中医Traditional Chinese Medicine
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is an integral part of
Chinese culture. For thousands of years, it has made great
contribution to the development and prosperity of Chinese
nation, and the health of the Chinese people. Perhaps it is
the one of symbols that best represents Chinese culture.
In comparison with Western medicine, the Chinese medicine
takes a far different approach. It is an ancient but very
vital holistic system, based on the Chinese philosophy of
the heaven, earth and human, and the notion of harmony and
balance, employing the ideas of moderation and prevention.
With a recorded history of over 2000 years, TCM has formed a
deep and immense knowledge of medical theory, diagnostic
methods, prescriptions and cures. Since the ancient times,
especi8ally the Han and Tang Dynasties, TCM has been spread
all over the world, especially, in Asia.
The Distinctive
1. Main aspects of TCM's concept of the human body, health,
and disease, are essential Qi, Yin and Yang, the Five
Elements, correspondence between human and the universe, the
Zang-Fu organs, qi and blood, meridians and Six Exogenous
Pathogenic Factors.
The Theory of Essential Qi
The theory of essential qi is an ancient Chinese
philosophical system which explain the formation of the
universe by an invisible substance called qi. The ceaseless
movement of qi causes all kinds of changes, and the
essential part of qi given rise to life.
Yin and Yang Theory
Yin and Yang Theory is an ancient Chinese philosophical
concept of naive dialectics, expressing the law of the unity
of opposites. In general, "Yin" is associated with cold,
female energy, and represents the solid organs while "Yang"
is associated with hot, male energy, and represents the
hollow organs. Chronic illness is seen as Yin, while acute
illness is seen as Yang. Originally, the "Yin" was the shady
side of the slope, and the "Yang" was the sunny side of a
slope. The two terms are used to describe any item in
nature. In Chinese medicine, all organisms have both Yin and
Yang qualities and a balance of the two is necessary for
good health.
Five Element Theory
Like the concept of yin and yang, the Five Elements Theory
is fundamental to Chinese culture. The five element theory
is one of the major systems of thought within traditional
Chinese medicine consisting of five elements including wood,
fire, earth, metal, and water. The theory of five elements
is used to interpret the relationship between the physiology
and pathology of the human body and the natural environment.
According to the theory, the five elements are in constant
move and change, and the interdependence and mutual
restraint of the five elements explain the complex
connection between material objects as well as the unity
between the human body and the natural world. Essentially,
Five Element theory is used to help explain the cause of
particular diseases, and to associate signs or symptoms to
particular organs and afflictions.
Correspondence between Human and the Universe
The Chinese believe that human, heaven and earth are a
trinity. The correspondence between human and the universe
is one of the basic theories in traditional Chinese
medicine, according to which the physical structure and
physiological phenomena of the human body as well as the
pathological changes are in adaptive of conformity with the
variations of the natural environment, and hence in
diagnosis and treatment the impacts of environmental factors
such as climatic conditions, geographical localities, should
be considered.
2. Four Methods of Diagnosis
It is a wonder that Chinese doctors could cure countless
patients without any assistant apparatus but only a physical
examination. The four methods of diagnosis consist of
observation, auscultation and olfaction, interrogation,
pulse taking and palpation.
Observation indicates that doctors directly watch the
outward appearance to know a patient's condition. As the
exterior and interior corresponds immediately, when the
inner organs run wrongly, it will be reflected through skin
pallor, tongue, the facial sensory organs and some
excrement.
Auscultation and olfaction is a way for doctors to collect
messages through hearing the sound and smelling the odor.
This is another reference for diagnosis.
Interrogation suggests that doctors question the patient and
his relatives, so as to know the symptoms, evolution of the
disease and previous treatments.
The taking of the pulse and palpation refer that doctors
noting the pulse condition of patients on the radial artery,
and then to know the inner change of symptom. Doctors
believe that when the organic function is normal, the pulse,
frequency, and intension of pulse will be relatively stable,
and when not, variant.
3. TCM Therapy
When treating a disease, doctors of traditional Chinese
medicine usually find the patient's condition through these
four diagnostic methods: observation, auscultation and
olfaction, interrogation, pulse, and palpation. Combining
the collected facts and according to their internal
relations, doctors will utilize the dialectics to analyze
the source and virtue of the disease. Then make sure what
prescription should be given. In traditional Chinese
medicine, the drugs are also different from the West,
because doctors have discovered the medicinal effects of
thousand of herbs over a long period of time and developed
hundreds of prescriptions. Before taking the medicine, the
patient will have to decoct those herbs the doctor
prescribed. Then there is the distinctive method of
preparation, associated with the acupuncture and massage,
the treatment will take effect magically.
TCM therapy largely consists of Chinese herbal medicine,
acupuncture, dietary therapy, and tui na massage. The health
promoting aspects of qigong and taiji are also closely
associated with it.
Xinhua News: China needs half a million more traditional
medicine professionals in next 5 years
Such a complicated medical approach had come down thanks to
records like he Yellow Emperor's Canon of Interior Medicine,
Shen Nong's Canon of Herbs, Nan Jing (Difficult Classic or
Classic of Medical Problems), Shang Han Za Bing Lun
(Treatise on Cold-induced and Miscellaneous Diseases), and
the Compendium of Materia Medica, which are all
comprehensive and profound works.
Studying Traditional Chinese Medicine Textbooks and Practitioner's Reference:
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