Based on a week 4 assignment in my Doctor of Acupuncture program.

How many of you have been sore after a workout or feel that old injury having a slight flare-up of pain and inflammation?

In Oriental Medicine Pain is like a dam, with excess on one side and deficiency on the other. The greater the difference between the two, the greater the pain we experience.

Harmonizing the bodies Qi and blood flow or as we say in the west moving our bodies energy, fluids, and blood to balance and reducing pain and inflammation. Reducing stress and tension and improving sleep is a natural result of treating a patient.

As a licensed acupuncturist and I have a certification in Chinese Herbal Medicine. I have seen many patients who have had work or sports injuries, or soreness and pain after workouts and most often reduced that 8 out 10 ache to 0 to 2 for at least 3 days.

Oriental Medicine as a maintainer and restorer of health provides a comprehensive,

holistic, effective and safe treatment plan to reach our optimal health.

Main Points:

Three points of the time-tested methods of Oriental medicine mirrors Hippocrates and western medicine.

1. Both eastern and western medicine has a 2,500 year old history (Me&Qi, 2025;

Murrell, 2018).

2. Clinical Experience - Theories - Practicing Physicians - Publications (Me&Qi, 2025;

Murrell, 2018).

3. The body is viewed an integrated whole that is part of the environment so the many

facets of treatments: acupuncture, herbal medicine, Moxibustion, cupping, Tui Na,

Tai Chi, Qi Gong, and dietary therapy (Gaia Herbs, 2023; Traditional Chinese

Medicine World Foundation, 2025).

Acupuncture as a popular facet of Orient Medicine treatment.

1. Acupuncture is the inserting of fine sterile needles into the body at specific

stimulation points known as acupuncture points (American Society of

Acupuncturists, 2018).

2. They affect what Oriental Medicine calls the flow of Qi (vital energy) and blood or

the west the treatment and management of disease or conditions by the stimulation

(American Society of Acupuncturists, 2018).

3. As a comprehensive system of a unified body their are 361 standard and 48 extra

points along 14 meridian channels (Won Institute of Graduate Studies. (n.d.).

4. The needling activates numerous biochemical and neurological mechanisms and

regulates the activity of pain sensation (American Society of Acupuncturists, 2018).

It even effects the very muscles and fascia of the body (Langevin et al., 2001).

Acupuncture acts as a stress reliever, and improves sleep (Garner et al., 2018).

Oriental Medicine works on maintaining health, preventing disease, and aiding the

body in self-healing. 

It is rooted in a long history of clinical practice and success.

1. At the center is Yang Sheng (nurturing life) in maintaining the balance or harmony of

the body to end disease (Traditional Chinese Medicine World Foundation,2025)

2. Prevention: The Yellow Emperor’s Inner Classic of Medicine from 2nd century BC:

“The sages did not treat those who were already ill but treated those who were not yet ill. They

did not try to put in order what was already in disorder but tried to prevent disorder from arising

in the first place” (p. xiv). (Deadman, 2016, p. xiv).”

3. Aiding the bodies self-healing (Traditional Chinese Medicine World Foundation. (2025). “As a

general principle for nurturing life, nothing is preferable to knowing the root cause. If the root

cause is known, sickness will never arise (Deadman, 1016).”

Conclusion

Oriental Medicine was practiced by many martial artists, warriors, and sages and thus

is poised to address the many aches, pains, and stresses we face in the gym or in everyday life. It has a 2,500 year old time tested history that is dates back to Hippocrates, acupuncture is a popular facet of Oriental medicine treatment, and works by maintaining health, preventing disease, aiding the bodies self-healing.

References:

American Society of Acupuncturists.(2018, October). Introduction to Acupuncture Introduction

to Acupuncture Formed Medical Professionals. https://www.asacu.org/wp-content/uploads/

2018/11/One-Page-Document-for-Medical-Professionals_October-2018.pdf

Gaia Herbs. (2023, June 31). A Complete Overview of Traditional Chinese Medicine. https://

www.gaiaherbs.com/blogs/seeds-of-knowledge/traditional-chinese-medicine

Garner, B. K., Hopkinson, S. G., Ketz, A. K., Landis, C. A., & Trego, L. L. (2018).

Auricular Acupuncture for Chronic Pain and Insomnia: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Medical acupuncture, 30(5), 262–272. https://doi.org/10.1089/acu.2018.1294

Langevin, H. M., Churchill, D. L., & Cipolla, M. J. (2001). Mechanical signaling through

connective tissue: a mechanism for the therapeutic effect of acupuncture. FASEB

Journal,15(12), 2275–2282. https://doi.org/10.1096/fj.01-0015hyp

Me&Qi. (2025). Basic concepts. https://www.meandqi.com/tcm-education-center/basic-concepts

Murrell, D. (2018, November 9). What is ancient Greek Medicine? Medical News Today. https://

www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323596#hippocrates