In Traditional Chinese medicine the Chinese associate the majority of back problems with problems of the kidneys and as such many of the therapies and cures for back pain are aimed at that area. One of the most widely used forms of Chinese medicine for back problems is acupuncture.

Acupuncture therapy

Acupuncture relies on small thin stainless steel needles being inserted into various points on the body in order to remove blockages of the energy that flows around the body. “Chi” and which is very often trapped near the kidneys that is said to be the cause of some type of back pain and back related disorders.

Depending on how long the blockage has been in place will depend on the amount of acupuncture therapy needed to remove the blockage and to eliminate the associated pain. Research and studies have shown that acupuncture has been very successful in treating various types of back pain and related disorders of the back.

Moxabustion

Moxabustion is another form of medicine which is widely regarded as helping people overcome back problems they have had for sometimes many years and people have turned to this as a last resort. This involves concentrated herbs being burnt or sprayed over the skin to warm up the channels containing the blocked energy.

Chinese massage

Chinese massage is a time old traditional form of medicine that is used to successfully alleviate the pain felt with back problems. Here a qualified therapist will use the hands to work on the meridian channels to encourage the chi to start flowing freely throughout the body. It is important that you choose a trained and qualified practitioner of Chinese massage to perform this technique especially if there is inflammation present in the area.

Herbal back remedies

Herbal medicine is sometimes prescribed either on its own or is suggested to compliment acupuncture. When back pain is the problem certain herbs are combined together which will help to strengthen the kidneys and to encourage the channels to open up and widen to allow the flow of energy so that blockages are non-existent. Again there is no ready made recipe to cure back pain; you should visit a qualified Chinese herbalist to have the remedy made up for you, depending on where the back pain is will depend on the combination of herbs needed.

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There are many varieties of oolong tea, classified according to the areas where the oolong herbs are grown and come from as well as the quality of the leaves. The best oolong teas come from the Fújià n province in China as well as from some of the heights of Taiwan, where it is grown under expert supervision and care. With their distinctive aroma and taste, most highly prized oolong teas carry an exorbitant price tag. Oolong teas grown in Taiwan have a widely varying price range from the common varieties being available for a few tens of dollars per kilogram to superior varieties costing more than a few hundred dollars. The cost of the coveted and most-prized “champion tea” may not be affordable. Its price may run into some thousands of dollars. Tea connoisseurs classify oolong teas according to their aroma, initial taste and aftertaste (these generally depend, as you might guess, upon the reputation of the grower), and the superior areas from which they come as well as the type and quality of processing techniques followed.

Processing of oolong tea involves several steps, starting with sun drying or air-drying the tea leaves to get rid of some moisture. To help oxidation, the edges of the leaves are bruised, and by way of preparing for the next processing stage, they are rubbed, after which further oxidation is not allowed. The leaves are dried again, this time in a large pan over heat and stirred manually. Machinery also can be used for drying at this stage. Then follows cooling, after which the leaves are dried again to remove any excess moisture. Grading the oolong tea, as per quality, and packaging are the final stages of processing.

To brew oolong tea, take about a couple of teaspoons of leaves per cup and steep them in hot water (its temperature being about 180 degrees F to 190 degrees F) for about 3 or 4 minutes. Don’t use boiling water. Or, don’t boil the leaves in water. Otherwise, the taste of the tea will be ruined.

Oolong (also known as Wu - Long) tea possesses weight-loss properties, due to which it has become quite popular these days, besides having several medicinal properties beneficial to human health, as the belief among oolong loyalists goes. Research reports say that it promotes metabolism and inhibits the weight-increasing tendency of carbohydrates, effecting weight reduction thereby. Scientists of Tokushima School of Medicine, Japan University, have found in their study that oolong tea in comparison with green tea of the same amount burns 157% more fat. Oolong tea improves your immune system, adds a glow to your skin, strengthens teeth and makes them healthy, and promotes your mental health, as well.

For overall good health and, more importantly, for weight-loss, drink a couple of cups of oolong tea every morning and evening. You will be happily surprised with the positive results.

Yin and yang replace one another in cycles and are interdependent opposites that work in unison to attain a much-needed balance that sustains and runs this world, which by its very nature is always in flux. Yet they are not mutually exclusive, in that in yin, there is a tiny part of yang and likewise there is a very small seedling of yin in yang. They at once overwhelm and complement each other. This is a never-ending process.

Ancient scholars of China, who the emperors of the Han dynasty commissioned to study the earlier divergent principles of philosophy, came out with a unifying theory of the nature and alternating cycles of yin and yang. As yang increases, yin decreases and vice versa, in order to strike a natural balance. While it is important to have balance and harmony in nature, there are times of imbalance whenever yin and yang are deficient or in excess. This imbalance in yin and yang brings about unhappiness or misery in human life.

Manipulating your yin and yang

At such times, when you are in an unhappy state, you have to manipulate yin and yang in a way that restores the balance, by decreasing yin and simultaneously increasing yang or the other way round. Here, Feng Shui, an ancient Chinese art of space arrangement and placement of your possessions in particular directions or positions in your house, comes to your rescue. Depending upon the kind of distress you may be in or the kind of luck you want in your life, Feng Shui experts offer you suitable advice in order to make adjustments in the placement and directions of some of the objects occupying various spaces in your house. Many Feng Shui followers are also quite fastidious about using or wearing certain objects on their person, as they believe in the principle of balance in yin and yang that would bring them luck and turn their fortunes for the better.

This ancient Chinese concept of yin and yang may fascinate you. After that, you may want to see for yourself how these two, with their infinite ways in which they oppose and integrate with each other, ultimately affect your personal life.

Acupuncture is one part of a complete health care system that the Chinese have used and relied on for over 2,000 years. It can be used alone or in combination with herbal remedies and massage therapy.

The basis of acupuncture

The basis behind acupuncture is to unblock the Chi that is said to flow throughout the body along meridian channels. To do this very thin needles are inserted into the body along particular points depending on your problem. This is thought to re-balance the Yin and Yang that is what is causing the illness or problem.

The meridians consist of 12 channels and in the healthy person, the Chi flows freely throughout these around the body. However when a blockage occurs to the Chi a person then becomes ill and the Chinese make use of around 500 different points to unblock the Chi and remedy the illness.

Although the basics and treatment used in acupuncture hasn’t altered in many ways, new ways have been implemented, such as the heating of needles, using ultrasound and electric currents when inserting.

Variations on acupuncture

Along with traditional acupuncture therapy that is still the form most widely practiced today, there are variations such as ear acupuncture. The ear is thought to map out the body organs and by putting pressure, by way of inserting needles into various parts of the ear, many illnesses can be helped and cured. All of the body’s organs have a point on the ear and when correctly inserted into the right place it is said that it can help with not only illness but also bad habits such as smoking. Here a form of acupuncture called staple puncture is used, tiny staples are inserted at key points on the ear and this is said to help people cut the craving for tobacco and thus help them to quit smoking.

The popularity of acupuncture

Acupuncture has gained in popularity in the Western world with around $500 million every year being spent in the USA on acupuncture treatment. It is thought that around 15 million people use it on a regular basis, either alongside traditional Western medicine or as an alternative.

It is used for a wide variety of illnesses with some of the most common being back pain, headaches, stopping smoking, allergies and asthma. Today many hospitals and Doctors have realized the benefits that acupuncture does seem to bring and have started implementing and offering treatment alongside more traditional treatments used in the Western world.

While the exact reasons behind why acupuncture seems to work isn’t clear and many Western doctors don’t believe in the “Chi” theory, it can’t be denied that sticking needles into points on the body does seem to have the desired effect. The most successful claims that acupuncture can make is when it comes to pain relieving, the reason why this is thought to be is because the areas where the needles are inserted are surrounded by nerve endings.

Whatever the reasons behind it working, it must work, for over 15 million Americans can’t be wrong.

Unlike most other martial arts that adopt a hard style in that they use the stiffness and tension in the muscles, Tai chi quang is soft in its style. A relaxed natural body posture, deep and regular breathing, easy and even movements of legs and hands without the muscles being stiff or rigid, are all marks of this soft style. It strikes you with its grace and beauty of the slow and fluid motion routines that its practitioners display in Chinese public parks.  In various countries around the world, you will witness the same thing every morning.

Tai chi quang has many variations and styles. Originally, nearly two hundred years ago in China, the Chen family taught the Yang family a system of Tai chi. This system has inspired the development of most of the modern styles that Tai chi schools use all over the world for Training the learners. There are five main styles, each of which derives its name from the family, which taught it first. These families, namely, Chen, Yang, Wu/Hao, Wu Quanyuo and Sun (some of these have alternative names), lend their names to the five styles of Tai chi practiced in China and elsewhere. Several new styles have come into vogue now, but all of them are an offshoot of the old orthodox ones.

The main objectives of these schools are to make the students aware of the importance of balance in their own lives as well as of what sort of balance or imbalance that affects the others’ behavior. The students learn to harness Qi for improving the balance and harmony in their own lives and to defend themselves against those who, due to the imbalance resulting from the lack of proper Qi, attack them physically or verbally.

As a beginner, you can practice Tai chi with your bare hands. Moreover, you do not need any particular dress style. Advanced practitioners use weapons and prescribed dress styles. While practicing the martial art, you have to bear in mind three important aspects. One is about your posture. It should be natural and relaxed. Your breathing should be regular and deep. The second is about your mind. It should be peaceful and calm while being alert. The third is regarding your body and its movements. You should let your body weight be on the waist and legs. Your hand and leg movements should be free, without any tension or rigidity, slow and graceful.

If you practice Tai chi quang regularly, you will experience energy surging through your entire being, your stress levels fall to near zero and you will never have any trouble sleeping well. In times of need, you can defend yourself. You will also experience spiritual gains. More than anything else, Tai chi quang, as its practitioners tell you, will bestow upon you sound health and, consequently, longevity.

In olden times, people depended upon nature, mainly on herbs, for their health problems. Then, the health sciences developed along with modern technology to produce infinite chemical combinations in the shape of medicines for the treatment and cure of various disorders of the mind and the body. With that, people turned away from herbs and towards prescription and non-prescription medicines, because these offered easier and faster methods of getting rid of their diseases. However, more and more people who are aware of the side effects of synthetic drugs are switching their loyalties to various herbal remedies. Prominent among these natural remedies is this wonder mushroom, “the miraculous King of Herbs” (at least as the Chinese believe it to be), Ganoderma Lucidum.

Uses of Ganoderma Lucidum

The list of disorders or ailments for the treatment of which Ganoderma Lucidum its users say is extremely effective is long because of its wide spectrum of beneficial properties. It stabilizes blood pressure, lowers blood sugar and corrects the high cholesterol ratio. It generally strengthens the immune system. It fights bacteria, viruses (especially those causing liver diseases) and many side effects caused by the treatment of malignant tumors and cancers (because of which it offers itself as a supportive medicine in chemotherapy and radiotherapy). It is also used in the treatment of several other body disorders and ailments. It prevents bronchitis, help to relieve asthma, cough and many other related breathing complaints. It also helps the heart to function better and acts as a cardiotonic, or heart strengthener by relieving the usual feeling of a tight chest; further, it acts against plaque that builds up in the arteries. As it has sleep-inducing properties and it can help cure insomnia. The list of possible uses in seemingly unending. Most impressive of all is that it works with hardly any side effects.

It helps restore sound health, energizes the body, improving the body’s vigor and vitality. It prevents quite a bit of cell degeneration as well as senility. That is why perhaps the Taoists see it as ‘the elixir of eternal youth’. And that is why many people seek its powers for increasing their life-span. No wonder, more and more people intending to keep a good physical shape and maintain good health are using Ganoderma Lucidum continuously over long periods of time and reaping its innumerable health benefits.

Ganoderma Lucidum is, without doubt, an unparalleled miracle elixir for longevity and can typically be bought in supplemental capsule or liquid form from specialty herb or mail order stores.

The Chinese have used and relied on a system of health care called traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years; dong quai has been a part of this system when treating with herbal remedies. Treatments have been given for respiratory, reproductive and circulatory problems to name but just a few.

Dong quai is a plant widely grown in China, Korea and Japan in high altitudes and it is the yellowish brown thick roots which are commonly used for medicinal purposes. It takes three years of cultivating the plant before it can be used, after which time the plant is harvested and the root used in tablets, powders and other medicinal forms.

It is an herb that is used for a wide variety of illnesses and complaints and in laboratory tests has proven to be effective in reducing pain, dilating blood vessels and relaxing uterine contractions. Other studies have suggested that dong quai could successfully restore an abnormal heartbeat, stop the accumulation of platelets in blood vessels. It also shows that it could be used in the treatment of insomnia successfully, protects the liver from damage, act as a mild laxative and helps to fight off infections.

It is an herb that is considered to be amongst the most versatile and safe, recent studies of women who suffer from menopausal symptoms are thought to be benefiting from its use. In particular it is thought to have great results with hot flashes when associated with the menopause.

There are various methods for the use of dong quai, with dried and powdered herb being the most popular forms followed closely by liquid. When using the dried herb which is taken from the raw root it should be boiled or at the very least soaked in wine before eating. The powdered herb is found readily in capsule form here the recommended dosage is usually around 500 to 600mg and can be taken up to 6 times a day. Liquid is usually taken in the form of drops, the usual recommended dose for drops is between 40 and 80 drops per day which is equivalent to taking 2 to 4 teaspoons.

While dong quai is considered to be one of the safer herbal remedies there are still some considerations to be taken into account. While these are rare and only occur when high does are taken you should still be aware that you can develop sensitivity to sunlight, develop skin inflammation and exposure to sunlight should be avoided.

Uses of bitter melon

Bitter melon has been used with positive results to treat numerous diseases including cancer, diabetes and many other infectious and potentially dangerous diseases. Since HIV and AIDS came into the spotlight, bitter melon has been used to fight these diseases, as well as being an herb widely used in Chinese medicine. The Chinese regard it as a popular form of vegetable. It is also a very popular remedy when used as an herbal tea.

The fruits and leaves of the bitter melon hold a great source of vitamins and minerals which include iron, vitamin B, calcium and phosphorous. Exactly how much of these nutritional contents are actually taken into the body’s digestive system in unknown but it is a very popular choice among those who go to the herbalist for preparations.

Along with helping several potentially serious diseases, the bitter melon is also used for less life threatening problems. It is thought to work well when used in the treatment of hemorrhoids and if the juice from the leaves is squeezed and drunk then it is thought to help with a troublesome cough. It has also been used successfully in the treatment of roundworm as well as to reduce high fevers.

Bitter melon and diabetes

People who suffer from type II diabetes have been known to benefit from the bitter melon. It is thought that it helps to reduce and normalize the blood sugar level in those suffering from this type of diabetes. Results have been scientifically proven on people who have drunk bitter melon juice over a period of time. It is thought that the substance momordicin, which gives the fruit its bitter taste, is what’s responsible for correcting the blood sugar levels.

While bitter melon has proven to be helpful in reducing the blood sugar level, it should by no means be the sole treatment for your diabetes. However, it can work alongside treatment and medication provided by your doctor to help keep your diabetes under control, people did benefit by being able to reduce the amount of the diabetic drugs they had to take while taking the bitter melon.

Bitter melon can be bought from many health food stores already mixed and is available in leaf, tea, pill or capsule form. For those who wish to grow there own it couldn’t be easier. You can either choose to grow the plant yourself from scratch or buy it from the market and prepare it yourself.

Preparing bitter melon

Just take the leaves from the plant and give them a thorough wash, then finely chop the leaves. Get the equivalent of two glasses of water and put 6 tablespoons of the finely chopped leaves into the water and boil them for 15 minutes. Allow the mix to cool down then strain the juice from the leaves, drink 1/3 of a cup of the juice 3 times a day.

The “Chi” is said to flow throughout the body when we are healthy through what are called Meridian channels, however sometimes these channels can become blocked and the “Chi” cannot flow and this is when symptoms of illness begin to show.

TCM is a system that has been used throughout the world to successfully treat many illnesses with gastrointestinal and gynecological disorders being the most successfully treated disorders.

The five elements of TCM

TCM is made up of five basic elements; this includes the organs within our body. The five elements are water, fire, and earth, metal and wood. When using herbs in Chinese medicine these are divided into five categories relating to taste. These are pungent, sour, bitter, salty and sweet.

The herbal remedies of Chinese medicine

Although the majority of herbal medicines are plant based, some do include minerals. Herbal remedies can come in many forms and the one you are prescribed will depend on the area to be treated and the herbs to be used.

The diagnosis of the problem is made by the state of the patients Yin and Yang and the organs that are affected. A single herb could be used for treatment or in many cases a combination of herbs will be used to compliment each other.

Although the herbs used mainly consist of plant material they should be used with caution and only be prescribed by a practitioner of Chinese medicine. When combined into remedies they can be as powerful as western drugs prescribed by a doctor and when used correctly can either work alone or alongside traditional drugs.

Additional treatment

Along with prescribing herbal remedies the practitioner of Chinese medicine may also advise you to change your diet. Foods are generally classed as either cooling down the body or heating it up and changes to the diet can be an important factor when it comes to healing. Once a diagnosis has been made then acupuncture is commonly used alongside herbal remedies to encourage and restore the “Chi” to proper balance.

The Yin and Yang

Yin and Yang are opposites and equals, for example where there is night there is day, dark and light, cold and hot. For everything there is an equal that keep things in balance. The same is said to happen in your body and if your body becomes unbalanced then illness begins to show as symptoms.

It is the five elements within the organs of the body that affect the balance of Yin and Yang and this is the basis for diagnosis, if the Yang element is depleted then you will be advised to balance them through changes to your diet, acupuncture and herbal remedies.

The Chinese believe that all ailments and illnesses can be cured simply by restoring the Yin and Yang and keeping them both in harmony will lead to a happier and healthier person. 

The meridian system

A key element to Chinese massage as well as Chinese medicine in general, is the meridian system. This system works much like a flowing body of water in your body. The goal is to achieve flow within the twelve different meridians in the body. Each meridian represents a different organ of the body, including: the heart, the sac surrounding the heart, lungs, spleen, kidney, liver, the triple warmer which is a function of the organ, small and large intestine, stomach, urinary bladder and gall bladder. The first six are directly related to transformation or yin organs while the second set of six organs are tied to the yang or transportation organs.

Whenever one of these meridians becomes blocked, just as a damn blocks the flow of a river, does traditional Chinese massage attempt to unblock by clearing the debris causing the river to back up. In other words, a blockage in the flow of your chi through the twelve meridians is what causes stress, sickness and disease.

A typical Chinese massage

In a typical Chinese massage, the client will be instructed to lie on the floor or on a table, and unlike western or Swedish massage will not be covered with a sheet. Instead, the client will be instructed beforehand to arrive in loose clothing and will remove their shoes upon entering the massage room.

After diagnosing the client’s ailments, the therapist will begin a ½ hour to 1-hour session that focuses on various acupressure points to help relax and cure the client’s problems. Some advanced therapists may use traditional Chinese massage in conjunction with herbal Chinese medicine. Herbs will be prescribed to compliment the treatments received and help improve the flow of chi and balance of yin and yang.

Chronic pain

Chronic pain is often treated successfully with traditional Chinese massage and may be done without improving the overall flow through the meridian system or flow of chi. It is useful not only in treating chronic pain in the back, neck and shoulders but also for more minor and short lived injuries such as sprains or pulled muscles.