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Intro To Traditional Chinese Medicine
Traditional Chinese medicine has existed for more than 2,000 years. Chinese medicine consists of acupuncture, moxibustion, and herbal medicine as well as acupressure massage, cupping, therapeutic exercises, and advice on diet and lifestyle. It is based on the principle of internal balance and harmony.
When there is balance between all the internal organs, body, mind, and the external environment, there is good health. When this state of harmony and balance breaks down, there is disease. Traditional Chinese medical treatment is thought to improve the functioning of the internal organs and bring the body back into balance.
Traditional Chinese medical methods of diagnosis concentrate mainly on personal touching, looking, listening and smelling, as well as questioning. The aim is to determine the relative balance of energy in the body as a whole rather than concentrating on isolated symptoms. The methods include pulse-taking, abdominal touch, observational diagnosis, tongue diagnosis, listening diagnosis, urine analysis, and asking questions about perspiration, sleeping patterns, taste, etc.
After gathering all the information from the diagnostic analysis, the Chinese medicine practitioner will determine the pathology causing the disease in order to direct the treatment plan. This is the most important part; it will have a great impact on which acupoints will be chosen.The Chinese have a concept of universal energy or life force. It is said that this vital energy known as chi is the basis of all life. In the human body the chi circulates through the body via 14 major energetic pathways known as meridians. The acupoints are on the meridians.
Acupuncture is a way of adjusting the body’s life energy flow. It involves the insertion of fine needles into carefully selected acupuncture points along the energetic pathways of the body. The critical part is the selection of the points.
Moxibustion is an application of heat to specific points on the body in order to treat diseases and restore the smooth flow of chi in the meridians. Generally the heat is obtained by burning dried mugwort leaves either directly or indirectly on the skin.
Cupping involves lighting a match in a small, rounded cup, then removing it quickly and applying the cup to the skin. The flame creates a vacuum, and the cup sticks tightly to the skin. The jars are left in position and the vacuum produces strong suction on the skin and increases the blood flow and circulation.
