Traditional Chinese Medicine
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is an ancient practice dating back over 2000 years in China. It has been continually developed and enhanced through experiential practice over the millennia and has become increasingly accepted in the western world as a complementary healing art. Deeply rooted in Chinese philosophy, it encompasses aspects of Taoism and the concepts of Yin and Yang and Qi (pronounced “chee”).
The concept of Yin and Yang is the belief that all aspects of material phenomena, that which we can observe with our senses and which appear to be diametrically opposed; light/dark, male/female, warm/cold, good/evil, in actuality co-exist in harmony with each other, creating each other and balancing each other. One cannot exist without the other; without the dark we would have no concept of light.
Qi refers to the universal energy that permeates all existence in the universe. Through the discoveries of quantum physics we are beginning to understand what has been until now an obscure Eastern philosophical concept, that everything in the universe, including human beings, is a manifestation of this energy. For us to remain in our best state of health our energy must be able to move freely. TCM treats what are considered to be blockages in the meridians or pathways through which Qi flows.
The underlying concept in TCM is that disease is caused by disharmonies or imbalances between Yin and Yang, the flow of Qi in the body, organ dysfunction or our interaction with the external environment. The goal is is to restore balance and harmony in order to optimize the person's health and wellbeing. The TCM practitioner, typically an acupuncturist, will diagnose the disharmony by means of four examinations: Looking - how the person is built, how they carry themselves, how their eyes, complexion and tongue look; Listening/Smelling - the sound of their voice, what odor they exude; Inquiry/Asking –the history and progression of the chief symptom and by asking a series of ten specific questions regarding the patient's perception of their physical and emotional signs; Touching – a detailed evaluation of the pulse along with palpation of the abdomen, energy meridians and acupressure points. Restoring balance through TCM treatment is an idea comparable to the western concept of homeostasis; the body’s natural state of stability. Realizing that they are inextricably linked, the TCM practitioner considers the patient's entire makeup: body, mind and spirit, when making the diagnosis. It is a holistic approach to treating the disharmony and restoring balance and health.
There are several major healing modalities used in TCM to restore balance and Qi flow in the body.
Diet is of primary importance. Eating foods that are in season and locally grown leads to sustained health. In addition, foods are considered to have an essence or natural ability to enhance the health of particular organs in the body and are prepared and eaten with this idea in mind.
Second is the use of herbs to promote health and aid in treating particular disharmonies. Herbs in the Chinese sense include not only plant materials but also minerals and animal material as well. Like food, herbs are considered to have certain medicinal properties and an essence or energetic component that interacts with the body to improve health.
Next is acupuncture, the use of fine stainless steel needles to stimulate the flow of Qi by fortifying the meridians or removing blockages at specific points on the skin where the energy meridian is accessed. The effective function of specific organs can also be enhanced by acupuncture.
Tui Na, Chinese massage, is another important modality which uses acupressure applied to the meridians and pressure points and involves the specific manipulation of muscles and skin to affect energy flow, remove blockages and improve overall functioning. It differs from traditional western massage in that it not only works with the muscles and connective tissue but with the energy channels as well.
Meditation is also very important. To calm the mind and focus attention inwardly brings tremendous benefit to the individual's physical and emotional wellbeing.
Finally there is Qigong, meaning “energy work.” Qigong is a practice of movement and postures used to promote the flow of Qi in the body and improve organ function.
This is a very basic introduction to Traditional Chinese Medicine, a beautiful and nuanced practice taking a lifetime to master. For more information on the subject I recommend the book “The Web That Has No Weaver: Understanding Chinese Medicine” by Ted Kaptchuk. It is well-written and enjoyable for both the layman and TCM practitioner.
In addition you will find many excellent resources on-line. I've added links for several of these on the “Links and More” tab of this website under “Resources.”
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is an ancient practice dating back over 2000 years in China. It has been continually developed and enhanced through experiential practice over the millennia and has become increasingly accepted in the western world as a complementary healing art. Deeply rooted in Chinese philosophy, it encompasses aspects of Taoism and the concepts of Yin and Yang and Qi (pronounced “chee”).
The concept of Yin and Yang is the belief that all aspects of material phenomena, that which we can observe with our senses and which appear to be diametrically opposed; light/dark, male/female, warm/cold, good/evil, in actuality co-exist in harmony with each other, creating each other and balancing each other. One cannot exist without the other; without the dark we would have no concept of light.
Qi refers to the universal energy that permeates all existence in the universe. Through the discoveries of quantum physics we are beginning to understand what has been until now an obscure Eastern philosophical concept, that everything in the universe, including human beings, is a manifestation of this energy. For us to remain in our best state of health our energy must be able to move freely. TCM treats what are considered to be blockages in the meridians or pathways through which Qi flows.
The underlying concept in TCM is that disease is caused by disharmonies or imbalances between Yin and Yang, the flow of Qi in the body, organ dysfunction or our interaction with the external environment. The goal is is to restore balance and harmony in order to optimize the person's health and wellbeing. The TCM practitioner, typically an acupuncturist, will diagnose the disharmony by means of four examinations: Looking - how the person is built, how they carry themselves, how their eyes, complexion and tongue look; Listening/Smelling - the sound of their voice, what odor they exude; Inquiry/Asking –the history and progression of the chief symptom and by asking a series of ten specific questions regarding the patient's perception of their physical and emotional signs; Touching – a detailed evaluation of the pulse along with palpation of the abdomen, energy meridians and acupressure points. Restoring balance through TCM treatment is an idea comparable to the western concept of homeostasis; the body’s natural state of stability. Realizing that they are inextricably linked, the TCM practitioner considers the patient's entire makeup: body, mind and spirit, when making the diagnosis. It is a holistic approach to treating the disharmony and restoring balance and health.
There are several major healing modalities used in TCM to restore balance and Qi flow in the body.
Diet is of primary importance. Eating foods that are in season and locally grown leads to sustained health. In addition, foods are considered to have an essence or natural ability to enhance the health of particular organs in the body and are prepared and eaten with this idea in mind.
Second is the use of herbs to promote health and aid in treating particular disharmonies. Herbs in the Chinese sense include not only plant materials but also minerals and animal material as well. Like food, herbs are considered to have certain medicinal properties and an essence or energetic component that interacts with the body to improve health.
Next is acupuncture, the use of fine stainless steel needles to stimulate the flow of Qi by fortifying the meridians or removing blockages at specific points on the skin where the energy meridian is accessed. The effective function of specific organs can also be enhanced by acupuncture.
Tui Na, Chinese massage, is another important modality which uses acupressure applied to the meridians and pressure points and involves the specific manipulation of muscles and skin to affect energy flow, remove blockages and improve overall functioning. It differs from traditional western massage in that it not only works with the muscles and connective tissue but with the energy channels as well.
Meditation is also very important. To calm the mind and focus attention inwardly brings tremendous benefit to the individual's physical and emotional wellbeing.
Finally there is Qigong, meaning “energy work.” Qigong is a practice of movement and postures used to promote the flow of Qi in the body and improve organ function.
This is a very basic introduction to Traditional Chinese Medicine, a beautiful and nuanced practice taking a lifetime to master. For more information on the subject I recommend the book “The Web That Has No Weaver: Understanding Chinese Medicine” by Ted Kaptchuk. It is well-written and enjoyable for both the layman and TCM practitioner.
In addition you will find many excellent resources on-line. I've added links for several of these on the “Links and More” tab of this website under “Resources.”