Acupuncture for different types of health conditions - Reviewed by WHO


The use of acupuncture has been shown to effectively treat many types of conditions. In 2003 the World Health Organization (WHO) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) released a report called “Acupuncture: Review and Analysis of Reports on Controlled Clinical Trials.” Below you will see a list of the conditions mentioned in the report.


Psychological Conditions
Neurological Conditions
Musculo-skeletal Conditions
  • Muscle pain, swelling, stiffness and weakness
  • Localized traumatic injuries, sprains, strains, tendinitis, contractures
  • Arthritis
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Work and sports related injuries
  • Low back and/or neck strain
  • Osteoarthritis
  • “Frozen shoulder”, “tennis elbow”
  • Sciatica
Respiratory System Conditions
  • Acute sinusitis
  • Acute rhinitis
  • Common cold and allergies*
  • Acute tonsillitis
  • Acute bronchitis
  • Bronchial asthma


Conditions of the Eye, Ear, Nose & Mouth
  • Acute conjunctivitis
  • Central retinitis
  • Myopia (in children)
  • Cataract (without complications)
  • Toothaches, post extraction pain
  • Gingivitis
  • Acute and chronic pharyngitis
Gastrointestinal Conditions
Gynecological Conditions
Cardiovascular Conditions
Other Conditions
  • Withdrawal from street and pharmacological drugs
  • Appetite suppression
Healing from the root, beyond treating symptoms.
So you can experience greater health and well-being!

With Jarry's 30 years clinical experience, you will feel the difference.



What's Tongue Diagnosis in TCM and Why?


Observing and interpreting the signs offered by the tongue is one of the more important diagnostic tools in Chinese medicine. The tongue, like other body parts such as the hands, feet and ears, is a hologram of the body. As such, the tongue can reveal the depth and nature of any imbalances and can also be used to gauge the process of recovery. In Chinese medicine, the tongue is divided into five-element zones that correspond to your internal organ networks. 

1. Tongue tip
The fire element zone, which corresponds to the heart-small intestine network, is located at the tip of the tongue. This includes matters of the heart, both emotions and the physical health. In Chinese medicine, the spirit is said to reside in the heart network. Stress and anxiety will show up as red color and red dots on the tip of the tongue. Increasing heat signs means hyperactivity in the heart network due to stress and tension. 

2. Sides of your tongue
The sides of your tongue display the wood element. Teeth markings on the sides of the tongue usually mean stagnant energy in the liver network. You may also notice a bluish-green or purplish hue or spots in this zone. Dark spots may indicate more serious problems. On several occasions, we've noticed purple spots in the wood zone in patients that suffer from low energy, discomfort, distension around the lower ribs, and swelling in the abdomen.  

3. Behind the tongue tip
The band-like area across the tongue and just behind the tip is the metal element zone, which corresponds to the respiratory and the immune systems. When this area turns reddish, or when red pin-sized dots occur, it usually means a respiratory infection is on its way or is settling into the body. Paleness in the metal zone may reflect a weakened immune system. In rare fungal infections of the lungs, there may appear a brownish black coating over this zone, which was the case with several of my patients who suffer from lesions in their lungs. 

4. Center of the tongue
This area is the earth element zone, and it is related to the stomach-spleen-pancreas network. Problems of the digestive system most often show up here in the center of the tongue. G.E.R.D. -- stomach and esophagus acid reflux that keeps many people awake at night -- may be seen with redness and a yellowish coating in the center of the tongue. Subtle changes in this area may indicate digestive problems that have not surfaced yet; observe this area and take prophylactic steps if necessary. 

5. Back of your tongue
The back of the tongue reflects many of the body's functions, but is mainly the domain of the water element, or kidney-bladder network, which includes the hormonal system and sexual glands. The two large, elevated papilla on the back of the tongue are a normal part of the taste buds. What you should look for is color and coating. For example, when we see a thick yellow coating at the back-center of the tongue in the female patients, we know that they are very likely to get a bladder infection. We tell them to immediately start drinking 8 to 12 glasses of filtered water a day, take 5,000 mg of vitamin C, and to drink cranberry juice or take its extract -- this regimen will typically help prevent a bladder infection.



In TCM, the tongue has many relationships and connections in the body, both to the meridians and internal organs. It is therefore very useful and important during inspection for confirming TCM diagnosis. It can present strong visual indicators of a person's overall harmony or disharmony. The top value of tongue diagnosis is to help identify syndromes and determine treatment. 

For your free consultation, please send the picture of your tongue by email OrientalAcupuncture@outlook.com 
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What Your Tongue Color Telling You

Tongue color varies widely from person to person, but is a good indicator of the overall nature of what is going on in the body. A red tongue indicates that there is heat present in the body, and the redder the tongue, the more heat present. A tongue that is pale indicates a deficiency of qi and blood or the presence of cold. A purple tongue tells your practitioner that there is stagnation somewhere in the body. Tongue color may also vary on different parts of the tongue. For example, a tongue that is red at the very tip indicates heat in the Heart, as the tip of the tongue correlates with conditions of the Heart. Just behind the tip corresponds to the Lungs; the sides of the tongue are associated with the Liver; the center of the tongue with the Spleen/Stomach or digestion; and the back of the tongue is associated with the condition of the Kidney. 
 1. Too red tongue This indicates that the body has excessive heat. The body may have some of the following symptoms such as, body feels hot, easy to perspire, red face, takes time to fall asleep or vivid dreams, constipation, pungent dark stool, hunger (eats more), very emotional (easy to get anxious) or period comes earlier. Some may have the following disorders, hyperactive thyroid, high blood pressure or menopause. 
 2. Pale tongue This indicates that your body has a lack of digestion, Qi and blood deficiency. You may have some of the following symptoms such as lack of energy, pale face, dizziness (especially upon standing), short of breath, sluggish bowel movement, bloating after eating, scanty period (one or two days), little or no milk production after labour. These people may also have the following disorders: low blood pressure, anemia or infertility/frequent miscarriage. 


 3. Purple/dark tongue This indicates that the liver and heart have a functioning disorder and there maybe a lack of circulation with blood clots (you may have an old injury). Usually you may have the some of the following symptoms such as body aches/pain, joint, neck and shoulder stiffness and pain, chest pain, headaches or period pain with blood clots and brownish bleeding. These people may suffer the following disorders such as endometriosis, polycystic ovaries, migraine, arthritis.
 4. Dry tongue Dryness of the tongue is often caused by swelling of the salivary glands - the fleshy bulgy sacs under the tongue where saliva is produced. This is often caused by stress. Regulate stress by relaxation routines such as breathing or Taichi or Qigong. Also, stimulate the flow of saliva and flush out the salivary ducts by drinking cider vinegar and lemon diluted in a glass of water. Persistant dryness could be caused by Sjorgren's syndrome - an immunological disorder. If your tongue is persistantly dry seek medical advice. A dry furry tongue indicates excessive mucus in the body. This is caused by too much dairy and sugar in the blood. Eat a well-balanced diet and cut down on milk, butter and eggs.
 5. Purple Tongue:A purple or red-purple tongue may arise with certain diseases but can also precede the development of a blue tongue. It should therefore be carefully monitored in acute cases to take note of whether more distinct blueness sets in. A purple tongue is uncommon compared to other discoloration of the tongue. It is more commonly seen with nutritional deficiencies and in particular with vitamin B2 (riboflavin) deficiency. However, it is not a common symptom in ariboflavinosis. In TCM, a purple tongue indicates pathogenic heat, and blood stasis. 
 6. Blue Tongue A bluish tongue is always considered to a be a serious sign that warrants medical attention. It is an important sign of cyanosis – a condition caused by an insufficient oxygen supply to tissue. The condition may be caused by blood disorders, diseased blood vessels, cardiac (heart) dysfunction or respiratory (lung and airway) insufficiency. This may include various conditions as discussed under the causes of cyanosis such as: Acute respiratory distress Airway obstruction, Asthmatic attacks, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), Congenital heart disease Pneumonia, Poisoning Suffocation 
 7. Black Tongue A black discoloration of the tongue is rarely due to any disease. It frequently develops from birth or sometime during the course of life and tends to be permanent. However, sometimes there is a black discoloration of the tongue which may arise when the papillae become elongated giving the tongue a hairy feel. This condition is known as black, hairy tongue. More food debris collects than normal and there is an increase in the bacteria within the mouth. It usually develops as a yellow discoloration, which progresses to a brown and then black discoloration. Causes may include : Regular use of certain medication including antibiotics and bismuth-containing drugs used for indigestion. Certain types of mouthwash. Tobacco etc...

Looking for an experienced TCM acupuncturist for proper diagnosis or treatments,please feel free to call 416-800-3978 for your appointment or book online.