Ian Rawlinson B.A. Lic.Ac. B.Ac.

Chinese medicine has for many thousands of years recognized the
wisdom of maintaining health, rather than curing illness. Traditionally in China patients were
treated when in good health and received free treatment from their practitioner
if they became sick! In China, for countless generations, a traditional present
given to newly wed couples has been Chinese herbs. Herbal formulas are given
because it is recognized throughout Chinese culture that herbs support and
strengthen an individual’s vital energy or chi and help maintain health.

From the perspective of Chinese medicine it is absurd to think
that one day we are healthy and the next day we become sick with a serious
illness, such as a heart attack or kidney failure. Chinese medicine believes that these, and other major
illnesses, are the result of imbalances within the vital energy, chi. It can take years for these imbalances to
form to the point where they finally manifest in a major illness. Detecting the very early signs of
imbalances within the chi and correcting them before they manifest in a serious illness is
the goal of preventive treatment. Acupuncture and Chinese herbs are especially
well suited to helping maintain health because diagnosis and treatment are
based not on a patient’s symptoms, but rather on the energetic imbalances of
the patient’s chi.

One of the most effective ways of detecting imbalances in the chi
is by taking the pulses. Pulse
taking in Chinese medicine is very different from pulse taking in Western
medicine. It is far more subtle and complex, and it takes many years of
practice to master this skill. The
pulses are taken on both wrists and in three positions and at two depths.
Altogether twelve different pulses are evaluated. Each of the twelve pulses is
associated with a particular organ such as the liver, spleen, kidney, etc.
There can be many different qualities in the pulse such as weak, slow,
agitated, or tight. Acupuncture
texts name as many as 28 qualities. Not only is the general quality of each
individual pulse assessed, but also the relative balance of the chi between the different pulses is noted and
used to assess the overall state of a patient’s health. It is possible for
someone to have a Liver pulse that is too full and a pounding excess quality
and for the Kidney pulse to be weak and deficient.

Usually maintenance treatments are given at the change of each
season. At these times during a major transition in nature there is often a
profound effect on our own chi. For instance, as summer transitions into fall there is a decline in the chi. This transition can be supported by
Chinese medicine, which strengthens our system and makes us less susceptible to
colds and flus.

Likewise during major changes in our lives, such as changing
careers, a considerable emotional strain is placed on our whole being.
Detecting subtle changes that these stresses cause at an early stage and
supporting and balancing the chi with Acupuncture and Chinese herbs can reduce the impact of this
stress and help us retain our balance and composure.

More attention is currently being given to cultivating lifestyle
habits that support good health. Regular exercise, a healthy diet, and relaxation
are all very important. These excellent habits combined with preventive care
that Chinese medicine can provide can go a long way maintain our health at the
optimum level and to ensure the priceless blessing of good health.

Ian Rawlinson has practiced Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs in Petaluma
for 23 years.

www.rawlinsonacupuncture.com