What is Oriental Medicine?

A:

Oriental medicine (OM) is a system of healthcare that began more than 5000 years ago and has continued to progress to the modern day. It is comprised of 5 main components with therapies within each category, and includes: acupuncture, acupressure, and moxibustion, herbology, Oriental bodywork (such as reflexology, Tuina massage, cupping), Chinese medicated diet therapy, Tai qi and qi gong (energetic exercises). Your treatment may be comprised of one or more of these components, depending on your condition.

Oriental medicine works with the body's inherent healing systems. Acupuncture is an important treatment within OM that activates the body's healing mechanisms through the stimulation of different points on the body with a fine smooth needle. The stimulation of the needle acts as a catalyst to the ignition of a cascade of biocommunication, communication that results in a more balanced "teamwork" between the body systems. The results include measurable chemical, electrical and functional changes that can enhance discernible physical processes such as digestion, respiratory function, circulation, etc. For the patient, reaching that response results in decreasing symptoms that last for increasingly longer periods of time.