The roots of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) date back to ancient China. TCM was systematized in the 1950s in the Peoples Republic of China, moving from family lineages to a standardized form of medicine. This system has its own principles for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disease. Although acupuncture is the most well known modality of Traditional Chinese Medicine, other techniques used include: herbal medicine, cupping, Gua Sha, moxibustion, and medical massage.

Chinese Herbal Medicine is unlike its western pharmaceutical counterpart, which chemically reproduces only isolated aspects of a plant. TCM herbal practitioners use the entire plant to create a more homeostatic effect in the body. Herbalists are taught how to specifically tailor classical prescriptions to allow for ingredient interactions that cannot be achieved in other ways. Using raw herbs gives practitioners the ability to specifically design herbal formulas to meet individual needs.

The public is frequently misinformed about herbs after reading magazine articles, books, newspapers, and Internet testimonials. This information is not adequate for proper diagnosis as thermal properties, drug reactions, and other important factors are not taken into account. Also many herbal formulas sold today are marketed with only profit (not safety) in mind. Without proper diagnosis by trained professionals, patients often take the wrong herbs for their constitution or disease. For example, according to TCM, the correct use of Ma Huang, commonly known as ephedra, is for the treatment of asthma and lung disorders. Currently, ephedra is marketed as a weight loss elixir and performance enhancer. This misuse has caused death in several instances in patients with undiagnosed heart conditions. It is also important for the consumer to realize that just because an herb is generally used for a certain disease, such as cough, it may not necessarily be a good herb for their condition or constitution. Although I have no desire to scare people away from the beauty of natural medicine, part of my mission is to inform the public so all can be treated safely and effectively.

Traditional Chinese Medicine has very explicit diagnostic principles and treatment applications. Diagnosis is holistic and based on the differentiation of syndromes in the body. Individual symptoms are combined, compared, and woven into a pattern of disharmony. A treatment strategy is then designed and applied accordingly. Diagnosis is an ongoing process because patterns of disease are not stagnant and are expected to change with treatment. Practitioners follow the course of the disease through to completion, thereby restoring total balance and harmony to the body. Maintenance of this balanced state of health is preserved with occasional follow up sessions.