Introduction to Acupuncture, Chinese Medicine and Tai Chi

1. Introduction to Acupuncture, Chinese Medicine and Tai Chi Chad J. Dupuis, M.Ac., L.Ac. Yin Yang House Acupuncture & Wellness Center 512 Tremont Street, Chattanooga

2. Acupuncture in Brief • Medicine is used worldwide both as a complementary and as a primary mode of treatment. • Natural Medicine with many branches, styles, and theories. • Theories and Techniques drawn from long-term observation and testing. • Written texts date back as far as 168 AD.

3. Acupuncture Training in the US • The majority of practitioners graduate from 3-4 year post-graduate level programs with clinical rotations. (State Licensure, L.Ac., A.P., R.Ac…) • Some states also allow MD’s and/or Chiropractors to practice with minimal or no additional training. • National Certification (NCCAOM) is required in most states and licensure from the states Board of Medicine is required. (Dipl. Ac.)

4. Acupuncture Diagnoses • Conditions are not treated, people and their unique set of signs and symptoms are. • This adaptability is a large part of the effectiveness of acupuncture. • Treatments are based on Chinese Medicine diagnoses which are arrived at from many sources, including your symptoms, pulse, tongue, pressure pain, emotional state, etc.

5. Treatment Methods • Acupuncture is not just needles… many practitioners include massage (tuina), energy work (qigong), and other techniques such as cupping and moxibustion. • Herbal Medicine is also an important branch of Chinese Medicine – which includes dietary adjustments and recommendations. • Lifestyle changes and exercise are an important part of the healing process. Exercises such as Tai Chi, for example, are well known for their effects on the immune system.

6. A Science and an Art • Traditionally acupuncture was taught in a teacher/student model instead of formal schooling as it often is now. • While many conditions can be treated well with acupuncture with established protocols, it is still an art form requiring good instruction and techniques. • You are likely to get different results from different practitioners as well as from different styles of acupuncture.

7. Conditions Treated • Can treat conditions ranging from basic pain, to psychological conditions, to complex conditions such as cancer, MS, and Parkinsons. • May work in conjunction with western medicine or, commonly, when other options have failed and/or have undesirable side effects. • Most commonly treated are: • Pain of any kind from any cause • Psychological conditions – depression, anxiety, insomnia • Womens Issues – fertility, pms, menstrual problems, cysts, fibroids, endometriosis • Immune/Respiratory Issues – allergies, asthma, common cold, recurrent infections • Gastro-Intestinal Issues – constipation, reflux, digestive issues, etc.

8. Meridians

9. Functions of Acupuncture • Strengthen Immunity • Resolve Auto-Immune Activity • Control Pain and Side Effects of Complementary Treatments (Endorphin Effect) • Stress Reduction/Improved Healing Potential • Improve Nerve Function/Energy Circulation

10. {Example}Functions of an Individual AcuPoint (UB 18-Liver Shu) • Main point for all Liver related conditions: hepatitis, jaundice, cirrhosis, Blood stagnation, Qi stagnation, etc. • Main point for eye problems, pain, itching, dryness, redness, blurred vision, visual dizziness, twitching. • Main point for LV related emotional issues such as anger, depression, irritability, frustration, stress a/or PMS. • Useful for hypochondriac a/or sub costal pain/distention.

11. Tam Healing System • Developed by Tom Tam, acupuncturist, healer, and tai chi master, for the treatment of complicated medical conditions. • A unique composition of western and eastern medical ideas along with strong clinical experiences over 30 years. • Based on pressure pain as a primary diagnostic tool. • Primarily involves acupuncture, massage and energy work – very little herbal medicine.

12. Treatment Progression • As with western medicine, acupuncture treatments and results should be seen as a longer-term investment. • Symptomatic improvements are often experienced within the first 3-7 treatments. • Treatments are generally weekly until symptoms improve and then bi-weekly/monthly/quarterly as each person requires.

13. Clinical Results • The majority of people will have a favorable reaction to acupuncture and at the very least will have symptomatic improvement and improved well-being. • With the Tam Healing system we experience higher resolution rates than general acupuncture as it is more targeted – particularly with more complicated conditions.

14. Tai Chi and Qi Gong Exercise • Qi Gong is an umbrella term for a variety of energy based exercise routines. • Tai Chi is a well formulated, well researched, scientific form of exercise. Also applicable as a martial art at the higher levels with good instruction. • There are many variations of Tai Chi and Qi Gong – The Yang Style Tai Chi Long Form is the most commonly practiced Tai Chi Form.

15. Health Benefits of Tai Chi • Stress Reduction/Cardiovascular Disease • Immune System/Endocrine (Diabetes) • Balance, Bone Density, Muscular Strength

16. Yin Yang House Acupuncture and Wellness Center • Located at 512 Tremont Street, Suite A in the North Shore. • Website – http://clinic.yinyanghouse.com/ • Email – clinic@yinyanghouse.com • Acupuncture treatments are $60/session. • Massage treatments are $70/hour. • General Info – http://www.yinyanghouse.com/