DAAN Chinese Herbs and Acupuncture » Traditional Chinese Medicine

Chinese medicine and sports injury

DAAN — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 10:15:03 +0000

Chinese medicine can provide the relief you need from sports related injuries.

From the Chinese medical point of view, the body is an energetic collection of functions, not just a mechanical collection of parts. We contain life energy, or qi, and a person is said to be in perfect health when this energy is flowing unimpeded, and in an adequate amount throughout the entire body.

Qi is the basis for the proper functioning of all body processes: it provides structural integrity and stability, physiological efficiency, and the potential for healing. When you sustain an injury the flow of energy in and around the area becomes disrupted, causing stagnation and pain. This energy stagnation also inhibits the proper circulation of blood and lymph to the area, extending healing times, prolonging swelling and bruising, and increasing the need for pain medications. Enhanced circulation also carries dead cells and cellular waste products away from the injured site.

Singapore spends big money on TCM

DAAN — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 10:53:51 +0000

SINGAPORE’s appetite for traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) products appeared to have grown during the global recession, in contrast to the waning interest in other countries.

The Singapore Traditional Chinese Medicine Organisations Committee (STOC) on Wednesday cited growing imports and declining exports of TCM products to reflect the greater interest.

Imports of Chinese medicine, health supplements, and related products such as ginseng and chicken essence, have gone up from $1.1 billion in 2007 to $1.6 billion in 2009, a 45 per cent jump.

Imports come mostly from China, with the rest supplied by Taiwan and Malaysia.

Chinese medicine reduces damage caused by chemotherapy

DAAN — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 10:41:20 +0000

An ancient Chinese brew may help reduce the intestinal damage caused by chemotherapy given to colon and rectal cancer patients, researchers said on Thursday.

The strong drugs used in chemotherapy cause a number of toxic side effects because it kills healthy cells as well as cancerous ones.

This is particularly true in the digestive tract or intestines.

The team from Yale University found that in mice the use of the Huang Qin Tang mixture helped protect the intestine lining and helped it recover more quickly.

It also reduced inflammation and boosted the effectiveness of the chemotherapy to kill tumours.

Exploring alternative medicine

DAAN — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 10:34:04 +0000

Contrary to contemporary medicine, alternative medicine, such as acupuncture, treats the person’s health from a holistic perspective rather than treating the symptoms.

Acupuncture can be helpful for nausea and pain for cancer patients during treatment. Pain can often be decreased or doses of medication lowered in conjunction with acupuncture. Up to 40% of his patients are dealing with infertility.

If a woman chooses, his care is integrated into the treatment plan created by the infertility specialist. In his mind, this integration with complementary medicine rather than segmentation helps healing work on many levels including emotional, physical and spiritual.

Chinese medicine can help you keep cool

DAAN — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 10:22:23 +0000

It’s August, when summer heat is at its worst, but no worries because

Chinese medicine

can help you beat the heat

According to Shi Ming, attending physician at the Shanghai Literature Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the disease is specifically caused by overuse of a/c; consequently, the best treatment is simply practical use of the units. “Pay attention to ventilation so that there’s always fresh air indoors,” Shi advised. “Also, smoking in crowded rooms should be strictly prohibited, as the polluted air could worsen any respiratory diseases.” Critically, units should not be left on at night, since skin open when you sleep, leaving you vulnerable to infection.

Much like a cold, a hot bath and a hot drink (however unappealing in this weather) increases metabolism, which helps – we suggest slicing some ginger up, steeping in hot water and adding lemon juice and honey. If you favor acupuncture, stimulating your dazhui points may help.

Chinese medical centre in Australia

DAAN — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 10:56:14 +0000

Australia’s first comprehensive medical centre and hospital integrating Western and traditional Chinese medicine will open in NSW.

A $75 MILLION medical centre and hospital that integrates Western and traditional Chinese medicine is planned for Chatswood.

The NSW and China governments will create what is claimed to be Australia’s first centre of excellence in integrative medicine, on the Claude St carpark site.

The Chinese Government would provide medical specialist staff and other support services.

Chinese traditional medicine making its way to world stage

DAAN — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 10:08:35 +0000

The traditional medicine practiced in China for millennia finally made a strong headway to the world stage after many earlier such attempts failed.

A China-made pill to treat cardiovascular conditions had been tested safe and effective by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and hopefully would be marketed in the United States as early as 2013, its Tianjin-based pharmaceutical manufacturer, Tasly, said Saturday.

Traditional Medicine Expo in Singapore October 15-17

DAAN — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 12:02:39 +0000

The Traditional Medicine Expo will take place in Singapore October 15-17.

AFTER its success in bringing together 90 exhibitors, and more than 7,000 local and foreign visitors in year 2009, the Traditional Medicine Expo (TMExpo) is returning to South East Asia this October 15-17 at the Suntec City International Convention Centre in Singapore for the second time.

Jointly organised by the Singapore TCM Organisations Committee (STOC) and the Singapore TCM College, the TMExpo 2010 is a three-day event that is open to trade members as well as members of the public (for the last two days)

TCM 101

DAAN — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 09:21:59 +0000

This article provides a good overview of traditional Chinese medicine.

When you mention Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to most foreigners they probably think of ob-scure herbs, uncanny diagnosis and the centuries-old Chinese philosophy behind it.

It’s not surprising that China’s TCM industry, which started to go global in the 1990s, has witnessed slow growth overseas. In 2009, for the first time, China saw a trade deficit in Chinese patent medicines.

Recently, however, Australia’s approval of a national registry of TCM doctors, acupuncturists and pharmacists beginning in 2012 is a pleasant development. In the wake of Australia’s decision, the House of Commons in Canada is also pondering a similar practice.

There are many obstacles to overcome, though. Despite being considered a national treasure in China, to many Westerners TCM still appears unprofessional, ineffective and even ludicrous. Even though a few foreign governments have begun to implement a handful of TCM methods into their healthcare systems, the vast majority of Westerners still find TCM practices unacceptable.

Acupuncture provides relief for chronic headaches

DAAN — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 08:43:17 +0000

If you suffer chronic headaches, you are in luck. Acupuncture can provide relief that you’ve been looking for.

Acupuncture may bring some added pain relief to people with chronic headaches, a new study suggests.

The study, the largest to date on using acupuncture to ease headaches, adds to a conflicting body of evidence: Some research has suggested that adding acupuncture to standard headache medication brings patients additional pain relief; other studies, however, have found that “sham” acupuncture — using blunted needles that do not pierce the skin — is as effective as the real thing.