TCM Traditional Chinese Medicine
Die Traditionelle Chinesische Medizin ist die älteste medizinische Disziplin. Die ersten Dokumentationen stammen aus der vorkonfuzianischen Shang-Dynastie um 1500 v. Chr. Im Laufe der Jahrtausende hat Sie sich im asiatischen Raum verbereitet und verschiedene Stile entwickelt.
Hauptbestandteile der TCM sind Akupunktur, Heilkräuter, Moxibustion, Diätetik (Ernährung) und verschiedene Massagestile.
What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is an age old type of complementary medicine which helps your body maximize it own healing potential. Unlike Western Medicine, which tries to supplement your body with an external substance, acupuncture needles encourages your body to create what it needs for wellness and health. Hair-thin needles are gently inserted in the skin to stimulate points on the body. Certain points can release endorphins, and other points can release muscle tension. Acupuncture sets the body into a parasymphathetic 'rest and digest' state.
There is a theory that acupuncture points stimulate parts of the body which were neighboring cells when an individual was an embryo. That is why points on the hand can be useful against headache.
Acupuncture is said to help root the soul in the body, and often times patients feel like they are in a calm, meditative state or even fall asleep. Acupuncture needles are sterile, disposable and only used once.
Moxa Therapy
Moxa or moxabustion is a healing therapy with mugwort. The leaves are gathered and dried, and then burned. The moxa most often used at the practice is in the form of a cigar. It is moved centimeters over the skin, and offers a warmth that can be very comfortable.
Moxa can be helpful against muscle tension, against painful or prolonged menstrual periods, spotting during pregnancy, and can help turn breech babies towards the end of pregnancy.
It has an odor that can be polarizing, people either find it soothing or can't tolerate it. I am able to use moxa more extensively in my Zürich location. In Meilen, I will send my patients home with their own moxa. There are also self-heating moxa plasters which are warming, but do not have an odor.
Treatment with Cupping
Cupping is a therapy which can be used to enhance immunity, relieve pain, improve circulation and even improve concentration.
Cups can be made out of glass or plastic and have a smooth edge.
A vacuum is created with a pump and slightly pulls the skin. The cups are either left on the skin or rolled over massaging the body.
Most patients find that the cups feel like a deep massage. Cupping can leave marks can petechia which can look like octopus rings or a sunburn. These marks are not permanent and go away in a matter of days. If there is a special event to attend with a backless dress, or a plan to go swimming, other therapies can be used.
Cupping is a therapy that is often easy to use on children, especially if they are allowed to cup their parent first.
Gua Sha Massage
Gua Sha is very similar to cupping, but is performed using the smooth edge of a metal lid or ceramic spoon on oiled skin. Once again, it can be used to enhance immunity, relieve pain, improve circulation, and even improve circulation. This is a wonderful therapy who wants a stronger sensation, and is practical because the tools are easy to find. Gua Sha is a folk medicine from Vietnam and southern China and commonly used on children and adults. There are petechia marks which look like sunburn marks, which fade away.