What I Love About My TCM Practice

by Rachel Eni, Ph.D., TCMP

Since my invitation to write a little piece for this newsletter on what I love about my practice, I’ve had moments pass through my mind, moments coming into this career from another, moments meeting and working with my patients on a myriad of health concerns, moments of thinking though and mixing medicines that were just right for each of the people who will consume them. Moments wondering how I can do better.

“I Call It Dragons Blood”

I love all the comments, “It tastes like potato peels,” “It tastes like earth,” “I call it dragon blood,”  “It’s so soothing and tastes earthy,” and my favourite, “When can I come in to get some more?”  and I love that despite the strange tastes, patients take them, and they come back happy and healthier!

The beauty of Traditional Chinese Medical (TCM) practice is its reliance on patients' active and engaged participation. We know more about our health and wellness than we think.

We know where the pain is, what it feels like, roughly how long it’s been there, most likely its causal influences, what makes it worse, and what makes it better.

We know when a therapy is working and when it isn’t. Engagement in one’s health is an essential determinant of health and is measurable in health outcomes.

 

TCM Helps with Chronic Illnesses, Easing Suffering

The mind influences physical health. One’s attitude and beliefs about life and health, including chronic illnesses like diabetes, heart health, fibromyalgia, and cancers, can influence the degree and longevity of suffering.

However, with such great pain and suffering as these diseases can bring, the right medical treatment can help prepare and ease the mind.

I love that TCM can be a great help in these times.

 

TCM Promotes Health & Wellness & Treats Disease

TCM acupuncture, massage, and herbal remedies soothe and circulate blood, fluid, yin, yang, essence, and spirit to prevent illness or worsening illness, promote health and healing, and treat disease.

As a TCM practitioner, I work in support of your overall medical and wellness program.

I’ve been in the broader field of health and wellness my whole adult life.

I have an undergraduate degree in Psychology, a master’s degree in Family Social Sciences, Child Development, and a PhD in Community Health Epidemiology. 

Rachel Eni, Ph.D., TCMP

I’ve worked in inner cities, on reserves, in pregnancy and maternal health programs across Canada and internationally.

I’ve delved into the study of health in many ways and learned so much about people.

What fascinates me about TCM is learning that we are more than our bodies. We are definitely not machines made of separately connected parts. (You can have your gall bladder removed and still suffer from Gall Bladder system ailments).

We are influenced spiritually and via our souls, we possess in our cells the memories of our ancestors.

We are affected by weather, the climates where we reside, the season in which we are born, and the energies elicited by the stars in our solar system.

Considering these influences, my patients’ ailments, and their history, I can diagnose and treat them with my medicine when immersed in classical theory as a practitioner.

 

Traditional Chinese Medicine Works!

As an example, a study in Vancouver took people on the waiting list for knee surgery and offered them acupuncture while they waited.

The study’s results showed considerable pain reduction, and some even left the waiting list entirely!

Did you know too that TCM acupuncture, massage and herbal remedies can assist in pregnancy, pregnancy health-related issues, childbirth, and postpartum healing? It can promote post-op healing, smooth fine facial lines, and clear acne potential.

Ahh, and the relaxation!

 

What I Love About My Practice

and, ahhhh, the relaxation!

My work defines me. My friends say it’s because I’m a Capricorn, and Capricorns are like that, but I think it has to do with the privilege my work brings me to sit with people, day after day, and to be trusted enough to have them open their hearts and let me try to help them to feel better, that is what I love about my practice.

If you’ve tried acupuncture, you probably can relate to what I’m talking about. If you haven’t, why not give it a try? Come on in, get your qi in (and out) of the groove.

We are in a medical crisis right now in British Columbia. I believe we can take advantage of Collaborative Health options, like TCM, and other body, mind and spirit practices, like those available at the Vitality Clinic, to fill in and support where we can.

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What I Love About my Practice

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What I Love About My Practice as an RMT