CHINESE HERBAL MEDICINE: Chinese herbal medicine is probably the most effective treatment method for dealing with internal medical situations within the whole of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Acupuncture is especially indicated in external disorders and diseases (i.e. neuromuscular / skeletal / rheumatic/ injury/ pain disorders), while herbal medicine is crucial to the treatment of internal diseases (metabolic, organ-related, hormonal). While much of Western herbalism -- because both its diagnostic and treatment ideologies are still Western (allopathic) and therefore symptom-based -- primarily treats symptoms or precisely defined disease processes ( such as headaches, common cold, premenstrual syndrome, etc.), Chinese herbal medicine, being based on an individual pattern-discrimination diagnosis, focuses on the "root" of an internal imbalance manifesting as symptoms. Multiple, and seemingly unrelated symptoms may be alleviated by TCM treatment of the root imbalance, resulting in overall better health. Precise and individualized (non-protocol) Chinese herbal prescriptions utilizing both ancient and modern formulas and their modifications for both internal use and external application are used to treat many conditions. Piedmont Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine prescribes and dispenses tableted and encapsulated traditional and modern formulas from such reputable U.S. suppliers as Seven Forests®™, Mayway®™ (Plum Flower®™), Health Concerns®™, and Thorne Research®™ (naturopathic vitamins/ herbal supplements). Herbal medicine is normally first prescribed in combinations of 1 to 3 traditional, unmodified formulas (in tablets / pills). Having found the perfect "formula" (of perhaps 2 or 3 formulae), we will then move to a totally individualized formula to exactly fit your symptoms (branches) and their underlying cause (root).
CHINESE DIETARY THERAPY: Utilizing the 6 flavors (salty, sour, bitter, sweet, bland, and spicy) and thermal energetics (hot, cold, warm, cool, and neutral) of everyday foods (ANY food, not just Chinese!) to complement acupuncture and Chinese herbal therapies by directly and frequently influencing our inner climate, Qi flow, and organ health. Even food colors and preparation techniques are discussed in terms of affecting health. Indeed, Chinese herbal medicine ultimately comes from the culinary tradition-- "let food be your medicine."