Acupuncture And Chinese Medicine

Chinese Medicine: A look at the Body

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Chinese medicine has long been a practice of ancient medicine that has been practiced more many centuries. Although it has widely been practiced throughout China, it does not carry a uniform standard to it. While many of the ideas of Chinese medicine can be similar to each other, it can widely vary from person to person and family to family. While there might be a lot of variations on Chinese medicine there is one element that is very similar and that is the idea of the body when it comes to Chinese medicine.

When it comes to Chinese medicine it is believed that they look at the body as a small universe that is to itself. Within this universe the body is made up of energy called the qi. It is believed that the whole body has a complex system of smaller universes that make up the body and keep it running healthy and at full power. These five systems derive from the five elements such as earth, air, wind, fire and water.

It is believed that when one of these systems has an internal or external factor that causes it to not operate smoothly that the body falls apart and can cause illness, mental illness or disease. Only be restoring these systems can the body safely operate at its full potential.

It is believed that under this structure the Chinese are able to treat not just one small element of the body but it treats the body as a whole and can allow the mind, body and soul to be treated as one element something that many believe modern medicine does not look at all.

The body is a very important fundamental element of the Chinese medicine system. It is what they go back to in order to figure out what is wrong with a person and what must be restored for a person to be whole again and healthy.

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Chinese Medicine: A Look at Diagnostic Practices

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When a health system such as the ancient Chinese medicine is looked at one of the most intriguing factors is that of whole doctors and practitioners worked as a whole in order to diagnosis elements. Today’s health care system requires a lot of tests, x-rays and various other diagnostic tools, that it is hard to imagine a system that is less complex but at the same time offered the same amount of treatment.

Chinese medicine uses a system of diagnostics largely based off of the observation method. These observations can come in a wide form of types of observations. A practitioner can sit down and observe human behavior, physical symptoms and various other visual aspects of the disease. They can also observe auditory, sensory and physical types of elements. These involve running a few elementary tests and seeing how the patient reacts. Another huge element of the diagnostic process involves questioning. This can range from asking about types of symptoms, when they started, how a person feels, etc. The last area of observation that comes under Chinese medicine is that of touch. Touch is very important when diagnosing illnesses and conditions and learning the right areas to prob and look at takes a lot of skill and knowledge as many conditions can have over 5 areas to touch to see if something is wrong.

Those that practice Chinese medicine practice the art of observing and diagnosing illness for a number of years. It does not come naturally to a person and could take over two decades to learn. Because of this it takes extreme skill and patience to learn to practice in Chinese medicine. It does not happen over night and it takes a number of years to develop the knowledge and ability to be able to diagnosis a number of illnesses and conditions that can be treated by Chinese medicine.

Filed Under: Chinese Medicine Tagged With: Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine, Alternative, Education, Health, Herb, Large intestine, Medicine, Traditional Chinese medicine

Chinese Medicine Diagnostics

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If you were ill and decided to go to a Chinese medicine practitioner to get some help with the health care what could you expect in terms of treatment?

Under the Traditional Chinese Medicine practice the way to diagnosis an illness is through observation. This involves looking at the visual, sensory, questioning and observation area of a patient. If you were to go to a Chinese medicine practice here are some of the items that you may expect to come upon in order for them to figure out what was wrong with you.

Heart. The way the heart beats can really help in figuring out a diagnosis. In Chinese medicine a practitioner will look at the heart pulse or palpitations in six different areas to see if there is any difference in the areas.

Observing Body Parts. By looking at various areas such as the hair, body, tongue, throat, skin, fingers and veins a person can figure out if there is something going on with the body and where. A practitioner will look at all of these areas and see if they can observe something along the way.

Tenderness/Pulse. The chest, abs and heart area are all areas that can become swollen or tender when there are various health concerns by a person. Looking at these areas will help them figure out if something is wrong and help figure out what it is.

Questioning. There will be tons of questions regarding past health problems, what is currently going on with them, what feels odd and various other aspects of the body. This will give them a better understanding of what is going on and your past health issues.

Odors. What a person can smell will help with a diagnosis. Also occasional illnesses will cause you to omit odors that are not always natural.

Filed Under: Chinese Medicine Tagged With: Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine, Alternative, Health, Herb, Herbalism, Large intestine, Medicine, Traditional Chinese medicine

Alternative Medicine and Therapies: Acupuncture

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Have you ever seen those movies where someone is lying very still on a table with a thousand long needles protruding from his body? That is a depiction of the Chinese form of therapeutic treatment called acupuncture.

The belief with the practice of acupuncture is that inserting sterile thin needles into certain pressure points in the body in order to relieve pain. These pressure points are said to exist on the 12 main meridians of the body and two of the eight extra meridians. They are expressed as channels where the blood flows in critical locations that effect how the body responses to stimulus.

The 12 main acupuncture channels are the bladder, gall bladder, heart, kidney, large intestine, liver, lung, pericardium, spleen, stomach and the San Jiao. The San Jiao is an intangible part of the body, roughly translated as the triple burner and loosely used in reference to one’s metabolism in traditional Chinese medicine.

The eight extra meridians include the divergents, luo vessels, sinew channels, ren mai and du mai. Ren mai and du mai are the only of these eight extra meridians that are subject to needle manipulation, while the rest can be reached through the original 12 meridians.

The idea is that the blood, also known as the qi, became stagnant within the body, when it normally flows continually and creates a continuous circuit between the meridians. Stagnant qi causes pain. There are both internal and external pathways associated with the qi. The external pathways are those in which the needles are used.

Acupuncturists typically only treat the area related to the patientâ€™s specific pain problem through interrogation and observation. Traditional Chinese medicine implements four diagnostic methods:

Inspection – analysis of the face and tongue
Auscultation and Olfaction – listening to sounds and observing odors produced by the body
Inquiring – looking for chills/fever, perspiration, appetite, thirst/taste and defecation/urination
Palpation – analysis of the heart rhythms and pulse

While the idea of having needles stuck into your body to relieve pain can be intimidating, there are very few injuries reported by those treated by a trained acupuncturist.

Filed Under: Chinese Medicine Tagged With: Acupuncture, Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine, Alternative, Health, Large intestine, Medicine, Practitioners, Traditional Chinese medicine

Introduction to Traditional Chinese Medicine

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Traditional Chinese Medicine, often referred to as TCM, is very different from Western medical practices that most are familiar with. Dating back nearly 3000 years in history, TCM’s basis for healing treatments of the human body are based on Daoism and the religion’s holistic understanding of the universe. Illnesses are treated based upon the differentiation of syndromes.

TCM is based upon the Chinese concept that there are five elements which make up the whole of the universe wood, fire, earth, metal and water. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the theory of the five elements is used to determine the relationship between the human body’s pathology and physiology and the environment in which it is exposed to in order to treat illnesses.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine everything revolves around the belief that Qi (pronounced Chi) connects tissues and organs. Qi is a network of blood vessels and channels throughout the body and, when something is wrong, it is because the blood in the Qi has become stagnant within one of these channels, disrupting the connection between organs and tissues and causing an individual to be sick.

When practitioners in TCM evaluate a patient, they look at possible causes and nature for the disease, as well as the mechanism and location. Another very important consideration is the correlation between the body’s resistance and pathology.

Therefore, treatment for an illness is not solely based on symptoms, which means that two individuals with the same symptoms and possibly even the same disease, may receive completely different treatments because so many other factors are considered.

The most common Traditional Chinese Medicines include acupuncture, qigong exercises and herbal treatments. Acupuncturists use sterile and disposable needles in specific areas of the body to stimulate the proper flow of the Qi and reactivate the body’s immune system. Herbal remedies aim to get the body’s organs to function correctly by stimulating them internally. Qigong exercises are specific movements of the body that work to get the Qi flowing correctly again.

Filed Under: Chinese Medicine Tagged With: Acupuncture, Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine, Alternative, Health, Herbalism, Practitioners, Qigong, Traditional Chinese medicine

Linking Your Health To Your Chinese Personality

The next time you fall ill, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to check if your personality had something to do with it. According to traditional Chinese medicine, personalities give important clues to the state of one’s physical health and tendency to fall ill. A personality-based assessment is becoming increasingly common in many alternative modern health medicine techniques.

As per Chinese thinking, every person has five elements in their birth chart. The relative weight of each element will determine the personality, and since all elements are present, a person will always have a mixed personality. The five elements are Metal, Water, Wood, Fire, and Earth. Each element has its good and bad sides.

Metal is the element that signifies righteousness and intellectual sharpness. Metal persons are detail-oriented perfectionists, and pursue their goals with single-minded devotion. Since Metal types are prone to respiratory illnesses and eczema, they are advised to take up aerobic exercises. Water types are known as deep thinkers, and are generally considered to be far ahead of their time. Such persons tend to be philosophical, and enjoy solitude and tranquility. They are likely to develop problems of the kidney and bladder if they do not have an adequate liquid intake or socializing opportunities.

Wood persons have Type A personalities, and are high on vitality, energy, and ambition. They are extremely driven and focused, and quite likely to assume positions of leadership or athletic supremacy. Wood personalities are therefore prone to stress and tension related ailments, and would do well to learn meditation.

Fire persons are the life of any group they’re in, and are fun, sociable people who love to read and travel. They are extremely gifted communicators. Fire types can maintain their health by taking time to nurture themselves, and limiting the intake of spices. Earth persons are compassionate nurturers, who are also natural peacemakers owing to their empathy. They are likely to suffer from weight gain, food allergies, and fatigue, and must learn to maintain the right balance in their food habits and emotions.

Knowing your personality type is the first step to making traditional Chinese medicine work effectively for you.

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Traditional Chinese Medicine – An introduction

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TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) is often an alternative source of health medicine all over the world, dominating the Asian market to begin with. In fact, it is considered as the mainstream method of treatment all over in East Asia. The West is yet to accept it as a major force in the medical world as the majority of the Western society depends largely on allopathic remedies.

TCM is not a single dimensional way of treating people as it consists of various forms of treatments such as acupuncture, massage, herbs and dietary therapies. TCM’s roots are supposedly quite deep in to the history of ancient China. Arguably it is the kind of treatment that has been going on in China and East Asia for thousands of years. TCM is based on the clinical observation of Nature and how it interacts with the human body, and vice versa. It studies the cosmos as well to get deep in to the remedial system of human body system. TCM has got its practice majorly through family tradition as it has moved from one generation to the other to establish its dominance.

China is one of those countries who prefer to update themselves with modern technologies and advancements without refusing the history, culture and tradition. As a part of that, TCM has also been modernized in its application. Now the major ingredients of TCM, such as herbs and plants, are transformed in to tablets and soluble granules. China has its medication source from living creatures as well. The living creatures used for preparing TCM, which are about 25 in number, include frogs, earthworms, bees and snakes. Their key ingredients are now packed in sachets as pills. Another example of its modernization is that Artemisinin, an extensively used western drug to treat malaria, has got its inspiration from the major ingredients of TCM.

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Benefits of Chinese Medicine

Chinese traditional medicine includes a variety of treatment methods such as acupuncture, dietary therapy and herbal medicine that are used for treating health problems. It includes massage techniques such as Tui Na and Shiatsu through which various ailments can be brought to normal levels.

The philosophy behind Chinese Medicine is that the human body is made up of a set of systems that are interconnected with one another. Chinese medical practitioners akin the human body to the universe and state that it is ruled by yin and yang energies. Their view of disease or illness is that it arises out of the malfunctioning of interconnected body systems or simply put – an imbalance in yin and yang forces. It is only when there is harmony between these two life forces that a person’s qi or vitality is maintained and they enjoy good health. There are five critical elements in the human body and Chinese medicine aims to balance these elements to heal the body of its various illnesses.

Chinese health medicine is useful for treating a variety of health problems. Here is a look at the conditions that it can treat:

Respiratory problems such as chronic cough, perennial rhinitis, asthma, bronchitis and sinusitis

Gastro-intestinal problems such as chronic constipation, irritable bowel syndrome and ulcerative colitis

Rheumatological problems and urinary problems

Psychological problems such as depression, anxiety and so on

In the west, Chinese alternative medicine is viewed as alternative form of therapy, but in China it is used alongside modern medicine. Its popularity has risen over the years, owing to the fact that it does not cause any side effects since it does not make use of any harmful chemicals. Those who have undergone treatment feel re-energized and vitalized. It has shown positive results for problems such as asthma, bronchitis, arthritis, gastro-intestinal diseases and so on.

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How can Chinese Health Medicine Offer Treatment

There are so many forms of treatment available today, that at times, one feels lost on what really works. Where modern medicine fails to show positive results and cure, alternate therapy is viewed as the best option. One alternative therapy form that is widely popular now-a-days is Chinese medicine. Chinese health medicine is quite popular all over the world.

Chinese alternative medicine is based on some ancient healing practices that focus on curing illness by restoring the body’s normal energy flow or chi. This allows the body to heal itself in time. A well-known Chinese treatment form is Acupuncture. According to the Chinese treatment philosophy, the body is made up of channels of energy, called meridians. These channels flow through the body and enable the body to perform its various functions. Illnesses are caused when there is an obstruction in them as this causes energy deficiencies, and problem with blood flow and nervous pulses.

In Acupuncture, needles are inserted at certain precise points of the body. These points are located near the skin surface and when acupuncture needles pierce through them, they penetrate skin layer to touch energy channels and this process alters the biochemical and physiological conditions that enable to achieve required effect in healing the body. Heat is also applied alongside for the purpose of healing.

Acupuncture can cure problems such as back pain, arthritis, infertility and P.M.S.

As part of the acupuncture process, the needles stimulate various types of sensory receptors that send impulses to the brain’s hypothalamic-pituitary system which is responsible for sending neurotransmitters and endorphins. Endorphins play a critical role in functioning of the body’s hormonal system. The kinds of substances that are released by using acupuncture enable the whole body to relax and this is one of the main reasons why it is used for treating depression.

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The History Behind Traditional Chinese Medicine

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TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine), which is often an alternative foundation of health medicine all over the world, dominates the East Asian market.

The history behind the development of TCM goes back to Buddhist and Taoist philosophies which proclaim a unique thought that human beings possesses a close bonding with mother Nature. Every activity of human beings is directly or indirectly connected with the environment they are surrounded with.

Chinese legends say that Yellow Emperor composed a book named Neijing: Suwen which deals with the basic questions about the “Inner Cannon”. He composed the same after having a conversation with Qibo, his minister. This book is supposed to be the foundation of TCM. However, modern scholars have their disagreements regarding this. According to them, this book was brought together only about 2,000 years or so, which means it was not done before Han Dynasty.

There were significant developments in TCM all through Middle Ages. The noteworthy emperor of Tang Dynasty, Emperor Gaozong, was responsible for the commissioning of one materia medica, which was a compiled academic research. It took note of 833 substances worth medicinal worth. These substances were in use taking from stones, cereal crops, minerals, metals, herbs, animals, plants, fruits and vegetables. These ingredients were categorically recorded in accordance with their pharmaceutical employments.

TCM is viewed in recent history as a major part of evolution in modern medical science. There was a time when evil spirits were accused of being responsible for all the diseases but TCM can be regarded as the first of the lot to give it a scientific thought while curing a disease. This medical method is entirely based on observation and practical implementations of available resources. The Western civilization has identified TCM long back even in the 18th century when acupuncture was not an uncommon way of treating illnesses.

Filed Under: Ancient Practices, Chinese Medicine, Traditional Medicine Tagged With: Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine, Health, Traditional Chinese medicine