What Are The Branches Of Oriental Medicine?

Ever since my adolescent days, I’ve always had a penchant for the Orient especially when my dear grandmother, an antique collector, gave me as a gift a special glass paperweight glass that contained the image of a Chinese official. I was enchanted by this cryptic yet noble figure garbed in full robes, from the other part of the globe. Since then, I became enamored about the enigmatic Far East. Over the years, as I learned about different cultures in the orient, my interest in their healing arts, martial arts, and philosophies, grew.

The age old belief in Yin and Yang is where all oriental medicine is based on. This Yin and Yang is usually symbolized by two fish-like or rain drop shapes that form a circle. Yin and Yang are two cyclic opposing forces that are modulated by the circulation of vital energy or Chi (aka Prana, Ki, or Qi) within the body via specific energy channels or meridians. When Yin and Yang are in balance, the body is healthy. The aim of oriental medicine is to promote longevity and ensure good health by influencing the circulation of Chi to bring into harmony Yin and Yang.

In oriental alternative medicine, there are a variety of choices to consider – Chi kung or Qi Gong, Reiki, Yoga, Ayuveda, Japanese massage ( kiatsu, shiatsu), Chinese herbal medicine, acupressure, and acupuncture West Orange. Each of these therapies are extremely helpful in treating and preventing injuries and used as a way to maintain well being and good health:

1. Qi Gong (Chi Kung)

Qi gong is actually an umbrella word describes a system wherein Chi is cultivated and has been used by the Chinese people to maintain and improve health. Qi gong entails deep concentration and special movements. Tai Chi Chuan is wider and (when properly practiced) can be a unique type of Qi Gong.

2. Reiki

Reike is an age-old Tibetan Buddhist art of healing art that used the “laying on of the hands” which claims powerful results and incomparable simplicity. Japanese for “Universal Life-Force-Energy”Reiki (Japanese for “Universal Life-Force-Energy”) was proselytized and re-discovered Mikao Usui, a Buddhist who lived in the 1800’s. Practitioners of Reiki need to directly receive the “attunements” from a teacher who has also received the “attunements” and training. A healing in Reiki only utilizes touch to convey healing. Serenity, warmth, and healing are needed through the flow of Chi energy. Reiki Teacher/Master, Reiki practitioner Diane Stein, is holistically claiming to spiritually address the body spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically.

3. Yoga

Yoga is deemed to be a sister science to Ayurveda and that includes using preventive and natural measures to help guarantee longevity, happiness, and good health. In yoga practice there eight limbs of yogic practice: state of perfect equilibrium, the awakening of awareness, contemplation, concentration, cleansing postures, discipline, and the regulation of the nervous system. Yogic practice enables the possible flow of energy flow that has preventive and curative value.

4. Ayurveda

Ayurveda is a 5,000 year old rejuvenating and healing art in India. It is based on Hindu documents that we recommend as well as aromatherapy that recommend as meditation, nutrition, and proper breathing. Illness arises from imbalances caused by poor diet, poor lifestyle choice, and stress.

5. Japanese massage (Kiatsu and Shiatsu)

If you’ve never tried the skilled hands of an athletic trainer or better yet, a massage therapist you somehow are familiar or have a basic idea of the two most prominent therapeutic Japanese massage schools. Kiatsu and Shiatsu, Kiatsu, was created using knee, arm, hand, and finger pressure for its therapeutic effect. Kiatsu, developed by Master Koichi Tohei, uses Ki (Chi) energy as a healing power in conjunction with therapeutic massage. In Kiatsu, to extend Ki into the tissues, only the hands and fingertips are used.

6. Chinese herbal medicine – This healing art is one of the most complex and most purified herbal methods in the world. It includes the eight principles, the six layers, plants, minerals, and animal sources.

7. Acupressure and Acupuncture – These two techniques are well proven to promote healing and alleviate pain. Certain acupoints along the energy channels are stimulated with applied pressure or extremely thin needles (with or minus heat), leading to a normalization of the Chi energy circulation throughout the body.

To integrate alternative choices with your recent sports medicine, take into consideration oriental healing arts. Consult your medical doctor, choose a trained and certified practitioner to train, treat, and assist you. To train, assist, and treat I select a certified or qualified practitioner on the phone. These healing and preventive healing techniques have been successfully used for thousands of years!