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I'm compelled to write a bit about traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) as I have found a great misunderstanding of this label even among my colleagues.

Traditional Chinese medicine or TCM is a comprehensive health care system. Within this system are many modalities a practitioner may use to treat a patient. These modalities include: acupuncture, herbal medicine, gua sha, Tui Na, moxibustion therapy, cupping therapy, Qigong, exercise counseling, dietary therapy, and lifestyle counseling.

In TCM, we utilize whichever modalities are best suited for an individual patient to promote healing, to prevent disease, and to create a better state of health. Sometimes it is one modality such as acupuncture, sometimes it is a combination. Sometimes it is a mixture of our Eastern medicine combined with Western medical interventions. Both Nhan and I were taught that you need to do what is 'In the best interest of the patient'. This is what we do at Green Dragon. 

There are some clinics currently operating in more of a 'spa' mentality versus a medical clinic. There are 'options' for the patient in regard to their treatment. Offering longer time for their acupuncture needles to be retained, or a patient having the opportunity to just have cupping. We do not subscribe to this approach. Retaining needles for a lengthy period of time does not produce a 'better effect' and can, in some cases do damage to the energy of the body. Having cupping when it is not appropriate for your condition will not promote health and well-being. Additionally, having more needles inserted doesn't create a better effect, nor do more cups all over bring a state of balance.

I hope that this is informative and lessens the adulteration of a medicine that has thousands of years of history and should be protected in its original form.