Guest guest Posted September 10, 2006 Report Share Posted September 10, 2006 An Introduction to Traditional Chinese Medicine Traditional Chinese Medicine is a holistic system of healing which has diagnosed, treated, and prevented illness for at least 3000 years. Based on the principles of internal balance and harmony, this highly refined and complex discipline works to regenerate the body's organs and systems, including: circulatory endocrine neurological excretory respiratory urinary Traditional Chinese medicine views each human as a mini-ecosystem that shares common traits with the earth on which we live. The basic principles of this complete medical system are: Causes of Disharmony Meridians Five Elements Vital Substances Yin and Yang Zangfu Diagnosis The Chinese have a concept of vital energy known as chi or qi (pronounced chee), which is the basis of all life. In the body, chi (qi) is transported via the 12 major energetic pathways known as meridians. Although these meridians cannot be seen with the naked eye, modern science has proven their existence through electronic detection. Each meridian connects to one of the major organs, and chi (qi) is said to power the organ, enabling effective functioning. For example, the path of the heart meridian travels from the heart, to the armpit, and down the inside of the arm to the little finger. This explains why some individuals with heart conditions will express a tingling feeling running down the arm and into the fingers. Chi (qi) is regulated by the interdependant forces of Yin and Yang. The Chinese symbol for Yin literally means " the dark side of the mountain " , and represents the qualities of cold, still, dark, below, weakness, and void. The chinese symbol for Yang translates to " the sunny side of the mountain " , and therefore represents the opposite qualities of Yin: heat, activity, light, above strength, and solidity. A person's constitution, or the nature of the disease is determined by the aspects of Yin and Yang. Harmony and balance of this union yields a healthy state, whereas excess or deficiency of either Yin or Yang is thought to lead to illness. Causes of Disharmony Traditional Chinese Medicine views the cause of disease in three main areas: external causes, internal causes, and a group of miscellaneous causes which primarily involve lifestyle. These are outlined below: The Six External Causes The six external causes of disease, also known as the six evils, are causes of disharmony that relate to climatic conditions. Just as extremes of wind, cold, heat, dampness, dryness, and summer heat can have devastating effects on the world in which we live, they can also seriously alter the balance within the body by diminishing, or blocking the flow of qi in the organs. Wind is the most prevalent of the six external factors, and refers to the ability of an illness to spread within the body. Symptoms commonly linked with wind include chills, fever, colds, flu, nasal congestion, headaches, allergies, arthritic and rheumatic conditions, as well as dizziness and vertigo. Cold related imbalances manifest as conditions that diminish the body's immune system, such as colds, cough, upper respiratory allergies, as well as poor circulation, anemia, and weak digestion. Heat conditions are described as hot and inflammatory, exacerbated by hot weather and exposure to direct heat. They represent an over-active metabolic process, which can result in hypertension, hyperthyroid, ulcers, colitis, inflammed arthritic joints, as well as flu and skin rashes. Dampness symptoms are created through the intake of oily and fluidic foods, as well as wet weather. These symptoms may include swelling, obesity, the formation of cysts, tumors, and lumps, and an increased production of phlegm. This phlegm production can affect the sinuses and upper respiratory passages, including the lungs and bronchioles. Dryness can damage vegitation, and creates similar imbalances within the body, causing disorders of the lungs, sinuses, large intestine, skin, digestion, and reproductive organs. Summer Heat, or an overexposure to sunlight and hot weather, can yield conditions such as heat stroke, dizziness, nausea, extreme thirst, and exhaustion. The Seven Internal Causes The seven internal causes, otherwise known as the Seven Emotions, are illnesses brought about by intense, prolonged, or surpressed feelings, and are defined as follows: Sadness decreases the flow of qi in the lungs and heart, and is associated with depression, fatigue, amenorrhea, shortness of breath, asthma, allergies, cold and flu. Grief is similar to sadness, and injures the lungs, decreases immunity to colds and flu, as well as chronic upper respiratory diseases such as emphysema, allergies, and asthma. Pensiveness, or over-engaging the mind in activities such as worry, thought, or study can deplete spleen qi, and may result in edema, digestive disorders, low appetite, and fatigue. Fear, or paranoia causes qi to descend, resulting in potential harm to the kidneys, lower back, or joints when this emotion is ever present. Fright, or shock is unlike fear in the sense that the onset is very sudden, causing one's qi to diverge. The rapid change in flow first affects the heart in symptoms such as breathlessness and palpitations, then moves to the lower body in a similar fashion to fear, damaging the kidneys, lower back, and joints. Anger encompasses all the negative emotions of rage, irritability, frustration, and resentment, and causes the qi to rise inappropriately. Anger is associated with headaches, mental confusion, dizziness, and hypertension. Joy in Chinese Medicine refers to excess, or overabundance, and relates to illness relative to overindulgence. Damage to the heart may result, and the conditions of hysteria, muddled thought, and insomnia may arise. The Meridian System In addition to chi (qi), Traditional Chinese Medicine recognizes a subtle energy system by which chi (qi) is circulated through the body. This transportation system is referred to as the channels or meridians. There are twelve main meridians in the body, six yin and six yang, and each relates to one of the Zangfu or organs. To better visualize the concept of chi (qi), and the meridians, think of the meridians as a river-bed, over which water flows and irrigates the land; feeding, nourishing and sustaining the substance through which it flows. (In Western medicine, the concept would be likened to the blood flowing through the circulatory system.) If a dam were placed at any point along the river, the nourishing effect that the water had on the whole river would stop at the point the dam was placed. The same is true in relation to chi (qi) and the meridians. When chi (qi) becomes blocked, the rest of the body that was being nourished by the continuous flow, now suffers. Illness and disease can result if the flow is not restored. Acupuncture is one tool used to restore the flow of chi (qi), by inserting needles into the acupuncture points (located on the meridians). These insertions are said to clear any residing blockages, or dams, thus freeing the river to better feed the body in its entirety. The Five Elements in Chinese Medicine The five elements, also called " Wu Xing " represent the processes that are fundamental to the cycles of nature, and therefore correspond to the human body. The chinese term " xing " means the process of one thing acting upon another. In relation to the five elements, the cycle of processes can be represented as: wood feeds fire fire creates ashes which form earth inside the earth, metal which is heated liquifies and produces water vapor water generated then nourishes the trees, or wood The five elements, their characteristics, and their inter-relationships with the body can be defined as: Fire Hot, ascending, light and energy as embodied in the TCM functions of the heart (yin) and small intestine (yang). The fire element also affects the complementary organ processes of the pericardium (yin) and the triple warmer, which is representative of the upper, lower, and middle parts of the body, as well as the circulation of fluids in these areas (yang). Joy (overindulgence) is the emotion which creates imbalance within this element. Earth Productive, fertile, growth. The earth element relates to the stomach (yang) and the spleen (yin). The stomach begins the process of digestive breakdown, while the spleen transforms and transports the energy from food and drink throughout the body. Pensiveness is the emotion which creates imbalance within this element. Metal As a conductor, this element includes the lungs (yin), which move vital energy throughout the body, and the large intestine (yang), which is responsible for receiving and discharging waste. Sadness, or grieving is the emotion which creates imbalance within this element. Water Wet, descending, flowing. The water element represents the urinary bladder (yang), and the kidney (yin). The bladder receives, stores, and excretes urine. Water metabolism dissipates fluids throughout the body, moistening it, then accumulating in the kidneys. The kidneys also store the essence, and serve as the root of yin and yang for the entire body. Fear and paranoia are the emotions which create imbalance within this element. Wood Strong, rooted. The wood element represents the liver (yin), and the gall bladder (yang). The liver stores blood, and regulates the smooth flow of qi. The gallbladder is responsible for storing and excreting bile. Anger is the emotion that creates imbalance within the liver, while indecisiveness is relative to the gallbladder Vital Substances Traditional Chinese Medicine views the human body as a mini eco-system, which therefore shares the same qualities as nature. Just as the earth contains air, water, and land, the basic substances of the human body are Qi, Body Fluids, Blood, and Essence. Qi is the vital energy that gives us our capacity to move, think, and feel. It protects from illness, and warms the body. Qi is derived from two main sources: the air we breathe, and the food we eat. When the supply of Qi to the body is depleted or blocked, organ function is adversely affected by the inability to transform and transport the " energy " necessary to fight illness and disease. Body Fluids (called Jin Ye) are the liquids which protect, nurture, and lubricate the body in conjunction with the blood. The moisture nourishes the skin, muscles, joints, spine, bone marrow, and brain. Dehydration results in conditions such as dry skin and constipation, while excess fluids manifest in symptoms such as lethargy, and increased production of phlegm. Blood is the material foundation for bone, nerve, skin, muscle, and organ creation. It also contains the Shen (spirit) which balances the psyche. Essence, or Jing, is the body's reproductive and regenerative substance. Essence regulates growth, development, reproduction, and promotes and works with qi to help protect the body from external factors. The vital substances circulate through the pathways, or meridians, linking all parts of the body. When flowing smoothly they contribute to the healthy state, but if these substances are congested or depleted, symptoms as varied as aches, tension, swelling, asthma, indigestion, and fatigue may result from the disruption. Yin & Yang in Chinese Medicine In Chinese medicine, health is represented as a balance of yin and yang. These two forces represent the bipolar manifestation of all things in nature, and because of this, one must be present to allow the other to exist. Hence, where there is above there is below, whatever has a front also has a back, night is followed by day, etc.. On an emotional level, one would not know joy had they never experienced pain. It is important to note that the balance of yin and yang is not always exact, even when the body is healthy. Under normal circumstances the balance is in a state of constant change, based on both the external and internal environment. For example, during times of anger, a person's mood is more fiery, or yang, and yet once the anger has subsided, and a quiet peaceful state is achieved, yin may dominate. This shift in the balance of yin and yang is very natural. It is when the balance is consistently altered, and one (be it yin or yang) regularly dominates the other, that health is compromised, resulting in illness and disease. Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners attempt to determine the exact nature of the imbalance, and then correct it through the use of acupuncture, herbal remedies, exercise, diet and lifestyle. As balance is restored in the body, so is health. Zangfu Zangfu is the term used to describe various yin and yang organs in the body. A yin organ is called a Zang, while a yang organ is called a Fu. Although the organs are identified by their western anatomical names, Traditional Chinese medicine views their function on a far broader scope, due in part to the concepts of qi, and essence, their flow, and storage responsibilities. The twelve organs of Chinese medicine, which correspond to the twelve meridians, or channels within the body, are classified according to the functions of transformation (yin organs), or transportation (yang organs). The Zang is made up of the six solid (yin) organs: heart pericardium (sac surrounding the heart) lungs spleen liver kidney The Fu consists of the six hollow (yang) organs: small intestine triple warmer (an organ function) stomach large intestine gallbladder urinary bladder Acupuncture Acupuncture is a means of adjusting the body's life energy (chi or qi) through the insertion of fine needles into carefully selected acupuncture points along the meridians of the body. The needles, which have a rounded end rather than a sharp cutting one, are inserted into the points and are then manipulated with a gentle pumping action, by twirling or leaving in place for a few minutes. These motions stimulate the flow of energy and remove blockages so that the qi can be dispersed and regulated. When the qi is flowing properly throughout the body, the balance is restored and improved health results. How does it work? Athough many theories have been presented, there is still no easy answer as to exactly how acupuncture works. The " Gate Control " theory suggests that pain impulses are blocked from reaching the spinal cord or brain at various " gates " to these areas. Since a majority of acupuncture points are either located near, or connected to neural structures, this suggests that acupuncture stimulates the nervous system to " shut the gate " to the sensation of pain. Other theories suggest that acupuncture stimulates the body to produce narcotic like substances such as endorphins and opiods which, when released into the body, relieve pain. One thing is certain, although we may not know precisely how it works, studies have shown that it does work for a large majority of people and conditions. Do I have to believe in it for it to work? The answer to this question is no. While having a positive state of mind helps with any type of treatment, conventional or otherwise, it is not necessary to " believe " in acupuncture for it to work. This is evidenced not only through clinical study in " non-believers " , but by the fact that animals and small children who cannot be instructed to " believe " receive relief through the use of acupuncture. (Beautiful Southern Oregon, USA) We may not be able to change the direction of the wind, but we can adjust our sails. May you have enough happiness to make you kind, enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human, enough hope to make you happy. --------------------------------- Get your own web address for just $1.99/1st yr. We'll help. Yahoo! Small Business. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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