CHINESE PROVERB
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been practiced in China for over 3000 years, it is based on long term observation of the body and how it reacts to changes in both its internal organs and symptoms and also in its response to the external environment. It is a complex study of the balance and health of the body and has evolved into a robust model of medicine backed up by decades of scientific research and empirical evidence. Traditional Chinese Medicine aims to restore balance and function to the body using Chinese herbs, acupuncture (including cupping, gua sha and moxibustion), food therapy, massage and exercise forms (Tai Chi & Qi Gong). These therapies aim to not just cure illness but also to prevent illness by re-establishing balance in the body. Practitioners use a range of diagnostic techniques like tongue examination and pulse palpation to help pick up issues and monitor changes.
While this practice may sound antiquated it is worth noting that TCM was developed through centuries of clinical practice and academic research.
Why try Chinese medicine?
TCM is a complete system of diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease. By identifying patterns of disharmony in the body and then using TCM therapies like herbs, acupuncture, food therapy and cupping you deal with the root cause of the problem and restore health. Many Chinese herbs have been extensively studied for their effectiveness against infections, activity against cancer cells and for reducing inflammation. See our slider below for examples.
TCM is incredibly popular with patients for its ability to target the whole person and its success in treating both complex, long term complaints and also minor ailments like coughs and colds.
Chinese herbal medicine fits beautifully alongside acupuncture and cupping and the other natural therapies that our practice is trained in. Learn more about Our Approach.
After Dr Jess completed her Chinese Medicine training at Acumedic in London over 4 years, learning how to diagnose using the Chinese system, acupuncture, electroacupuncture, ear acupuncture, cupping, advanced herbal prescription and formulation, food therapy, and cosmetic acupuncture. She has a passion for the safe and responsible use of Chinese herbs, both to boost health and as a natural toolkit for everything from coughs and colds to more complex diseases. In the UK we only use plant based Chinese herbs and no animal products are present in the herbs you are prescribed by our practice.
Chinese herbal medicine training includes in depth evidence based training in the preparation, blending, safe usage and dosage of herbs. They can be given in their dried form to boil in water and drink the strained liquids (decoctions), in capsules or tablets and in oils and creams. Dr Jess uses an extensive number of Chinese herbs in her practice and is an extremely experienced Chinese herbalist. Her Chinese herbs are responsibly and carefully sourced to have high medicinal content, low environmental impact and ensure they are free from toxins and correctly identified.
To learn more about Chinese Medicine, a good book for beginners is the ‘Web That Has No Weaver’ by Ted Kaptchuk.
BETWEEN HEAVEN & EARTH, BEINFIELD & KORNGOLD
