How does Tibetan Medicine work?

Tibetan medicine is an ancient form of healing which aims to balance the 5 elements of the body through the three humors. Diet, lifestyle and paying attention to seasonal changes are central in the treatment. The root causes of disease are assessed and directly worked with to bring resulting symptoms into balance. For some people the treatment emphasizes mostly dietary and behavioral changes, such as what to avoid and promote. For others treatment can include traditional dietary supplements to assist the inner elements and various organ systems to return to optimal functioning. Traditionally accessory therapy may also be administered, such as moxabustion, cupping, acupressure or acupuncture, and massage therapies. Nashalla does not practice acupuncture within the USA. When in the USA she depends on her many years of acupressure with the same results.

 What is the common duration for Tibetan Medicine treatment?

While it very much depends on the health issue or symptoms one is experiencing and for what length of time imbalance has been present, most people will notice changes in several weeks to a few months or more. Often if one follows the advice of the practitioner regarding foods and behaviors, the effects of the herbal formulas are enhanced, bringing changes quicker. Tibetan Medical formulas are given according to ones personal elemental balance, imbalance, and how these are influenced by seasons and times of day.

 What can I expect from a traditional Tibetan Medicine treatment?

Traditionally Tibetan Medicine diagnosis begins with determining the nature of your inner elements and their state of balance or disharmony. This is accomplished through extensive questioning, urine, and pulse diagnosis. Dietary and behavior patterns are accessed and recommendations will be made. Herbal supplements may or may not be a part of the regime. A follow up visit to read the pulse and observe changes will be scheduled in a few weeks. Generally if one has on-going treatment, check up visits will occur every few weeks or months to see what changes need to be made according to seasonal change as well as changes in the internal elements and organ systems.

 Will Tibetan medicine herbs and dietary supplements interfere with prescription medications or other vitamins and supplements?

Traditional Tibetan Medicines offer a wide rage of treatment for a variety of health issues. While traditional Tibetan Medicine is safe and effective, it is vital to work only with well-qualified practitioners. As with all dietary supplements and herbs, one needs to know the mechanism of action of the supplement on the various organ systems. Because Tibetan Medicine works directly with the body elements and relates to the seasons, times of day etc., one must NEVER self prescribe these supplements. It takes many years under the supervision of experienced Tibetan physicians to understand the complex system.

In most cases Tibetan Medicine will not interfere with your current treatment. If you are taking prescription drugs, the Tibetan Medicine practitioner will recommend having a minimum of one-hour gap between Tibetan formulas and other medicines, herbs or supplements. If you are going to see a Tibetan Practitioner, in order to properly read the urine, prior to your visit vitamins and minerals should not be taken for 3 days. While very rare, there a few compounds that should not be combined with certain prescription drugs. (For example, prescription blood thinners and Tibetan formulas, which also thin the blood, are contra-indicated.) If you are pregnant, or breast feeding or thinking of conceiving soon you MUST make this known to your practitioner, as certain formulas are not allowed during this time.

There are many cases where people can slowly, with supervision of their licensed MD come off select western prescriptions, replacing them with Tibetan medicine. This very much depends on the disorder, the medication, and the willingness of the MD to supervise your care alongside your Tibetan Medicine practitioner. The full corporation between allopathic and traditional medicines is to be honored, and not avoided. It is common that a Tibetan practitioner may ask you to go to your Allopathic Doctor and have certain tests done to check blood, serum levels, blood sugar, and liver enzymes. This means you may need to sign a waver allowing the release of your medical records to your Tibetan Medicine practitioner.

 Will working with you interfere with other treatments I am undergoing?

It is best to inform your family practice MD or specialist of the Alternative or Traditional Medicine treatments you are planning to undertake. Likewise one should inform the Tibetan Medicine practitioner or practitioner of other therapies what health care systems you are working with. In this way all healthcare providers can understand the full scope of your treatment plan, and work together to achieve your goals.

As of yet there are no regulations for the practice of Tibetan Medicine in the USA. For this reason you must be sure of the quality of the practitioner you are working with, in addition to understanding this form of healing is taken at your own risk, and is NOT a substitute or replacement for treatments under your MD or specialist. Various states have their own recognition of Acupressure and other therapies.

Especially in complex cases such as MS, hepatitis, diabetes, cancers etc. it is necessary to respect both Allopathic systems alongside whatever alternative therapy you are pursuing. Nashalla feels it is a mistake to discount the advances made in Allopathic Medicine, as they can greatly complement any alternative treatments. When all parties work together, understanding what the other is trying to accomplish, you will benefit from the range of experience.

 What is acupressure and how is it different from acupuncture?

There are many forms of both acupressure and acupuncture from various cultures. Japan, China, Tibet, India share similarities, yet possess their own unique styles. Acupuncture is a therapy when needles are inserting into points along lines in the body, called meridians. These points correspond to various organ systems. Energy is drawn to the organs or systems that are weak, overtaxed, or not functioning well. Acupressure works on these same meridians, with the same principles, but is more subtle and sometimes less intense for sensitive persons. Acupressure is preformed with your clothes on, and there are no needles.

Nashalla has found increased lasting effects when the body is moved gently towards balance, with treatment of the root causes being the priority, rather than symptoms alone. Modern Chinese methods are very effective at relieving symptoms, which can often re-appear. Whereas Nashalla has discovered treating root causes on a subtle and deeper level, reverses symptoms slower, but with longer lasting effects.

 How long does a course of acupressure sessions take to work for my problems?

This is varied, according to what issues one is seeking to resolve. Initially treatments occur within a short time to get the body used to receiving treatments. As the person becomes more balanced, symptoms will take longer to re-surface, and one requires less frequent treatments. When one has been undergone treatment for a long time, only if big events disturb the body or emotions and during the seasonal change, will one require a session. Nashalla always promotes and teaches self-care to her clients. Her goal is to make you the active participant in your healing process. Self-care increases the effectiveness of your treatments. The more self-care one engages in, the faster the results and less often one needs a treatment.

 How do I learn what foods and lifestyle changes can assist my treatments?

Every person Nashalla consults with benefits from her vast experience of Western nutrition and Asian Medicine’s understanding of food as medicine. She will help you learn what your natural elemental balance is and what foods relate to these elements in either helping or harming you. In her experience, when a person eats according to their elemental needs it always enhances any treatment.

 Does insurance cover your treatments?

Some people have flex plans in their insurance policies and use this money to pay for services. Nashalla does not process insurance claims, but can provide documentation of services if needed.