Naturally Clear Skin – A Traditional Chinese Medicine Approach
Posted by admin in Chinese Medicine, Skin Health, Traditional Medicine on October 12, 2011
As a teenager I had some breakouts, but it wasn’t until my late twenties that I developed cystic acne. The dermatologist I went to told me that if I didn’t go on antibiotics, I would have acne scars for life. Well, I decided to take a natural approach and I didn’t take antibiotics.
I have to say that it was a very emotional experience. Anyone who has had this kind of acne can attest to the emotional challenges and insecurities that arise. Furthermore, there is a desperation to try whatever to get rid of the acne. I’ve been there and I can now share my experience. My skin is now radiant and clear.
As a Licensed acupuncturist and herbalist, I support my clients to address health issues using a holistic approach. In Chinese Medicine we believe that the skin is a reflection of your entire health, so creating balance from within will be reflected in clear, glowing skin. Here are ten pearls of wisdom to help you heal your acne:
1. Be patient. Healing acne takes time. It took me a year and a half to get the clear glowing skin I now enjoy. It may have taken less time if I knew what I know now, but in general it takes time. So you may not see results right away, but be patient! This approach is about healing acne naturally from the inside out. Read the rest of this entry »
Chinese Medicine for Treatment of Low Energy
Posted by admin in Chinese Medicine, Low Energy, Treatment on October 12, 2011
Fatigue/low energy is not an illness in itself; it is a deep exhaustion that affects our daily joy and our ability to accomplish our goals and purpose in life. Temporary fatigue is usually a message from the body requiring us to take notice and make some lifestyle changes to our general health. Persistent fatigue is the body’s way of signaling us that our energy system needs treatment.
Symptoms and Signs
In Chinese Medicine a collection of symptoms and signs are diagnosed together. The Chinese doctor would never put a label on or call an illness a “syndrome” that has a complicated name and becomes a thing that the patient is suffering from. Instead the TCM practitioner would always be mindful that the illness is a dynamic process, seeing it as a pattern of disharmony in the whole person and not just in one organ or system. By treating all the symptoms and signs and not just one, a more balanced natural healing effect is allowed to take place. Generally speaking, in Western medicine the physician treats the presenting symptoms, not necessarily, the underlying cause. A Western physician will try to give a ‘disease name’ to a collection of signs and symptoms. If the physician has difficulty giving a name to signs and symptoms, or if they are not obvious, one or more medical tests will normally be carried out. If the test(s) come out negative, the patient is pronounced free of any medically perceived ‘disease’ even though they still insist that they are unwell, some doctors at this stage may even believe that it is all in the patient’s head! A TCM health practitioner, however, considers all patterns, with or without a Western diagnosis, as potential signs of a health imbalance that require attention. That is why TCM is particularly useful with those persons with symptoms defined as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME), Fybromyalgia or long-lasting lack of energy or other difficulties that western medicine has no useful response to. Read the rest of this entry »