Skin Disorder
A Traditional Chinese Medicine Approach
Modern medicine uses drugs and repeated external therapies to suppress skin problems. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) goes to the root of the problem and cures without future relapses. In the TCM approach, pathological factors are represented by earthly elements. An excess amount of an element can result in the unique characteristics of a disease.
Skin Disorder
ACNE
Acne is commonly a sign of pathogenic heat in the lungs and intestines. The Chinese approach to treating acne is to cool the heat, cleanse the lungs, and detoxify the intestines, which will externally heal the condition.
ECZEMA
Eczema is a subtype of dermatitis, but the two terms are often used interchangeably. In TCM, skin and lungs belong together because the skin is like an outer lung with pores that breathe and exchange substances with the outside world. The strong correlation of eczema accompanied by respiratory ailments confirms the connection.
Eczema also occurs more in children. A child’s digestive system is immature and the spleen is another major pathological factor for eczema.
Acupuncture and Chinese medicine can improve the spleen and lung function, clean the pathological factors from the body, and cure the disease.
PSORIASIS
Psoriasis is an autoimmune disorder of the skin. In TCM, there are both internal and external factors that cause psoriasis. Change of emotions is the main internal factor and external factors include wind, coldness, heat, fire, dampness, and dryness from the earthly element.
Based on different colors of skin lesions, forms, syndromes, tongue picture, and pulse condition, we can diagnose one of three causes for psoriasis: too much heat in the blood (Xue Re), lack of fluidity in the blood (Xue Gan), and blood stasis (Xue Yu).
Acupuncture and Chinese medicine cure these root causes by removing heat and cooling the blood, enriching the blood and moistening dryness, and promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis.
Hives
Internally, there are certain patterns that may show up on the skin such as blood deficiency, toxicity or stasis, a disharmony in the liver and kidney relationship, or a disharmony in other organs and meridians involved with elimination. Externally, factors like dampness, dryness, wind and heat can invade the body and also cause skin disorders. One of the main reasons patients suffer with chronic hives, aka urticaria, is that toxic heat is trying to find a way out of the body through the skin.
Skin Conditions
A wide variety of conditions affect the skin, from acne to psoriasis to eczema and more. Additionally, symptoms of skin conditions can range from very minimal to painful and debilitating, which is why it is important to ascertain the proper diagnosis. Though there is a plethora of over-the-counter remedies for so many skin conditions, acupuncture may provide a drug-free solution for those who do not see improvement with creams or lotions or other 'traditional' skin treatments. By needling specific points for skin conditions, acupuncture can help treat your skin condition by activating your immune and endocrine systems. These are specific pathways along your body that allow for maximum energy propagation and healing. The pathways vary by patient and by condition, so call Good morning Acupuncture today to find out if acupuncture is right for you! We will also discuss with you whether the addition of herbal supplements will benefit your individual situation.
Psoriasis, Eczema
Acne & Blemished Skin
Sclay, Itchy, Irritated Skin
Dermatitis, Inflammation
Hives (Urticaria)
Insect Bites