For thousands of years, practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine have used an understanding of nature to address human illness by treating its root causes, rather than its external symptoms. Traditional Chinese medicine looks at the whole person---body, mind, spirit and emotion---and uses a variety of treatments to restore harmony and well-being. The major treatment types include qigong, herbal therapy, acupuncture and acupressure, healing foods and psychology.
Five Elements
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is rooted in a philosophical belief in five elements that govern the microcosm of the human body and the macrocosm of the universe. The five elements are wood, fire, earth, metal and water, each associated with a season and with senses and organs in the human body. Wood, for example, corresponds to spring and is associated with the liver and gall bladder, which are involved in planning, the storage of anger and decision-making.
Theory of Qi
TCM relies on the complex principle of Qi, a term that refers to the complementary ideas of vital energy and conscious intelligence. TCM sees the human body as a group of Organ Systems, each with a unique Qi that allows it to carry out its physical and energy-related functions. The Organ Systems are connected by the flow of Qi along 12 pathways known as meridians, which must be kept clear to maintain the body's self-regulation.
Yin and Yang
Yin and yang represent two types of energy that are inseparably connected. Yin is generally associated with the feminine principle represented by the moon and night, while yang is associated with masculine concepts like the sun and daytime. Neither exists as an absolute, however, but always in relation to the other. Rather than aiming for a simple balance between these energies, TCM seeks to harmonize yin and yang into a seamless whole.
Diagnosis
The TCM practitioner diagnoses a patient's condition through a comprehensive interview, observation of the pulse and examination of the tongue. The interview covers not only the patient's complaints, but areas like sleep, appetite and stress. Pulse diagnosis requires detection of six separate pulses in each wrist, each one corresponding to one of the Organ Systems. Each part of the tongue corresponds to an Organ System, as well, and detailed observations contribute to the diagnosis.
Treatment
Massage techniques, called tui na, are used to manipulate the body's meridian points to restore the proper flow of qi. The practitioner may also use an external form of qigong to transfer healing energy to the patient. Along with these physical techniques, the practitioner may recommend changes in diet to improve organ function or prescribe herbal remedies. Herbs are selected from among plant, animal and mineral substances based on well-defined qualities associated with each one.
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