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Acupuncture and Herbal Treatments
 The
effectiveness of an acupuncture treatment is strongly
dependent
upon accurate Chinese medical diagnoses.
The practice of acupuncture is
based on the theory of meridians.
According to this theory, vital energy or qi and blood
circulate in the body through a system of channels called
meridians, connecting internal organs with external organs or
tissues. By
stimulating certain points of the body
surface reached by meridians through needling, the flow of
energy and blood can be regulated and
diseases are thus treated.
Acupuncture points reside along more than a dozen major
meridians. There are
12 pairs of regular meridians that
are systematically distributed over both sides of the body, and
two major extra meridians running along the midlines of the
abdomen and back. Along these meridians more than
300 acupuncture points are
identified, each having its own therapeutic action.
 First,
the practitioner selects appropriate acupoints along different
meridians based on identified health problems. Then very fine
and thin needles are inserted into
these points. The needles are made of stainless steel and vary
in length from one half of an inch to three inches. The needles
are usually left in for 15 – 30 minutes. During this time, the
needles may be manipulated. Needle manipulations generally
involve lifting, twisting or rotating the needle depending on
the specific health problems.
 According
to the World Health Organization Report on Acupuncture: "...the
therapeutic effects (of acupuncture) depend greatly on the
proficiency of the acupuncturists – their ability and
skill in selecting and locating acupuncture points and in
manipulating the needles."
Acupuncture can be remarkably effective in many conditions.
"Since its therapeutic actions are achieved by mobilization of
the organisms' own potential, acupuncture
does not produce adverse effects". World Health
Organization Report on Acupuncture. Together with
acupuncture, herbal medicine is a major pillar of Chinese
medicine. Although the Chinese pharmacopoeia lists
over 6000 medical herbs, there are about 600 herbs in
common use today. The unique characteristic of Chinese herbal
medicine is the degree to which formulation is done. Herbal
treatments rarely prescribe a single herb to treat a condition.
A Chinese doctor will create a specific
formula for each patient which usually contains at least
4 to 20 herbs. Decoction is the traditional method of preparing
medicine and is taken in a concentrated form of tea. Our
sister company
Lian Chinaherb AG is one of the
leading Swiss suppliers of Chinese Herbs. The European Union
is currently drafting regulations on the use of herbal medicines
and their import restrictions. It is the policy of ChinaMed to
meet or exceed any compliance
requirements with regard to the safe
handling, usage, or distribution of herbs as dictated by
any legal or governing body.
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