How are skin problems treated with Chinese Medicine?
The most common skin conditions that can be treated with acupuncture and Oriental medicine include acne, rosacea, dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, pruritus, dry or itchy skin, shingles and urticaria (hives). Acupuncture and Chinese herbs treat skin diseases in a unique manner. Treatment and diagnosis are tailored to each person’s symptoms. In diagnosing skin conditions, aside from careful inspection of the exterior skin condition, Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner considers physical, emotional, and environmental factors, such as the type of eruption, color, temperature, foods, activities, climates or emotions that affect the symptoms, details about onset, duration and frequency of the problem, along with any other signs in the body including digestion, energy, emotions, sleep, and immune system. After taking the pulse, and observing the tongue and skin, the practitioner will diagnose the condition and make a treatment plan. Depending on the condition, treatment may involve a variety of techniques with acupuncture such as herbal medicine, bodywork, lifestyle/dietary recommendations and energetic exercises to restore imbalances found in the body.Often, one treatment cycle is once or twice a week for 12 weeks. Some conditions will clear rapidly, but others may take longer depending on the duration and severity of the condition. The key to eliminating the skin problem is the treatment of the whole body, rather than just covering it up. It takes time to balance the body from the inside out. But it is well worth the time and patience, since it is significantly less likely for a healthy and balanced body to have a recurrence of the skin problem.
