Are you looking for an alternative approach to the commercial medicines you may already be using? It may be time to consider a more holistic approach.
Traditional Chinese medicine, or TCM, as it’s often referred to, has gained a lot of popularity across the globe for a host of different reasons. This holistic approach, such as the acupuncture Brighton residents are opting for, has numerous benefits that make this practice well worth considering.
Traditional Chinese Medicine Explained
For the most part, Traditional Chinese medicine is a holistic approach to improving and maintaining health. This approach focuses on balancing the body’s energy, called “Qi” to provide non-invasive treatments to reduce or treat conditions such as stress, headaches, chronic pain, and a host of other ailments.
There are a wide range of different types of Traditional Chinese medicines, each aimed at providing relief. The most common TCM in Australia include the following:
- Acupuncture: This practice involves inserting thin needles into specific pressure points on the body. The goal of this is to alleviate pain, promote relaxation, and improve circulation.
- Chinese herbal medicines: Roots, herbs, and powders are used to heal and restore overall balance in the body.
- Cupping: Small glass jars are warmed and placed on the body to create suction. The suction process pulls the skin upward and at the same time decompresses muscles and the surrounding connective tissues. Blood flow and circulation are increased which boosts healing.
- Gua Sha: A small, edged tool is used to firmly stroke your skin in one direction. The goal here is to reduce inflammation and improve blood flow.
- Dry needling: Sterile needles are placed into specific trigger points to treat movement issues and musculoskeletal pain. The treatment is referred to as “dry” because there’s no liquid in the needles.
Several Advantages of a Holistic Approach
It’s not uncommon for many people to rely solely on TCM for common, everyday ailments. Other people prefer to combine various treatments with their regular medical approaches. If you’re considering one of these treatments, knowing what benefits they offer will highlight why it’s worth trying. Here’s a list of the most impressive ones.
1.Reduced Inflammation
The number one reason for using Traditional Chinese medicine is that it reduces the underlying inflammation that causes many other ailments. Constant, or untreated inflammation weakens your immune system, making it less effective.
Removing inflammation provides the following health benefits:
- Reduces or lessens the effects of chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and arthritis
- Boosts energy levels
- Promotes better overall health
2.Boosts Cognitive Health
Living in constant pain can affect your mental health and other processes such as memory, decision-making, reasoning and paying attention. These are essential for performing various everyday activities.
Traditional Chinese medicine is excellent at boosting your cognitive health. Chinese herbs in particular target the hormones that protect your brain and in the process improve cognitive function.
3.Little to No Side Effects
It’s no secret that many over-the-counter and prescribed medicines have a range of side effects. TCM, on the other hand, doesn’t have any side effects as they don’t contain potentially harmful chemicals or ingredients. Since traditional Chinese medicine is 100% natural, there are no side effects that can affect other aspects of your health.
4.Improves Overall Muscle Flexibility and Strength
Few people know that Tai Chi is more than a form of exercise and relaxation. It’s also a key part of traditional Chinese medicine. Tai Chi, like the rest of the TCM approaches, is based on increasing the natural flow of your life energy, or QI, throughout your body.
Regularly practising Tai Chi can improve balance and muscular strength. People who practice Tai Chi have seen an improvement in flexibility and overall muscle strength in as little as three months.
5.Improves Relaxation and Sleep Quality
Many ailments can seriously affect a person’s sleep patterns, leaving you feeling tired and run down. In some cases, the medications an individual takes for these ailments also affect their ability to maintain quality sleep. TCM addresses the underlying imbalances in the body’s energy.
Repairing the QI promotes relaxation and regulates natural sleep cycles. Holistic approaches such as herbal remedies and acupuncture can be tailored to an individual’s specific needs. This in turn can make it easier to fall asleep, stay asleep, and even experience restorative sleep. In short, you’ll sleep better.
6.Can be More Cost-Effective
Depending on what ailments you’re dealing with, you could be facing extensive medical costs for treatments and medications. TCM can be more cost-effective, especially when you consider that each application could be used to treat more than one issue.
For instance, you may opt for acupuncture to deal with shoulder pain. Regular treatments will not only ease your pain but will help you sleep better, reducing the need for pain and sleep medications. Ultimately saving you money.
Final Thoughts
TCM is an all-natural, holistic approach that has amazing benefits for anyone experiencing anything from minor to severe ailments. Pain relief, improved sleep, reduced stress and virtually no side effects make it quite simple to see why so many Australians are embracing traditional Chinese medicines. Give it a try, you’ll feel better before you know it!
