You can be assured our staff have received the highest standard of training and regulations in Traditional Chinese Medicine or 'TCM', including Acupuncture, Herbal Medicine, Tui-Na Massage, Cupping and Moxibustion.
Our Senior Practitioner, Dr Biao Yang, is a leading figure in the regulation and education of TCM practitioners in the country. He brings over 30 years of clinical experience to North London, 20 years of which as the Chief of the Acupuncture Department at the most respected hospital in China. He has more than 10 years NHS experience in pain management in two London hospitals.
At Yang's Acupuncture Clinic
Traditional Chinese Medicine believes that two factors are vital for good health: 'Qi' or energy, which should be in ample supply and able to flow freely around the body; and a balance between the opposing conditions of 'Yin' and 'Yang' energies. TCM believes that ill-health is caused by imbalances and disorders in these two areas.A full diagnosis of the patient will establish what types of underlying imbalances that needs medical intervention and will allow the practitioner to create a tailored treatment plan to facilitate the flow of Qi and to restore balances of Yin and Yang.To make a proper diagnosis of the underlying causes of imbalance requires years of training and abundant experience.
Traditional Chinese Medicine believes that the practitioner must consider and make a full assessment of the entire person before he can effectively treat the underlying cause of the patient's symptoms; that to be effective, treatment must be holistic and specific to that individual's overall condition.
For this approach to be effective and safe, it is essential that the practitioner is trained very thoroughly and able to make a precise diagnosis of the patient's underlying condition.
At Yang's Acupuncture Clinic our patients receive the benefit of only the very highest standards of training and experience.
Treatments in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Standards and Regulation
All our medical staff are members of the Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture UK (ATCM) or The British Acupuncture Council. ATCM is the largest regulatory body in the UK for the professional practice of Traditional Chinese Medicine and a leader in the academic study, research and clinical application of TCM. BAcC is the UK's largest professional/self-regulatory body for the practice of traditional acupuncture.
All our members are required to adhere to strict codes of ethics and practice. All members are fully certified in the practice of authentic traditional acupuncture as well as Chinese herbal medicines and Tui-na.
Chinese medicine employs 6 distinct but integrated therapeutic approaches to the treatment of illness: Acupuncture, Tui-na Massage, Cupping, Moxibustion, Herbs as well as Diet and Nutrition. The most effective treatments are likely to be achieved when all the therapeutic approaches are employed in an integrated fashion, tailor-made to the needs of the individual patient. These are all available at Yang's Acupuncture Clinic.
Treatments
Traditional Chinese Medicine holds that disease is the direct result of blockages or irregularities in the flow of Qi, or energy, which could be caused by emotional factors such as anxiety, stress, anger, fear or grief or as a result of infections, poisons, trauma, nutrition or hereditary factors. Acupuncture aims to clear these blockages and restore equilibrium.Very fine needles, much finer than a hypodermic needle, are inserted into the skin and left for 20-30 minutes. Some patients may feel a 'tingle' when the needle is inserted but for most they feel less than even a pinprick. All needles are in sealed, sterile packaging which is opened in front of the patient and are disposable.Acupuncture is frequently used for a very wide variety of symptoms such as neurological and musculo-skeletal problems, digestive disorders, psychological and stress-related illnesses and allergic conditions.
Another technique used is that of massage, which again focusses on the energy channels of the body and applies pressure along the network of meridians and pressure points, aiming to release blockages and restore equilibrium. Finger pressure is used to stimulate energy channels or acupuncture points. It can be performed through clothing or directly onto the skin using oils, according to preference. Tui-na massage follows the same principles as Acupuncture. It is used particularly often for a range of musculo-skeletal problems such as lower back pain, frozen shoulder, slipped discs and for pain relief; and for digestive problems and insomnia.
While Acupuncture and Tui-na may be used to work on specific meridians within the body, the technique of cupping is sometimes used in order to treat an entire area such as the back or a particular limb. A partial vacuum is created within a glass bowl, when applied to the skin, 'sucks' on the skin to which the glass 'cup' is applied. After a few minutes the vacuum will break down and the cup is removed. The therapy can be used in cases where energy is believed to be stagnating, to promote lymphatic drainage within the entire area, to draw out toxins and to promote relaxation.
Moxibustion is a therapy used to treat and prevent diseases by applying burning moxa to stimulate the human body. The material used used for moxibustion is mainly Chinese mugwort leaf which is fragrant and easy to ignite.
There are over 8,000 herbs and many thousands of classical combinations in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. Herbal treatments may be prescribed in the form of teas, pills or powders, each prescription designed for the individual patient. TCM holds that each herb has its own specific characteristics and can rectify under- or over-activity of Yin and Yang so that, after a detailed and precise diagnosis, they can assist with restoring the body to balance. Chinese herbal therapy can only be given effectively by a certified TCM practitioner, such as Dr Yang and the use of 'over the counter' herbs without a skilled and thorough diagnosis can be positively harmful. Herbal treatments are often used for skin diseases, gynaecological complaints, respiratory conditions, allergies, immune system disorders, chronic pain, psychological problems, addictions and childrens diseases. Only herbs are used - no animal products are permitted.
Just as Herbs are held to have Yin or Yang properties, Traditional Chinese Medicine holds that each food has Yin or Yang characteristics and the food one eats can create or correct imbalances within the body.
As part of a full diagnosis of the patient's condition, a practitioner may give advice on foodstuffs which can be taken in generous helpings or would be better taken infrequently or in small helpings.