Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture at Fort Healthcare
Our practices
Traditional Chinese Medicine primarily uses three methods:
moxibustion, acupuncture, and cupping.
Moxibustion is a traditional Chinese medicine practice that makes use of mugwort herb to warm the regions of the body. The mugwort herb is burned to facilitate healing. It also strengthens the blood, stimulates blood flow, and maintain general health.
Acupuncture involves inserting fine needles in specific body parts in order to alleviate pain. The primary goal of this is to restore and promote an energy balance. Acupuncture has numerous benefits include assisting with the symptoms of emotional disorders such as depression and anxiety, the symptoms of digestive complaints like vomiting and nausea, and the symptoms of neurological problems such as Parkinson’s disease and migraines. Some benefits have been seen with using acupuncture to manage respiratory conditions such as asthma and sinusitis and gynecologic disorders such as infertility.
Cupping uses bamboo jars and small glass cups to create suction. In TCM theory, it is theorised that the suction helps break up congestion and stagnation by drawing up congested blood and other toxins to the surface. It is suggested that this will help to eliminate toxins from the body and improves the flow of blood through the arteries and veins. Cupping also has a variety of benefits; it can assist with the symptoms of various respiratory conditions such as asthma and clear congestion from a cold. It can help to relieve muscle spasms and help to manage the symptoms of digestive conditions.
What is acupuncture? Who can benefit from acupuncture practices?
Acupuncture originated in China over 5000 years ago and is a method of treating an injury or disease by stimulating meridians and acu-points with needles. Fort Healthcare only uses fine point, single use and sterile needles.
How does it work?
These needles will be placed along meridian points of the human body which stimulate healing. According to TCM theory, the needles can help redistribute the Yin and Yang and help to correct any imbalances to relieve tension, stress and pain.
According to The World Health Organization (WHO), acupuncture is effective in treating the following:
- Bone and joint disorders: cervical spondylosis, lumbar disc herniation, frozen shoulder, tennis elbow and degenerative knee conditions.
- Pain and nervous system disorders: headache, migraine, trigeminal neuralgia, sciatica, intercostal neuralgia, facial paralysis and limb dysfunction after a stroke.
- Gastrointestinal system disorders: gastritis, chronic duodenal ulcers, colitis and constipation.
What is cupping? What are the benefits of cupping?
Cupping therapy is another technique that is used in TCM. Cupping therapy dates back to ancient Egyptian, Chinese and Middle Eastern cultures. Evidence has been found of ancient Egyptians using cupping techniques as early as 1550BC.
How does it work?
A vacuum is created between the cup and the skin by burning alcohol, herbs or paper. It can produce a wide range of stimulating effects when placed on certain acu-points or meridian lines. Cupping therapy can assist with increasing blood circulation and reducing symptoms of blood disorders such as anemia or haemophilia. It is very effective in relieving inflammation and fatigue. It can even help with managing symptoms of a cold.
These are some of the conditions that cupping therapy can help with managing:
- Fatigue
- Muscle ache
- Flu symptoms
- Headache
- Coughing
- Epigastric pain
- Joint pain
- Shoulder, arm, back, leg pain
- Soft tissue contusion
- Dysmenorrhea
- Fatigue and tiredness
What is moxibustion? What does moxibustion treat?
Moxibustion is the TCM therapy used by burning the dried wormwood herb “Mugwort” (Artemisia argyi). Although this herb is hideous by name, it is an amazing plant with great treatment applications. Moxibustion assists treatment by increasing stimulation, promoting blood circulation and creating warmth in an injured area. It can help in managing the symptoms of injuries and diseases when applied to meridians or acu-points.
These are some of the conditions that Moxibustion is can help with managing:
- Epigastric pain
- Joint pain
- Shoulder, arm, back, leg pain
- Dysmenorrhea
- Gastroptosis
- Uterine prolapse
- Menstrual disorders
What makes our Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and acupuncture practices better?
Bilingual (Chinese & English) speaking staff: Our traditional Chinese medicine practitioners are bilingual to ensure there is no communication gap and so that we can serve a wider audience.
Experienced staff: Our health practitioners are professionals and also have experience in numerous health disciplines so that the right treatment practice can be adapted according to each person’s condition.
A range of treatments available: We offer numerous treatments including cupping, acupuncture, and moxibustion to treat a range of conditions and offer the maximum level of comfort and relief to our customers.
