Traditional Chinese Medicine
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a comprehensive system of health care developed in China over a period of 4000 years. It is a system that has proven to be clinically effective for many types of ailments and in promoting the general state of good health. TCM focuses on the body as a whole. It combines philosophy, art and science to bring about balance and harmony to the body, mind and spirit.
TCM practitioners are trained to identify any disruption in the nature of harmony and balance of the body. Once the breakdown has been determined, the TCM physician not only relieves the symptoms, but focuses on treating the root of the imbalance or disharmony.
Practical applications of TCM consist of the following principles:
- diagnosis through consultation, physical and visual observations.
- treatment through acupuncture, herbal remedies and massage.
- disease prevention through exercise and dietary habits.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a Chinese clinical procedure designed to rebalance or unblock the flow of energy (QI- pronounced chee) within the body. It is a therapy based on the principle that there is a connection between the organs in the body and the body surface. It is believed that there are channels which vital energy flows in the body, called meridians. When there is illness, stress, emotional conflict, physical injury or lack of inner spiritual resource, these meridian pathways become blocked and impedes the healthy flow of Qi within.
Acupuncture points, appear in or just beneath the skin and are tender to the touch. The sufferer sometimes feels the tender spots himself or may only realize they are there when a skilled practitioner presses over the point. Acupuncture involves the stimulation of these points with fine, sterile needles which corresponds to the meridians along which the energy is thought to flow. Applied in a way that modifies the activity of the Qi and so influence other parts of the body.
The World Health Organization recognizes acupuncture as a treatment that can help with many conditions including: sciatica/low back pain, headache & migraine, frozen shoulder & tennis elbow, common colds, asthma, gastric disorders and more.
Biography
Karen Lam - Dr.TCM., R.Acup., Cert. Aromatherapist, Doula.
Karen Lam graduated from the International College of Traditional Chinese Medicine after 4 years of intensive study. This included training and study in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) diagnosis and disease patterns, internal medicine, gynecology, Chinese herbology, acupuncture, moxibustion and massage. She has made several study trips through China, where western and eastern medicine are used to compliment each other. Postgraduate education has helped reinforce traditional therapies as well as inspired her to further study treatments of soft addictions, aromatherapy and TCM for pregnancy and birthing.
She has specialized education in advanced acupuncture for pregnancy and other training for assisting the birth process. Support and treatment during pregnancy is quickly becoming more important and her training in this specialized area has proven invaluable to many expectant mothers.
Karen has been in private practice at Integrative Healing Arts center since 1996. When not at the office she enjoys the outdoors with her husband, new baby and their family dog, Emi. Her belief is that the three ‘H’s, honesty, health and humbleness leads to happiness and longevity.
