Acupuncture: Acupuncture is one of the four pillars of traditional Chinese medicine: Acupuncture, TuiNa, Herbal Medicines and QiGong. Refer to our newsletter for detail. Moxibustion: Moxibustion is a complementary component of acupuncture, which is an external method of preventing and treating disease by ignition of moxa to stimulate the points. Moxa is an herb preparation mainly made of moxa leaves that smell fragrant and is easy to be ignited. By smoldered on or held near to the acupuncture point moxibustion has the functions to warm channel (where Qi/energy flows) and expel cold, to smooth flow of Qi and blood, and subdue swelling and disperse accumulation of pathogen. Cupping: Cupping is a therapy in which a jar is attached to the surface of skin to cause local congestion through negative air pressure. It is also a complementary technique of acupuncture in TCM. Traditionally, this negative air pressure is created by removal of the air in the jar through rapid heating-up the air with a burning or flaming material. A small handy vacuum pump has also been used to create the negative pressure in a particularly manufactured jar. Cupping has the advantages of warming and promoting free flow of Qi in channels, diminishing swellings and pains, dispelling cold and dampness. Acupressure/TuiNa: Acupressure or TuiNa is a physical therapeutic technique similar to massage. By applying appropriate pressure with certain specific hand-skills (e.g. rotating, rolling, pinching, etc.) onto acupoints, it has the functions of removing blockage of channels, facilitating flowing of Qi and blood, relieving pains and enhancing internal organ functions. In addition, acupressure may function as a diagnostic method as well, particularly when Ashi or pain points (where the local skin becomes hypersensitive to pressure or pinch) can be detected in certain specific locations (known channels or points). In this case, the sensitivity of Ashi points to acupressure also indicates the effectiveness of the treatment at certain degree. Herbal Medicine: Herbal medicine is one the major components of TCM. There are 493 commonly used herbs that can be classified into 20 different categories. The greatest work in Chinese herbal medicine is published in 1578, named "Ben Cao Gang Mu". This book collected 1,892 herbs with 11,096 remedies. "Pu Ji Fang", the biggest book of herbal remedies in history described 61,739 remedies that covered treatments for almost all the known diseases at that time though there are approximately 236 primary remedies with 186 amended ones that are commonly used. QiGong: QiGong is one of the most powerful self-healing traditions ever developed in human history. The word QiGong breaks into Qi and Gong: Qi = vitality, energy, life force, Gong = practice, cultivate, refine; QiGong = to cultivate and refine through practice one’s vitality or life force. While QiGong has strong roots into mystical and philosophical ground, the practical healing and stress management applications are not only the most popular aspects of the tradition in China but also rapidly gaining in popularity in the Western world as people realize that disease and stress are relieved by peace of mind. Patients who use QiGong faithfully need less medication and heal faster. In the paradigm of mechanistic Western science, the practice of QiGong triggers a wide array of physiological mechanisms that have profound healing benefits. It increases the delivery of oxygen to the tissues, enhances the elimination of waste products, facilitates the transportation of immune cells through the lymph system and also shifts the chemistry of the brain and the nervous system. It is believed that the primary mechanism that is triggered by the practice of QiGong is a spontaneous balancing and enhancing of the natural healing resources in the human system. Such a self-balancing and healing function is part of human nature but normally inhibited by the cortex that is always preoccupied by endless high-priority duties--collecting and analyzing information and making decisions even during dreaming (randomly replaying, sorting and storing the daytime's info). Therefore, if you are not too busy to give yourself a break (usually half hour/day) so as to create a temporal peace of mind, you are guaranteed to get faster healing and better health.