Chinese medicine is a holistic system of medicine which originated in China and the Far East at least 4,000 years ago. Since its birth it has spread from its origins and can now be found worldwide. It provides the basic philosophical foundation for related medical systems in Korea, Japan and Vietnam and is often referred to as oriental medicine.

The underlying principle is that Qi energy flows through the whole body and influences the environment, and that health is maintained when the smooth flow of Qi is balanced and harmonious. Like clear water flowing in a stream Qi travels through the body along specific pathways or channels affecting all the cells, tissue and organs. Influenced by the strength and balance of Yin and Yang.

"The heart must be calm and quiet, Having great depth beneath it." Tao Te Ching chapter 8

There are eight limbs of traditional chinese medicine which can be used to prevent or treat illness they are:

Meditation, Diet, Excercise (Tai Chi, Qi Gong), Astrology, Geomancy (Feng Shui), Massage therapy, Herbal therapy, Acupuncture and Moxibustion.

These methods of treatment are rarely used in isolation but combined to offer a patient an overall holistic treatment to establish or maintain good health. For example, a patient might come for treatment suffering with stress which leads to migraine headaches, insomnia and irritable bowel syndrome.

Initially I would treat this person with acupressure massage on the neck and shoulders to relieve tension and stress, then insert very fine acupuncture needles to calm the mind and help with sleep along side prescribing herbal medicines to help the IBS. We would discuss diet and how that affects the digestion and I would teach the patient some simple meditation and breathing (Qi Gong) techniques to manage the stress long term.

Chinese herbal medicine is one of the great herbal systems of the world, with an unbroken tradition going back to the third century BC. Yet throughout its history it has continually developed in response to changing clinical conditions and has been sustained by research into every aspect of its use.

Because of its systematic approach and clinical effectiveness it has for centuries had a very great influence in the theory and practice of medicine in the East, and more recently has grown rapidly in popularity in the West. It still forms a major part of healthcare provision in modern China, and is provided in state hospitals alongside western medicine.