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Chinese Medicine
Chinese medicine is a traditional, wholistic medicine that
has successfully restored health, kept people healthy and
promoted quality of life and longevity for thousands of years!
This ancient medicine focuses on people, working with them
as individuals, and addressing all levels – including
spiritual, energetic, emotional, mental and physical –
to restore well-being.
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is a phrase
that describes a complex system of medicine that developed
in China and is estimated to be about 5,000 years old. Because
of its amazing effectiveness, this medicine has spread around
the world in its various forms and teachings. Its fundamental
philosophy views humans as microcosms of the universe and
inherently connected to it, to nature and to all Life.
The earliest known written medical classic in China is the
Huangdi Neijing (Canon of Medicine), which was compiled between
500-300 BC. It is a summary of the medical experience and
theoretical knowledge up through that time.
How did Chinese medicine become worldwide?
How can Chinese medicine help?
What is meant by “Oriental Medicine” (OM)?
What modalities do Chinese medicine practitioners use?
What are some examples of OM modalities?
What is the perspective of Chinese medicine?
What are the causes of disease and health according to Chinese medicine?
How does the practitioner know what is out of harmony?
Does Oriental medicine work well along with Western medicine?
How do you learn Chinese medicine?
What is involved in getting a degree?
Recommended Reading
How did
Chinese medicine become worldwide?
In ancient China, families in different areas developed their
own style of treatment, herbal formulas and practices to keep
themselves and their villages healthy. Since health needs
varied by region (climate, occupation, etc), these styles
are rich and diverse. Over the centuries, there was much discourse
among practitioners and theories were refined by practical
experience. A rich body of oral and written knowledge grew.
In Modern China, what is known today as TCM
is a simplified version of this medicine, that can be easily
taught and used in hospitals throughout the country.
Due to political conditions during the mid-1900s, many top
practitioners left the country and settled in various parts
of the world, bringing with them their particular family heritage
and practice of Chinese medicine. This has furthered the spread
of Chinese medicine by outstanding practitioners who may never
have been known otherwise! In China, it continues to be practiced
and taught in large hospitals where Western and Chinese medicine
practices are integrated and continually researched.
How can Chinese
medicine help?
It’s both powerful and gentle. It works to alleviate
symptoms and, most importantly, to address the cause of the
problem. By promoting the body’s own natural healing
system, it promotes health and well-being. There are almost
no side effects.
Of course, if a disease is extremely virulent or far advanced,
especially if there are serious changes in organic tissue,
Chinese medicine by itself can be too slow or not powerful
enough. It can however, be helpful in these circumstances
to help support energy and quality of life.
Chinese medicine is an excellent and effective choice at the
beginning of any condition and is worthwhile trying in conditions
for which modern Western medicine is not effective.
What is meant
by “Oriental Medicine” (OM)?
Chinese medicine is actually part of what is now called Oriental
medicine (OM) Today, we recognize the vast healing tradition
of all Asia as Oriental Medicine, of which Chinese medicine
has historically played a large role. Each country, such as
Korea and Japan has developed it’s own unique styles
and traditions that further enrich practice and offer helpful
modalities for clients. Most schools nowadays in the United
States give degrees in Oriental medicine, recognizing that
students often study with different teachers and may incorporate
several styles in their practice.
What modalities
do Chinese medicine practitioners use?
The Chinese have a 5,000 year tradition of using a wide variety
of modalities as part of their vast healing tradition. Practitioners
are usually trained in a number of these and specialize in
one to a few areas of expertise. Modalities include:
• Acupuncture: application of special fine needles to
harmonize and activate the body’s own healing ability
and to promote health and longevity.
• Acupressure: application of touch along specific areas
for well-being and self-help
• Herbal medicine: an advanced and effective system
that uses herbs both as food and medicine.
• Diet: a unique and effective system teaches how to
eat to restore and maintain health by understanding the energetic
qualities of food.
• Healing movement: Qi Gong and Tai Qi promote health,
longevity and a calm heart.
• Breath: simple awareness of breath in our daily lives
and combined with movement and meditation can promote health.
• Moxabustion (moxa): therapeutic application of heat
with specially prepared herbs
• Meditation: to promote inner quiet and peace, essential
for well-being.
• Tui Na: Chinese medical massage
What are some
examples of OM modalities?
Korean Hand Acupuncture: This micro-system utilizes meridians
and points on the hands that correspond to the meridians on
the whole body. It can be a helpful adjunct in working with
pain and injury.
Shoni-Shin: This is a Japanese method that works with infants
and children with no needles.
Jin Shin Jyutsu: An ancient Japanese
hands-on healing art, that works with the meridians with no
needles.
There are many more!
What is the perspective of Chinese
medicine?
The Chinese were astute observers of nature and advanced innovators,
as attested to by a 14+ volume work entitled Science and Civilization
in China by Joseph Needham. Through quantum physics and other
areas of research, modern science is just now beginning to
discover and explain some of the basic principles embodied
in this ancient medicine.
According to Chinese medicine, physical symptoms
manifest in the later stages of a disorder. There are many
causes of disease but the first manifestation is in the energetic
layers of the body. Hence, Chinese medical diagnostic techniques
assess the amount of energy and level of harmony in the body
through various methods such as pulse palpation and a thorough
case history. The practitioner works with each person individually
to reach their own bioenergetic balance; thus allowing health
and well-being to flourish at all levels.
Each person is treated on the basis of their
individual nature. Ten people with the same medical diagnosis,
would likely each receive a different Chinese medical diagnosis
with different herbs and acupuncture treatments recommended
for each.
What are the
causes of disease and health according to Chinese medicine?
The medical paradigm is complex and infused with Taoist and
Confucian philosophy and nature-based, scientific tenets.
This medicine sees humans and nature as being inextricably
interwoven and speaks of the organ systems and syndromes in
terms of elements we find in nature, such as fire, earth,
metal, water and wood.
There are internal and external causes of
disease. External causes include wind, heat, cold, dry and
other pathogenic factors. But these factors can only invade
and take hold in our system if the elements of our internal
system are out of harmony.
There is a harmony, balance and rhythm inherent
in life and nature. Each element rests in appropriate relationship
with another. For example, we need both Yin (water, feminine,
rest, dark) and Yang (fire, masculine, activity, light) forces.
Too much Yang will burn up the Yin and make us ill. Without
sufficient Yin, we become depleted, dry up and are unable
to rest deeply. Acupuncture and herbal medicine help to harmonize
any imbalances in the system, thus restoring well-being.
How does the
practitioner know what is out of harmony?
The practitioner of Chinese medicine palpates the pulses at
the wrist to feel the strength, qualities, and condition of
meridian flow and energetic balance in the body. In addition,
extensive questioning along with tongue diagnosis, abdominal
and meridian palpation help the practitioner determine both
the overall pattern of disharmony. This reveals which modalities
and substances will be conducive to restore balance.
Does Oriental
medicine work well along with Western medicine?
In almost all cases, yes, very well! In China the two medicines
are integrated, combining the best of each medicine for the
client’s benefit. A client became ill while traveling
in China and went to the local hospital. He was asked by the
admitting physician, “Would you like Western medicine
or Chinese medicine?”. The Chinese study both with an
open mind to discover which medicine works best for what condition.
A person with a broken leg will clearly benefit from a medical
doctor rather than an acupuncturist. But once the bone is
set, acupuncture can help speed recovery. Cancer patients
in China may receive radiation treatment or chemotherapy.
At the same time, they are advised to receive appropriate
herbs and acupuncture, because it is recognized that this
will help ameliorate the side-effects and help improve quality
of life for the patient.
How do you learn
Chinese medicine?
Apprenticeship is the single best way to learn Chinese medicine.
This was the accepted method through the 1980s, when the need
for more formal standards was called for. Since then, many
outstanding schools have been set up in the United States
and elsewhere. Many schools in America and Europe are fully
accredited and confer Master’s Degrees in Oriental Medicine.
Most students in school concurrently apprentice with a practitioner
so as to learn the art of Chinese medicine more deeply through
experience.
What is involved
in getting a degree?
Schooling takes four to six years. The requirements include
Western science and medical courses along with about 2,000
hours in Chinese Medical Theory, techniques and practice.
This includes in-depth study of Acupuncture, Chinese Herbal
Medicine, and other modalities. In addition, around 1,200
hours of clinical observation and internship are required
in an acupuncture clinic. The traditional way of learning,
apprenticeship, is still in existence, but is less common
today. In America about 20 states certify or license Acupuncturists
for practice, through an examination process. There are over
30 schools in America and many schools and practitioners in
Europe.
Recommended Reading
Many books are currently available. These provide an excellent
foundation of information.
1. The Web that Has No Weaver: Understanding
Chinese Medicine, Ted J Kaptchuk, OMD
2. Between Heaven and Earth: A Guide
to Chinese Medicine, Harriet Beinfield & Efram Korngold
3. Healing with Whole Foods: Oriental
Traditions and Modern Nutrition, Paul Pitchford
4. Herbal Emissaries: Bringing Chinese
Herbs to the West, Steven Foster and Yue Chongxi
5. Chinese Herbal Medicine, Daniel
P. Reid
6. Acupressure for Women, Cathryn
Bauer
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