Chinese Medicine Myths

There can be a lot of mystery and misunderstanding about what Chinese medicine is and how or why you can benefit from it.  It's likely that myths exist in our minds simply because we do not understand it. To us Westerners, it's literally a foreign concept.  It's time to tackle and debunk these myths once and for all, so that we can all experience how this form of medicine can not only heal, but act as a preventative measure to keep you off prescription drugs and free from any painful surgeries. 

One of the most common forms of Chinese medicine is Acupuncture. To understand acupuncture we must first know what it is, and it's purpose. Acupuncture is a healing therapy that originated thousands of years ago in China.  Acupuncturists insert tiny, disposable, sterile needles into specific acupuncture points to stimulate and unblock the body's energy flow. Another way to interpret energy flow or qi is to think of it as oxygen.  The Chinese understood that oxygen and nutrients were needed throughout the body in order for it to function properly therefore acupuncture is merely a tool for moving the oxygen and nutrients that our bodies need to thrive.  This means acupuncture is not a religion, nor a supernatural phenomenon. You don't need to "believe" in it to experience it's benefits because there's nothing to "believe in."  

You may think, "I don't need acupuncture, I'm not in pain." While it's true acupuncture can treat back pain, headaches, neck pain, shoulder pain, leg pain, postoperative pain, and pretty much any other kind of pain you can think of. However, pain is just one of many ailments for which acupuncture can provide relief.  Click here for a list of aliments acupuncture can help treat. You may have the believe that acupuncture doesn't work because you or someone you know tried acupuncture once and didn't feel any different after treatment.  However acupuncture is a cumulative process, much like going to the gym: You don't start running faster or lifting heavier weights after just one trip. 

Another myth is that acupuncture hurts. You may have a fear of needles or even imagine the needles used are similar to what you may find at a doctors office. When needles are inserted in the right places, they often produce a feeling of heaviness, like a dull ache. Since this sensation is unfamiliar for most people who have never had acupuncture before, it's commonly interpreted as pain.  If you are prepared for this dull feeling your body will be less tense and less anxious about the unknown.  Click here for more information about acupuncture needles. 

Another form of Chinese medicine is often summed up as "Asian bodywork." One myth about Asian bodywork is that it is similar to or only includes massage.  Click here for a further explanation of how bodywork differs from massage therapy. 

Now you have it. A further understanding of the important place Chinese medicine holds within our health system.  If you have further questions or would like to try any form of Chinese medicine please contact Healing Foundations.