History

An Ancient Medicine with Modern Relevance

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been practiced for more than two thousand years — a system of healing that sees health as a dynamic balance between body, mind, and spirit.

Its earliest doctors were careful observers of nature. They noticed that what happens in the world around us — the changing seasons, the balance between day and night, the ebb and flow of energy — is mirrored within the human body. From those observations grew a medical tradition designed to restore harmony wherever imbalance appears.

Nothing endures for thousands of years unless it truly helps people heal.

From Ancient Practice to Modern Study

While acupuncture has been used in China for over two millennia, historical evidence suggests its roots reach back more than four thousand years. Over centuries, different dynasties refined the art, expanding its diagnostic principles and herbal knowledge.

In the 1950s, after the formation of the People’s Republic of China, acupuncture was formally incorporated into hospital and university settings. Doctors began combining Traditional Chinese Medicine with Western medical approaches, documenting thousands of successful clinical cases.

Interest in the United States grew dramatically after President Richard Nixon’s 1972 visit to China, when a member of his delegation underwent surgery using acupuncture anesthesia — an event that made international headlines. Soon after, acupuncture schools and research programs began appearing across America.

Philosophy: The Balance of Yin and Yang

At the heart of TCM lies a simple but profound idea: wellness comes from balance. Yin represents rest, nourishment, and stillness. Yang represents activity, warmth, and movement.

Just as day turns to night and effort is followed by rest, these forces continuously shift within us. When they are in harmony, the body functions smoothly; when they fall out of rhythm, symptoms and illness can appear.

Acupuncture and herbal medicine work to restore that natural equilibrium, supporting the body’s ability to heal itself rather than forcing it to change.

A Broader View of Health

Western medicine excels at identifying and treating specific diseases — it’s powerful in emergencies, surgery, and infection control. Traditional Chinese Medicine looks through a wider lens.

It considers not just the physical body, but also the effects of stress, emotions, diet, and environment. Instead of focusing solely on symptoms, it searches for patterns — the underlying reasons why balance was lost in the first place.

This perspective makes TCM an ideal complement to modern healthcare. Together, the two systems can address both the root cause and the immediate effects of illness, helping patients heal more completely.

Recognized and Respected Worldwide

Today, acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine are practiced across the globe. The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes acupuncture as an effective treatment for dozens of conditions, and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) continues to fund research exploring how it works.

In the United States, licensed acupuncturists complete rigorous four-year master’s programs that include Western medical sciences, anatomy, and pathology, alongside advanced Chinese diagnostic methods. Board certification through the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) ensures safe, evidence-based care.

The Bridge Between East and West

TCM and Western medicine approach healing from different directions but share the same goal — restoring health and improving quality of life.

One offers advanced technology and immediate intervention; the other restores balance, builds resilience, and prevents disease. Together, they form a bridge — ancient wisdom meeting modern science — for the benefit of everyone seeking to live in harmony and health.