Acupuncture encourages the flow of qi (loosely translated as physiological energy) and regulates balance in the body. When there is order of function and a free flow of qi, the body is healthy. When there is disorder, dysfunction, or blockages of qi, there is disease. Channels traverse the body and pertain to different organs, structures and functions. As an application of TCM, Acupuncture is generally practiced using points along meridians or channels to free the body of various forms of stagnation. When manipulated in different ways, channels and points used in conjunction will have an effect on physioanatomy and mental-emotional state. Although Acupuncture generally refers to “Needle puncture”, this pillar also includes Moxibustion, Cupping Therapy, Gua Sha, and Blood Letting

Acupuncture: The strategic insertion of needles at specific points on the body. Groups of needled points, (“point prescriptions”) are specifically tailored to a patient’s healing process and always change minimally or drastically from treatment to treatment. Point prescriptions may be altered based on factors such as environment, constitution, and presentation. Every body and mind is unique and each point prescription will work synergistically within that individual landscape. Acupuncture points, for the most part, align with the meridian system (also known as channel theory).

Moxibustion: Moxa (or “ai ye”) is an herb from the TCM materia medica. Though sometimes ingested internally, Moxa has incredible benefits when burned superficially over the skin through a barrier, other herbs, or on a needle. When used on certain acupoints, moxibustion can be used to manage pain, regulate menstruation, improve digestion, reduce scarring and bruising, and generally help circulation. There are many different techniques when using Moxibustion and how its administered will be different from patient to patient.

Cupping therapy: sections of skin and muscle are suctioned up into a vacuum created by a glass cup. This improves blood flow, alleviates pain, breaks up scar tissue, and soften fascia. It is thought to bring toxins to the surface and often is used clinically for pain, spasms, digestive issues, chronic lung diseases, and coughs. On a cellular level, cupping therapy decreases the presence of inflammatory cytokines and increases healing. Cupping often leaves circular bruising from a couple of days to 2 weeks.

Gua sha: true to its literal translation, gua-sha is the scraping of the skin. It increases circulation and blood flow locally and systemically. In TCM, gua sha is often used for systemic issues with circulation, generalized stagnation, respiratory disorders or the common cold, musculoskeletal pain, bloating and dermatological disorders. Depending on the underlying disease, gua-sha can leave marks of tiny red or purple dots. This is normal and can last from a few days to a couple of weeks.

Blood letting: In accordance with channel theory, lancets are use to draw a small amount of blood at specific points on the body. Blood letting may be used for a variety of purposes including but not limited to pain relief, menstrual regulation, to promote healing, at the onset of acute fever and sore throat, and to release toxins.

Herbal Medicine: the use of individually crafted herbal formulas based on classical prescriptions with personalized modifications. At its core TCM herbal medicine is different from western pharmaceutical therapy in that the exact formula ingredients, proportions, and dosing are altered for the patient’s specific constitution and presentation. The crafting of a formula is not only based on the individual functions of specific herbs, but how those herbs interact and function with each other, and in relation to the patient’s internal environment. Therefore, as a patient’s internal landscapes evolves and heals, the formula will be adjusted. In practice a formula is never used in perpetuity. It’s important to work one-on-one with a national board certified herbalist who is able to offer ongoing and dynamic treatment. All healing is a process, but herbal therapy can be one of the most direct and fine-tuned ways to internally regulate that journey.

Herbs can be ingested in many different ways. Most commonly they’ll be ingested via pill, granules (either dissolved into a tea or swallowed within capsules), or decocted at home into a tea from raw herbs. At Root & Bloom we prescribe both patent and custom herbal formulas from our in-office herbal pharmacy and work with kamwo herbal pharmacy in NYC to bring more prescriptive formulas.

In TCM, nutrition and food are seen as important parts of a person’s internal balance. Although medicinal herbs are highly potent in small quantities, right combination of foods on a plate, 3 times a day can go a very long way.

Qi gong is a form of meditation that combines the mental and physical through breath and movement. Qi Gong can be used medicinally to calm the nervous system, remove stagnation and integrate the body and mind with breath. Just like all other forms of TCM, Qi Gong and exercise are viewed as potent and vital parts of a healthy body and mind and should be an individualized part of an integrated healthy lifestyle.

In accordance with Channel Theory, Tui-Na adjusts tissue to promote proper alignment and function throughout the body. Tui-na uses a variety of massage and manipulation techniques that are specific to the patient’s diagnosis. Via the muscular tissue, Tui-na affects the autonomic system, reduces inflammation and systemic stress, and reverberates both directly and indirectly to the organ and circulatory systems. In addition to musculoskeletal and pain disorders, Tui-Na is effective with circulatory and heart conditions, stress relief, depression and anxiety, fertility, digestive disorders, paralysis and post-stroke care, and even auto-immune disorders.

In classical Chinese texts such as the I Ching and the Yellow Emperor’s Classic, the foundation of TCM theory is explained in context with the understanding of nature at large. Just like understanding the nature of disease is equally important as, if not less important than, understanding the context and environment of its body, so too is understanding the external environment of a person’s everyday life. Feng Shui, though popularly understood as the rhythmic and purposeful design within a home, extends to placement of oneself both geographically, cosmically and spiritually. Historically, Feng Shui relates to Classical Chinese Astrology and destiny. Though we do not specifically practice this pillar of TCM at Root & Bloom, experiencing Chinese Medicine often naturally results in an augmented understanding of personal environment and habit that organically leads to more intentional lifestyles and manifestation.