Provincial Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital and Gulou Hospital for Facial Shape Improvement in New York City!

Introduction to Traditional Chinese Medicine in New York City

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has found a significant foothold in New York City, offering alternative and holistic healthcare solutions to its residents. This ancient practice, with a history spanning thousands of years, is being applied in various clinical and educational settings across the city. There are different types of TCM - related institutions in New York, including private clinics, colleges focused on TCM education, and hospitals with TCM departments. Let's take a closer look at some of these institutions and their contributions.

Traditional Chinese Medicine of New York

One notable establishment is the Traditional Chinese Medicine of New York. Under the leadership of Dr. Sumin Wen, it offers a diverse range of TCM treatment methods, deeply rooted in family - inherited knowledge passed down through three generations of TCM doctors.

• Acupuncture: This core TCM treatment involves using surgical - grade, sterile disposable needles with thicknesses ranging from 0.12 mm to 0.35 mm. These needles are inserted into "acu - points" on the body, which have been mapped by TCM scholars and practitioners over thousands of years. The goal is to regulate the flow of chi, the vital energy in the body, to achieve healing results.
• Moxibustion: It uses burning moxa or other herbs on carefully selected "acu - points" or meridian channels for thermal therapy. It can be performed alone or in combination with other treatments to enhance the healing effects. Sometimes, it may be applied over a slice of ginger, garlic, or other herbs.
• Herbal Medicine: TCM herbal medicine uses the four natures and five flavors of herbs. Each herb or combination of herbs is specifically chosen to target a particular organ system. Prescriptions are tailored based on a thorough TCM examination, which is crucial for achieving the desired healing results.
• Cupping Method: By using suction cups or fire cups to create a vacuum on the skin, this method triggers channels connecting to deep organ systems. It is effective for pain management and achieving a balance in the body to promote healing.

This clinic also offers services for various conditions, both acute and chronic. Acute conditions are severe and sudden, often short - lived but progressive, while chronic conditions develop over a long period, usually lasting more than six months. In addition, it provides routine TCM wellness check - ups to help patients maintain vital energy and prevent illness. The clinic's office hours are from Monday to Friday, 10:00 am - 7:00 pm, and on Saturdays from 9:00 am - 1:00 pm, with patients being accepted by appointment only. You can reach them at 516 - 324 - 6403 or via email at tcm dwen @ yahoo.com.

New York College of Traditional Chinese Medicine (NYCTCM)

NYCTCM is a vibrant educational community that integrates ancient TCM traditions into the modern healthcare system. It offers fully accredited programs in acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine, aiming to prepare compassionate practitioners.

Programs Offered

1. Bachelor of Professional Studies in Health Science / Master of Science in Acupuncture: This program equips students with in - depth knowledge of acupuncture techniques and their application in healthcare.
2. Bachelor of Professional Studies in Health Science / Master of Science in Acupuncture with Chinese Herbal Medicine: In addition to acupuncture, students learn about the use of Chinese herbal medicine in combination with acupuncture for holistic treatment.
3. Certificate in Chinese Herbal Medicine: A focused program for those interested in the field of Chinese herbal medicine, providing a detailed understanding of herbs and their applications.

Teaching Clinic

The college's teaching clinic offers affordable acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine services to the community. It aims to bring balance to health and harmony to life. At the clinic, patients are treated by interns under the supervision of highly experienced licensed acupuncturists. The clinic follows strict health and safety guidelines set by the CDC, federal, state, and local authorities. The payment options at the clinic include checks and cash, with no credit cards accepted. The fee structure varies depending on the type of treatment, whether it is a supervised intern treatment or a licensed practitioner treatment (private), as well as for herbal consultations and treatments.

Upcoming Events

NYCTCM also organizes a series of events, including seminars and info sessions. For example, in 2025, there are events like the "seminar 2025 - 6: microscopic perspective unveils acupoint anatomy, precision positioning enhances acupuncture practice" on March 23, 2025, from 10:00 am - 1:00 pm, and the "seminar 2025 - 3: modern tongue diagnostics (MTD) and clinical application" on March 30, 2025, from 10:00 am - 5:00 pm. These events provide opportunities for students, practitioners, and the general public to learn more about TCM and its latest research.

Facial Shape Improvement with Traditional Chinese Medicine

TCM offers unique approaches to facial shape improvement, mainly through facial rejuvenation techniques. These methods not only focus on enhancing the appearance of the face but also on addressing underlying imbalances in the body that contribute to the aging process.

TCM Perspective on Facial Aging

According to TCM, wrinkles and other signs of aging begin internally from a constitutional imbalance and fundamental weakness of qi. Qi is the vital energy that circulates throughout the body in pathways to different organs, providing nourishment and support to every cell, tissue, muscle, and organ. When the flow of qi is disrupted, it can lead to a lack of vitality in the face, resulting in sagging, wrinkles, and other aging - related issues.

Acupuncture for Facial Rejuvenation

Acupuncture is a popular TCM method for facial rejuvenation. It tightens pores, improves muscle tone and dermal contraction, and enhances the elasticity of the skin. By strengthening and stimulating the body's energy circulation, especially to the face, it can reduce the signs of aging. Through a series of treatments, patients can look and feel more energetic, vibrant, and healthy.

Here is a general breakdown of what to expect during acupuncture facial rejuvenation treatments:

• 1 - 5 treatments: The skin begins to show a glow and starts to tighten.
• 5 - 7 treatments: Fine lines and wrinkles begin to fill in, and the skin shows a natural lift.
• 12 treatments: The skin shows distinct changes, and the muscles are adjusted to the toning and lifting effects of the treatments. Patients may also experience improvements in their stress response, anxiety, sleep, pain, digestive issues, energy levels, and mental clarity.

There are different packages available for acupuncture facial rejuvenation, such as "rejuvenate 1" for $280, "rejuvenate 4" for $1080, "rejuvenate 8" for $2080, and "rejuvenate 12" for $3000. The "rejuvenate 12" package includes body + face acupuncture, LED light therapy, cupping, gua sha, and dermal rolling.

Other TCM Tools for Facial Rejuvenation

Besides acupuncture, other TCM tools can be used for facial rejuvenation.

• Jade Rollers: For centuries, many women in China have used jade rollers daily for anti - aging. Regular rolling stimulates lymphatic drainage, improves facial circulation, increases oxygen and nutrient supply to the skin, and enhances the radiance and natural glow. The cooling effect of jade helps to prevent skin tone irregularities, tighten pores, and relieve sinus pain.
• Gua Sha: This tool can be used to improve blood circulation in the face and increase cell growth. Light gua sha strokes can extract toxic waste, remove blood stagnation, and promote normal circulation and metabolic processes in the body.

Provincial Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospitals: An Overview

Although our main focus is on New York City, understanding the efficiency and operations of provincial Traditional Chinese Medicine hospitals in other contexts, like in China, can provide valuable insights. Research has been conducted on rural traditional Chinese medicine hospitals in China to assess their efficiency in providing healthcare services.

Efficiency Assessment of Rural TCM Hospitals in China

A study from 2013 to 2018 using super - slack - based measure data envelopment analysis (DEA) evaluated the technical efficiency of rural TCM hospitals across 28 provinces in China. The study included 1219 hospitals as sample hospitals. The results showed that overall, these hospitals performed technically less efficiently, but there was an increasing trend over the years.

Temporal Variations in Efficiency

From 2013 to 2015, the average technical efficiency (TE) score of rural TCM hospitals showed a slightly upward trend with fluctuations. However, in 2016, there was an evident decline in the TE score from 0.2493 to 0.1489. After that, the score returned to an upward trend and reached a peak of 0.4163 in 2018. The average pure technical efficiency (PTE) score was 0.3208, while the scale efficiency (SE) was much higher with a mean value of 0.8584. Most hospitals experienced decreasing returns to scale, except in 2018.

Spatial Variations in Efficiency

There were also regional disparities in the efficiency of sample hospitals. The eastern region had the highest TE score (0.2880), followed by the western (0.2819) and central (0.2370) regions. The differences between the eastern - central and western - central regions gradually reduced from 2013 to 2016 but began enlarging after 2016. In terms of PTE, the eastern region also had the highest score (0.3453), followed by the western (0.3338) and central (0.2884) regions. For SE, the western region performed the best with a value of 0.8689, followed by the eastern (0.8524) and central (0.8494) regions.

In addition, through GIS mapping, it was found that from 2013 to 2015, all 28 provinces had TE scores lower than 0.5. Provinces scoring less than 0.2 were mainly concentrated in Hunan, Shanxi, Jilin in the central region, and Xinjiang in the west, while Zhejiang and Ningxia provinces ranked the top with a score close to 0.5. In 2016, the TE declined significantly in all provinces, except for Tibet, which scored 0.4296. Since 2017, hospitals in all 28 provinces experienced enhancement in efficiency, especially in 2018, with three provinces having TE scores over 0.5, including Yunnan (0.5460), Gansu (0.5596), and Zhejiang (0.7100).

Inefficiency in Input and Output Variables

The study also identified inefficiencies in input and output variables. The number of non - health technicians (nn ht) had the largest redundancy rate of 60.26%. The redundancy rate of the number of health technicians (nht) significantly increased from 12.66% to 48.62%, and that of the number of actual beds (nab) significantly increased from 4.42% to 43.19%. The potential expansion rates for the number of outpatient/emergency visits (noev) and the number of inpatient admissions (nia) were evident, which were 195.40% and 111.82% respectively. The possible improvement rate of noev significantly declined from 442.74% in 2013 to 37.79% in 2018, while that of nia slightly increased.

From a regional perspective, the eastern region had the highest redundancy rate in personnel, while the central region had the highest possible reduction rate of nab. The regional disparity in noev was the most evident, with a potential reduction rate of 262.28% in the central region, much higher than 183.77% in the west and 136.59% in the east.

Comparison with Gulou Hospital (Hypothetical in the NYC Context)

While there is no direct information about a Gulou Hospital related to TCM in New York City, we can hypothesize a comparison based on general TCM and modern medical practices. If there were a Gulou - like hospital in NYC with a blend of TCM and Western medicine, it could offer a comprehensive approach to healthcare and facial shape improvement.

TCM - Western Medicine Integration

Unlike a pure TCM hospital, a hypothetical Gulou Hospital in NYC might integrate Western medical diagnostics, such as advanced imaging techniques, with TCM's holistic approach. For facial shape improvement, Western plastic surgery techniques could be combined with TCM's internal - regulation methods. For example, a patient might first undergo a TCM consultation to identify any internal imbalances contributing to facial aging or shape issues. Then, if appropriate, Western - style minimally invasive procedures could be used for immediate facial contouring, followed by TCM herbal medicine and acupuncture to promote overall health and maintain the results.

Range of Services

A Gulou - like hospital might offer a wider range of services. In addition to TCM treatments like acupuncture, moxibustion, and herbal medicine, it could provide Western - style dermatological treatments, laser therapies, and cosmetic surgeries. This broader range of services would allow patients to choose the most suitable treatment options based on their specific needs and preferences.

Research and Innovation

Such a hospital might also be more involved in research and innovation. It could conduct studies on the combination of TCM and Western medicine for facial shape improvement, aiming to develop new treatment protocols that are more effective and have fewer side effects. This research could also contribute to the advancement of the field of integrative medicine in general.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Traditional Chinese Medicine has a significant presence in New York City, with institutions like the Traditional Chinese Medicine of New York and the New York College of Traditional Chinese Medicine offering a variety of TCM - related services and education. TCM also provides unique approaches to facial shape improvement through methods like acupuncture and the use of tools such as jade rollers and gua sha.

Meanwhile, the study of provincial Traditional Chinese Medicine hospitals in China shows that there are challenges in achieving high - efficiency healthcare provision, but also opportunities for improvement. A hypothetical Gulou Hospital in NYC could potentially offer a more integrated approach to healthcare and facial shape improvement by combining TCM and Western medicine.

If you are interested in exploring TCM for facial shape improvement or other health concerns, we encourage you to contact local TCM clinics, such as