The preventative benefits of traditional Chinese medicine
checkups and regular workouts. Not too many people understand that the body needs regular care.
Traditional Chinese medicine is usually associated with acupuncture, herbs and massage, but it encompasses much more, says Adam Chen, an acupuncture specialist and organizer of the Chinese Medicine Experience at the Telus Taiwanfest this weekend at Harbourfront Centre.
Chen, who runs acupuncture clinics at Mount Sinai Hospital and Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, has invited 22 other practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine to provide free consultations and seminars about preventative and curative medicines.
Afternoon seminars will address issues such as stroke prevention, allergy treatment and ways to manage menopause. Individual consultations start at noon and run until 8 p.m. on Aug. 24 and 6 p.m. Aug. 25.
What is traditional Chinese medicine?
The main idea is to prevent disease and improve wellness. It’s not only about acupuncture or acupressure. It involves proper diet, certain self-massage, exercise and herbal remedies. Perfect health is relative. For example, a morning person will feel fatigued at night, and a night owl will feel sluggish in the morning. Because their body type is different, you can’t use the same methods on both of them.
How does traditional Chinese medicine work?
Part of the concept is following nature — just as the sun rises and sets, you have to act accordingly so that you’re healthy. During different seasons our body’s physiological functions vary and we need to understand how to fit with the natural changes of the seasons. . . . If we try to follow nature, our health will improve. The rhythm of one’s life makes a huge impact on health. For instance, if you manage your stress, improve your sleep quality and have a proper diet, menopausal symptoms will naturally reduce.
People think if they go to their annual checkup with the family doctor that’s enough. . . . However, everybody’s body is like a vehicle and you need to do regular
What illnesses can traditional Chinese medicine help prevent?
It can prevent allergies by improving the immune system’s function; gastric ulceration by reducing acid; heart attack by improving coronary blood flow and stroke by controlling blood flow in the brain. The World Health Organization has listed more than two dozen diseases and health conditions that are effectively treated by acupuncture. More than 90 per cent of my patients have specific diseases.
Also, traditional Chinese medicine can effectively control pain, depression, anxiety, stress, insomnia, irritable bowel syndrome, menstrual problems, infertility, Bell’s palsy, stroke and much more.
Is this done through acupuncture?
Acupuncture is one method. Herbal remedies and exercise, such as Tai Chi, are also important.