By U-T San Diego Contributor 6 p.m.Aug. 6, 2013

Traditional Eastern medicine has been practiced the world over for thousands of years. These natural healing procedures have become increasingly popular for those seeking relief from physical and emotional ailments.

The main types of traditional Eastern medicine include acupuncture, moxibustion or heat therapy, herbal medicine, Chinese therapeutic massage, Tai Chi and lifestyle counseling.

Greg Lane, director of Clinical Services at Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in San Diego, said these complementary and alternative procedures are sometimes the first choice for patients searching for help on a wide variety of health issues.

The origins of traditional Eastern medicine date back to archaeological discoveries of stone needles thousands of years ago in the Neolithic era, Lane said. Since then, scholars and physicians have spent considerable time understanding and educating themselves and others on the foundations for the practices.

Advocates said the benefits of traditional Eastern medicine are plentiful, including pain relief. And many people report better sleep, less stress and a general feeling of peacefulness after experiencing an Eastern medicine modality, Lane said.

Many traditional medicines involve the use of natural substances.

Moxibustion, for example, involves the burning of the herb mugwort, and has been used to treat cancers. The American Cancer Society, while not endorsing its use, said a 2010 review of studies of moxibustion use during chemo suggested that it might help reduce the [associated] nausea and vomiting, but cautioned that the research methods were not rigorous enough to be certain.

Ayurveda is another traditional Eastern medicine that began in India. It includes using herbs, nutrition, acupressure massage and yoga. Ayurveda seeks to restore an individuals balance and harmony, contributing to a healthy, long life.

Ayurveda is based on three basic principles: diet, sleep and exercise. In Ayurveda, food is the No. 1 preventative medicine.

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Eastern medicine seeks to balance