A Very Brief Synopsis of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Oriental Medicine
Traditional Chinese medicine, or TCM, is one of the oldest continuous systems of medicine, with records dating back four thousand years. Contrast this with American or Western (Allopathic) forms of health care, which started its "official" existence with the birth of the AMA in 1847. However, it could be argued that it goes back to the Middle Ages, and most of us know what passed for health care in this period in what is now Europe.
Having a more profound and richer history and documentation, Chinese medicine is quite complex and can be challenging to comprehend in a brief tutorial or class. This is because TCM is based, at least in part, on the Taoist belief that we live in a universe in which everything is interconnected. What happens to one part of the body affects every other part of the body. The mind and body are not viewed separately but as part of an energetic system. Similarly, organs and organ systems are interconnected structures that work together to keep the body functioning. In addition, from a practical point of view, social and religious taboos did not handily allow the wholesale methods of the West mentioned above. Often, it was observing similar phenomena in the body that can be illustrated in nature, figuring out how nature balanced things out, and attempting to apply the same measures to the body. For these reasons, TCM focuses on points, herbs, massage, nutrition, and movement or exercise.
Many concepts emphasized in traditional Chinese medicine have no true counterpart in Western medicine. One of these concepts is qi (pronounced "chi"), a vital force or energy responsible for controlling the workings of the human mind and body. Qi flows through the body via channels, or pathways, which are called meridians. There are 20 meridians: 12 primary meridians, which correspond to specific organs, organ systems, or functions, and eight secondary meridians. Imbalances in the flow of qi cause illness; correction of this flow restores the body to balance. Other concepts, such as the Yin/Yang and Five Element Theories, are equally essential to have a proper grasp of traditional Chinese medicine, and you may want to take a moment to go to those pages before continuing if this interests you.
Many people often equate the practice of acupuncture with the practice of traditional Chinese medicine. This is not entirely true. While acupuncture is the most often practiced component of traditional Chinese medicine in our society, it is simply that – a component, an essential piece of a much larger puzzle. Traditional Chinese medicine encompasses several methods to help patients achieve and maintain health. Along with acupuncture, TCM incorporates adjunctive techniques such as acupressure and moxibustion; manipulative and massage techniques such as tuina and gua sha; herbal medicine; diet and lifestyle changes; meditation; and exercise (often in the form of qigong or tai chi).
Traditional Chinese medicine should not be confused with "Oriental medicine." Whereas traditional Chinese medicine is considered a standardized version of the type of Chinese medicine practiced before the Chinese Revolution, Oriental medicine is a catch-all phrase for the styles of acupuncture, herbal medicine, massage, and exercise that have been developed and practiced not only in Asia but worldwide.
Although the principles of Traditional Chinese medicine may be complex for some to comprehend and/or implement, there is little doubt of TCM's effectiveness. Several studies have reported on traditional Chinese medicine's success in treating various conditions, from nausea and vomiting to skin disorders, tennis elbow, and back pain. Many Western-trained physicians have begun to see the benefits traditional Chinese medicine offers patients and now include acupuncture, at least on a limited basis, as part of their practice. More Americans are also using acupuncture, herbal remedies, and other components of traditional Chinese medicine than ever before. The reasons for this vary, but the increasing interest in and use of TCM is mainly due to its effectiveness, affordability, and lack of adverse side effects compared to Western medicine.
*Certain annotations and paragraphs from the Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine News Source "The ABCs of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture" Acupuncture Today; MPA Media.
Traditional Chinese medicine, or TCM, is one of the oldest continuous systems of medicine, with records dating back four thousand years. Contrast this with American or Western (Allopathic) forms of health care, which started its "official" existence with the birth of the AMA in 1847. However, it could be argued that it goes back to the Middle Ages, and most of us know what passed for health care in this period in what is now Europe.
Having a more profound and richer history and documentation, Chinese medicine is quite complex and can be challenging to comprehend in a brief tutorial or class. This is because TCM is based, at least in part, on the Taoist belief that we live in a universe in which everything is interconnected. What happens to one part of the body affects every other part of the body. The mind and body are not viewed separately but as part of an energetic system. Similarly, organs and organ systems are interconnected structures that work together to keep the body functioning. In addition, from a practical point of view, social and religious taboos did not handily allow the wholesale methods of the West mentioned above. Often, it was observing similar phenomena in the body that can be illustrated in nature, figuring out how nature balanced things out, and attempting to apply the same measures to the body. For these reasons, TCM focuses on points, herbs, massage, nutrition, and movement or exercise.
Many concepts emphasized in traditional Chinese medicine have no true counterpart in Western medicine. One of these concepts is qi (pronounced "chi"), a vital force or energy responsible for controlling the workings of the human mind and body. Qi flows through the body via channels, or pathways, which are called meridians. There are 20 meridians: 12 primary meridians, which correspond to specific organs, organ systems, or functions, and eight secondary meridians. Imbalances in the flow of qi cause illness; correction of this flow restores the body to balance. Other concepts, such as the Yin/Yang and Five Element Theories, are equally essential to have a proper grasp of traditional Chinese medicine, and you may want to take a moment to go to those pages before continuing if this interests you.
Many people often equate the practice of acupuncture with the practice of traditional Chinese medicine. This is not entirely true. While acupuncture is the most often practiced component of traditional Chinese medicine in our society, it is simply that – a component, an essential piece of a much larger puzzle. Traditional Chinese medicine encompasses several methods to help patients achieve and maintain health. Along with acupuncture, TCM incorporates adjunctive techniques such as acupressure and moxibustion; manipulative and massage techniques such as tuina and gua sha; herbal medicine; diet and lifestyle changes; meditation; and exercise (often in the form of qigong or tai chi).
Traditional Chinese medicine should not be confused with "Oriental medicine." Whereas traditional Chinese medicine is considered a standardized version of the type of Chinese medicine practiced before the Chinese Revolution, Oriental medicine is a catch-all phrase for the styles of acupuncture, herbal medicine, massage, and exercise that have been developed and practiced not only in Asia but worldwide.
Although the principles of Traditional Chinese medicine may be complex for some to comprehend and/or implement, there is little doubt of TCM's effectiveness. Several studies have reported on traditional Chinese medicine's success in treating various conditions, from nausea and vomiting to skin disorders, tennis elbow, and back pain. Many Western-trained physicians have begun to see the benefits traditional Chinese medicine offers patients and now include acupuncture, at least on a limited basis, as part of their practice. More Americans are also using acupuncture, herbal remedies, and other components of traditional Chinese medicine than ever before. The reasons for this vary, but the increasing interest in and use of TCM is mainly due to its effectiveness, affordability, and lack of adverse side effects compared to Western medicine.
*Certain annotations and paragraphs from the Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine News Source "The ABCs of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture" Acupuncture Today; MPA Media.