Chinese medicine has been practised for several thousands of years. The theories are deeply rooted in ancient Chinese philosophy although the practice has of course evolved with time. The basis of Chinese medicine theory is that man is an integral part of nature and as such should obey natural ‘laws’. Going against these laws leads to imbalance and disease. The emphasis is on prevention of disease by living in harmony with the environment, maintaining a balanced lifestyle, taking an appropriate amount of exercise and paying attention to the diet. Disease occurs when things get out of balance and then various treatment modalities are introduced in order to restore balance. In more scientific terms treatment aims to restore balance within the nervous system, in particular the autonomic nervous system and restore the homeostatic mechanisms within the body. Treatment modalities in Chinese medicine include:

• Acupressure
• Acupuncture
• Herbal Medicine
• Cupping
• Moxibustion
• Tuina massotherapy

In addition Chinese medicine places great emphasis on lifestyle, diet and exercise. The various treatments, used individually or in combination, are geared towards the individual on both the physical and mental-emotional levels. The theories allow for analysis of a wide range of symptoms and signs in to a pattern or diagnosis, which forms the basis for treatment. The practitioner will then decide which treatment modality is best for that particular patient.

Conditions for which Chinese Medicine may be useful include:

• Chronic pain conditions
• Acute sprains
• Migraine and headaches
• Allergy
• Asthma
• Irritable bowel and digestive problems
• Urinary problems
• Fertility problems
• Gynaecological problems including menopausal symptoms
• Anxiety and Stress
• Depression