Not usually. A dull ache often develops at the point (considered to be a good therapeutic sign) but the needles are so fine that people having treatment for the first time are pleasantly surprised, finding the treatment to be very relaxing and therapeutic.

It is estimated that 25% of all drugs originate from natural sources. From this information, we can draw two conclusions. One, herbal medicine possesses tremendous healing powers. Two, the use of herbal medicine should never be taken lightly. Even though the U.S. Food and Drug Administration classify herbs as "dietary supplements," they do possess strong medicinal properties.

Yes. Pediatrics is a specialty within TCM and children can be given reduced dosages. There are also special prepared pediatric medicines in pill and powder form. Chinese herbal medicine can treat colic, the fussiness of teething, earache, diarrhea, cough, and fever in babies and children.

No, not if the formula has been correctly chosen and written. Most of the medicinals in the Chinese materia medica have a very low toxicity compared to even common, over-the-counter Western drugs. When they are prescribed according to a correct TCM pattern diagnosis, they should have virtually no side effects, only beneficial healing results.

Chinese herbology is a system of herbal treatment, it is not applied in the way that most herbs and medicines are used in our Western world. For example, all medicines (including herbal medicines) under western schools of thought are used because they are known to produce certain effects. St. John's Wort and Prozac are used for depression because they are both known to counter depression in the human body. Chinese Herbal Medicine was developed as an integral part of Chinese Medicine.

Western herbalism focuses on symptoms and diseases like headache, sore throat, etc. Chinese herbal medicine is practiced as part of TCM, and is based on an individual's unique pattern diagnosis, as well as their disease diagnosis. This means that TCM patients receive individualized herbal prescriptions called formulas. These formulas can remain the same through treatment, or they can change with each treatment as the disease changes and resolves.

Yes, there is a strong tradition of Western herbal medicine, with its origins going back into folklore. Unfortunately, there seems to be even less published work in this area, so very little evidence exists on which someone with a conventional approach can base advice. Herbalists do spend time taking a good medical history and tend to use creams that can be soothing and act as a good emollient, if nothing else.

Chinese midicine uses and recommends herbs and nutritional supplements from plant, animal, and mineral sources which are traditionally considered safe in Chinese medicinal practices. Only when herbs are taking in large dosages, could possible side effects be observed.

To understand how Chinese medicine works, one must first concede that there is no separation of mind, body, and spirit. The body cannot live without the mind and vice versa. Western medicine seeks to separate and examine each of these components of the human experience in minute detail. Unlike Western medicine, the Eastern system does not seek to quantify the measure of health in the body.

Chinese medicine is probably the safest kind of medicine there is. The needles are all sterile, filiform (solid), and come in single use blister packs in today's medical practice. There is little concern of cross contamination or infection as Chinese Medical Practitioners utilize "universal precautions." If you are taking aspirin or other pain relievers regularly tell your practitioner, since they can exacerbate any minor bruising from the needles.

Traditional Chinese Medicine is effective at treating many common ailments. Pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), allergies, common cold, digestive problems, and menopausal symptoms are commonly treated with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). TCM is also effective in treating many other disorders, including fibromyalgia, arthritis, and depression.