Definitions of Modalities in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Acupuncture:

the use of fine sterile needles at acupuncture points along the body that work to adjust the flow of qi related to a particular organ system or meridian.  Balancing qi helps the body maintain or return to a balanced state of health.

Herbal Medicine:

a comprehensive system of pharmacology that follows the diagnostic principles of Oriental Medicine.  It employs the use of over 400 herbs, plants, minerals, and animal products in the treatment of illness and pain.  Herbs can be administered in raw form, dried and powdered to make a tea, or in pill format.  Herbal medicine effectively treats many illnesses, both acute and chronic.

Moxibustion:

the burning of the dried medicinal herb Artemisia (moxa wool) or Ai Ye, in the forms of a cone or stick over or near certain points of the body.  For centuries, moxibustion and acupuncture have been combined together in clinical practice.

Fire Cupping:

a therapy in which a glass jar is attached to the skin surface to blood and qi to the area in order to incite healing.

Tui Na(pronounced “twee-nah”):

a Chinese form of body work and manual therapy.  It makes use of many different strokes and pressures that are applied to acupuncture points, channels and muscle groups and serves to relieve pain and help to regulate the flow of qi and blood.

Tongue Diagnosis:

observation of the tongue is an important process in diagnosis.  The tongue directly or indirectly connects with many organs through the meridians and collaterals.  Observation of the tongue includes the tongue itself (tissue of the tongue body), and its coat (layer of “moss” over the tongue surface).  As each disease undergoes a complicated process, the changes or conditions of the tongue body and its coat are the manifestations of interior changes.

Pulse Diagnosis:

a method of palpation diagnosis.  Pulse diagnosis is done by feeling the pulse above the wrist where the radial artery throbs.  The length, size, rate and rhythm are differentiated to provide information not only about vital qi, but also about the location and nature of the disease.  When the body goes through changes, it is often manifested in the pulse readings.