Chinese Medicine


Acupuncture, and the practice of Oriental medicine, has gained tremendous popularity since Henry Kissinger’s trip to China in 1972. During the trip, James Reston, the journalist traveling with Kissinger, got appendicitis and acupuncture was used to relieve his pain. Upon hearing the reports of this story, many Americans had their first glimpse into this unique medicine. You are probably familiar with the Yin/Yang symbol, but it may still be a mystery whether acupuncture is a good treatment for your health concerns.
First and foremost, acupuncture excels as a treatment for pain. The majority of research studies, as well as, medical insurance coverage are largely centered on pain. Headaches, osteoarthritis, tennis elbow, carpal tunnel, back pain, knee pain, traumatic injury; you name it, acupuncture relieves it.

Acupuncture has been proven to relieve pain primarily through your body’s release of its own powerful pain killers, endorphins. In addition to relieving pain, endorphins also elevate your mood and promote relaxation. Acupuncture stimulates a second method of mood elevation by boosting serotonin and GABA. These brain chemicals, called neurotransmitters, are our body’s natural anti-depressant and anti-anxiety molecules, respectively. The over-stimulating nature of modern life depletes these calming brain chemicals, which leads to stress-related diseases, including muscle tension, headaches, insomnia, hypertension, fatigue and depression. Every year Americans spend billions on medications for pain, depression, anxiety and insomnia, yet acupuncture treats all of these conditions. If the pharmaceutical companies could get the benefits of acupuncture into a pill, it would be a block buster! Pain and stress relief, mood elevation, and restful sleep are the side benefits of acupuncture, no matter what you are being treated for.

Acupuncture is a great treatment for more than pain and stress; it is recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) for treating the following conditions:
  • Adverse reactions to radiation and/or chemotherapy
  • Allergic rhinitis (including hay fever)
  • Biliary colic
  • Depression (including depressive neurosis and depression following stroke)
  • Dysentery, acute bacillary
  • Dysmenorrhoea, primary
  • Epigastralgia, acute (in peptic ulcer, gastritis, and gastrospasm)
  • Facial pain
  • Headache
  • Hypertension, essential
  • Hypotension, primary
  • Induction of labour
  • Knee pain
  • Leukopenia
  • Low back pain
  • Malposition of fetus
  • Morning sickness
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Neck pain
  • Pain in dentistry (including TMJ)
  • Periarthritis of shoulder
  • Postoperative pain
  • Renal colic
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Sciatica
  • Sprain
  • Stroke
  • Tennis elbow
Although, acupuncture addresses many symptoms, its greatest value is in treating the underlying cause of the patient’s symptom. Acupuncture’s ability to identify and treat underlying patterns is called constitutional medicine. The goal of constitutional medicine is to treat your foundational imbalances. It is common for one symptom, such as hypertension, to have different causes. For one patient I may need to “cool liver fire” which will address not only hypertension, but also his temper, dizziness and red eyes. In contrast, another patient’s treatment will be to “nourish liver and kidney yin.” This treatment will address hot flashes, night sweats and dryness, in addition to hypertension. Through addressing a patient’s constitutional strengths and weaknesses, many symptoms will decrease and overall health will improve.

The focus of acupuncture and Oriental medicine is to create balance and vitality. Therefore, everyone, and their respective symptoms, can benefit from the wisdom of this unique science. Be assured that the poetic language of Oriental medicine does not suggest a lack of scientific scrutiny. Acupuncture, as well as the traditional herbal remedies of Oriental medicine, have been studied and proven through the rigors of scientific methods. Acupuncture has been improving the health of countless patients for thousands of years, and it will help you too.

Tim Walsh L.Ac. specializes in bridging Eastern medicine and Western science. Tim received his Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from Northern Illinois University and his Master’s Degree in Oriental Medicine from The Academy of Oriental Medicine at Austin, Texas. Since earning his acupuncture license in 2000, Tim has done extensive study in bio-energetic medicine, detoxification and functional nutrition. Most recently, Tim had the opportunity to appear on CBS’s The Doctors as an Integrative Medicine Specialist.