Char Marie, L.Ac.
Acupuncture, Qigong Healing and Herbal Medicine
Acupuncture, Qigong Healing and Herbal Medicine
About Chinese Medicine
Chinese Medicine is an ancient system of healing that includes various healing arts. Qigong healing, perhaps the oldest of all the Chinese healing arts, is more than 5,000 years old. Acupuncture, herbal medicine, tui na, and dietary practices comprise the whole of Chinese medicine. The basic foundational theory of all of the Chinese healing arts is to maintain balance in the energy system, and freely flowing, abundant qi (energy) in the body, mind and spirit. Chinese medicine takes into account environmental factors, emotions, family energy and surroundings, diet, and lifestyle, as well as our relation to our natural surroundings.
The goal of Chinese medicine is to treat the root cause, by correcting the imbalance in the energy system. The following therapies are used to do such.
Qigong Healing
Acupuncture
Herbal Medicine of China
Tui Na (a form of medical massage)
Moxibustion (burning of herbs, mugwort mainly)
Each person is considered unique in Chinese medicine, and treatments are tailored to suit the individual. Chinese medicine can work well as a sole therapy and also in harmony with your regular medical care. It can be used for wellness, or to treat imbalances and heal health challenges.
While the world health organization lists more than 40 conditions for which Chinese medicine is suitable, particularly acupuncture, there is so much research being done on all of the arts of Chinese medicine. From a western perspective, this is reassuring to a lot of people. Personally, I find the greatest gifts of Chinese medicine come through direct experience, where good health is created using body, mind and spirit, in an ancient way. Science will always be there and is valuable, but for each person in everyday life, personal experience, empowerment, and openness come through these healing arts in a way that promotes good health, longevity, and happiness in life.