Although the most commonly known form of Chinese medicine in America is known as Traditional Chinese Medicine (or TCM), the name itself is somewhat misleading.
Chinese medicine is a medicine with very deep roots in the traditions of ancient China. The main text of the medicine, The Yellow Emperors Classic of Internal Medicine has been traced back to approximately 250 BC. This book itself was rooted in the far more ancient I Ching.
Countless traditions of application of this medical tradition have sprung up over time, however they shared these these fundamental texts in common.
The worldview of these traditions and texts is one of interdependence and organic wholeness, with the universe itself built upon holistic patterns. This view is one that we could call pre-scientific. It is not anti-scientific, but it is empirical and tested over millennia for its efficacy.
Traditional or Classical Chinese Medicine is a recent invention, created in response to the appearance of Western Biomedicine in China. It was assembled by, primarily, Chinese herbalists and Biomedically-oriented physician in an effort to bridge the two medicines in Communist China. This was a noble and valid project and the Chinese Medicine world has gained much from it. However, and this is a large however, the effort also exacted a large price and much “baby was tossed out with the bathwater”.
Movements back toward Classical (the pre-TCM version) Chinese Medicine have appeared in the United States and elsewhere in order to reclaim valued parts of this lost heritage.
We are strong believers in the classical tradition and bring a great deal of post-graduate traing, study, and practice to your treatments. The Classical tradition brings Chinese medicine to life. Without it, the medicine is less full, holistic, and insightful.
While not leaving behind the advances of TCM, or of western biomedicine, medical testing, or naturopathic traditions, we seek to marry the best of the past with the best of the present.