meridians of the outer ear. Acupuncturists, who provide this treatment are often specially trained and certified for this procedure.
Oriental medicine practitioners may also treat patients with moxibustion or cupping therapies. In moxibustion, the herb “mugwort,” or moxa is used. This herbal medicine is ground and burned, and applied at acu-points; or at the tips of acupuncture needles. This Oriental medicine is intended to warm these regions and to stimulate better circulation of Chi.
Cupping in Oriental medicine is a therapy whereby a cup (or cups) is applied to the skin as a vacuum. For instance, heat or flames are often briefly applied to the inside of the cup(s) and quickly placed upon the skin. This creates a vacuum-like suction upon the skin. Oriental medicine practitioners may slide the cup from one acu-point to another to promote healing and pain relief. This technique is known simply as “gliding.”
Oriental medicine doctors may also prescribe Tai Chi and Qigong as a natural health exercise to patients. As a slow-motion, martial art, Tai Chi is known for its stress-reducing affects. In addition, it is a great way to improve balance and to gain increased flexibility and range of motion in joints and muscles. Qigong is commonly integrated with Tai Chi as a breathing exercise to improve and maintain health.
As with any health practitioner, it is important to check the credentials of the prospective Oriental medicine doctor. Acupuncturists and Oriental medicine practitioners should be licensed to practice in the State where they reside. To attain licensure, many States require these practitioners to be certified with the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM).
Interested in learning more about this or other TCM therapies? Let professional training within fast-growing industries like massage therapy, holistic health, acupuncture, oriental medicine, Reiki, and others get you started! Explore Oriental medicine courses near you.
Tags: acupuncture, acupuncture needles, acupuncturists, balance, balance and, chinese herb, chinese herbal, chinese medicine, exercise, health, herbal, herbal medicine, holistic health, massage, massage therapy, muscle, muscles, pain relief, treatmentRelated posts
Pain – Chinese Herbs That Help Relieve Suffering
Pain is a common response to various types of conditions in the body. Mostly, people experience pain due to physical injury but pain can be caused by arthritis, shingles, cancer, menstrual problems, and many other diseases. The pain response is generally thought to be a way that the body tells the mind that there is a problem. Unfortunately, the sensation of pain is often very difficult to bear and can lead to a variety of health problems in itself such as loss of sleep, depletion of energy, further illness, and a general loss of well-being. This is, of course, not to mention a person’s inability to perform some basic functions in their life such as work, certain physical movements, and even just sitting can be a challenge. This article will address some of the basic causes of pain and how some herbs from Chinese medicine can help to relieve pain.
In Chinese medicine it is said that when there is pain there is stagnation of blood or qi, or both. This roughly means that there are various biological functions of the body that are not flowing smoothly and can often lead to or be the result of inflammatory conditions. For this reason Chinese herbs are used to encourage (quicken) the blood flow and move the qi. At the same time “clearing heat,” i.e. reducing inflammation is a common strategy used to assist in the relieving pain.
There are a number of herbs is Chinese medicine that relieve pain by encouraging the blood flow and moving qi. Of these, Notoginseng, Red Peony, Curcuma rhizome (Turmeric), Ligusticum (Cnidium), Carthamus (Safflower), and Red Sage are some of the most frequently used herbs for encouraging the flow of blood and relieving pain. Notoginseng is probably the most famous for the treatment of pain and is also used to stop bleeding. Turmeric, Red Sage, and Red Peony are used for relieving pain, especially associated with various types of inflammation including, but not limited to arthritis. Red Sage is also very famous for the treatment of various circulatory conditions and is extremely important in the treatment of impaired circulation due to high cholesterol and diabetes. Ligusticum is used for many types of pain and is used extensively for headaches and menstrual pain. Carthamus is used in Chinese medicine for many different types of pain and is considered a very strong herb for encouraging the flow of blood.
Cyperus is one of the most important herbs in Chinese medicine for moving the qi. It is very effective to relieve pain in the abdomen and breasts associated with menstruation. This herb is very often combined with White Peony for menstrual pain and breast tenderness/pain in premenstrual conditions. It is sometimes also combined with Chinese Hawthorn for the treatment of digestive complaints such as pain in the stomach and intestines.
Chinese Licorice is one of the most frequently used herbs in Chinese medicine and is often combined with many of the above herbs to “harmonize” their action. Also, Chinese Licorice is combined with White Peony in a famous formula to relieve abdominal pain due to digestive problems.
Pain is tiring and Astragalus is well known to increase the strength and endurance of the body. Because healing requires strength, Astragalus is a very good herb to help the body endure pain as well as heal from it.
While pain is inevitable in life, suffering is optional. The above herbs are very effective in the treatment of a variety of conditions caused for resulting from pain. They are generally safe and often effective.
Tags: abdominal pain, aging, arthritis, cancer, chinese herb, chinese herbs, chinese medicine, cholesterol, ginseng, headaches, health, herbs, of the body, sleep, treatmentRelated posts