Traditional Chinese Medicine
 Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), "zhong yi," is a complete holistic system of medicine encompassing a variety of techniques including acupuncture, herbal medicine, Tui Na (massage acupressure and bodywork), moxibustion, cupping, as well as guidelines regarding diet and exercise. A key philosophical underpinning of TCM is that it recognizes the interdependence of mind and body, and treats the person as a whole.
In the West, traditional Chinese medicine is considered alternative medicine. In mainland China and Taiwan, TCM is considered an integral part of the health care system. The term "TCM" is sometimes used specifically in modern Chinese medicine to refer to the standardized set of theories and practices introduced in the mid-20th century under Mao Zedong, as distinguished from related traditional theories and practices preserved by people in Taiwan, Hong Kong and the overseas Chinese. The more general sense is meant in this article.
TCM developed as a form of noninvasive therapeutic intervention (also described as folk medicine or traditional medicine) rooted in ancient belief systems, including traditional religious concepts. Chinese medical practitioners before the 19th century relied on observation, trial and error, which incorporated certain mystical concepts. Like their Western counterparts, doctors of TCM had a limited understanding of infection, which predated the discovery of bacteria, viruses (germ theory of disease) and an understanding of cellular structures and organic chemistry. Instead they relied mainly on observation and description on the nature of infections for creating remedies. Based on theories formulated through three millennia of observation and practical experience, a system of procedure was formed as to guide a TCM practitioner in courses of treatment and diagnosis.
TCM is used by some to treat the side effects of chemotherapy, treating the cravings and withdrawal symptoms of drug addicts and treating a variety of chronic conditions, such as pains, that conventional medicine has not been able to treat.
Twelve Vital Organs and Meridians
Traditional Chinese Medicine believes that the body has twelve vital organs, which are all connected via the meridians (or energy channels). The meridians contain many points the health of the body can be assessed. It is interesting the point out that many Chinese use the knowledge of the body's energies, meridians and the other concepts of Chinese medicine to improve their effectiveness. Many people are familiar with the role of chi in for example, but these same rules apply to many other Chinese martial arts as well as the healing arts. In fact, it is not uncommon for an experience practitioner of Chinese martial arts to also become a skilled practitioner of Chinese medicine.
Three Treasures: Chi, Jing and Shen
In Traditional Chinese Medicine there are "": the chi (energy), jing (essence) and shen (spirit). These form the basis of physical function and the alchemical transformation. Chi flows through the channels to vitalize the organs of the body and it effects the jing, shen and consciousness. If the flow of chi is blocked it can impact on the physical and mental wellbeing of the individual. Different external factors can affect the flow of chi in different ways, and therefore have different affects on the body. Extreme temperatures can interfere with bodily function, as can irregular diet, sleeping patterns and other lifestyle factors.
Three Types of Chi: Yuan (congenital), Ying (nutritive) and Wei (defensive)
Chi is at the center of Traditional Chinese Medicine. The Chinese symbol for chi represents the earth (rice symbol) and energy/spirit (the symbol for the transformation of water into stream). This represents the nature of chi, in that it is both substantial and insubstantial, physical and energy, yin and yang, hard and soft. TCM actually believes that there are several different types of chi;. Yuan chi (congenital) which inherent in the individual from birth; Ying chi (nutritive, and yin in nature) which is obtained by the consumption and digestion of food; Wei chi (defensive, and yang in nature) which protects the body from external diseases; and finally Zong chi (gathering) which collects in the chest, and brings together the different chi's in the body with chi from breath.
Chi and the organs
Chi is associated with each organ, and deficiencies and excesses of chi can both have negative impacts on health. Generally if an organ is deficient it leads to a weakness, such as a deficiency of chi in the spleen can lead to digestive problems, indigestion and diarrhea. Excess of chi in the liver can make a person more aggressive, irritable, and often results in them having a slightly higher than average body temperature.
Xue Chi, the Solid organs (Zang) and Hollow organs (Fu)
Chi is also related to bodily fluids. Xue is a combination of the blood and ying chi (nutritative) and aids the functioning of kidneys. Xue circulates around the body through the veins and arteries, delivering energy to the organs. There are twelve main organs in the body according to Chinese medicine, which are divided into two types, the solid and the hollow. The solid organs are the lungs, spleen, heart, kidney and liver (also referred to as Zang organs). These create and store the vital essences and fluids, known as Yin. The hollow organs are the stomach, small and large intestines, gall bladder and the triple burner (also known as the Fu organs). These are responsible for receiving and transforming nutrients, and excreting waste. These are known as the Yang organs. The triple burner is responsible for maintaining balance between the upper, middle and lower body and relates to circulation, temperature control and sexual function. In both the Zang and Fu organs are studied, along with the interactions that each set of organs has on the other. The organs can be further divided into yin and yang pairs.
The Heart
In TCM the heart is more than just a physical organ, it also contains mind and consciousness, and controls mental function and emotions. It can help to regulate sleep and dreams, affects complexion. The health of the heart is mirrored in the colour, shape and agility of the tongue. In fact tongue diagnosis is an important form of diagnosis in Tradition Chinese Medicine.
The Fu organs and Jing
The Fu organs (stomach, small and large intestines, gall bladder and the triple burner) take up the nutritative essences to aid growth and ensure healthy development, in combination with the constitutional essences. Jing governs vitality and longevity. TCM believes that a person's Jing should not be depleted by excess work, otherwise health may deteriorate.
Shen (Spirit)
The organs of the body also contain Shen, which is the spirit. It is believed that Shen can be accidentally released through incorrect acupuncture, acupressure, poor martial arts training and certain spiritual practices. Each organ is connected to a meridian. Meridians have been studied by western doctors and have been shown to be electrical channels throughout the body, which are located just below the skin. There are twelve major channels that carry the chi throughout the body, which connect together all the inner organs. As channels carry the chi, experienced practitioners are able to measure the flow of chi at the acupoints along the meridians. This is another form of medical diagnosis.
Summary of Traditional Chinese Medicine
In summary, traditional Chinese medicine studies the flow of energy in the human body, and how it affects the different organs through the interaction of those organs with each other, and with the different forms of chi. Some chi is stored withing the body since birth (yuan, congenital), some chi formed from what we consume (ying, nutritative), some chi defends the body (wei, defensive) and some forms within the chest by combining the bodies different chi's with breath (zong, gathering).
Traditional Chinese Medicine Today
In Chinese hospitals it is very common for patients to be prescribed chi gung (qigong) once a diagnosis has been made. There are many ways that a persons chi can be manipulated to improve health and treat ailments, such as acupuncture, acupressure etc. but chi gung (breathing exercises with movement) is the one of the most popular ways as people can continue to treat themselves. Chinese herbal medicine also forms a large part of the treatment in Traditional Chinese medicine. The study of herbs and how the interact and affect the various organs is a very important part of Chinese medicine. Food in general is also a part of healing and health in Chinese medicine. There are different food types which impact on the body in different ways. Often a persons illness may be attributed to an imbalance in their diet, which may involve the consumption of too much yin and too much yang food types. Traditional Chinese Medicine, like western medicine, is a vast subject which requires many years to master just any one aspect.
Further Information
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