|
|
|
WHAT IS TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE?
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a five thousand year old science that is holistic in approach, humanistic in application, low cost, safe and effective in the treatment and prevention of degenerative diseases. TCM views the body as being interrelated with Yin and Yang paired organs and paired energy systems. It recognizes the function of the immune system in a more specific way than Western medicine. It includes mental emotional stress and balance as part of the equation of optimal health. Breathing, Meditation, Exercise, and regulation of eating and sleeping times are equally important. Cultivation of Qi (energy) is a community activity. This understanding of Yin and Yang and circulation of Qi is the essence of Traditional Chinese Medicine. There are six pulses on each wrist for a total of 12 distinct rhythms, much like a guitar string. These rhythms give different information about what is going on internally with the organs and energetic systems. Looking at the face and posture and examining the tongue will give additional information. Finally, a complete health history asking questions about urination, defecation, rest and sleeping habits, sex drive, fluid intake and dietary habits will give a complete picture of how Qi flows through the body. 8 Principles of Diagnosis: Imbalances are assessed according to the 8 Principles of Diagnosis: Yin or Yang, Acute or Chronic, Excess or Deficiency, Internal or External. First we must determine if the cause is external penetration of the six perverse energies, wind, heat, damp, cold, dryness and/or fire. These climacteric interferences weaken our immune system allowing it to be attacked. We might call these bacteria, fungus, parasites, or viruses. If there is no infection then the cause must be an internal imbalance from overeating, over drinking, over working, lack of exercise, mental emotional stress, toxic environment, or poor lifestyle. Next we ask when symptoms first began to find out if we are dealing with a chronic or recurring problem. This determines the length of treatment. Then we determine if the imbalance manifests as hot or cold symptoms. This helps us determine which meridians are involved and how to select the type of treatment. Finally we determine if your physical type is Yin or Yang. This also helps to decide the type and course of treatment. Internal or External determines whether the illness is self-created or an infection that is viral, bacterial, fungal or parasitic. Yin or Yang determines the body type and the type of disease. Hot or Cold refers to the symptoms. Excess or Deficient refers to how the patient is relating to disharmony. Once we determine the energetic imbalance we can define our treatment principle. For example, deficient spleen yang means the digestive fire of the spleen is not working up to par. The treatment principle is to tonify the spleen. Determining which formula to use is not an easy choice. There are a number of formulas that will tonify the spleen. The art and skill of the practitioner will make the determination of which grouping of symptoms are in what priority. The doctor then decides which formula most closely matches the other signs and symptoms. The initial formula is taken for two or three weeks and adjusted accordingly. You may end up taking a particular formula for 3-6 months, or even multiple formulas. There are 272 commonly used formulas, which can be modified by addition or subtraction to make a more specific formula for a particular person. Lifestyle As The Cause Of Disease: The cause of all disease in the Chinese (Taoist/Buddhist) World View is a spiritual imbalance. In other words, we might call it lack of communication between the higher and lower selves. Others would call it a conflict between needs and desires. It can be treated with breathing, meditation and exercise. Qi gong (Chi kung), Tai ji, and Taoist Yoga can all fill this prescription. If this Spiritual imbalance goes untreated then the imbalance or disharmony (disease) manifests on the energetic plane as aches and pains, diarrhea and constipation, sinus and allergies, etc. It can be treated with Chinese Dietetics and massage (Tuina). If these symptoms are ignored then it manifests as a physical disharmony which may be treated with herbal medicines and acupuncture. Eighty percent of all illness in America is degenerative disease caused by poor lifestyle. Preventive Medicine Philosophy In the ancient days of China the Superior Physician was paid for keeping his patients well and payment was stopped when they became ill. The Inferior Physician was paid for treating his patients only after they became ill. The time has long gone when it was normal to meditate and exercise at dawn in the village square. Now we choose to pay hundreds of dollars a year to go to a glitterbox to exercise on a treadmill or a stationary bike instead of going out of doors to exercise in nature. We seem to be afraid of nature and want to control our environment instead of being in harmony with it. Meditation is only considered when people are stressed out to the point where they cannot function normally. The perception is that Massage is only for the rich or decadent. It seems like the American lifestyle and the standard American diet are not conducive to health and harmony. The philosophy of Traditional Chinese Medicine is preventive medicine in practice by living your life in harmony with your environments. Health and happiness is your birthright. All rights reserved - American Asian Medicine, Inc. See our full catalog of natural health products for adults and children at www.atlantisnatural.com |
|
Copyright© 2002-2004 DIEX,
LLC. All Rights Reserved. WE MAKE NO MEDICAL CLAIMS
- |
