TALLAHASSEE
ACUPUNCTURE
KERRY ABACO
Doctor of Oriental Medicine

850-841-0700

Principles and concepts

For example, a heat issue may be relieved by either reducing heat or strengthening the cooling system of the body, depending on the cause of the imbalance. If the imbalance of the system is being caused by too much heat (yang), we seek to reduce heat. Conversely if the imbalance is caused by a deficiency of the cooling factor of the system (yin), we seek to fortify that. There are many techniques used to accomplish each of these objectives.

Tools

TCM practitioners use these tools to promote health and restore the body to its natural state of balance:

Acupuncture | Acupressure | TCM herbology | Tui-na
Cupping | Moxibustion

Acupuncture  An ancient procedure using hair fine needles at specific points on the surface of the body to stimulate certain physiological changes within the body. Conversely, some acupoints will reflect pathological changes within the body. Acupoints may be used both in the diagnosis and the treatment of disease.

Acupressure  Essentially the same as acupuncture, but without needles. Fingers or hands are usually used to apply pressure to the acupoints. However, without proper knowledge of TCM diagnosis and treatment, it is likely that the symptoms, not the problem causing those symptoms, will be addressed. This may temporally lessen pain but typically does not correct the problem.

TCM herbology  The use of plants and natural elements in healing. From a single substance to a complex blend, from pill form to a tea, TCM herbology’s components have as much variety as nature herself.

Tui-na  Chinese massage and manipulation that facilities the flow of chi.

Cupping  Uses suction to draw blood to the body’s surface. That blood is then replaced by the flow of fresh blood to the area below.

Moxibustion  The herb moxa (mugwart), comes in many shapes, forms, and sizes for many uses. It is ignited and is used for warming acupoints. My favorite use is turning breech babies, without any discomfort to the mother.

The herbal tradition of China has a strong basis in science. Pharmacologists working over the past forty years have discovered that the herbs contain active components that explain their actions. More than three hundred herbs in common use today have a history dating back at least 2,000 years. During that time, a vast amount of experience has been gained that has gone towards perfecting their clinical applications. Many westerners are turning to Chinese herbs today because of the long history of accumulated knowledge of their applications. In China, schools of traditional Chinese medicine, research institutes, and teaching hospitals continue to research these herbs and their uses.