Traditional Chinese Medicine at Zheng Healthcare in Richmond – Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is an ancient system of health and wellness that has been used in China for thousands of years. TCM is based on balance, harmony, and energy – it looks at your entire well-being to not only fight disease but also prevent it.
There are two central ideas behind TCM: Qi and Ying and Yang. Qi, also known as life energy or vital energy runs throughout the body – it’s always moving and constantly changing. TCM treatments often focus on ways to promote and maintain the flow of Qi. Furthermore, Ying and Yang are the opposites that describe the qualities of Qi for example Ying = cold and Yang = warm. Balance is key within TCM and when you balance the Yin and Yang of Qi you feel healthy and well.
My brother initially recommended that I should visit the Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinic in Richmond (Zheng Healthcare) after the excitement of his own experience. He was given a pulse diagnosis on his visit that uncovered some interesting conclusions about his current health as well as his past injuries. Consequently, I decided to book my own appointment and share my findings.
On arrival, I didn’t really know what to expect. I was anxious and intrigued!
The founder of the clinic, Dr. Di Zhou carried out my pulse consultation, he is a highly experienced Chinese medical practitioner with over 30 years of practice in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Born into a family of Chinese medical practitioners, he graduated from Hubei TCM University in 1992 gaining degrees in both Western Medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Pulse diagnosis is one of the most important methods for diagnosis for TCM practitioners. It takes tremendous practice and skill as well as requires sensitivity to the characteristics of 10 physical criteria of the radial pulse.
A pulse can be felt by applying firm fingertip pressure to the skin where the arteries travel in three locations (cun, guan, and chi) using three fingers on each wrist simultaneously which can tell you the general health condition of a person and a particular organ can be fully recognised. Light pressure is applied at first to the wrist and then the practitioner will increase the pressure. The light pressure allows the doctor to check one specific organ, and the increased pressure another one. The quality of the pulse will reveal the status of the organs. The doctor will be able to feel if the organ lacks energy or if the energy has stagnated if there is a lack of blood or if a pathogenic factor has invaded the organ.
Once Dr. Di Zhou finished my pulse reading, he revealed to me his diagnosis. I felt an overwhelming amount of comfort from his conclusion, and I felt that finally, someone understood me.
He told me that for the past 2-3 years my energy levels have become very low causing fatigue. My pulse was showing signs of what an elderly person’s pulse would be, not a young person’s. He could tell that I used to have high energy but these past few years my energy levels have become low, and I am very tired. He recommended that I eat more meat to feel more energised. My problematic insomnia was evident when he was checking my pulse. He also said that I am a highly sensitive person, and I can pick up on people and the environments around me.
He could feel that I have issues with my back, especially the upper back which is uncomfortable all the time and I confirmed that I did suffer from mild scoliosis when I was younger. Dr. Di Zhou also picked up my posture which I found very interesting. He could see that my posture is very hunched which he said was a way of protecting myself.
He assured me that the dizziness that I constantly suffer from isn’t something to worry about as it is not due to a serious problem like high blood pressure and that it will go away. It is only here because of the way I am feeling now and how I am seeing (perception). He also said that I have a very kind heart and I will get better and feel more fulfilled in the next 2 years. He also picked up my sensitive digestive issues.
Anybody who knows me would know that this diagnosis really hit the nail on the head. Everything was completely spot on. I was so happy to be hearing something useful rather than the vague, generic conclusions that I had been constantly getting over the years from doctors and other specialists and being left feeling hopeless.
He advised that I start a course of acupuncture sessions to help, and that’s what I did. When I initially started the acupuncture, all my symptoms and issues got worse (which is what was expected and completely normal). However, after a few weeks, I felt more confident and lighter, and things started to improve. After every session of acupuncture, I felt physically and mentally exhausted for the rest of the day which is part of the healing process as my body was cleansing and eliminating the toxins and poisonous waste that had been building up in my bloodstream. But then, the next day I would have more energy and enthusiasm. The fatigue is a positive sign because it means the acupuncture is working.
My overall experience with acupuncture was great and I would recommend it to anyone. It is painless and you end up feeling like a new and improved version of yourself. I also started to understand my body more by listening to it instead of being afraid of it and all the symptoms and sensations I experienced. Throughout my acupuncture course, Dr. Di Zhou and his wife showed me great kindness and reassurance.
Visiting this Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinic not only helped me to feel better about myself but changed the way I viewed taking care of my whole being. Instead of feeling like a disposable patient stuck in a cycle of endless issues, I now feel that I know myself better and what truly benefits my mind, spirit, and body. This new knowledge I have gained is all thanks to the wonderful husband and wife at Zheng HealthCare. Thank you to you both.
Dr. Di Zhou specialises in traditional Chinese treatments for musculoskeletal ailments and massage therapy; however, the clinic also offers a wide range of other treatments.
Millennium Milli