Philosophy of Traditional Chinese Medicine
The art and practice of Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) encompasses many areas. Much of TCM philosophy revolves around Taoist roots and the importance of balance in all aspects of life, such as diet, work, and exercise among other things.
TCM is a comprehensive medical system that is used to diagnose and treat illness, prevent disease and improve well-being. Elements of TCM which I utilize include:
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is one of the primary treatment modalities in Chinese medicine. According to TCM theory, qi flows through a series of pathways in the body called meridians. The meridians flow along the surface of the body as well as deeper where they access organs. Acupuncture involves inserting sterile, disposable, thread-like needles into the surface of the skin to stimulate qi flow. Acupuncture works to enhance blood flow, circulate lymph, relax the nervous system, regulate hormones, and alleviate muscle tension. Qi flow is crucial to keep the body functioning properly. When qi flow is disrupted, there is pain and imbalance, and disease can develop. When qi is flowing freely, breathing is deeper, digestion is more complete, sleep is more restful, emotions are more even, and the body is free of pain.
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Chinese Herbal Medicine
Chinese Herbal Medicine(CHM) has a long history of use; when practiced properly, it is very safe and extremely powerful in treating both acute and chronic conditions. CHM can be used internally or externally. Chinese herbs are primarily plant-based, but also include minerals, insects, and animal parts. Plant parts used include roots, twigs, stems, nuts, leaves, seeds, fruits, flowers, and rhizomes. The herbs inherently have different thermal natures(ranging from hot to cold), flavors(sweet, salty, astringent, pungent, etc), and propensities for different parts of the body. When used internally, Chinese herbs are taken as teas, concentrated powders(granules), pills, and tinctures. Chinese herbs are often used topically as well in the form of liniments, plasters, or soaks.
Chinese herbs are rarely used individually, but rather in carefully constructed, balanced formulas. By treating using a formula, the medicine can act in a unified fashion, on the desired number of target organs or regions of the body. Many western drugs target a specific organ or condition in a strong fashion, but with many unwanted side effects. The power and efficacy of CHM lies in its ability to treat the whole body while avoiding unwanted side effects. By using balanced herbal formulas, a wide variety of maladies can be treated, ranging from simple, acute complaints to complicated, long-standing conditions. Additionally, Chinese herbs can be used in concert with western medications to aid in their effectiveness or to ameliorate their side effects. It's important to inform your practitioner as to what medications your taking. Massage
Massage is a hands-on therapy used to treat acute and chronic pain, induce relaxation, improve circulation, and encourage well-being. Sean incorporates aspects of Swedish massage, Deep Tissue, Sports massage, and tuina into his treatments. Massage therapy ranges from simple relaxation to the treatment of complex acute and chronic sports injuries.
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| Sean Seery, MS, LAc, LMP |
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