Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been the primary form of medicine in Asia for centuries, even thousands of years, and includes Chinese Herbal medicine, nutritional therapy and acupuncture. Some TCM practitioners also include Shiatsu or Tui Na massage, as a regular part of their practice. There are many theories on which Chinese medicine is based.

The practice of TCM
One of the core principals of TCM is the idea that there must be balance of yin versus yang in order for the body to work at its optimal level. This balance must be maintained in order to optimize our qi (the life force, or spiritual energy of the body), blood, and jing (the essence we are born with and irreversibly lost as we get older). The organs can also be classified in terms of their yin (or Zang) and yang (Fu) functions. The functions of the Heart, Liver, Spleen, Lung, Kidney and Pericardium make them Zang organs, while the small intestine, large intestine, gallbladder, urinary bladder and stomach are all Fu, or Yang organs. Under this model, each yin organ is paired with a yang order in order to maintain that balance (Heart and Small intestine, Liver and gallbladder, etc.).

There are also meridians or channels along the body which correspond to these different organ systems. Acupuncture points are placed all along these different channels, with the idea that tapping into one certain point taps into a specific function (in the form of energy) along that channel. Certain pathologies can be diagnosed in terms of excess or deficiency of qi, blood or essence along any of these channels.

What to expect from TCM!
Your TCM practitioner may ask you a series of questions about your temperature, emotional tendencies, specific symptomology, cravings, food intake and appetite, thirst, sleep, and if your a woman, about your menstrual cycle. They will also look at your tongue, as TCM practitioners see the tongue as a map of the body. Colour, shape, consistency and distribution of coat all correspond to certain organ systems of the body, and again point to either an excess or deficiency and therefore an imbalance in yin or yang. They will also feel your wrist pulses. There are said to be three pulses on each arm, and again the rate, rhythm and characteristics of these pulses signify pathology in terms of excess or deficiency in one or more of the organ systems.

Once a diagnosis has been established, your TCM practitioner will recommend herbs or acupuncture, sometimes both, as well as nutritional suggestions in order to bring the organ system back into balance and minimize or eliminate symptoms. Certain foods, that are more cooling or warming, support either yin or yang and will be recommended in terms of what system you are trying to strengthen or subdue. Acupuncture points and herbs are chosen much the same way. Points are chosen based on the organ system affected, and whether there is an excess or deficiency. There are complimentary points on other meridians that may also be needled, either local or distal to the problem, but all being tapped into with the goal of subduing or strengthening a system.

Today, acupuncture is being studied in terms of its ability to reduce inflammation by calling attention to certain areas of the body. Studies are showing efficacy with the use of acupuncture for pain management, including: low back pain, neck pain and headache. Research devoted to acupuncture and infertility or menstrual irregularity, is also showing promising results. In practice, TCM is used for the effective treatment of anything from acute cold to chronic disease. Naturopathic doctors are trained in TCM and may incorporate traditional Chinese herbs, as well as acupuncture into their treatment plans. Although many shy away from a treatment in which needles are inserted into the body, I urge you to give it a try. Combined with some very powerful and effective TCM herbs, acupuncture can lead to significant improvements. Some people find it a relaxing and even addictive experience.

2014 'Year of the Horse' ... DID YOU KNOW:

Lucky Colors: green, red, purple
Lucky Numbers: 3, 4, 9
Lucky Flowers: giant taro, jasmine
Year of Birth: 1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026

Personality
The horse ranks seventh of all the animals in the Chinese zodiac. People born in the year of the horse are extremely animated, active and energetic. Horses love to be in a crowd, and they can usually be seen in such occasions as concerts, theaters, meetings, sporting occasions, and parties. With a deft sense of humour, horses are masters of repartee. They love to take center stage and delight audiences everywhere.
Sometimes, the horse is a little self-centered, but it doesn't mean that he will not be interested in any problems except his own. However, a horse person is really more cunning than intelligent, that is probably due to the fact that most horse people lack confidence.

In Health
Those who fall under the year of the Horse are generally very healthy, most likely because they hold a positive attitude towards life. However, heavy responsibility or pressure from their job may make them weak. Therefore horse people shouldn't work overtime too often and/or come home too late.