MENTAL HEALTH AND TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has treated mental health disorders for over two thousand years. Its holistic approach recognizes the inseparable link between mind and body. Chinese Medicine treats the root cause of the disease, which in turn addresses the mental/emotional symptoms as well as the associated physical symptoms.
Emilie Salomons, R.Ac, R.TCMP, is a registered Practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Aside from general practice, Emilie works with Vancouver Coastal Health treating patients with concurrent mental health issues and addictions.
STRESS
Stress is a normal part of everyday life; it is the body's way of reacting to certain events, situations and demands. Large amounts or mismanaged stress can affect everything from concentration and mental/emotional stability, to digestion, sleep and sexual function. Once stress has started to affect your life, a simple situation can become debilitating. A balanced diet, regular exercise, rest and relaxation play very important roles in managing stress; however, when stress begins to affect the body, medical intervention may be necessary in aiding the body's recovery.
Traditional Chinese Medicine looks at the body, mind and spirit as one. Through careful scrutiny of each manifestation, as well as tongue and pulse diagnosis, the root problem is revealed and addressed. Addressing the root as well as the current symptoms allows for a more deep-seated and enduring recovery.
Herbal remedies and/or acupuncture are prescribed, as well as diet and lifestyle adjustments if necessary. Traditional Chinese Medicine is a drug free way of managing and treating stress, and stress related disorders.
ANXIETY
Anxiety becomes a problem when it limits your ability to perform simple tasks in daily life. Anxiety can be associated with a specific trigger (i.e. small spaces, public speaking, etc.), or it may just sneak up on you out of the blue. It may last from minutes to hours and even months if unchecked. The havoc anxiety causes on the body cannot go unnoticed. Ulcers, bowel irregularities (IBS, IBD), and palpitations are just a few consequences of long-term anxiety. Much like with stress, TCM focuses on the body as a whole, treating the mind, body and emotions together in order to bring about calmness and grounding while alleviating the problems associated with the anxiety.
DEPRESSION
Whether the depression is seasonal, genetic or because of a specific event, depression can leave you unmotivated, antisocial and feeling hopeless.
Depression has affected people for thousands of years, but with today's pace, increasing demands at works, school and home, depression has been steadily on the rise. In treatment, acupuncture and herbal remedies cater to the root of the depression, lifting the mood, clearing the fog and allowing you to function and feel normal once again. Traditional Chinese Medicine can work alone or in conjunction with Western medical treatments.
