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 Traditional
Chinese medicine is one of the oldest continuous
systems of medicine in history, with recorded
instances dating as far back as two thousand
years before the birth of Christ. This is
in sharp contrast to the American or Western
forms of health care, which have been in existence
for a much shorter time span (the American
Medical Association, the largest health care
member association in the United States, was
formed in 1847, some 3,800 years after the
first mention of traditional Chinese medicine).
Chinese medicine is quite complex
and can be difficult for some people to comprehend.
This is because TCM is based, at least in
part, on the Daoist belief that we live in
a universe in which everything is interconnected.
What happens to one part of the body affects
every other part of the body. The mind and
body are not viewed separately, but as part
of an energetic system. Similarly, organs
and organ systems are viewed as interconnected
structures that work together to keep the
body functioning.
Many of the concepts emphasized
in traditional Chinese medicine have no true
counterpart in Western medicine. One of these
concepts is qi (pronounced "chi"),
which is considered a vital force or energy
responsible for controlling the workings of
the human mind and body. Qi flows through
the body via channels, or pathways, which
are called meridians. There are a total of
20 meridians: 12 primary meridians, which
correspond to specific organs, organ systems
or functions, and eight secondary meridians.
Imbalances in the flow of qi cause illness;
correction of this flow restores the body
to balance. Other concepts (such as the Yin/Yang
and Five Element Theories) are equally important
in order to have a true grasp of traditional
Chinese medicine, and will be discussed at
length elsewhere on this site.
Many people often equate the
practice of acupuncture with the practice
of traditional Chinese medicine. This is not
entirely true. While acupuncture is the most
often practiced component of traditional Chinese
medicine, it is simply that – a component,
an important piece of a much larger puzzle.
Traditional Chinese medicine encompasses several
methods designed to help patients achieve
and maintain health. Along with acupuncture,
TCM incorporates adjunctive techniques such
as acupressure and moxibustion; manipulative
and massage techniques such as tuina and gua
sha; herbal medicine; diet and lifestyle changes;
meditation; and exercise (often in the form
of qigong or tai chi).
Traditional Chinese medicine
should not also be confused with "Oriental
medicine." Whereas traditional Chinese
medicine is considered a standardized version
of the type of Chinese medicine practice before
the Chinese Revolution, Oriental medicine
is a catch-all phrase for the styles of acupuncture,
herbal medicine, massage and exercise that
have been developed and practice not only
in Asia, but world-wide.
Although the principles of traditional
Chinese medicine may be difficult for some
to comprehend, there is little doubt of TCM's
effectiveness. Several studies have reported
on traditional Chinese medicine's success
in treating a wide range of conditions, from
nausea and vomiting to skin disorders, tennis
elbow and back pain. Many Western-trained
physicians have begun to see the benefits
traditional Chinese medicine has to offer
patients and now include acupuncture —
at least on a limited basis -- as part of
their practice. More Americans are also using
acupuncture, herbal remedies and other components
of traditional Chinese medicine than ever
before. The reasons for this vary, but the
increasing interest in, and use of, TCM is
due in large part to its effectiveness, affordability
and lack of adverse side-effects compared
to Western medicine.
Listed below are some of the
most well-known concepts in traditional Chinese
medicine.
Common
Traditional Chinese Medicine Terms and Theories
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Acupressure
Acupressure is an ancient art of
healing believed by some people to be
even older than acupuncture. It involves
the use of the fingers (and in some cases,
the toes) to press key points on the surface
of the skin to stimulate the body's natural
ability to heal itself. Pressing on these
points relieves muscle tension, which
promotes the circulation of blood and
qi to aid in the healing process.
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Qigong
The word "qi" in Chinese
means "energy." According to
traditional Chinese philosophy, qi is
a form of fundamental life energy that
is found throughout the universe and is
responsible for health and vitality. "Gong,"
meanwhile, means "skill." Qigong
(the skill of attracting energy) is an
ancient system of healing that combines
postures, exercises (also known as "movements"),
breathing techniques and meditation to
improve and enhance the body's supply
of qi, and to increase one's sense of
well-being.
-
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is one of the oldest,
most commonly used systems of healing
in the world. Originating in China some
3,500 years ago, only in the last three
decades has it become popular.
Traditional Chinese medicine hold
that there are as many as 2,000 acupuncture
points on the human body, which are connected
by 20 pathways (12 main, 8 secondary)
called meridians. These meridians conduct
energy, or qi (pronounced "chi"),
between the surface of the body and its
internal organs. Each point has a different
effect on the qi that passes through it.
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Reiki
Reiki is used as a method of healing
illness and reducing stress through light
touch or, more commonly, by placing the
hands near or above the body in specific
positions or patterns. Through these positions,
a reiki practitioner can correct energetic
imbalances in the body, improving health
and restoring a person's energy levels.
There are two main forms of reiki - direct-contact
and distant. In direct-contact reiki,
treatment is administered with the patient
fully clothed, while the practitioner
lightly touches designated areas of the
body for approximately two minutes each.
In distant reiki, a patient is not actually
touched, but a reiki practitioner sends
his or her energy into the patient. Distant
reiki can be offered with the practitioner
in the patient's presence, or from great
distances.
-
Asian
Bodywork Therapy
“Asian bodywork therapy,”
also called ABT, is a term used to describe
a wide range of manual (and sometimes
mechanical) treatments to the human body.
As with most forms of Asian healing, Asian
bodywork therapy treats not just the body,
but a person’s mind and spirit, and
helps one achieve optimal health on a
variety of levels.
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Shiatsu
Shiatsu has many benefits not normally
seen with most forms of Western medicine.
It is non-invasive; no needles or instruments
are used, and the skin isn’t punctured
while treatment is being delivered. In
addition, because shiatsu doesn’t
involve the use of drugs or pharmaceuticals,
there are no side-effects.
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Cupping
Cupping is one of the oldest methods
of traditional Chinese medicine.
Today, most acupuncturists use
cups made of thick glass or plastic, although
bamboo, iron and pottery cups are still
used in other countries. Glass cups are
the preferred method of delivery, because
they do not break as easily as pottery
or deteriorate like bamboo, and they allow
the acupuncturist to see the skin and
evaluate the effects of treatment. In
a typical cupping session, glass cups
are warmed using a cotton ball or other
flammable substance, which is soaked in
alcohol, let, then placed inside the cup.
Burning a substance inside the cup removes
all the oxygen, which creates a vacuum.
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Tai
Chi
Tai chi is arguably the most popular
form of exercise in the world. It is actually
an ancient martial art that combines breathing
techniques, meditation and body movements,
performed in slow-motion. Although first
taught as a form of self-defense, tai
chi is now practiced by tens of millions
of people daily as a means of reducing
stress, promoting balance and flexibility,
and enhancing well-being.
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Electroacupuncture
Electroacupuncture is an acupuncture
technique that, comparatively speaking,
has only recently come into use. Electroacupuncture
is an increasingly popular form of treatment,
and is used by practitioners of traditional
Chinese medicine for a wide array of conditions.
Electroacupuncture is quite similar to
traditional acupuncture in that the same
points are stimulated during treatment.
As with traditional acupuncture, needles
are inserted on specific points along
the body. The needles are then attached
to a device that generates continuous
electric pulses using small clips
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Tuina
Tuina (pronounced "twee nah")
is a form of Oriental bodywork that has
been used in China for centuries. A combination
of massage, acupressure and other forms
of body manipulation, tuina works by applying
pressure to acupoints, meridians and groups
of muscles or nerves to remove blockages
that prevent the free flow of qi. Removing
these blockages restores the balance of
qi in the body, leading to improved health
and vitality.
-
Five
Element Theory
Five Element theory is one of the
major systems of thought within traditional
Chinese medicine. Also referred to as
the “five phase” theory by some
practitioners, Five Element theory has
been used for more than 2,000 years as
a method of diagnosis and treatment. While
it is an important component of traditional
Chinese medicine, today Five Element theory
is not used by every acupuncturist and
doctor of Oriental medicine; rather, it
is employed to a certain degree, depending
on the practitioner’s training and
education, and the style of acupuncture
that he or she practices.
Santé
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