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Oriental Medicine

Before recorded history, the people of China developed a system of medicine that includes the use of acupuncture points, herbs, massage, exercise and nutrition used to treat all types of ailments and diseases. Oriental Medicine focuses on the root of the problem and on preventing disease from occurring.

For more information on Oriental Medicine The Web That Has No Weaver by Ted J. Kaptchuk is a simple and thorough guide.

The Dao of Chinese Medicine by Donald E Kendall is a through scientific look at traditional oriental medicine including new research as to how and why it works.

Acupuncture & Acupressure

For approximately 5000 years, the Chinese have been effectively treating many conditions and diseases by using a system of small ditches or neurovascular nodes (Kendal 2002) that are spread across the human body. It is a system we are just beginning to understand with western eyes.

These neurovascular nodes or acupoints are organized into a system of channels or pathways that relate to our organs, as well as our psyche. The neurovascular nodes or acupoints are stimulated by pressure, applying essential oils, sound vibration, or by inserting very thin needles through the skin. This stimulation initiates a somatovisceral response, a nerve to organ connection, that helps to balance, nourish, connect and protect our whole body system: organs, hormones and emotions. For more thorough information on this connection read, The Dao of Chinese Medicine by Donald E. Kendall.

Herbal Medicine

Also before recorded history, possibly as a side effect of an emperor’s quest for eternal life or from the practice of a line of shaman woman, herbs were being collected in China to treat all ailments (Bensky1986/1993). Today in China, thousands of herbs are used alongside of western pharmaceuticals in hospitals and clinics to treat things as simple as a flu virus, and are even given by intravenous injection to treat conditions as severe as a stroke or a heart attack.

Herbal therapies can be a great adjunctive treatment to other Traditional Oriental Medicine therapies or can be effective on their own. Cascade Wellness offers whole herbs, as well as herbs in powdered, capsule or pill form. We also have salves for all types of skin conditions and ointments for sore muscles, traumatic injuries and burns.

Facial Rejuvenation

For thousands of years Chinese women have known the secret. Balance your body inside and you will glow on the outside.

Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture can boost collagen production, tighten pores increase muscle tone for sags and help release old holding patterns that create and re-create wrinkles, acne, spots and dry or oily skin.

Facial Rejuvenation involves the stimulation of traditional acupuncture points on the face which in turn stimulates your body's natural healing ability.

Qi Gong Movement Therapy

Ancient and subtly profound exercises that help the elderly maintain their vitality and athletes reach their fullest potential.

Stretches and slow rhythmic spiral patterned movements help release tension and balance our body. Qi is the breath of life or the energetic force within all living things. Gong is movement or work. So in Qi Gong we are moving or working with the breath of life, our vital energy, to balance it throughout our body so that all parts of our body are equally nourished, connected and protected.

Cascade Wellness offers individual lessons and group classes in qi gong. Because Qi Gong is a vital component to getting well, you may learn a move or two when you come in for an Oriental Medical treatment.

Food as Medicine

Nutrition can be about getting a well balanced diet with all the vitamins and minerals we need for life, or it can be used as a treatment for a condition, used literally as medicine. Nutritional suggestions are always included with an Oriental Medicine treatment, or can be elaborated on for a treatment on their own.

Massage & Bodywork

Sarah Zemenick has had a variety of massage trainings over the past 12 years. Today she melds her skills to use massage as an adjunct to Oriental Medicine treatments or as a sole treatment for some conditions. The form of massage used most commonly with Oriental Medicine is Tui Na, which ranges from a vigorous deep tissue massage with passive stretches to Yin Tui Na, which involves gentle holds to help your body release old holding patterns and long-term tension. Yin Tui Na is especially effective for broken bones in or out of a cast. Yin Tui Na is also used to treat Parkinson's Disease.

Essential Oils

"The essence of the plant treats the essence of the person" — Jeffrey C. Yuen.

Essential oils have a profound effect on our deepest issues and our oldest diseases. They are a wonderful way to treat children or adults without the use of needles. They can be a treatment on their own or can be used on specific acupoints for a deep and long lasting effect. This form of treatment is usually followed up on at home by the patient, who learns some specific points and uses the oils that were prescribed for him or her.

A Note on History

The first recorded discovery of written medical text was on a Tortoise shell at the same time writing itself was discovered, about 2500 years ago. About 2000 years ago The Huang Di Nei Jing or Yellow Emperor's Classic on Internal Medicine was written. This thorough and well organized work of Oriental Medical theory and diagnosis included most of what we practice today. Because it was so complete we believe that this medicine was being practiced long before recorded history, most sources guess between four and five thousand years ago.

The 5,200 year old Tyrolean Iceman found in the European Alps in 1991 delivered evidence of acupuncture points in practice. - "The tattoo locations on the back and the left leg of the Iceman are in close proximity or directly on the locations of classical acupuncture points for treatment of arthrosis of the lumbar spine;. Radiological studies found evidence of exactly that disease in the Iceman."