Traditional Chinese Medicine Tips for a Healthier Body

© Photoxpress

There is a lot we can learn from Traditional Chinese Medicine, according to many modern Western health experts. The Chinese have a strong sense of balance underlying most of their health precepts, which includes both their approaches to exercise and eating. The Chinese also have knowledge to share when it comes to massage and other related alternative medicinal treatments. These treatment modalities include Qigong (consists of simple postures and movements), herbal therapy, Chinese psychology, acupressure, and healing foods. Below is more information regarding a few Traditional Chinese Medicine modalities.

Food for Healing

Traditional Chinese Medicine emphasizes, more than anything else, the balance of the world and we who live within it. This should be applied to your eating habits in the sense that you should consume foods that counteract your personal tendencies to certain negative traits or aspects. This also means you should practice moderation when at the dining table. The Chinese actually have a saying that you should put the chopsticks (in our case, the knife and fork) down as soon as the fullness meter hits 70% and not 100% in our bodies. This is perhaps in anticipation of the eventual expansion of food in the belly. Most of us, when feeling as though we have not been fully sated yet, are often surprised to later find that the second serving we consumed was not needed. This happens when the food you eat, especially starches, expands in your stomach and gives you a belated feeling of fullness. Be sure to chew your food well too, as it aids in the digestion process.

Acupressure

If you are having difficulty with certain aspects of life that you suspect might relate to the flow of energy and the state of your body; you might consider acupressure. Acupressure helps unblock or balance meridians or channels in your body. It also helps regulate the opposing forces of positive and negative energy. The result of this treatment could entail a reduction in muscle tension, improved blood flow, stimulation of endorphins (natural pain relievers), and relaxation.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a form of herbal therapy that can generate similar benefits as acupressure but through the insertion of very thin needles. These needles are inserted into the skin of the extremities and trunk areas of the body. Electrical stimulation could be included as well. Although medical researchers do not fully know the effectiveness of this procedure, acupuncture can provide pain relief and reduce vomiting and nausea after chemotherapy and surgery.

Both acupuncture and acupressure can reduce stress and tension, increase immunity, and help the body recover from injury or illness. The main difference is that acupuncture uses needles instead of the fingers, elbows, palms, feet, or another object to stimulate a trigger point. Also, the side effects or risks are greater with acupuncture since it uses needles to pierce the skin.

In conclusion, Traditional Chinese Medicine is a holistic medical system that has been around for more than five thousand years. Its purpose is to balance the Yin and Yang and make sure that energy flows throughout the body uninterrupted. Likewise, you could consider Traditional Chinese Medicine for a potential treatment or preventive medicine for some common ailments.