Oriental Medicine is a comprehensive healthcare system that prevents, diagnoses and treats illness. More than 3300 years old, Oriental Medicine currently is used by one-fourth of the world’s population and is the oldest, continually practiced, professional medicine in the world.

Oriental Medicine encompasses a wide range of therapies, but perhaps is best known for the practices of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. Other treatments include nutrition, exercise, acupressure, Tuina, Shiatsu, Chi-kung (also referred to as Qi gong) and Gua Sha.

The focus of Oriental Medicine therapies is to improve the flow of the body's energy or Qi (pronounced chee). Qi regulates the body's spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical balance. According to traditional Chinese Medicine, when yin and yang are balanced, harmony is present. Their dynamic relationship describes the natural flow of Qi to help the body achieve and maintain health. Oriental Medicine seeks to restore balance to the entire person, not just the affected area, by using one or a combination of the following.

Acupuncture
Acupuncture is one of the essential elements of Oriental Medicine and literally means "needle piercing." Acupuncture is used to prevent and treat many acute and chronic conditions, relieve pain and as an anesthetic for surgery. Very fine needles are inserted into the skin to stimulate specific points (acupoints). There also are various non-needle methods of acupuncture administration, including the use of electrical stimulation, ultrasound, and lasers. In the United States, there are about 6,500 acupuncturist practitioners.

Acupressure
Acupressure is based on the principles of acupuncture and involves the use of finger pressure rather than needles at specific points on the body. Acupressure manipulates the body's own energy and is effective for general preventative healthcare as well as the treatment of disease, trauma and pain.

Herbal Therapy
Medicinal herbs in their whole and natural form are used to treat and prevent mental, physical and emotional illness. Herbs can restore harmony to the mind, body and emotions much as pharmaceutical drugs can, but with fewer or no side effects. Herbal therapy frequently is used in conjunction with acupuncture.

Shiatsu
Shiatsu is a Japanese word that means "finger pressure" and is a form of acupressure. Pressure is applied to points in the body using fingers, palms, elbows, arms, knees, and feet to stimulate the body's energy system. There are different shiatsu techniques to relieve pain and release energy blockages.

Chi-kung
Chi-kung, also referred to as Qi gong, is a combination of ancient Chinese exercises such as Ti Chi and Kung Fu that stimulate and balance the flow of Qi along the meridians (acupuncture energy pathways). Chi-kung is used to reduce stress, improve blood circulation, enhance immune function and treat a variety of health conditions.

Chinese Bodywork Therapy
Tuina is an Oriental Medicine therapy that has been used in China for over 2,000 years. Tuina uses the traditional Chinese medical theory regarding the flow of Qi through the body and its meridians as the basis for its use.

Gua Sha
Gua Sha is an Oriental Medicine technique whereby the skin is pressured, in strokes, by a round-edged instrument to promote normal circulation to the muscles, tissues, and organs directly beneath the surface treated.

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