It is a holistic system composed of acupuncture, herbal medicine, diet, therapeutic exercise and massage. Acupuncture and moxibustion seek to regulate the flow of energy and blood within the body either by inserting fine, sterile needles at precise acupoints, or warming certain acupoints by various methods. Chinese herbs may be prescribed internally or applied externally. Massage is not only very relaxing but is useful for muscularskeletel disorders. I often prescribe remedial or preventive exercise, such as yoga, and counsel my patients on diet and lifestyle, all according to the theories of Chinese medicine.
Chinese medicine is the oldest, professional, continually practiced, literate medicine in the world.
This medical system's literature stretches back almost 2,500 years and has been created by some of the best educated and brightest scholars in Chinese history. These scholars have recorded their theories and clinical experience from generation to generation in literally thousands of books. One can say that modern Western and traditional Chinese medicines are the two dominant medical systems in the world today. The classical Chinese explanation is that channels of energy run in regular patterns through the body and over its surface. These energy channels, called meridians, are like rivers flowing through the body to irrigate and nourish the tissues.