• Meditation is considered to be one of the most effective methods to achieve good health
• Diet has strong effect on health; what you eat, how it is made and how you eat it
• Moderate exercise, like qigong and tai chi, are good for the body and its energy
• In acupuncture, the therapist access the energy (Qi) with help of thin needles in special points
• Massage is one of the oldest methods of recovery. Massage and acupuncture are similar in terms of the theory underlying them, however in Chinese massage the therapist uses the pressure from their fingers, instead of needles, to achieve the desired effect
• Herbs, together with acupuncture, are one of the more powerful forms for treatment, and are traditionally used if other methods do not work. Dried herbs are more potent and have a better effect compared with tablet forms

Moderation

Moderation is a key component in the Chinese model of health and medicine, with moderation being of the utmost important in every aspect of one’s life. Poor health is associated with failure to practice moderation, including over-exercising or over-zealous self-control and denial. The foremost word in Chinese medicine is: relax! Extreme behavior with the belief that it gives good health is completely meaningless if it only results in stress and strain on the body.

Work and stress

Many people work long hours, go to bed late and eat irregularly or on the move. There is no time to rest and to recharge the batteries. During the night, the constant noise from the city is absorbed, and the mind does not get proper rest while we sleep. Overwork and tiredness drain the body of energy. In the short term this is not a problem - the energy can be recovered through rest. But if you are exposed to high stress and emotional strain over long time, it will have significant consequences. According to Chinese medicine, it is not necessarily the level of stress that is the problem, though this of course is a factor. What is more important is how you reaction to the situation.

Training and exercise

Moderation is also important for physical exercise. Too much training will drain the body of energy (Qi). Too little training can hinder the flow of Qi. This is a common problem for office workers, with long hours sitting at the computer leaving people feeling limp, listless, weak and lazy. Moderate forms for exercise, for example going for a walk, bike ride or swim, are useful in situations like that.