TOP TCM TIPS TO HELP ENRICH YOUR LIFE DURING PREGNANCY

In traditional Chinese medicine, the pregnant woman is regarded as a person who should be taken care of in a unique way. During pregnancy, a lot of hormonal changes take place that not only weaken the woman’s defences but might also put the child she carries at risk. Therefore, traditional Chinese medicine takes care of not only the expectant woman but also the unborn child.

While western medicine also focuses on both the woman and the unborn baby, the TCM approach is more holistic. TCM medicine for pregnant women involves daily regimes, special diets, exercises, and an observation of the woman’s emotional well-being. Here are top TCM tips to help with pregnancy:

1. Exercise with moderation

TCM observes the need for the woman to be active during pregnancy. However, hard exercises can be aching the woman and put the life of the fetus at risk. A pregnant woman should partake of light exercise routines to help improve the flow of chi and blood in her body. When the flow of chi is at maximum, not only the life of the woman gets better, but also the life of the fetus. TCM does not encourage strenuous exercises for pregnant women as it can cause premature birth or even abortion.

2. Observe your emotions

Extreme fluctuations of emotions are harmful to the pregnant woman and the fetus. When the woman gets too happy, the heart chi goes down. On the other hand, sadness weakens the kidneys, anger causes a lot of heat in the lungs, and gloom stagnates chi in the spleen. The extremes in emotions interfere with the natural flow of chi and cause fatigue to both the mother and the fetus. You should, therefore, avoid situations that make you either too happy or too sad. 

3. Use the right herbs because different herbs have different potency

A pregnant woman must be careful in choosing the herbs she uses during the pregnancy. Even so, the herbs must be used in the right mixture to achieve a safe quality. Herbs that boost digestion, blood flow, and strengthen immunity should be used in the proper dosage.

However, herbs that are used in cleansing and detoxification should be avoided as some herbs might recognise the fetus as a foreign body to be flushed out the system. TCM involves the use of potent herbs. Therefore, the use of herbs during pregnancy must be guided by someone who has experience in Chinese medicine to avoid such cases as accidental abortions or severe discomfort to the woman and prolonged distress to the unborn.

4. Eat healthy food

While choosing food, the woman should eat foods that give her strength. TCM recommends that the woman should not only limit foods to those that appeal to her taste buds. Instead, she should eat foods that favour the growth and development of the fetus. Some of the most recommended foods for pregnant women include;

  • Celery
  • Eggs
  • Fish
  • Beans
  • Lean meat
  • Carbohydrates such as bread, cereals, pasta, and grains
  • Fresh fruits and vegetables
  • Plenty of water to curb dehydration

The foods above give strength to the woman and supply her with the much-needed energy. They also nourish her health, boost her immunity and fosters the development of the fetus. 

The foods that should be avoided during pregnancy include:

  • Hot spices as they may cause eczema on the skin of the fetus.
  • Cold energy foods such as beans sprouts, asparagus and watermelon as they slow down the activity of the spleen and enzymatic actions in the stomach.
  • Oily foods as they cause damage to the spleen because they are hard to digest.
  • Salty foods should be avoided after seven months as they cause inflammation. 

5. Do not smoke or drink alcohol

The TCM recognises the spleen and the stomach as the sources of Qi energy and XUE blood. For the fetus to grow, it needs a sufficient supply of energy and blood from the mother. When a pregnant woman smokes or takes alcohol the spleen and the stomach will be weakened hence will not produce enough energy and blood to keep the fetus in perfect health. If a mother takes alcohol, the baby will be born with intrauterine toxins which will cause frequent attacks from allergens.

In summary, the TCM observes how vulnerable a pregnant woman is. It, therefore, advocates for these safety tips to help improve the health of the woman not only through pregnancy but also to fortify the life of the baby after birth.

Sydney Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine ( SITCM) is a leading training institute in the practice of TCM. SITCM is registered by Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency and thus has an approved capacity to offer higher education on Chinese medicine.

If you need to practice TCM either for profit or to improve your family’s health, contact us. We will be glad to share the knowledge. 

Click below to download our FREE guide on Studying Traditional Chinese Medicine.

TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE AND THE USE OF INTERMITTENT FASTING FOR HEALTH

There are two ways of getting energy for daily function, one is burning the nutrients from food, the carbohydrates and sugars especially. The other is burning stored fats. When we are eating, we derive energy to serve our muscular functions from the nutrients in the food. Extra nutrients are changed into fats which can be quickly oxidised or burned to supply energy if needed. When we fast or do not eat, if the body needs the energy to function, the reserves of fat are called up to be oxidised and provide energy for activities of the body that calls for it. After a meal, fat is stored. Between meals, stored fat is slowly released, keeping body cells supplied with energy. The brain needs the immediate, easily oxidised converted sugars (glucose) from food, the bodily organs burn the energy from stored fats. When we eat, nutrition not immediately burned is stored as fats. If we eat too much, we store excess fats until we have more stored fats than the body will reasonably use.

Supporting Balance.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) looks at the body in terms of balances. The function of fasting is to briefly deprive the body of body of food nutrients, and require the body to supply its needs from stored fats. By fasting, we control the balance of using up fats and collecting fats. In effect, we control the flow of fat intake and storage. When energy consumption (usually called “calorie consumption”: calories are the medical measures of heat from oxidizing food or fat) is in balance, excess fat is not being stored and the body has enough stored energy to cope with periods of low food consumption like fighting infection or coping with illness until a new supply of nutrient can be added through food consumption. When we eat more calories than we need, the body gets out of balance. Fat stores build up leading to obesity with its problems caused by the imbalance.

Fat, Protein, and Carbohydrates

Fat is the best form of converted nutrients for storing energy. Food is also converted into protein and carbohydrates (glycogens). Protein and glycogen use space by containing 2 grams of water per gram of nutrient stored. Protein and glycogen can only store 4 calories of energy for every gram of weight. Fat can store 9 calories of energy per gram of material. Fat has very little water in it. Protein and glycogen materials are best converted by the body into structures, like a muscle, bone, and connective tissue. Fats are best converted into energy. Thus, the benefits of semi-regular or intermittent fasting are a better nutritional balance that leads to longer-life, blood sugar regulation, better body composition (not too much fat, and better body density). 

Kinds of Fasting

The benefits of fasting are debated among practitioners of TCM. Not everyone benefits from it and some people, with special health problems, should definitely not fast. However, fasting can lower certain markers for chronic diseases like diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular disease.

There are three main kinds of fasting. One of these styles of fasting may be recommended to people with particular lifestyles.

  1. Time-restricted feeding: You eat only during daylight. There is no food intake in the evening and night. TCM always recognised the early meal as the most beneficial to health. If you eat only during earlier hours it gives your body more time to incorporate food and repair itself.
  2. Intermittent calorie restriction: You restrict food intake to 800 to 1,000 calories for two consecutive days of the week. You may, for instance, have only one big meal for two days of the week and eat a healthy balanced diet for the rest of the week.
  3. Period fasting: You restrict your food intake to very limited (maybe as little as a cup of soup a day) for up to three to five days. TCM does caution that this kind of fasting is not recommended for everyone. It is very extreme and can lead to serious health effects.

The Sydney Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine offers a Bachelor of Traditional Chinese Medicine (BTCM) which is accredited by TEQSA and approved by the Chinese Medicine Board of Australia (CMBA) for practitioner registration in all three divisions: Acupuncture, Chinese Herbal Dispensing, and Chinese Herbal Medicine. Please contact us to learn more.

5 IMPORTANT THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN STARTING YOUR OWN TCM BUSINESS

Every student of Traditional Chinese Medicine looks forward to graduating and starting their TCM career! It’s a rewarding path, so naturally, you’re eager to get going. Still, before you start your own TCM business, there are several important things you need to consider. Here are five of them:

Get a Mentor

You’ve learned a lot about Traditional Chinese Medicine while earning your degree, but there’s still so much to learn as you start your practice and work with people. Truly, your education will never end, but formal schooling is only one way to go about learning more. Finding a mentor can help you get your career on track.

Every mentorship is different. The first step is finding someone you truly confident as a business person and a TCM practitioner. A mentor is more than a friend: it’s someone who will be honest with you and offer constructive criticism when necessary. It’s important to work with someone who wants to be a mentor, otherwise, they’ll never give you the guidance you need, no matter how good they are at business or TCM; together, you’ll agree to an arrangement that works for you. This might be as simple as a monthly lunch meeting where you ask questions and discuss the month’s successes and areas for improvement.

Find the Right Location

There are several aspects to this. First, you can choose the city or town where you’d like to practice. Then, you may find it useful to select an under-served area of that city: for example, you might not want to open your business down the street from another TCM business. In some cases that might work out just fine, but you need to do your research on the demographics, who is already being served, and how you can reach your target market.

From there, you need to select the right space. Rent is one consideration, as is the size and shape of the space (do you want a room to grow or will you move into a new space when you hire a second TCM practitioner) and the availability of parking. Is it easy for people to find? Is it close to public transportation?

Hone Your Business Skills

Being a skilled and knowledgeable acupuncturist has nothing to do with business. You need to write a solid business plan and marketing plan. As you know, you have to take special care when advertising acupuncture and herbal medicine services to comply with the law; you need to ensure you’re up-to-speed on all codes and guidelines regarding marketing as well as the practice itself. Your mentor may be able to help you with your business plan, or you may want to consider hiring someone to work with you or getting a business partner.

Network

It’s important to meet people in your community. Some of your new contacts may end up being customers of yours, or they might recommend someone to you or partner with you in some way, perhaps on a marketing strategy. Others may be able to offer tips and insight. Networking is essential for success in any business.

You can do this in a lot of ways. There are formal networking groups you can join; you should also plan to attend a variety of events in your community in a professional or personal capacity.

Set Yourself Apart

What will help you become a highly-sought Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner? You might consider specialising in one area, for example, or you can focus on building an exceptional community around your business or creating a top-notch customer experience. There are a lot of ways to stand out: consider your strengths and what you bring to your profession, and build upon that.

At the Sydney Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, we are committed to helping you achieve your career goals. If you have any questions about enrolling in a program to become a TCM practitioner, please contact us.

Click below to download our FREE guide on Studying Traditional Chinese Medicine.  

HOW TO BECOME A SUCCESSFUL TCM PRACTITIONER

Many people in Australia are excited about Traditional Chinese Medicine. It is a discipline for healing that is non-intrusive, makes maximum use of the body’s natural mechanisms for healing, and is devoted to the fundamental doctrine of the health professions, “Do no harm.” TCM is an ancient field, but it is also at the forefront of modern thinking about the body.

Are you asking yourself how do you become a practitioner of TCM? You can do so in three steps, not necessarily easy but achievable if you have the right tools and guidance.  Getting a degree in a medical field is never easy. You have to study and practice. But when you qualify you will find a career with endless possibilities for exciting new learning and meeting the needs of human beings.

When you commit yourself to the study of TCM, you commit yourself to four years of full-time study or a longer period of study on a part-time basis. When you complete your courses and your practical clinical supervision, you will have earned a Bachelor’s Degree in TCM and certification in the practice of clinical acupuncture. The course is approved by the Chinese Medicine Board of Australia in all areas: Acupuncture, Chinese Herbal Medicine, and Chinese Herbal Dispensing.

What are the steps?

I-  Have fun  Researching and  APPLY

Set some time apart to check out what is out there. Research colleges that have the desired course, go to their Open Days, while you are there, make sure you ask questions as many as you wish. The questions can be from the course length, classes time, internship positions or industry affiliation.  if you prepare yourself before the Open Day the changes to make the most out of the sessions and have all information needed, will help you later to make a better decision on what college you feel most comfortable with. 

After making a decision on where to study, is time to apply for a course. 

Apply to the Sydney Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine (SITCM). To be considered for admission you must have completed the High School Certificate (HSC), and the received an Australian Tertiary Admission Rank at a level that would enable you to be admitted to an Australian University (or an equivalent international standard). Some alternatives that would qualify you for admission if you come from outside Australia or were evaluated in a different way. The courses are taught in English. Proficiency in English is required.

Learn more about careers in TCM

II. Complete the coursework. 

This brief statement sounds easy, but it is challenging. The coursework is stimulating, It is taught by experienced professionals. Much of the TCM curriculum resembles the kinds of courses you would take if you went to a program of study in Western Medicine. These courses are mandatory if you are to understand the way the human body works.

  • Courses like Human Anatomy and Physiology, Pathology, Microbiology are taught in years one and two to give you a grounding that is shared across all medical fields. 
  • Courses that give you a grounding in Chinese medicine itself begin in Year one with fundamentals of theory, channels and points, and the fundamentals of herbal medicine.

More advanced topics in TCM begin in year two.

  • The program in year two includes the study of research methods. Acupuncture, including practical experience, is introduced in year two.

Year three begins the study of the classical basis of TCM in Chinese literature.

Year four begins the focus on more practical courses.

  • Year four introduces practical applications in pharmacology, acupuncture, herbal medicine, TCM gynecology, pediatrics. In year four, students get a grounding in the realities of clinical practice. 
  • You will be expected to complete an original research project in year four as well.

III. Complete the required practicum

Observers in TCM are required to complete a prescribed period of clinical practice in the clinic under the supervision of advanced certified practitioners. Students will experience the full range of TCM practice which is open to serve the public. Chinese medicine practitioners must be licensed under the national registration and accreditation scheme with the Chinese Board of Australia. Categories of registration include separate divisions of 

  • Acupuncture.
  • Chinese herbal medicine.
  • Chinese herbal dispensing.

The certification assures the public that the practitioner has completed a list of essential courses of study and practice to a satisfactory level of proficiency and have completed the required practical training at SITCM Teaching Clinic. There are four areas of education recommended to the board:

  1. Australian health care context.
  2. Restricted herbs.
  3. Internal medicine.
  4. The final clinical practice unit or a clinical competency test.

The opportunities are countless after the course, you can work in clinics, hotels or open your own business.

Sydney Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine ( SITCM) is registered with the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) as an approved higher education provider (PRV12177), the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) as a registered training organisation, and is registered on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS). Please contact us to learn more.

Click below to download our FREE guide on Studying Traditional Chinese Medicine.  

NATURAL WAYS TO DETOXIFY YOUR BODY WITH FOODS AND HERBS

The human body has many systems that function to detoxify itself. The kidney, the liver, skin cells, and lungs actively remove toxins as they operate. Yet the idea of an external detoxifier remains popular in the culture and in the marketplace. Much of this detoxification marketplace is discounted by medical science.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) lends its voice to the idea that healthy bodies should be left to operate without additional substances and artificial detoxification. The perspective of TCM is stated as “Go with the flow of nature and use its unlimited power to achieve and maintain a healthy balanced body.”

However, TCM looks at the body as a reflection of nature. When the seasons change, the human body echoes those changes. When health issues arise, TCM can interpret those problems as signs that the body is not in harmony with nature.

Self Filtration and Toxin Removal.

The colon contains bacteria that produce both healthy and unhealthy chemicals. The colon has to keep moving regularly since its main role is to flush out toxic chemicals before they can do any harm.

The kidneys are constantly filtering the blood to clear toxins in the urine.

The liver is related to Spring. The Springtime is the best time to enhance the functioning of the liver. TCM rebalances the liver using certain foods and herbs that Chinese doctors found to resonate with the liver’s energy. 

TCM practitioners might prescribe good food and herbs to help with liver detox such as:

 

  • Bamboo
  • Broccoli.
  • Rabe.
  • Dandelion.
  • Eggplant.
  • Fennel.
  • Scallions.

Secondly, the “warm essence of”

  • Garlic.
  • Ginger.
  • Lemon.

And the sour taste of

  • Vinegar-based foods.
  • Pickled foods.

 

Superfoods

TCM does not follow the trend toward detoxifying herbs but does subscribe to the theory that certain foods enhance the energy that controls the function of specific bodily organs.

  • Apricots have been used as a healing food for thousands of years. They support the body against heart disease, reducing high blood pressure, reducing thirst, and calming coughs.
  • Mung beans support the entire body and strengthen the stomach and liver. 
  • Honey can aid in controlling allergies.
  • Daikin radish is a superfood that is widely believed to rebalance the digestive system and boost the immune system.

Helping the Body Detoxify Itself. 

TCM points out that it is possible for the body’s natural detoxification channels to weaken. Sometimes the natural detoxification process has to be strengthened.  TCM believes that the best way to detoxify the body is through

  • Sweating. You can foster perspiration by exercising
  • Warming. You can warm the body with a heating pad or hot water bottle. This relieves the spleen and stomach.
  • Heat clearing, clearing and sedating pathogenic heat for various kinds of deep and hot symptoms. This is part of the process of killing germs or either consuming soups or teas.
  • Regulating elimination to reduce indigestion, bloating, dry mouth and throat.
  • Harmonization techniques including maximizing Qi energy by avoiding information overload and avoiding sources of radiation.

TCM doctors warn that taking over-the-counter products to detoxify the body could cause ingestion of substances that could do more harm than good. Detoxification is about resting, cleansing, and nourishing the body inside and out. Making sure the detoxification systems of your body are working to remove toxins and then feeding your body with healthy nutrients can protect you from diseases and renew the body’s ability to maintain good health. A TCM detoxification program may include:

  • Fasting to rest the organs.
  • Stimulating the liver to take toxins out of the body.
  • Promoting elimination through the intestines, kidneys, and skin.
  • Improving the circulation of the blood.
  • Refuelling the body with healthy nutrients.

The Sydney Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine ( SITCM) has been producing industry-ready practitioners in Traditional Chinese Medicine in Australia since 1984. The Institute was established to promote the growth and development of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) within our community and the health profession by providing accredited courses of the highest standards. Please contact us to learn more.

Click below to download our FREE guide on Studying Traditional Chinese Medicine. 

6 SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS OF TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE FOR THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM

Many people look at Traditional Chinese Medicine as inherently opposed to Western medicine. That’s because Western doctors typically have not experimented with Eastern medicine. In reality, however, they’re complementary. Traditional Chinese medicine has made significant impacts on the healthcare system, such as:

Relevance of Natural Products and Chinese Medicine

Many of the prescription drugs typically include natural products that compete with completely synthesised drugs. Chinese medicinal plants have been instrumental in creating 140 new drugs. Their unique properties were not found in any other natural products except for those in China, and it is those very properties that have helped Western medicine.

So far, the Traditional Chinese Medicine therapies most frequently sought out by Westerners are acupuncture, herbal medicine, and cupping. TCM practitioners must be nationally registered and accredited with the Chinese Medicine Board in Australia and practice in accordance with their registration standards.

Drug-Free Pain Relief Alternative

It’s a hassle for people to continuously add new medications to their daily regimen, and there’s always a risk of drug interactions. Patients who use acupuncture, cupping, and Gua Sha are not expected to experience any impediment to their lives, such as the opioid restriction on operating heavy machinery. Herbal remedy practitioners are trained to avoid adverse reactions.

HELP IN THE Treatment for Acute and Chronic Ailments

Often patients get to use acupuncture for effective relief of pain and other symptoms in one or a series of sessions. Evidence shows moderate effectiveness for pain, insomnia, pain, digestion and stress issues, and strong effects for ailments from pain to chemotherapy side effects. 

Best of Both Worlds to help DIFFERENT TreatmentS

Western doctors of psychology are familiar with a holistic approach to trauma called Somatic Experiencing. The theory behind it is that we store our emotions and memories in the body and by engaging in Somatic Experiencing or some other form of bodywork, patients can release their emotions, process trauma, change their behaviour and experience better psychosomatic health.

The approach to Chinese medicine is also holistic: It aims to treat both the symptoms and the underlying cause or causes. However, it contrasts with traditional Western philosophy which separates the mind, body, and emotions. Another difference is that Western philosophy holds that the mind is the soul, whereas in Eastern philosophy the heart (the centre of emotions) is the soul. Western medical doctors attempt to focus purely on the physical; acupuncture seeks to change the flow of Qi (energy) in the body.

Western doctors discovered the existence of psychosomatic disorders, in which mental and situational stress exacerbated existing health issues and pain or caused a weakening of the immune system, leading to illness. Stress is nervous energy. Hence, changing how energy flows in the body allows for the release of excess energy or redirecting energy to weaker areas of the body.

Health Maintenance 

Continued treatments boost the immune system and lessen the frequency, severity, and duration of conditions and illnesses. They also function as preventatives. The appeal of Chinese medicine has been rising since its introduction in Australia in the 19th century as a complement or supplement to Western medicine. 

Professionalism

An imitation version of acupuncture exists, but with huge differences. Dry needling uses filament needles but disregards the Chinese meridian points and involves very little training with neither registration nor standards of practice. The most common serious side effect is a pneumothorax, or lung collapse from the air inside the chest wall.

In comparison, the requirements for practices such as acupuncture encourage Western medical doctors to take TCM seriously with the appeal of serious study, practice based on quantitative research, and safety standards. Registration and accreditation standards also exist for Chinese herbal medicine, cupping and Gua Sha (skin scraping). These requirements ensure the professionalism of the practitioner and the lowest risk of side effects to patients.

If you’re interested in the news or study of Traditional Chinese Medicine, contact us.Click below to download our FREE guide on Studying Traditional Chinese Medicine.