Chinese Medicine
Chinese Medicine is a comprehensive medical system that has been used to diagnose, treat and prevent illnesses for over 5000 years. It includes not only Acupuncture but also herbology, bodywork, dietary therapy and exercise, and is based on traditional Chinese medical principles.
Chinese Medicine predates western medicine by thousands of years, and as a system stands on its own as a primary care modality. It is grounded in ancient Daoist philosophies concerning universal patterns of movement and balance, and unlike the predominant “localized” approach, it views health holistically as interrelated spheres of influence: mind, body and spirit; individuals and their environments; and a constantly interactive web of experience, awareness, and intention.
Acupuncture, Chinese Herbs and Bodywork strengthen one’s physical and emotional body – to help prevent disease, control pain, soothe and alleviate chronic conditions, and enhance the quality and longevity of life. Practitioners do not treat a diagnosed disease alone – the focus is instead to discern patterns and conditions which harbor and perpetuate imbalances that manifest as disease and illness. The many modalities employed in Chinese Medicine influence energetic pathways – “meridians” – bringing the whole being into equilibrium with both internal and external influences. Current trends in health care show that by integrating these eastern practices with western (allopathic) medicine, patients are better able to enhance and deepen the effectiveness of their efforts to live healthier, more balanced and energetic lives.
Chinese Medicine Treats
Chronic illness
Insomnia
Diabetes/Hypoglycemia
Preventative Health
Fatigue
Allergies
Thyroid Conditions
Liver Problems
Immune System deficiency
Chemotherapy/ Radiation Side Effects
Shingles
Eye, ear, nose, and throat disorders
Attention Deficit Disorder/ ADD
Dizziness
Support for chronic and painful debilitating disorders
Skin Disorders
Acne
Herpes
Rashes/Urticaria
Respiratory Disorders
Sore throat
Colds/Flu
Asthema
Allergies/Hay Fever
Sinusitis
Cough/Bronchitis
Addictions
Smoking
Drug addiction
Alcoholism
Anxiety & Depression
Fatigue
Stress/Tension
Anxiety/Depression
Circulatory Disorders
Hypertension
Heart Problems
Stroke
Palpitations
Angina pectoris
Arteriosclerosis
Gastrointestinal Disorders
Constipation/Diarrhea
Colitis
Ulcers
Hemorrhoids
Food allergies
Gall Bladder Disorders
Indigestion/gastritis
Anorexia
Gynecological Disorders
Infertility/men & women
Fibroids
Menopause
Premenstrual symptoms/PMS
Pre-delivery care
Post-pardum care
Mastitis
Endrometriosis
Morning Sickness
Gynecological disorders/irregular/painful mense
Sexual dysfunction
Dental Disorders
Periodontitis/Gum Disease
Pain Syndromes
Shoulder pain
Toothaches
Headache/Migraines
Tendonitis/Neuralgia
Rheumatism
Sports Injuries
Neck pain/stiffness
Knee pain
Back &Hip pain/Sciatica
Paralysis/Numbness
Arthritis/Joint problems
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Urogenital Disorders
Bladder/Kidney problems/stones
Urinary problems/UTI
Stress Incontinence
Infertility
Prostate problems
Chronic bladder infection
Sexual dysfunction
What to Expect
The initial visit involves an extensive intake to assess medical history, diet, lifestyle, stress, emotions, environmental influences and symptomatology. Chinese medicine diagnoses and treats syndromes rather than diseases.
Diagnostic procedures usually include specific questions about physical functions and mental processes, examination of tongue and pulses, and some palpation to detect areas of deficiency or stagnation. Unique to this medicine is an examination of the patient’s tongue and the taking of a patient’s pulses. These methods allow the practitioner to better understand the internal environment of the patient. Both are more intricate than with Western models. For example, pulse-taking involves six pulse positions allowing the practitioner to understand all 12 meridians. The tongue can show internal heat or cold, deficiency, excess conditions, etc.
Depending on patient preferences and indicated treatment protocols, massage, acupressure, acupuncture, heat therapy, essential oils, cupping, or various other techniques may be applied to achieve longer-lasting results in a shorter amount of time. Individually-tailored granular herbal formulas may be suggested, and dietary/exercise recommendations recommended for daily maintenance between visits.
Subsequent visits last 45 minutes to an hour, and the frequency of treatments will vary with each individual and their needs. Acute syndromes might need two to three treatments per week while the general protocol for treatment of chronic syndromes is four to six weekly treatments. Once a patient realizes satisfactory results from treatment, they are encouraged to maintain a seasonal maintenance schedule in order to stay in balance.
Many conditions may be alleviated very rapidly by Acupuncture and Chinese medicine. However, some conditions that have developed over a course of years will be relieved only with slow, steady progress. As in any form of healing, the patient’s attitude, diet, determination and lifestyle will affect the outcome of a course of treatment. Patients are encouraged to actively participate in their healing process. Although Chinese medicine can treat most conditions, there are circumstances that can be dealt with more effectively by Western medicine. In such cases, I will recommend you contact a Western medical doctor. Acupuncture and Chinese medicine should be seen as complementary to Western medicine.
Marco Chung-Shu Lam
Marco Chung-Shu Lam is a curious and compassionate human being who has a passion for health, the environment and the ability of entrepreneurs to create a better world. He has practiced Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture for over 20 years and is lauded to have a unique style of practice that accelerates his clients breakthroughs in both physically and cognitively arenas. As the clinical director at the Mandala Clinic, he is well known in the Boulder community for supporting elite athletes, business leaders and entrepreneurs in pursuing peak performance and expanded flow states. He is the senior permaculture teacher for the Boulder bioregion and has taught and consulted on regenerative human design for over 25 years. As a well-known professor at Naropa University, he created the permaculture undergraduate curriculum. He has a powerful gift in seeing both the patterns in humans and landscapes. He believes that by insightful observation it is possible to nurture harmonious possibilities for evolution.
He is the founder of two herbal companies, www.PerformanceTea.com and www.FreyaHealth.com, both of which bring the traditional medicine of Asia to address modern health challenges and to support our communities in living lives of peak vitality.
In his free time, Marco is studying the internal martial arts and spagyric alchemy, backcountry skiing, mountain biking and exploring the wildernesses of the West. He and his wife of twenty four years, Jamie, are empty-nesters with their daughter a senior at Colorado College. She is following in the entrepreneurial footsteps of her father with her company, www.chicachocolate.com.