Robin van Maarth M.S., L.Ac.

Acupuncture – In Chinese Medicine we discuss the Channels or Meridians, which are interconnected paths that flow in a pattern, in a direction, all over the body. Hair-fine needles are inserted into the skin at specific points on the Channels. The practitioner stimulates these needles to promote the flow of qi through the channels, moving blockages, stopping pain, improving circulation and calming the mind. Needles are retained on the average of 20-30 minutes and much less for children, depending on their age.

Chinese Herbs – Herbs are combined into formulas based on their individual qualities and how they can best address a patient’s individual condition as a whole. They can be mineral, vegetable or animal. Many Chinese Herbs are simple foods and many formulas are recipes that are eaten. For example – mutton, the herb Dang Gui and ginger root can be cooked together to give to a woman who experiences pain and coldness after giving birth. This builds the blood, warms the body and provides nourishment. The whole person is addressed with three simple ingredients. During one class, a teacher asked us if we knew what the formula was for thirst. We were new to both herbs and formulas and we puzzled until he told us the answer was – a glass of water. Simple and difficult at the same time, but always based in common sense. Herbs come in raw form – which are cooked and made into a tea. Granules – which are ground or concentrated and mixed into hot water. Tinctures – which can be glycerine or alcohol based and are taken in small dropper doses. Pills or Patents – which are taken several times a day. There are liniments and plasters which are applied externally.

Tui Na – Chinese Medicine massage is similar to western styles, but addresses the channels as a basic part of the work. Body work is one of the oldest ways of addressing physical problems. Translated it means ‘push & pull’. It is often performed fully clothed, however liniments are applied sometimes and direct contact with the skin is done as well.

Gua Sha – By using a tool – a ceramic soup spoon, a bone or jade tool – and a liniment or massage medium, the skin is brushed vigorously to increase blood flow to a particular area. This is used in injuries, or to create more circulation at the surface.

Cupping – Glass cups are applied to the skin by creating a vacuum. This is another way to address injury in a particular area, move stagnation of any kind and to increase circulation at the surface of the skin. Sliding cupping is done with a liniment or other medium and sliding the cup over a particular area.

Diet – By naming foods above in the herbs section, it must now be emphasized that what we eat directly affects our health. Food choices during recovery of illness adds to the treatment and facilitates healing. Discussion of diet serves to address your lifestyle and how you can become more of a part of the process of remaining healthy.

Qi – pronounced “chee” and often spelled “Chi”. What is it? I can tell you what it does – it warms the body, it moves the body, it transforms – food into energy or waste for example, it provides defense against invasion from the outside – illnesses and weather, it contains – blood in the vessels, our organs in their rightful place. We get our parents Qi when we are conceived, we start making our own Qi at birth when we begin to breathe and eat. It is an animating force, it is energy.