Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a fully developed medical system from China with academic literature dating before 2nd Century BC and has consistently progressed, improved and developed itself over the years to modern times. With these Classical texts TCM has been able to provide groundwork for Chinese doctors throughout history to evaluate, discuss and add their own experiences to this wonderful knowledge. Even to this day, students are taught the Classics as part of their curriculum to assist their progression through their career.

TCM is a holistic system and includes many therapies like herbal medicine, acupuncture, acupressure, tuina (therapeutic massage), guasha, reflexology, cupping and many many more. It has gained increasing popularity in the West in the last few decades and continues to be researched by reputable bodies all around the world.

Herbal Medicine

Chinese herbs consist of plants, animals and minerals. Shen Nong’s Herbal Classic (Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing), written around the 1st or 2nd Century AD is the oldest known book on Materia Medica that has survived. It recorded 365 herbs and their uses and has exerted significant influence on the subsequent development of Chinese herbs.

Herbs are most often used in combination as this way the herbs can enhance and harmonise each other’s effectiveness. The practitioner will form a prescription after a detailed consultation which can be tweaked in quantity or changed after every follow up consultation. The complexity of the plant materials and with the guidance of ancient “tried and tested” formulas means that the herbs balance each other and are less likely to cause side effects compared to isolated active ingredients of Pharmaceutical drugs please see RCHM for further information.

In the UK, Chinese medicine practitioners may only prescribe herbs of plant origin for internal use. At XinSheng we source our herbs from suppliers of the “Approved Suppliers Scheme” which are audited by trained pharmaceutical auditors. They ensure the herbs are free of harmful substances (such as heavy metals for example) and come from a reputable source. Please refer to ATCM for a more comprehensive list of conditions that herbal medicine can treat.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is well-known and widely researched in Western and Eastern countries. It is popular amongst many conditions and loved for its relaxing effect as well as a drug-free form of treatment. In May 2009 the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) published new guidelines suggesting Acupuncture as a form of treatment for lower back pain to be made available on the NHS. Please refer also refer to the British Acupuncture Council for factsheets available to download.

Patients are encouraged to consider the following when coming for an appointment:

• To wear loose fitting clothing
• Underwear MUST be worn
• Full or empty stomachs should be avoided. A snack or a light meal 30-60 minutes before treatment is preferable. Heavy meals may cause discomfort especially when lying face down.
• Occasional bruising is common after acupuncture
• Tiredness or drowsiness for a few hours after treatment may occur and patients are advised to take care when driving.

Acupuncture needles are pre-sterilised and disposed after treatment and all members of ATCM must observe the Code of Practice which defines the hygiene and safety standards relating to the practice of acupuncture. The Code of Practice is available for download from the ATCM. These procedures have been approved by the Department of Health, and provide protection against the transmission of infectious diseases.

Moxibustion

Moxibustion is a method where moxa is burnt so the heat warms the acupuncture points on the meridians. Moxa is made from Artemisia vulgaris, more commonly known as mugwort in the form of loose moxa, moxa cones or sticks. Much research has shown that moxibustion is beneficial for the turning of breech babies and this can be easily carried out at home under the guidance of a trained practitioner.

Cupping

Traditionally bamboo and pottery cups were used for cupping but nowadays glass or plastic cups are also used. The cup is placed on the skin and a vacuum is created (either igniting material inside the cup or using a pump to remove the air) to produce suction and left between 10-20 minutes. It is particularly suitable for rheumatism, acute strains and sprains, facial paralysis, haemiplegia, common colds and cough. There are other forms of cupping but at Xinsheng due to safety reasons, only vacuum-cupping is used.

Patients should also note that it is normal for the skin to be flushed or bruised after cupping therefore cupping on the face (i.e. for facial paralysis) is not advised. It is also inappropriate to use on patients with skin ulcers, high fever and convulsions, skin sensitivity, oedema and pregnant women. Please discuss with Sing Sing to find out if cupping is appropriate for your condition.

Registration with a professional body

Unfortunately, registration is currently voluntary in the UK so not all practitioners belong to an association. This does not mean they are not qualified but it is always advisable to see a practitioner who is registered with a reputable body such as The ATCM , RCHM and the BAcC.

It is always wise to:

• Find out if the practitioner is registered with a professional organisation in the UK and if in doubt ask to see proof
• Find out if they have full professional indemnity insurance cover
• Ask where their herbs and herbal products come from
• Use products that are clearly labelled with the pharmaceutical name of herbs and dosages
• Ask yourself if you are happy with the level of communication and understanding caused by any language differences (use of a good interpreter is acceptable and not unusual)
• Ask yourself if you are confident that the practitioner took a full medical history and is aware of any other medication (pharmaceutical drugs) that you are taking