A Look At Chinese Medicine

Chinese Medicine

Chinese Medicine is an ancient practice that dates back to over 3000 years ago in China. The philosophy behind Chinese medicine is when ones Qi (pronounced Chee) or life force is enhanced the active and passive energy in the body is balanced. When these polar forces, active and passive energy are balanced there is health. Chinese Medicine also stresses the best doctors are ones who prevent illness or treat an illness before it happens.

Chinese Medicine focuses on the changes of Qi in the body and how it flows. If there are energy imbalances the practitioner seeks to restore the bodies Qi by reversing the energy imbalances. Chinese medicine also feels when the body is restored to balance the body is strengthen and heals naturally.

The philosophical basis of Chinese Medicine stems from Taoism. In Taoism, shen or spirits inhabit the body to take care of its functions. Shen is also the “spirit” or one consciousness that when originates and forms makes us who we are in the world. In Chinese medicine “Tao” or the Chinese way is founded on the idea of continual cosmic motion between yin and yang in a harmonious balance of motion and interaction. Yin is feminine passive energy and Yang is male active energy. Yin and Yang flow through one’s body to maintain health. In Chinese Medicine The Yin organs are the dense internal organs in the body like the heart, liver, lungs, kidneys and bones. The Yang Organs are the hollow or surface organs of the body like the large intestines, stomach and gallbladder.

In addition to the Yin and Yang, Chinese Medicine also utilizes the Five Elements, the human body Meridian System and Zang Fu Organ theory. The Five Elements are wood, fire, earth, metal and water. Each part of the body and function is correlated to one of the Five Elements, literally translated as Five Phases or Five Goings. It is believed more beneficial to treat a body organ during the particular time frame associated with the element. For example, you would treat the liver at a wood hour because it is a wood element organ. The Meridian System is premised on the idea that the bodies qi flows through interconnected channels called Meridians. There are approximately 400 acupuncture points and 20 meridians. The 20 Meridians are broken down into 12 standard Meridians, which are in the arms and legs, and 8 special meridians. The Meridians correspond to various body organs. The Meridians are also broken down by Yin and Yang groupings and the 5 elements. Zang Fu organs is a description of the bodies organs and how the interact with one another. Zang refers to the Yin Organs and Fu the Yang. Each Zang or Yin organ is paired with a Fu or Yang organ and its corresponding elements.

The traditional Chinese Doctor uses a holistic approach in his treatment of a patient. A Chinese Doctor will utilize acupuncture, herbs, food, massage, and exercise in healing a health imbalance, what we call illness. Things like heat and cupping, which is placing heated suction cups to vital points may also be employed in Chinese Medicine.

In Chinese medicine there are acupoints, which are the various points on the body that correspond to vital organs. The practice of acupuncture uses these points to stimulate the flow of Qi. Inserting very thin fine needles in the acupoints causes Qi stimulation. The needles release what is known as Qi stagnation. Qi stagnation is energy blockages that prevent energy flow for healing and health. In Chinese Medicine to add the supply of qi that promotes the body to function in a healthy state through the idea of nourishing, augmenting and invigorating is called Tonification.

Chinese Traditional Medicine is practiced in the United States as an Alternative Form of our Western Medicine. Many people today are looking for a different approach to illness than what western medicine has to offer. Interestingly enough many of today’s traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners are also MDs of western medicine. I have had acupuncture for my arthritic back for about a year and it has made a difference for me. I don’t have to take the arthritis medicine as often at all and my flair ups are much less. Some insurance companies are starting to recognize acupuncture as a legitimate healing treatment and pay for a certain amount of visits.

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