TCM - Traditional Chinese Medicine

TCM was developed in China as an independent medical system and has been tried and tested over a period of 2000 years. We have been practising TCM at the Steirerhof for many years; in fact we built a separate unit for Chinese medicine under medical supervision in 1998.

There are several procedures involving external stimulation in Chinese healing: the positioning of thin needles (acupuncture), mugwort heat therapy (moxibustion), cupping, Tui Na massage and Qi Gong.

Chinese herbal healing also plays a central role. Individually composed teas are medicinal, and sometimes very strong remedies, requiring a great deal of knowledge and experience on the part of the doctor. An important part of TCM is tongue and pulse diagnosis, which pinpoints the location of the problem and its characteristic trait. Treatment is only carried out after we have gone into your past medical history in great detail. Our lady Chinese doctor decides on the type of TCM appropriate for you.

Our Chinese therapists

Dr Jing Zhu

Graduated in TCM in 1989 from the University of Tianjin and then worked in the Thorax Hospital (hospital for cardiopulmonary diseases) in Tianjin. In addition to specialising in cardiopulmonary diseases she has more than ten years experience in TCM.

She has already achieved many successes:

• through acupuncture, ear acupressure and moxibustion for disorders of the spine
• through Tui Na massage for painful tension and disorders of the musculoskeletal system
• through medicinal herb treatments for arthritis, arrhythmia, coronary heart disease, gastrointestinal diseases, diseases of the nervous system and of the respiratory system.

Mr Yin Chun Lei

Graduated from and carried out his first years of practice at the University Hospital in Tianjin. In addition to specialising in moxibustion and Tui Na massage, Yin Chun Lei is also very knowledgeable in the area of cupping and foot massage. With his wife, Dr Jing Zhu, he has been in charge of the TCM unit at the Steirerhof since June 2005.

Acupuncture

Before every treatment a basic examination is carried out using tongue and pulse diagnosis. This has been practised for centuries and differentiates between eighteen different pulse qualities. Fine, thin needles are inserted at the acupuncture points, which has a positive effect on the body's regulatory system.

Ear acupuncture massage

In Chinese medicine the ear is considered a reflex zone and a reflection of the whole body. Stimulating a range of different acupuncture points has a positive effect on the body's pain regulation system and strengthens it. The stimuli, generated through sesame seeds or acupuncture rods reach the brain via the nerves, where they then work on the thalamus. Pain is suppressed and the respiratory rhythm, pulse rate and the gastro-intestinal tract return to normal.

Moxibustion

Using moxa sticks, made from a mixture of various plants, heat is introduced to the acupuncture points. The red-hot moxa sticks are carefully positioned around 5-10 cm away, heating up the acupuncture points or the painful muscle area, giving better results in removing blockages and easing pain.

Fire cupping

Special cupping glasses are placed on the acupuncture points. The heat of the fire loosens the blocked meridians and the energy flow is rebalanced. This treatment method is ideal for coughs and colds, backache, sciatica, shoulder-arm syndrome, stiff neck and stomach ache.

Chinese herbal pack

After a tongue and pulse diagnosis, various Chinese herbs are assembled, ground up and mixed to a paste with vinegar. This mixture is applied to the painful part of the body and heat lamps are then shone on it. This helps the body to better absorb the substances within the herbs. Especially applicable for rheumatism, joint pain, hard, tensed muscles, problems in the urogenital tract and flatulence.

Chinese foot massage

This treatment is one of the manual TCM therapies. First a footbath is administered, prepared with high-quality Chinese medicinal herbs. Everyday aches and pains such as digestive problems, sleep and circulatory disorders and stress are treated. The interaction of the medicinal herbs and the foot massage releases tension in the body and has a balancing effect on the vegetative nervous system.
Treatment lasts approx. 50 mins.

Tui Na massage

This treatment is also one of the manual TCM therapies. Many different forms of manual stimulation are carried out on the skin, muscles and tissue in the musculoskeletal system, loosening up severely tense and hardened muscles and eliminating deposits in the musculature.
Treatment lasts approx. 25 mins. or approx. 50 mins.

An introduction to TCM

An individual package for those who would like to try TCM:

• 1 tongue and pulse diagnosis
• 1 Tui Na massage (50 mins.) 
• 2 Chinese foot massages with herbal foot bath (50 mins. each)
  

Ideal for a 3- to 4-day stay

TCM for strengthening the immune system

An unbalanced diet, too little sleep and breaks and of course stress, the weather and environmental influences weaken our immune system. To combat this we offer the following combination

• 2 TCM treatments (à 25 mins.)
• 5 decoctions made from Chinese medicinal herbs
  

Ideal for a 3-day stay

TCM for back problems

Wear and tear on the spine, severe muscle tension and restricted movement of the shoulder joint weakens the energy in our backs. The following package builds up energy and eases pain very effectively:

• 1 TCM treatment (25 mins.) for compiling the initial findings
• 3 Tui Na massages (25 mins. each) combined with either cupping or Chinese herbal pack, according to our recommendatio
  

Ideal from Sunday to Thursday

TCM for exhaustion or burnout

Physical or severe emotional stress can stop the flow of Qi in the body, resulting in a state of energetic imbalance, leading to exhaustion, fatigue, loss of drive and even burnout. To get your Qi flowing again, we recommend the following combination:

• 1 TCM treatment (50 mins.) with tongue and pulse diagnosis and starting treatment
• 2 Chinese foot massages with herbal footbath (à 50 mins.)
• 2 sessions of acupuncture (à 25 mins.) 
• 1 Tui Na massage (50 mins.)
  

Ideal from Sunday to Sunday

Far East wellness

Chinese and Japanese healing massages combined in one offer:

• 2 Tui Na massages (à 25 mins.)
• 1 Shiatsu massage (80 mins.) 
• 1 relaxation training session with personal consultation
  

Ideal for a 3-day stay