Chinese Medicine in Portland, Maine
Chinese medicine is a comprehensive medical system that offers many therapeutic modalities, including acupuncture, dry needling, medical massage, cupping, moxibustion, herbal therapy, dietary therapy, prescribed movement, and lifestyle advice.
Any variation of these techniques may be used in an acupuncture or dry needling treatment. Herbal medicine is often prescribed in combination with other modalities or as a stand alone therapy. For example, an herbal formula may be used alongside dry needling to further speed recovery from physical injury or as a stand alone therapy for digestive concerns.
In the West, acupuncture is the most widely recognized modality of Chinese medicine, and its popularity has grown significantly over the past few years. The effectiveness of using acupuncture for musculoskeletal issues is so well established that physical therapists, chiropractors, and other Western medical practitioners now incorporate acupuncture needles into their treatments for physical injuries, also called dry needling. Dry needling is a technique that uses an acupuncture needle to release trigger points or tight muscle fibers.
What is Chinese Medicine?
Chinese Medicine — 中醫, is a medical system that provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the body's function and dysfunction. The body is seen as an interconnected ecosystem, where each aspect is as important as the next. The goal is to achieve balance within the ecosystem to attain optimal health and longevity. Chinese medicine treatments are focused on the individual as a whole rather than isolated symptoms of an injury or illness. Offering versatile solutions, Chinese medicine treats common health concerns and conditions deemed stubborn or confusing by conventional medicine, such as autoimmune disorders and chronic illnesses.
A Brief History of Chinese Medicine
Chinese Medicine is one of the oldest professionally practiced medical systems in the world. It is a holistic and comprehensive medical system that recognizes the interconnectedness of the body, mind, and spirit. With a rich history spanning back thousands of years, Chinese Medicine features some of the oldest medical modalities in the world, including bodywork, acupuncture, cupping, moxibustion, herbal medicine, dietary therapy, and movement therapy.
Chinese medicine defines health as a dynamic state of balance and harmony within the body, mind, and spirit continuum. The ability to adapt as our environment changes allows us to maintain balance throughout life. As a tree bends gracefully in the wind, we must remain firmly rooted yet adaptive and resilient.
Chinese Medical Modalities
Each Chinese medical modality is a stand-alone therapy, though they are often combined to create an integrative and holistic approach to your health & wellness. Combining acupuncture and herbal medicine is common, though not always necessary, as each therapy excels at treating different types of conditions. Some cases may be treated with acupuncture and herbs concurrently, while other cases may be treated with one.
ACUPUNCTURE
The insertion of thin, single-use needles at specific points on the body to improve circulation, promote healing, relieve pain, and restore balance.
DRY NEEDLING
Technique using acupuncture needles to treat acute and chronic physical pain, improve muscle function, and increase mobility.
DAOIST ZANGFU ACUPRESSURE
Abdominal massage to improve digestion, optimize pelvic function, reduce tension, and promote well-being.
CUPPING
Suction cups on the skin to decompress tight tissue, increase circulation, and reduce pain.
MANUAL TRACTION
Therapeutic technique to gently create space in the joint cavities and lengthen tight muscles to increase mobility.
PATTING
Rhythmical percussion on the body to create positive physical and chemical change.
MOXIBUSTION
A heat therapy that involves burning mugwort (moxa) near acupuncture points to warm the body, improve circulation, and enhance healing.
CHINESE HERBAL MEDICINE
Personalized herbal formula to address acute or chronic illness and support the body's healing process.
DIETARY THERAPY
Nutritional guidance rooted in Chinese medicine principles to support healing and maintain health.
Pain & Musculoskeletal Injury Treated with Dry Needling & Bodywork
Acupuncture techniques for treating pain and physical injuries are known as dry needling, sports acupuncture, or orthopedic acupuncture. Dry needling is a branch of acupuncture focused on treating acute, chronic, and complex musculoskeletal injuries and pain conditions. The field of Orthopedics in Chinese medicine encompasses many effective therapies: acupuncture, dry needling, medical massage, cupping, movement therapy, external medicines such as herbal plasters and liniments, and internal medicines such as herbal prescriptions.
Pain & Musculoskeletal Injury Treated With Herbal Medicine
Herbal therapy is another modality in Chinese medicine that effectively treats acute and chronic pain and speeds recovery from physical injury. Herbal medicine prescribed to improve blood flow and nourish the sinews can significantly decrease DOMS (delayed-onset muscle soreness) for athletes and active individuals. Chinese herbal medicine also excels in aiding post-operative recovery from surgery.
Internal Health Conditions Treated with Acupuncture & Bodywork
Acupuncture is an effective therapy for treating acute and chronic health conditions such as digestive disorders, menstrual irregularities, brain fog, and anxiety, to name a few examples. Acupuncture is often effective at treating difficult-to-understand or stubborn illnesses. Chinese medicine offers a variety of tools and techniques to prevent and treat internal conditions, including medical massage, abdominal massage, cupping, moxibustion, sound and movement therapy, dietary therapy, and lifestyle advice.
Internal Health Conditions Treated with Herbal Medicine
Chinese herbal medicine is often used as a stand-alone therapy for treating internal illness. Herbs are also commonly used alongside acupuncture and bodywork to create a holistic and multi-layered approach to treatment. Drinking an herbal formula individualized to your health concern(s) is a powerful tool to maintain progress and shift illness patterns.