Oriental medicine and its forms

Oriental medicine has a history of over 3000 years in its usage to improve well-being by preventing diseases and diagnosing and treating illness. It is a traditional health care system that encompasses a variety of comprehensive health care therapies. All the elements of oriental medicine are based on the principles of traditional medicines. All the oriental medicine elements have the primary intention of promoting the flow of qi (pronounced as chee). Qi regulates the body's physical, emotional, mental and spiritual balance under the influence of opposing forces yang (positive energy) and yin (negative energy). According to the traditional medicine of china, when both yang and yin are brought to a balanced position, they both work together to attain good health with the natural flow of qi. Some of the elements include acupuncture, Chinese herbology, diet and exercise (such as qi gong and tai chi), body work (such as tui na and acupressure).

Acupuncture is one of the most essential elements of the oriental medicine. It is an alternative therapy for health that is being taught in the traditional Chinese medicine. The acupuncture therapy involves the insertion of needles into certain focal points of the body called "meridian points". Insertion of needles into such meridian points is believed to promote good health by balancing yang and yin, the opposite forces to each other. In that balanced position, yang and yin flow along the energy paths of the body. Acupuncture is believed to nullify the natural blocks that appear along the process as it flows through the body. According to acupuncturists, when these energy blockages are present, they result in stress, pain, suffering and ill-health. They claim that the gentle insertion of thin metal needles in the skin at the meridian points helps the qi to flow properly by releasing the blocked energy.

Acupressure is the needle-less version of Acupuncture. It also believes in the same concept of meridian points as that of acupuncture that when those meridian points are blocked, causes a person to experience pain or discomfort in the physical body. This is the older form of acupuncture as they didn't use needles until recently. The change to needle is to focus upon the meridian points more precisely, but the concept is the same. In the emotional level, a person may feel frustrated, desperate, indecisive about life and vulnerable to illness. In acupressure, instead of using the needles, the practitioners use the finger pressure in a deep and gentle way on the specific meridian points to release the blocked energy so that it can flow smoothly. As a consequence, the body and the mind get into a relaxed position and the person experiences less stress and discomfort which gives him a sense of well being. As acupuncture doesn't involve any piercing of needles or any forms of such, it is perhaps considered the most convenient skilful art of reducing stress.

Another element of oriental medicine is Tui Na. It is a body therapy with China as its origin. It is similar to acupressure in working. The word "Tui Na" means "Push, Lift, and Squeeze". Though the name implies the use of fingers, it also utilizes the palms, knees, forearms, elbows and thumbs and even the back of hand. As in the case of acupressure, tui na applies the pressure on the meridian points or the energy lines in order to promote better health by stimulating the energy flow of the body. It involves gentle stretching and manipulation of the body parts to help the body relax and stimulate the energy movement in the muscles. Tui Na can help to manage pain and reduce it. This body therapy treats the patient in a holistic way with its benefits in healing the sport injuries too. Chinese Sports Medicine is becoming ever popular using herbal products and body therapy. It is the relaxing form of massage therapy when done on a regular basis, helps the patient improve their mental and physical health.

Sean is a Chinese and Western Herbalist and formulates for Dimmak Herbs. Visit Dimmak Herbs Herbal Supplements for more information and product related to this article. To keep up daily with herbal and health tips visit The Blog of Health and Herbs