What is

Traditional Chinese Medicine?

Definition & Philosophy InvolvedTraditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a group of oriental therapeutic

interventions designed for restoring balance within various organ

systems of the human body. They are based on beliefs differing from

the treatment concept used by Western physicians and doctors. What

is regarded as a disease by Western medicine practitioners may be

considered a matter of imbalance or disharmony by Traditional

Chinese Medicine practitioners.

The philosophy of TCM has been derived by mixing various tenets

from Confucianism, Buddhism, and the combined philosophical and

religious ideas of Taoism. Though there exist many schools of thought

among those practising oriental medicine, five axioms of Taoism

primarily form its foundation:

➢ There are certain laws of nature that dictate the universe as well

as human beings

➢ Everything in the universe is naturally well-organised and

harmonious. When humans obey the natural laws, they live in

harmony with the natural environment and the universe.

➢ The universe is changing constantly. Any stagnation is in

contradiction with the natural laws and results in that which

Western medicine considers illness.

➢ All living beings are interdependent and connected.

➢ Human beings are connected intimately to the environment and

therefore affected by all its facets.

Origin of TCMTCM is not something that was found in the recent past. Its origins can be traced

back to about 2000 years ago in eastern Asia, which includes Tibet, China, Korea,

Vietnam and Japan. The first

documented Chinese medical treatises

are believed to have been written

down during the times of the Han

dynasty (206 BC - 220 AD). Before that,

holy men and tribal men living as

hermits in mountains of China during

the early years of the 3500 BC followed

something called ‘Way of Long Life’.

This included a special diet consisting

of plants and herbs, kung fu exercises,

and unique breathing techniques. Under the Tang, Song and Ming dynasties, who

ruled China one after another from 608 AD to 1644 AD, various new medical

institutions were established all throughout the region, in addition to recording

of herbal prescriptions in encyclopaedias.

The concept of yin, yang and qi was derived from Taoism. According to the

theory of Taoism, yin represents cold, moisture, dimness, passivity, slowness,

heaviness, and inward or downward motion. On the other hand, yang represents

dryness, heat, brightness, activity, lightness, rapidity and outward or upward

motion. Both of these forces are equally important in nature as well as for the

well-being of humans, and cannot exist without each other. The primordial

energy, qi, connects with yin and yang and gives rise to five primary elements

water, metal, wood, earth and fire.

Different Modalities of TCM

As has already been mentioned, Traditional Chinese Medicine is a group 

of therapeutic interventions. The primary therapies comprising that 

group include:

➢ Acupuncture

➢ Moxibustion

➢ Cupping

➢ Herbal remedies

1. Acupuncture

Many people use acupuncture in order to get relief from various kinds of

physical pain. It is perhaps the most popular form of oriental therapy

among Westerners. Professional acupuncturists believe that the human

body consists of meridians, which are pathways or conduits for the life

energy   qi.   Any   illness   is   caused   due   to   blockage   of   those   conduits.

Acupuncture helps in clearing away that blockage and restoring balance

of qi in the body, thereby curing the illness.

In general, acupuncture involves insertion of fine, sterilised needles at

certain points of the body known as ‘acupoints’. Scientifically, it has been

proven that the needles stimulate the body for producing endorphins and

various other hormones, which help in ailing the illness and also make

the   patient   feel   relaxed.   The   treatment   is   usually   conjuncted   with

Chinese herbal medicine.

2. Moxibustion

Moxibustion   involves   burning   of   a   moxa   stick   over   vital   points   of   a

patient’s  body.  The word  ‘moxa’   is  a  Japanese term and translates  to

‘burning   herbs’.   Moxa   sticks   are   usually   prepared   using   Artemisia

vulgaris (Chinese wormwood), though other herbs may also be used at

times. They are employed for treating a wide variety of illnesses such as

pulled muscles, nosebleeds, mumps, vaginal bleeding and arthritis.

3. Cupping

Cupping is done by applying small glass or bamboo cups on the skin and

then reducing pressure inside them for drawing and holding skin as well

as superficial muscles. For administering cupping, practitioners generally

use the acupoints on the back of a patient. When viewed from a scientific

perspective,   cupping   is   an   oriental   therapy   that   can   be   helpful   in

activating the lymphatic system, deep repairing tissues and promoting

blood circulation.

4. Herbal Remedies

Chinese herbal remedies are often used along with the other modalities of

TCM for   treating many different   types  of   illnesses.  A  typical  oriental

herbal formula contains four kinds of ingredients ­ a 'chief' for treating

the   ailment,   a   'deputy'   for   reinforcing   action   of   the   chief   or   treating

coexisting conditions, an 'assistant' for counteracting side effects of chief

and deputy,  and an  'envoy'   for harmonising the other  ingredients and

conveying them to different sections of the body. Each formula is modified

in order to fit the needs of different individuals.

Benefits of TCMAs a natural treatment method, TCM offers a wide range of benefits:

➢ It can treat a variety of chronic ailments more effectively than Western

medicine.

➢ Due to its holistic approach, all aspects of the person's entity are taken into

account.

➢ It aims at curing the root cause of an illness besides the conspicuous

symptoms.

➢ It enhances the general health of an individual in addition to treating the

particular disorder or disease.

➢ Quite often, it is cheaper than allopathic treatment.

The best thing about treatment with TCM is that it produces zero side

effects, as long as the patient is being seen by a qualified and experienced

practitioner.   Sometimes,   it   is   also   used   as   a   conjunctive   therapy   for

counteracting   the   adverse   consequences   of   Western   medicine.   What

makes TCM so effective is its approach to cure the underlying cause of a

disease to ensure overall well­being of an individual.

Reference:

http://www.pointspecifics.com.au/

http://www.slideshare.net/pointspecifics/

https://medium.com/@point_specifics/