Zoe Cohen L.Ac. 
Acupuncture & Chinese Herbal Medicine


About Chinese Medicine

Chinese Medicine, which incorporates acupuncture, herbal and nutritional therapy, cupping and moxibustion, is the oldest documented medical system in the world. The foundation of this 5,000-year-old healing tradition is the idea that an energy force called Qi (pronounced "chee") runs throughout the body. A person's physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health are tied to the delicate balance and flow of Qi. If this flow is insufficient, unbalanced or interrupted due to stress, injury, overexertion, improper eating or any other reason, illness and pain may result. Chinese Medicine seeks to restore and maintain this balance.

Chinese Medicine also stresses preventive care --finding ways to stay healthy so that disease doesn't occur. Through careful observation by both patient and practitioner, signs of deviation from the body's normal state of balance are detected and corrected early, before they result in serious health problems.

Above is an acupuncture chart depicting meridians (energy pathways) through which Qi (energy) circulates. Acupuncture needles are inserted along these meridians in order to balance Qi and maintain health.
How does Chinese Medicine work?
Acupuncturists recognize that Qi (energy) constantly circulates throughout the body in pathways called meridians that connect the internal organs with the rest of the body. Acupuncture points are places along the meridians where this energy flow comes close to the surface of the skin. By inserting very thin needles into these points, the flow of Qi is regulated, restoring the delicate balance of the body and promoting healing, increasing circulation, reducing pain, strengthening the immune system, preventing disease and creating an overall feeling of well-being.

Substantial scientific evidence demonstrates that acupuncture simulates the nervous system and causes the release of pain-relieving brain chemicals called endorphins. Acupuncture also stimulates and strengthens the body's immune system, mobilizing its natural defense mechanisms and boosting its ability to fight infection, inflammation and pain. Recent brain imaging studies have confirmed that when acupuncture needles are inserted, specific physical changes take place in the brain.
Treating the whole person
Chinese Medicine's strength lies in its focus on seeing a person as a whole being: body, mind and spirit. This is in contrast to Western medicine, which views a person as the sum of distinct physiological processes and treats each ailment as a separate disease. I always try to ascertain what underlying imbalance is contributing to a patient's complaint; then, in addition to treating the symptoms and relieving the distress, I also address the root cause. This strategy also lessens the likelihood that an ailment will recur.