Traditional Chinese Medicine

TCM is based on a rich history of over 4,000 years of experience. In TCM the body is viewed as a whole entity, it does not separate the person from his or her skin, emotions, diet, lifestyle or environment. During a consultation, you might be asked about sleep, emotions, diet, digestion or menstrual cycles. Your pulse may be felt and your tongue examined, in this way the TCM practitioner can obtain an overall picture as to how your body is functioning. TCM may be used to treat infants, elderly people and pregnant women. It is the main treatment option for over a quarter of the world’s population.

Treatments in TCM

Acupuncture
This involves the insertion of fine, sterilised needles into specific acupoints. It is used to stimulate certain organs, move qi blockages, and encourage healing. The W.H.O. recognises it as a suitable and effective treatment for a wide range of conditions. The needles used at the Fitzwilliam Health Clinic are disposable, single use needles. For the majority of acupoints, the needle insertion is painless, although there can be a feeling of warmth, tingling or a dull ache. People vary in their experience of acupuncture, but most find it a very relaxing experience.

Cupping
This is a method of stimulating acupuncture points with suction using either glass, plastic or bamboo cups. This technique causes localised bruising as blood and energy (Qi) are pulled to the site, therapeutically stimulating the area. It is used for backache, sprains, soft tissue injuries, chronic bronchitis and acne.

Electro-acupuncture
With this treatment, two small clips are placed onto the ends of inserted acupuncture needles which allows the practitioner to adjust the frequency and intensity of the electric stimulation. Patients usually feel only a slight pulsation at the two acupoints. Electro-acupuncture is used for pain management, musculoskeletal problems, sinusitis, gynaecological conditions and many other conditions that may require needle stimulation during a treatment session

Herbal medicine
Decoctions / teas are the most effective form, as each prescription has specific herbs chosen for your individual needs. These require cooking and can taste very different.
Concentrated Powders are formulas which can be dissolved in hot water. They are ideal for use when traveling.
Washes: these are decocted herbs used to wash areas that are either itchy, inflamed or ulcerated.
Pills/ Patents: are manufactured and generally given in dosages of 8-12 pills twice or three times a day.

Dietary Advice
The way that we eat our food is as important as what we eat. Different food flavours (sour, sweet, salty, bitter, etc.) have varying effects on our bodies. The different types of food also effect the efficiency of our metabolism. During a consultation, you may be told to avoid certain foods, as they may aggravate a condition and you may be advised to eat something else that will help the condition.

IS TCM COVERED BY PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE?
Both Amanda Hughes and Ciara Clissmann‘s treatments in acupuncture are covered by the major health insurers such as VHI, Bupa, HSF, as they are both members of the TCMCI.

WHAT CAN CHINESE MEDICINE TREAT?
Chinese medicine is successfully used for a very wide range of conditions. Among the more commonly treated disorders are:

• Acute conditions like colds , coughs, stomach bugs
• Gynaecological conditions, including pre-menstrual syndrome and dysmenorrhoea, endometriosis, infertility
• Fatigue syndromes, whether with a background of viral infection or in other situations
• Sleep disorders
• Skin disease, including eczema, psoriasis, acne, rosacea, urticaria
• Gastro-intestinal disorders, including irritable bowel syndrome, chronic constipation, ulcerative colitis , diarrhea
• Respiratory conditions, including asthma, bronchitis, and chronic coughs, allergic and perennial rhinitis and sinusitis
• Rheumatological conditions (e.g. osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis).
• Cancer: TCM provides support for people undergoing radiation and chemotherapy , it is used to treat the side    effects of these treatments such as nausea, exhaustion, hot flushes
• Urinary conditions including chronic cystitis
• Psychological problems (e.g. depression, anxiety)