Acupuncture is based on the traditional Chinese belief that health depends on a balanced flow of Life Energy or Qi, also spelled Chi. To correct any imbalances, acupuncture needles are placed into "acupoints" which run vertically across and through the human body along twelve main channels, or regular meridians connecting the internal organs. These acupoints act to correct the flow of Qi along these meridians and to redirect the flow of energy to affected areas. Traditional Chinese medicine has used acupuncture for thousands of years.
Both the World Health Organization and the National Institute of Health recognize Chinese Medicine to be effective in treating a wide variety of conditions. The operating philosophy of traditional acupuncture, is that disease is caused by interrupted energy flow at specific points on the body's surface. Acupuncture thus involves the insertion of a needle(s) at the affected point(s) in order to stimulate Qi flow and harmonize energy flow in the body.
Our Treatment Philosophy
Traditional Chinese Medicine, also sometimes seen abbreviated as TCM, is a form of medicine which has been practiced in China for over 3,000 years, and is also widely practiced in other Asian nations as well. Fundamentally, traditional Chinese medicine is about striking a balance between yin and yang, the masculine and feminine elements, and it is believed that medical problems stem from an imbalance in these elements which must be corrected.
The concepts which come together to create traditional Chinese medicine are incredibly complex, but all of them include the fundamental idea that the human body needs to have a balance of energy, or it will be unhealthy. Traditional Chinese medicine views the body as an integrated whole, rather than an assortment of parts which must be treated individually, and it also includes preventative medicine which is designed to prevent the body from getting sick.
To treat patients, Dr. Wu recommends several approaches, many of which have been adopted by other cultures as well. Acupuncture, massage, qigong, and herbs are all techniques for balancing yin and yang in various ways. Acupuncture and massage are both designed to stimulate the body, release blocked flows energy, and bring about a sense of relaxation and well being. Qigong is a daily practice which is followed by adherents of traditional Chinese medicine to keep their energy in balance, while herbs are available by prescription to treat a wide range of ailments. Dr. Wu also incorporates traditional folk remedies into his treatments as well.
Herbology is the Chinese art of combining medicinal herbs and is traditionally one of the more important modalities utilized in traditional Chinese medicine. Each herbal medicine prescription is a personalized cocktail of many herbs tailored to the individual patient. Chinese herbology often incorporates natural ingredients from all parts of plants, the leaf, stem, flower, root, and also ingredients from animals and minerals.
Dr. Wu usually designs a remedy using one or two main ingredients that target the illness. Then he adds many other ingredients to adjust the formula to the patient's yin/yang conditions. Sometimes, ingredients are needed to cancel out toxicity of the main ingredients. Some herbs require the use of other ingredients as catalyst or else the herb is less-effective. The latter steps require great experience and knowledge, and make the difference between a good Chinese herbal doctor and an amateur. A key to success in traditional Chinese medicine is treating each patient as a unique individual.
Dr. Wu brings his vast experience and expertise in all the concepts of traditional Chinese medicine - Acupuncture, Qigong, and Herbology to Healing Art Acupuncture and Massage to treat each patient as a unique individual.