Allopathy: Any medical system which opposes the disease process with something other than the disease mechanism itself. In short, any medical system which is not Homeopathic. Homeopathy believes that only the disease mechanism (the bacteria or virus), in sufficiently diluted dosages, can cure that disease. Allopathic medicine, may use anything from antibiotics, herbs, surgery, acupuncture, therapuetic massage, nutrition, or even radiation. This term is so broad and misused that I felt it important to include it here. It is often used as a derogatory term to refer to an MD, but the term itself conveys no negativity and applies to ALL physicians who are NOT homepaths. To elaborate, MD’s, Acupuncturists, Chiropractors, Podiatrists, Dentists, and Osteopaths are Allopaths.
Decoction: A “tea” made by boiling raw or powdered herbs. In China, herbs are most frequently prepared and administered as decoctions. The advantage is that two-fold. Decoctions, unlike pre-made medicinals, are tailored to the individual patient. Due to the heat of the brewing process, decoctions extract more of the chemical constituents out of the herbs than your body extracts from pills and powders. While some are less than tasty, most patients become accustomed to and may even crave them.
Herbology: The study of Herbs and Herbal formulas, especially within the context of a medical system. Chinese herbology is based on Pattern Discrimination (a form of diagnosis) and on the properties of herbs within.
Lifestyle Counseling: This is perhaps the most important and most overlooked facet of TCM. At Southern Acupuncture, we believe in empowering people to make better choices concerning their health. Lifestyle counseling is the cornerstone of TCM weightloss and treatment for addictive disorders. It is our goal to advise you on how diet, exercise, sleep, and habits effect your well-being. Properly informed, you can modify your lifestyle to work in favor of your health instead of against it.
NCOM: The National College of Oriental Medicine. This is the school from which both Andrew and Daniel graduated. It is a fully accredited school located in Orlando, FL. For more information, visit their website at: www.ncom.com
Patent Formulas: A pre-made medicinal, usually based on a Classic TCM decoction. Patents come in many forms, plasters, ointments, liniments, syrups, liquors, but are usually in pill form. Patent medicines, like Western Over-The-Counter drugs, are generally for more minor conditions. Typically, they are used for acute conditions like onset of colds or for chronic but stable conditions, like asthma. Patent medicines are more convenient than brewing decoctions and thus are highly suited for taking outside of the home.
Pattern Discrimination: The method by which Chinese Pathology is classified. Unlike Western medicine, the disease entity is not the basis. Pattern Discriminations are much broader and based primarily on how the condition is manifesting in the individual patient.
TCM: An abbreviation for Traditional Chinese Medicine
Traditional Chinese Medicine: The medical system that originated in China approximately 3000 years ago. It consists of not only Acupuncture, but Herbology, Massage (Tuina), Exercise (Tai Qi), Moxabustion, Cupping, Nutrition, and others. TCM has its own pathology system, which uses a broader characterization of illness (Pattern Discriminations) than Western Medicine’s disease based pathology system. Constantly refined and improved over the course of its history, it offers treatments for a wide variety of ailments, both chronic and acute. Its effectiveness, low cost, less invasive nature, and low incidence of side-effects have made it an attractive alternative to conventional care.
Western Medicine: A term used to describe the biological and biochemistry based medical system used in the United States and most Western nations. Sometimes, people use the word Allopathy, but this term is so broad that it includes both TCM and Western Medicine. Western Medicine is the treatment of choice for many life-threatening conditions, including trauma, heart attack, stroke, and cancer. At Southern Acupuncture, we embrace, not reject Western Medicine and its many remarkable contributions to the quality and quantity of our lives. While we believe that TCM offers a better approach for many conditions, we are mindful of the many instances it is best used as an adjunct therapy.