3 Traditional Chinese Medicine therapies that you can try at home!
If you asked the average person how Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) keeps you healthy, they would probably answer that it uses acupuncture needles. That’s a good start! TCM is a complex understanding of how Qi, or life force, affects your health. Qi flows through meridians passing through points which can be used to regulate and control that flow. When the flow of Qi increases, decreases, or changes qualities, your health is affected. The most common way to manage the flow of Qi is with acupuncture needles. But TCM is much more than needles.
Learn three ways to keep yourself healthy using Traditional Chinese Medicine principles at home. By using these techniques in your daily life, you will take charge of your health!
Qi gong
Qi gong is a moving mediation that uses a series of flowing postures to align breath and awareness. It can be used to increase Qi, circulate Qi, cleanse and heal the body, store Qi and emit Qi to heal others. As a practice, it combines medicine, philosophy, and martial arts all in one. Tai Chi is closely related to Qi gong and considered to be one of the martial arts applications of it. Qi gong has numerous benefits. It provides health, vitality, tranquility, and mental focus. Many hospitals, clinics, and community centers offer Qi gong as a safe, easy way to stay fit, maintain balance and coordination, reduce stress, and promote mental clarity. A Qi gong home practice is a great way to keep your Qi balanced! Watch one of our acupuncturists demonstrate Qigong for an immune system boost here.
Food & Nutrition
It takes awhile to get the hang of this, schedule an appointment with one of our acupuncturists, and let them introduce you to all the benefits of whole food nutrition!
TCM uses many principles of diet and nutrition. The flow of Qi is regulated by the Five Elements. Each element has a season and a taste. By choosing foods with a particular taste, you can support your health during each season. For example, the taste for autumn is pungent. Eat pungent foods like leeks, cabbage, turnips, ginger, onions, garlic, and pepper to support your health in the fall. In addition, you can use dietary principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine to support your own constitution. Based on your diagnosis, you can use nutrition to balance your own particular health issues.
Feng Shui
Feng Shui is the arrangement of your environment to promote the flow of Qi. Think of it as energy for your home or work space; Feng Shui and TCM both hold the same core principles. By applying the principles of Feng Shui, you can create a home and work space that optimizes health, happiness and vitality. In Feng Shui, Qi flows through your home the way it flows through your body. Strategic placement of mirrors and wind chimes, or the colors of your walls or furniture can balance the flow of Qi. Even your choice of home decorations can be important. For example, east is the direction of health. Since east is associated with the wood element, increase Qi by placing a healthy green plant in the east section of your home. Bamboo is a particularly good choice because it symbolizes longevity and good health. Focus on wood furniture and the colors green and brown. Declutter your living and work spaces to create peaceful, restorative environments. Make sure your air is clean and has as few pollutants as possible. Use natural light. All of these Feng Shui principles help you stay healthier. Traditional Chinese Medicine keeps you healthy in many ways that don’t involve acupuncture needles.
