For thousands of years, skin care acupuncture has been used in China to treat a wide variety of common skin problems such as psoriasis, eczema, acne, hives, dermatitis, etc.
Getting Beneath the Surface
In diagnosing skin conditions, Traditional Chinese Medicine considers physical, emotional, and environmental factors. By taking the pulse, asking in-depth questions, and observing the tongue and skin, the TCM practitioner will diagnose the condition according to TCM patterns.
Skin diseases are generally caused by internal disharmonies, such as lack of Qi and blood, or environmental influences, such as wind, dryness, dampness, and heat. Stress, diet, and the individual’s constitution also contribute to these patterns.
Clinical skin care acupuncture
Our clinic skin care acupuncture treat skin diseases in a unique manner. Skin care acupuncture addresses both the root (cause) and the branch (symptoms) of a condition. The treatment and diagnosis are tailored to each person’s symptoms.
Before the treatment takes place, our acupuncturist will check the patient with Traditional Chinese Medicine methods, and the acupuncturist will diagnose the condition according to TCM patterns. On the basis of a clear diagnosis, the acupuncturist will treat the root cause of the skin disease. The methods used in skin care acupuncture include classic acupuncture based on the Five Elements Theory (Wuxing) to remove toxins from the body and local skin needles to improve blood circulation.
Depending on the condition, treatment may involve acupuncture, Chinese herbs, or both. Often, one treatment cycle is twice a week for 5 weeks. Some conditions will clear rapidly, but others may take longer.
Common conditions treated by acupuncture
Acne: Acne is a common adolescent skin condition that sometimes continues into adulthood. According to Western medicine, it is generally associated with reactions to hormones, bacteria, and oils in the skin. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, it is most often associated with dampness, heat, and in severe cases blood stagnation. Once the dampness and heat are cleared from the system, the skin will also clear.
Eczema: Eczema, also called atopic dermatitis, is a chronic allergic reaction which causes the skin to become red, inflamed, intensely itchy, and in some cases to blister. People who have eczema often also have asthma and allergies.
All of these conditions are caused by heat, wind, and dampness, and can be treated effectively with acupuncture and Chinese herbs. The goal of the treatment is to clear heat, dispel the wind and dampness, and move the blood.
Other conditions: Acupuncture and Chinese herbs can also be used to treat psoriasis, shingles, vitiligo, uticaria (hives), warts, rosacea, and dermatitis.