The Well-being Crisis in America: How TCM Techniques Help
Gallup (2023) reported that out of every 1,000 full-time working adults with poor or inconsistent well-being, there is an increased odds of developing or experiencing new diseases or medical conditions. On the other hand, nearly 60 million Americans experienced a mental illness in 2021-2022. This shows the grim reality of America’s health decline, but alternative therapies like Traditional Chinese Medicine are offering a holistic and compassionate approach to well-being.
At Miami Acupuncture & Classical Herbs, we help individuals experience personalized treatments that address the root issues performed by Dr. Carolyn Cook, an experienced practitioner with over 25 years of experience as a Doctor of Chinese Medicine, Acupuncture Physician, and Licensed Massage Therapist.
In this blog, we’ll discuss the current state of well-being in the United States and how TCM can support people’s journey to well-being.
The well-being crisis in America
Nationally, there is a significant gap between adults who have holistic well-being and poor well-being. According to Gallup, only 9% of adults are holistically well, and 44% said they have poor well-being. This means approximately 132.5 million Americans are feeling low on these elements of well-being:
Career: You like what you do every day.
Social: You have meaningful friendships in your life.
Financial: You manage your money well.
Physical: You have the energy to get things done.
Community: You like where you live.
Additionally, the report revealed that 220 chronic conditions are diagnosed for every 1,000 individuals with poor well-being. This is an alarming finding since 6 in 10 Americans have at least one chronic disease, which accounts for most illnesses, disabilities, and deaths in the United States.
Ultimately, this shows that prioritizing one’s well-being is crucial and should not be ignored. When we focus on nurturing our well-being, we become healthier individuals with the capacity to live life to the fullest. This comes in more ways than one, with TCM being a rising alternative to the medical model of well-being.
TCM practitioners’s response: Holistic healing
Centuries ago until today, TCM practitioners have been at the forefront of improving people’s well-being. They promote a non-invasive approach to wellness and perform treatments that cure chronic conditions. More importantly, they teach an essential component of TCM: the belief that everything is interconnected.
According to Dr. Carolyn, the human body and mind are interrelated and must be treated as a whole system. Thus, well-being is a journey toward balance.
To achieve balance, our internal organs must be in harmony with the external elements of earth, fire, water, wood, and metal. Our life force, qi (pronounced as “chee”), should be sufficient to let the energy flow and strengthen our immune system.
To treat the patient’s illness, we must look beyond the ailment and see the whole picture through these TCM practices:
Acupuncture
Moxibustion (the burning of herbal leaves on or near the body)
Cupping (the use of warmed glass jars to create suction on certain points of the body)
Massage
Movement and concentration exercises (such as tai chi)
A client of Dr. Carolyn shared that her acupuncture and Chinese herbs made a difference in her health, saying:
Best place for your health concerns. Everyone is super friendly and Carolyn Cook make you feel like you as a patient are part of her family. I love how she can treat anything with acupuncture and Chinese herbs. Best remedies and great results in a natural way. Thank you Carolyn for keeping my husband and me strong and healthy.
Read more success stories and video testimonials at Miami Acupuncture & Classical Herbs.
How TCM techniques help in improving our well-being
Many researchers and organizations believe that TCM is a promising complement to the methods of conventional Western medicine. These can be shown through the following benefits of TCM to our well-being:
Provides more accessible, affordable, and acceptable mental health care
Helps lower pain, improve hormonal balance and combat stress
Better pain management, improved immunity and helps with digestion
Controls inflammation, fights free radical damage and boosts liver function
Increased flexibility, strength and concentration
Soft tissue manipulation for improving blood flow
A report by the Journal of Traditional & Complementary Medicine revealed that herbal treatments can have positive “antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic and autophagic regulatory functions.” This leads to lower levels of oxidative stress and inflammation, which reduces the chances of common health problems, including cancer, heart disease, autoimmune disorders, cognitive impairment, and diabetes.
Common Chinese herbal medicines include astragalus root, goji berry, ginkgo biloba, ginseng, red clover, and many others. Whether you try acupuncture or herbal remedies, they are safe and can restore the body to a balanced state.
However, always check with your doctor before consulting a TCM professional.
Prioritize your well-being at Miami Acupuncture & Classical Herbs
Well-being is more than just being physically well. It affects many aspects of your life and contributes to your overall happiness and quality of life. That’s why our offices based in Miami, Kendall, Coral Gables, and Coconut Grove are happy to serve you to the best of our abilities.
By booking a consultation with us, you get the complete package of healing through a personalized consultation with Dr. Carolyn Cook.
Discover how you can be the best version of you and increase your well-being at (305) 665-9711 or cc@miamiherbs.com.
Sources
Inc, G. (2023, October 24). Poor Wellbeing Linked to Formation of New Chronic Conditions. Gallup.com.
https://news.gallup.com/poll/512750/poor-wellbeing-linked-formation-new-chronic-conditions.aspx
Mental Health America. (2024). The state of mental health in america. Mental Health America.
https://mhanational.org/issues/state-mental-health-america
Tsai, W.-H., Yang, C.-C., Li, P.-C., Chen, W.-C., & Chien, C.-T. (2013). Therapeutic Potential of Traditional Chinese Medicine on Inflammatory Diseases. Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine, 3(3), 142–151.
https://doi.org/10.4103/2225-4110.114898