Health Alternative Medicine

Practitioners of Chinese health alternative medicine specialize in cultivating a sense of balance within the body in order to create a sense of well-being and health.

Balance must be brought about in one’s Qi (prounounced “chee”), or energy, as well as in the yin/yang. Restoring good health by creating balance can be achieved through acupressure and acupuncture techniques, mindful nutrition, exercise, and the use of herbal remedies.

Other techniques include: cupping, the placement of warm jars of air over the body; moxibustions, the placement of warmed moxa plants over the body; Qi Gong, the monitoring of lifestyle factors such as exercise and meditation; and tui na, or massage for good balance.

Techniques such as acupuncture and acupressure are considered safe, but may be costly, especially since it may not be widely accepted under insurance claims. All of these techniques help to create a balance within one’s Qi as well as between the dynamic pull of the yin and the yang.

Those who wish to practice these alternative techniques must gain proper certification. Chinese medical schools will offer proper credentials, but licensing in the United States must be done at particular schools which have been granted accreditation.

The same health risks of allopathic, or Western style, medication apply with the Chinese practice of alternative medicine. They can include side effects such as allergies and the interactions of herbal supplements with any current medications, both prescription and non-prescription.

Research dollars have been spent by the National Institutes of Health trying to elucidate proper form, technique, and effectiveness in this field of alternative medicine.

From Health Alternative to Alternative Health