On a first visit to a Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinic a detailed assessment is carried out. All aspects of the person are taken into consideration. Past and current medical history, family, lifestyle, diet and emotional factors are all part of the evaluation.
Traditional Chinese medicine has a long history of diagnosis and treatment that detects subtle imbalances that form before disease appears, for that reason it is often called preventative medicine. TCM consists of the 4 pillars of diagnosis which are touch, sight, sound and smell.
During the assessment the practitioner feels the pulses, looks at your tongue and eyes, and listens to sounds and voice, and smells. The Chinese Medicine Practitioner is looking for subtle quality differences in the six pulse positions detecting the state of qi in the 12 meridians and organs.
During the tongue diagnosis the practitioner looks for changes in the tongues shape, colour, moisture content, and tongue fur or coating to detect the state of qi.
While looking at the patients eyes and listening to the voice and other sounds the practitioner is able to detect the health and quality of the mind or spirit and the level of the patient’s vitality.
Through the sense of smell one can also detect for imbalances through the skin, breath, and other orifices.
If you are currently taking medications you should bring these along for the first consultation.
All patients are treated in the strictest of confidence.
Patients should download and complete the Patient Registration Form. When completed please either post back the completed form before your consultation or bring it with you on the day of your first consultation.
The Day of a Treatment
To get the most out of a treatment the following are important:
- Do not eat an unusually large meal immediately before or after your treatment.
- Do not over-exercise, engage in sexual activity or consume alcoholic beverages within six hours before or after a treatment.
- After a treatment get some rest.
- Continue to take any prescription medications as directed by your GP or Consultant. Do not take any herbal prescriptions at the same time as you take your regular medication.
- If you are prone to fainting or are very unwell as a result of your condition you should bring a companion with you and should not drive home after the treatment.
- If you feel light headed after the needles are removed please rest and refrain from driving.
- Parents receiving treatments must not be accompanied by children.
- Children under 16 receiving treatments must be accompanied by a parent.
- Remember to keep good mental notes or written notes of what your responses to the treatment are. This is very important so that follow up treatments can be designed to best help you and your condition.
