All of the energy a body makes, to sustain every single activity we engage in throughout the day, comes from what we eat and what we breathe. Whether we like it or not, our overall health depends upon the quality and quantity of our food and exercise. If the body is the vehicle that gets us through life, food and air serve as the fuel. As with any vehicle, the highest quality fuel cleans an engine as it burns. Fuel which is poor in quality can leave behind deposits and soil an engine. With this in mind, the importance of diet and exercise cannot be over emphasized.

Many illnesses are directly related to poor food selection. With our busy lifestyles it is very easy to take our eating for granted, and to forget that FOOD IS MEDICINE. Besides being the most fundamental source of essential nutrients, each food has a different effect on the body. Some foods warm the body, some foods cool the body, some foods create mucous, some foods absorb mucous, and so on. TCM therapeutically utilizes the properties of foods according to the nature of each individual illness. In this way, each meal that we consume has the potential to reinforce and strengthen the overall treatment principle. A high quality clean diet can only enhance our lives. This is especially true in our culture where we are continually targeted by fast food conglomerates, and plagued by epidemic disorders such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and obesity.

The body needs a balance of activity and rest. Moving the body is the most fundamental and efficient way to circulate energy and blood, to maximize the utilization of oxygen, and to stimulate the lymphatic system. The gentle and calming movements of Tai Qi and Qi Gong exercises actually have a very invigorating effect on the body. Tai Qi and Qi Gong are suitable for all ages and body types, and are particularly beneficial for those who cannot engage in vigorous or high impact workouts. These exercise systems were developed in accordance with the same principles of TCM, and are tailored to the needs of the individual.

The condition of the body, the emotions, and the state of mind all depend upon what we fuel our body with and how we distribute that fuel. When seeking TCM therapy, exercise and nutrition will be used to supplement the overall treatment objective.