...

Diagnosis and treatment in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is based on thousands of years
of studying the purpose, flow, and impact of Qi (energy) in the body. TCM therapies include
acupuncture, Chinese herbs, Asian bodywork, moxibustion, cupping and Qigong, to name a
few. The basic foundation for TCM is that Qi (pronounced “Chee”), or the life energy, flows
through the body. This energy flows in channels known as meridians that connect all of our
major organs. According to Chinese medical theory, illness arises when the cyclical flow of Qi in
the meridians becomes unbalanced or is blocked.

The most well-known traditional Chinese medical procedure, acupuncture is the practice of
inserting sterilized, stainless-steel needles (that are often as fine as a human hair) into the body
at specific points to relieve pain or treat a disease. Acupuncture points are areas of designated
electrical sensitivity. Stimulation of these points has been shown to be effective in the treatment
of specific health problems. They have been mapped out by the Chinese over a period of more
than 2,000 years.

The earliest recorded use of acupuncture dates from 200 BCE. Knowledge of acupuncture
spread from China along Arab trade routes towards the West. Up until the early 1970s,
however, most Americans had never heard of acupuncture. Acupuncture was formally
recognized as part of mainstream medicine’s range of healing options in 1997, when the
National Institutes of Health issued a statement documenting its safety and efficacy for a range
of health conditions. The use of acupuncture is on the rise in the United States. Between 1997
and 2007 the number of visits among adults nearly tripled, rising from 27.2 to 79.2 per 1,000
adults. According to the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), approximately 3.1 million
adults in the United States used acupuncture in 2006, a 47-percent increase from the 2002
estimate.

There is increasing scientific evidence proving the efficacy of acupuncture for the treatment of
medical ailments, including chemotherapy-induced nausea, autoimmune disorders, chronic
back pain, hypertension, and allergic rhinitis. The World Health Organization recognizes almost
one hundred diseases, symptoms, or conditions for which acupuncture is effective. Much of the
research on acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine is being conducted by universities,
research institutions, and the National Institutes of Health.

The insertion of needles into specific points can alter biochemical and physiological conditions
in order to treat a wide variety of illnesses.
Research suggests that the needling process, and other modalities used in acupuncture, may
produce their complex effects in a wide variety of ways in the brain and the body. For example,

stimulated nerve fibers are believed to transmit signals to the spinal cord and brain, thus
activating parts of the central nervous system. The spinal cord and brain then release certain
hormones responsible for making us feel better overall and, more specifically, feel less pain.
Acupuncture may regulate blood circulation and body temperature. It may also affect white
blood cell activity (responsible for our immune function), reduce cholesterol and triglyceride
levels, and regulate blood sugar levels. In general, acupuncture appears to transmit its effects
via electric, neurologic, hormonal, lymphatic, and electromagnetic wave pathways.

In addition to asking questions about your health, the acupuncturist may want to take your pulse
at several locations along the wrist, and look at your tongue to observe its shape, color, and
coating. He or she may also observe the color and texture of your skin, your complexion, and
other physical characteristics that offer clues to your health. The acupuncturist then asks you to
lie down on a padded examining table, and he or she inserts the needles, twirling or gently
stimulating each as it goes in. You may not feel the needles at all, or you may feel a quick
twinge that subsides as soon as the needle is completely in. Once the needles are all in place,
you rest for 15 to 60 minutes. During this time, you’ll probably feel relaxed and sleepy and may
even doze off. At the end of the session, the acupuncturist quickly and painlessly removes the
needles. The acupuncturist might also discuss diet, exercise, and lifestyle recommendations, as
well as herbal supplements.

The number of acupuncture treatments you need depends on the complexity of your illness,
whether it is a chronic or recent condition, and your general health. For example, you may need
only one treatment for a recent wrist sprain, whereas for a long-standing, chronic illness you
may need treatments once or twice a week for several months to get desired results.

Acupuncture is particularly effective for pain relief and for post-surgery and chemotherapy-
associated nausea and vomiting. In addition, both the World Health Organization and the
National Institutes of Health recognize that acupuncture can be a helpful part of a treatment plan
for many illnesses. A partial list includes: addiction (such as alcoholism), asthma, bronchitis,
carpal tunnel syndrome, constipation, diarrhea, facial tics, fibromyalgia, headaches, irregular
periods, low back pain,menopausal symptoms, menstrual cramps, osteoarthritis, sinusitis,
spastic colon (often called irritable bowel syndrome), stroke rehabilitation, tendonitis, tennis
elbow, and urinary problems such as incontinence. You can safely combine acupuncture with
prescription drugs and other conventional treatments, but it is important for your primary care
physician to be aware of and to monitor how your acupuncture treatment may be affecting your
conventional therapies.

Acupuncture is currently covered by many major insurance companies in the United States;
however, acupuncture coverage varies greatly depending on the company and individual plan.
There are also many components to an acupuncture treatment that an insurance company
may only cover partly or not at all. It is important to check with your insurance company to see
what coverage your plan offers.

Chinese herbal medicine treats the full range of human disease such as acute illness--like flu
and the common cold--to chronic disease, such as allergies, gynecological disorders,
autoimmune diseases, chronic viral diseases, and degenerative diseases due to aging. Herbal
medicine can also help to maintain or create balance and health before disease sets in.

Chinese Herbal Medicine is one of the great herbal systems of the world. The literate tradition of
case histories extends back to the Han Dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD). Therapeutic categories
include digestives, materials that improve circulation, nervous system calming agents,
antimicrobials and more.

Traditional Chinese herbal medicine consists of over 11,500 substances derived from plant,
animal, and mineral sources. If you are opposed to the use of animal products in your treatment,
please let your practitioner know. AOMA practitioners do not use substances from endangered
species.

Many pharmaceuticals are derived from herbal medicine. However, drugs usually rely on
singular molecular compounds, many of which are isolated extracts of the plants’ active
ingredients. Using the whole plant in herbal medicine is more balanced and less likely to cause
side effects. Chinese herbs are usually prescribed in combination to increase the efficacy of the
formula and help decrease any possible side effects. Most importantly, for an herbalist, the goal
of treatment is not to simply relieve symptoms but to treat the internal imbalance at the root of
the problem.

It is very important to let your practitioner know about any pharmaceuticals that you are
currently taking. In most cases, taking Chinese herbs is not contraindicated for people
who are also taking pharmaceutical drugs. There are some exceptions to this, however,
so it is very important to only take herbs that have been prescribed by a licensed
practitioner.

Chinese herbal medicine can be used to treat a wide variety of conditions, including, but
not limited to:
Skin conditions, including eczema, psoriasis, acne, rosacea, and hives,
Gastrointestinal disorders, including irritable bowel syndrome, chronic constipation, and
ulcerative colitis,
Gynecological conditions, including pre-menstrual syndrome and dysmenorrhea,
endometriosis, and infertility,
Respiratory conditions, including asthma, bronchitis, chronic coughs, and allergies,
Rheumatological conditions (e.g. osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis),
Urinary conditions including chronic cystitis,
Psychological issues (e.g. depression, stress, and anxiety).

This can vary on a case-by-case basis. Generally, if an acute condition is being treated, you can
expect to see results fairly quickly using herbs. If the condition is more chronic, you may need to
take the herbs for a longer period of time before you achieve lasting results. It is important to
keep your practitioner informed of any changes in your condition so that s/he can modify your
treatment accordingly.

The four basic forms of Chinese herbs are pills, powders, tinctures, and teas made from
bulk herbs. All of the forms are effective, but you should discuss with your practitioner
which will work best for you.
Bulk herbs are the most potent, but they also require the most work. You will need to
boil the herbs at home to make a tea. Usually, a new batch of herbs will need to be
boiled every two days.  
Powdered herbs have already been processed, so you just need to measure them out
and dissolve them in hot water.  The advantage of both the bulk and powdered herbs is
that your practitioner is able to make a customized formula based on your specific
symptoms. The drawback is that many herbs have a strong flavor that you may or may
not find pleasant. Both the bulk and powdered herbs can be used in topical applications
to treat various skin conditions or traumatic injuries with bruising or swelling.
The pills are the most convenient form, and are a good choice for people who may need
to be on a formula for an extended period of time. The disadvantage of the pills is that
they aren’t able to be customized. You may need to take more than one formula at a
time to address your symptoms.

Herbal tinctures are made by soaking the bulk herbs in an alcohol base to extract the
herbs’ active components. They are also a very convenient and portable method of
taking the herbs, but are not suitable for people who cannot tolerate alcohol.

t

The AOMA dispensary carries herbal products from sources that comply with Good
Manufacturing Practices (GMP). These standards require that the medicinals receive rigorous
testing for heavy metals, bacteria, pesticides, and other contaminants. Further, all materials can
be traced to their source and have batch number controls consistent with best practices. The
vast majority of the herbs sold through our dispensary are grown in China and distributed
through American companies that also comply with GMP.

The cost will vary depending on what form of the herbs you have been prescribed. Prices can
range anywhere from $10 to around $30 for one week’s worth of herbs.

In China, pediatrics is a Traditional Chinese Medicine specialty that includes the use of herbal
medicine. Your practitioner will modify your child’s dosage based on age and weight.

In most cases, yes. Some formulas are only meant to be taken short-term. Ask your
practitioner how long you should expect to be on a particular formula. Often, formulas
will be modified over time as your condition or symptoms change.

Call ZIMI Herbal Medicine and one of the staff members will verify whether refills are available.
If none are listed, we will ask your practitioner for authorization to refill your prescription. We will
then call and let you know if the refill has been approved or if your practitioner would like you to
come in for another appointment. We ask that you give the dispensary at least 24 hours to
process a refill request.

Patient safety is paramount. A practitioner will be able to recommend the most appropriate
herbal prescription to address your specific concerns. We do sell some bulk herbs to the
general public that do not require a prescription. These are herbs that are considered to be
foods and are often used in congees (Chinese porridges).

Picture of Dr.Zerquera

Dr.Zerquera

OMD, AP, PhD

Dr. Pablo Zerquera

AP, OMD, PhD
Seraphinite AcceleratorOptimized by Seraphinite Accelerator
Turns on site high speed to be attractive for people and search engines.