Boston, MA  •  617-733-4492  •  Londonderry, NH • 603-432-7777 ext. 83

Oriental Medicine

The theories and methods of Oriental Medicine have been used for thousands of years to successfully treat many conditions.  Oriental Medicine works by balancing the energy of the body (“Qi”, pronounced chee ) which promotes health and healing.  Qi, translated as “life force”, travels throughout a network of channels within the body called meridians.  Meridians can be thought of as rivers of energy that irrigate and nourish cells, tissues, organs, and muscles.  When Qi is flowing freely and evenly through the meridians one is in a state of balance and good health.  However, if the free-flow of Qi is obstructed or if energy is depleted, then pain and illness may arise.  Many factors can contribute to disrupting this delicate balance including injury and trauma, poor nutrition, emotional or physical stress, lack of exercise, overworking, environmental factors, exposure to toxins, and individual constitution.

Practitioners of Oriental Medicine are trained to diagnose and treat a Qi imbalance.  Oriental Medicine is holistic in nature, so all aspects of a person are considered diagnostically relevant.  Even the smallest detail points toward the entirety of an individual and can be an important clue towards finding where an imbalance may be.  During an initial appointment, practitioners of Oriental Medicine gather information by asking, seeing, hearing, and feeling.  An extensive intake will be conducted during which questions regarding all aspects of an individual's health will be asked.  Subtle details of an individual will be noted by the practitioner such as facial hues and voice qualities.  Pulses will be taken and variables such as rate, depth, strength, and quality will be felt.  Acupoints (points along meridians commonly treated with acupuncture or massage) may be palpated to identify tender or reactive areas.  The tongue will be examined and its color, shape, cracks, and coating will be noted.  A practitioner of Oriental Medicine is constantly picking up clues, all of which speak about an individual as a whole and lead to the proper diagnosis and treatment.

Different treatment modalities are used in Oriental Medicine to restore a state of balance and wellness.  Acupuncture, herbal medicine, heat therapy, diet and nutrition, massage, and lifestyle suggestions are all modalities a practitioner of OM is trained to use to treat and prevent illness, disease and pain.  Appropriate treatment is considered on an individual basis for each patient.  Different treatments may be used to treat the same condition in different people.  The same treatment may be used to treat different conditions in different people.

Jaimie Champagne, Lic.Ac., MAOM, Dipl.Ac.

Boston Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine

59 Temple Place, Suite 223

Boston, MA 02111

617-733-4492

&

Berkana Bodywork Therapies

Tower Hill Professional Park

182 Rockingham Road #8

Londonderry, NH 03053

603-432-7777 ext. 83

www.berkanamassage.com