Chinese medicine is based on herbal therapy and acupuncture. Over 400 Chinese herbs are in common use and prescribed by qualified Chinese practitioners after consultation with patients. So, prescribing the correct combination of herbs is essential. All herbs are processed to a high standard, being cleaned, dried and purified, and often blended with honey, ginger, vinegar or similar foods before being safe for use. Some herbs known to have mild side effects on their own (e.g., too calming or too stimulating) can be counteracted by other herbs in the same prescription. Chinese herbal medicine has been used and developed over thousands of years and is very popular in China. The function of acupuncture is to unblock and regulate the meridians (energy channels) and then improve the flow of Qi (energy) and blood circulation in the body. The unique theories of Chinese medicine and miraculous therapeutic effects have fascinated more and more people in the world.

Chinese Herbs

All Chinese herbs are divided into different categories according to their properties in Traditional Chinese Medical theory: COLD, HOT, WARM, COOL. This means that some herbs of a ‘COLD’ nature can remedy excess heat in your body, while others of a ‘HOT’ nature can remedy excess cold in the body. After consultation, the practitioner will formulate a prescription based on the Chinese medicine principles they studied at TCM University and which suits the specific condition of your body.

As for herbal tablets and pills, ready-made herbal products are made according to traditional formulas that have been tested and refined over many centuries. These are usually prescribed for simple, common health conditions, where other factors in the patient’s health do not seem likely to be contributing. The Chinese have been using natural herbs to treat a wide variety of diseases and conditions for many centuries. These include roots, flowers, seeds, fruits, leaves and branches. The history of TCM goes back more than 3000 years. Chinese herbs have become available in extract powder form only in recent years, owing to technical advances in production methods, and this has made it easier and more convenient for people to take herbal medicine.

Acupuncture is usually carried out with disposable needles which are very fine. Some numbness, swelling or a sensation of heaviness is usual during or after a treatment, but the treatment is essentially painless. Acupuncture can help the energy flow and blood circulation by stimulating certain points in specific ways according to your personal body condition to smooth the meridians. The Qi and blood flow then work harmoniously to keep Yin and Yang energies in balance. Acupuncture is both a highly effective and a very safe form of therapy.

Cupping is another safe and non-invasive treatment that is especially effective for relieving pain and improving blood circulation. Cups placed on specific points along the meridians exert a slight suction which sucks out dampness, excess cold, toxins and even stagnant blood that can collect in different parts of the body. Cups are made of different materials – usually glass, bamboo or porcelain. Cupping is performed in different ways (e.g., San Guan, Zou Guan) according to the nature of a person’s health and can detoxify and calm the body and increase overall vitality. It can also help to promote weight loss.

Tuina is another method for improving Qi (energy) flow and blood circulation. It is a hands-on form of manipulation by the therapist, using the hands, elbows or forearms to stimulate specific points along the meridians, especially the areas between each of the joints, known as the Eight Gates. It is especially effective in treating both acute and chronic musculoskeletal conditions, as well as many other conditions, and promotes general good health.

Chinese Tuina is the basic skill of: Acupressure, Therapeutic massage, Deep tissue massage, Sports massage, Reflexology, Minimal/relaxation massage

GuaSha is an invaluable healing technique used by many practitioners of TCM. It is performed with the hands using a special instrument made from precious stone, bamboo, wood, or buffalo horn. It is most commonly used to treat pain (especially muscular pain and cramps), chronic cough, or to detoxify the body, as GuaSha can break up stagnation and promote the smooth flow of blood to increases microcirculation under the skin.

Moxibustion is a traditional Chinese medicine therapy using moxa made from dried mugwort. It plays an important role in the traditional medical systems of China (including Tibet). Suppliers usually age the mugwort and grind it up to a fluff; practitioners burn the fluff or process it further into a cigar-shaped stick. They can use it indirectly, with acupuncture needles, or directly above the patient’s skin. It is used to warm specific points on the body to relieve pain or reduce the length and severity of labour in pregnant women.

Botox injections are a popular treatment in the West for reducing facial wrinkles; however, they are ultimately not beneficial for the face, which is a complex system of muscles which should all be active to support the face’s structure and promote circulation and the flow of oxygen and nutrients to the skin. Our approach is to prevent and slow aging in a natural way. The first stage is acupuncturing to stimulate certain points on the face to improve muscle tone, help blood circulation, and make the facial skin tauter. Then facial meridian acupressure is performed to detoxify the face in depth and reduce wrinkles. Finally, a fresh herbal mask is prepared individually to suit your skin’s type and condition and to nourish the skin. After only one course of treatment your face will be noticeably younger and more radiant. This is a very effective treatment that many of Shi’s patients have appreciated and come back for.

TDP heating therapy warms specific points on your body using infrared light and heat. It improves your energy flow and blood circulation and is a very effective and widely-used treatment method for relieving pain in various health conditions.

Ear candling, also called ear coning or thermal-auricular therapy, is an alternative medicine practice claimed to improve general health and well-being by lighting one end of a hollow candle and placing the other end in the ear canal.