It’s Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (AOM) Day! This year, AOM Day is Saturday, October 24th. Created by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM), AOM Day seeks to increase public awareness about Alternative medicine. It also shows the progress, promise, and benefit of Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
In celebration of this day, here are some facts about Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine!
Short Overview
Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture is a medicine that is thousands of years old. It promotes health and balance within the body. There are 12 meridians, or channels, each corresponding to a different organ. They run along the length of the body from the fingertips all the way up to the head and down to the toes. Also, along the meridians are specific acupuncture points that each have certain actions and indications when they are used. Overall, Chinese Medicine treats the whole person, getting to the root of the issue, not just the symptoms.
History
Acupuncture was first recorded in the Huang Di Nei Jing, The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine (2600 BC). It continued to develop over the centuries. During the Ming Dynasty, Chinese medicine and Acupuncture became the mainstream medicine practiced and used in China.
Ultimately, the medicine practiced throughout the Ming Dynasty formed the basis of Traditional Chinese Medicine today. However, Acupuncture did not expand to the United States until 1972. At this time, President Nixon traveled to China and learned about Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine while he was there. The FDA officially classified Acupuncture needles as medical instruments in 1995.
Tools for Treatment
At Whitney Green Acupuncture we have many different tools we may implement during a treatment.
Acupuncture
The insertion of very thin stainless steel single use disposable needles to specific points on the skin. Depending on the individual patient and their Traditional Chinese Medical Diagnosis, specific acupuncture points are used. These assist in promoting blood circulation, balancing the body, and promoting natural healing.
Chinese Herbal Medicine
Consists of a combination of herbs that help reduce pain, reduce inflammation, strengthen your immune system, and help to promote blood circulation. In addition to acupuncture, Chinese Herbal Formulas are used in combination with acupuncture treatments to strengthen your treatment plan.
Cupping therapy
Another technique used in Chinese Medicine to reduce pain, remove toxins, and increase blood circulation. Glass cups are placed over the skin with heat or a suction device. It then creates a vacuum over the skin. Then, the cups are left stationary for 5-10 minutes or slid over the skin.
Moxa
A traditional therapy that consists of burning the mugwort herb over the skin. Doing this improves blood circulation and also strengthens the immune system. Moxa is effective to reduce pain that is worse with cold, swelling, abdominal pain, digestive issues, and menstrual pain.
What can TCM help?
Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine can treat so many things! Often times, people only know of the benefits of Acupuncture for pain. However, Traditional Chinese Medicine can treat a whole array of health issues. Common health concerns we treat here at WGA are:
- Chronic and acute pain and injury (motor vehicle accidents, sports injuries, arthritis, repetitive movements)
- Stress, Anxiety and Sleep issues
- Headaches and Migraines
- Digestion issues (IBS, ulcerative colitis, diarrhea, constipation, indigestion)
- Women’s Health (irregular painful or heavy menstrual cycles, premenstrual symptoms, fertility, menopause and peri-menopausal symptoms)
And much more!
We celebrate Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine every day at Whitney Green Acupuncture! But we are happy to have a designated day each year to show Traditional Chinese Medicine extra attention. Happy AOM Day!