• DSMC VIPCare
• Dr Bragg
• Honor with Purpose
• Dr. Bragg's Bio
• COMPASSIONATE CARE

DSMC VIPCare

 Qi: The vital energy of LIFE force that's found within ALL living things. It is a combination of energies, mixed together from our food, air, and acquired constitution. Qi provides the power to accomplish every day activities. It is necessary for growth, development, movement, and maintenance of body temperature, protection againts illness and disease and overall regulation of the body. Our health is influenced by the quality, quantity and balance of Qi that permeates and circulates in our Meridians and Organs.

Essence (JING): The material basis of an Individual's life. Essence is the most refined substance of the body, which forms the basis of all tissue, especially MALE and FEMALE reproductive Secretions. It is also a reservoir to store Qi of the body, some of which is derived from parents at conception (Pre-natal Essence) and some of which is derived continuously from food and air (Post-natal Essence) .

Pre- Natal Essence- Jing that is acquired from our parents at the time of conception.  

Post- Natal Essence- Qi manufactured from air and food.

Three Treasures: Describes the THREE concepts that underlie the philosophy and theory of TCM. They are JING ESSENCE, QI, and SHEN.

Meridians: Also called channels, they are a series of pathways in which the vital energy called Qi circulates through the entire body. Meridians are connected to every organ system. Overall, there are fourteen main Meridians.

Acupuncture Points: Specific sites along the skin where the meridians come closest to the surface of the body. These points provide a communication network, connecting the outside of the body with the interior of the body, and directly affect Qi and the meridian/organ systems. There are hundreds of acupuncture points located over the entire body, including the ears. 

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) An ancient and complete holistic system of health care that has been around for more than 3,000 years. It includes Acupuncture, Herbalism, Oriental & Functional Nutrition, Tai Chi, Qi Gong movement and meditation. Treatments emphazise restoring the proper quality, quantity and balance of Qi circulating within the Meridians and organ systems.

Palpation: Examination or Exploration with the hands as a diagnostic aid. It is usually consists of applying pressure to certain areas of the body and the pulses.

Holistic: Comes from the Greek work "holos" meaning whole. Holistic is the treatment of the entire individual as a whole system, rather than treating them or separating into parts. Treating with a philosophy that includes a complete approach to healing with a philosophy that includes a complete approach to healthier MIND, improving the functions of the BODY and healing Spirit through exercise, nutrition, spiritual awareness, meditation, acupuncture, and Tui Na.

Spirit (Shen): Refers to the outward expression of the life of the Organism, Observed in the clarity and luminosity of the Eyes, Complexion, Focus, Intentions, Performance, Productivity, and in the lucidity and intensity of the Intellectual and Emotional process.

Harmony: A sense of ease and vitality that is experienced when ALL functions of the MIND, BODY & SPIRIT are in balance with each other and with the external environment. To attain harmony is to ACT and ACHIEVE a Natural ease of living that mitigates the destructive force and effects of anger, hate, stress, complacency, wrong intentions, greed, pain and suffering.

Homeostatis: The ability of the BODY to maintain internal Equilibrium by adjusting physiological processes, despite contant varying external conditions.

Balance: The Harmonious arrangement and stability of the Mind, Body and Spirit to maintain a Stable Equilibrium that supports Health & Wellbeing.

Seven Emotions: In appropriate circumstances, it is normal to go through various emotions on any given day, but when any of the seven motions are prolonged or repressed, it can potentially lead to illness and disease. The seven emotions - Joy, Anger- Frustration, Fear - Fright, Sadness, Pensiveness, Worry & Grief are internal triggers that can either cause blockage of the circulation of Qi, or an imbalance of Qi.

Wei Qi: In TCM theory it is similar to our imune system. Wei Qi is also called Defensive Qi. It circulates just below our skin and serves to protect the body from invasion by External Factors.

Blockage of Qi: When there is a blockage in the meridians it will restrict the supply of Qi required to nourish and support the cells, tissues,  bones, tendons, ligaments, muscles, fascias, organs and glands. A blockage of Qi can lead to health problems and pain including trauma. 

Yin: One of the two fundamental polar forces that organize the Universe. Yin manifests as solid, darkness, quiteness, coldness,inertia and death. It includes the material substance of the body, which includes Tissue, Blood, Fluid and Internal Secretions.

Yang: One of the two funamnal polar forces that organize the Universe. Yang manifests as form, light, warmth, activity, health, and birth. It includes the Functional Activity of the Body and the generation of the Metabolic heat.

Yin Organs: Known as the "solid organs" that store the ESSENCES of the body. The Yin organs are the LIVER, HEART, SPLEEN, LUNG & KIDNEY.

Yang Organs: Known as the  "hollow organs" that transform matter, transport and store body substances and discharge waste. The Yang organs are GALLBLADDER, SMALL INTESTINE, STOMACH, LARGE INTESTINE, and URINARY BLADDER.

Eight Principle Patterns: A system of organizing diagnostic information in Chinese Medicine according to the principles of YIN and YANG; Interior, Exterior, Hot, Cold, Excess and Deficiency.

Five Elements: The Five Elements system in Chinese Medicine is based on OBSERVATIONS of natural world and is used to both describe the physiology of the MIND, BODY & SPIRIT and guide diagnosis and treatment. The Five Elements are; WATER, WOOD, FIRE, EARTH, and METAL.

Fu Zheng: Translates as "restoring normalcy and balance" The term is applied particularly to HERBAL and NUTRITIONAL therapies whose primary goal is to improve the constitutional integrity, strengthen and build resistance to disease, and promote health and longevity.

Dan Tien: It is also known as the HARA. Located about three inches below the navel, it is one of the most important energy centers in the Body where QI is stored.

Internal Factors: Any factor influencing the body that originates from the inside of the body. Usually due to an imbalance or disharmony of meridian and organ system.

External Factors: Any factors influencing the body that originate from the outside, resulting in the specific symptoms and signs within the interior of the body. Some external factors are COLD, DAMP, WIND, DRYNESS, and HEAT.

Pathogenic: Usually an External Factor, or foreign body, such as bacteria, virus or fungus that can cause illness, disease and pain. In TCM theory, external pathogens can also relate to environmental influences and internal factors that lead to Meridian and Organ system Disharmonies.

Essential Substances: The various fluids, essences and energies that nurture and nourish the meridian and organ systems, keeping the Mind, Body and Spirit balanced, healthy and protected from illnesses and disease.

GU Qi: Also called FOOD Qi. Gu Qi is extracted by the Stomach and transformed by the SPLEEN. It provides nourishment and is the basis of the Qi and Blood.

Organ Systems- The Five Organ Systems LIVER (WOOD), HEART (FIRE), SPLEEN (EARTH), LUNG (METAL), and KIDNEY (WATER), organize all physical and mental components of the meridians, cells, tissues, muscles, facias, and organs. Each organ system is connected to a meridian and together they carry out unique and specific bodily functions.