Chinese (Oriental) Medicine Overview
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been the primary medical system of medicine in China for thousands of years. It is based on eastern philosophy that everything in the universe seeks balance and harmony. When our bodies are in balance, we are well. When we are out of balance, our bodies suffer from disease and disorders.
Some important terms that relate to Chinese Medicine (and to the Eastern philosophy of balance and harmony as a whole) are:
- Qi (pronounced “chee”) – Qi is the basis of life, the life force. It provides the energetics responsible for the proper functioning of all the organs and tissues. There are various types of qi. Original or Prenatal Qi – Originating at conception, we get this qi from our parents. It governs our constitutional make-up.
- Air Qi and Food Qi – These come from the air that we breathe and the food we eat, respectively. They nourish the body and are vital to the proper functioning of our systems. We are, of course, familiar with the importance of good nutrition, but equally important is proper breathing, and the quality of the air that we breathe.
- Organ Qi – Although it is the same qi, we classify qi in the body according to the organ it supports. Air and Food qi combine with original qi and is transported by the blood to our organs and tissues. Thus, dysfunction in a particular organ may indicate a deficiency or stagnation of qi in that organ. We may hear our acupuncturist or herbologist mention such phrases as “Spleen Qi deficiency” or “Liver Qi stagnation,” indicating dysfunction in that part of the body. We tonify or move the qi using acupuncture and herbs.
- Yin and Yang – Yin and Yang is based on the concept of comparison of opposites. We can only talk about one in comparison to the other. For example, if we talk about daytime, it can only be referenced in comparison to night; we cannot discuss “black,” without also discussing “white.”
Yin represents everything that's descending, going inside, is dark and cool; it takes care of rest, nourishment, night, winter, water etc. Yang ascends, goes from the inside towards the outside. It's warm, light, active, protecting, day, summer, fire etc. Yin and Yang are neither good nor bad; they are opposites that are supplemental, transit into and are dependent on each other. After a while Yin becomes Yang and Yang becomes Yin, like day becomes night, summer becomes winter and action becomes rest. Health in this philosophy means a balance between Yin and Yang. Illness means that one of the two is too strong or too weak. For example: it's possible to have a 'Yang disease' like fever, inflammation, red rash or a "Yin disease" like arthrosis or edema. With acupuncture and herbs, the weak pole can be strengthened and the strong pole can be inhibited.
The Channels (Meridians)
Qi circulates through energy channels in the body which are called meridians. Most meridians bear the name of the organ related to it. For example there is a Liver channel, Heart channel etc. These meridians form a complex network in which all energy is distributed throughout the body. The acupuncture points that the acupuncturist uses to influence the flow of energy lie on these channels. This can be done by needles but also by other therapeutic means like heat and so on. By putting a needle into an acupuncture point, the acupuncturist can strengthen or diminish specific organ energy to regain harmony in organ functions and treat diseases.
Unlike the Western way of thinking, the acupuncturist’s point of view is that every organ has many more functions. For example the Lungs, apart from breathing, also take care of the throat, nose, mucous membranes, body hair, skin, the emotion of sorrow and clear judgment. Another example: the Heart provides energy for circulation of blood but also for sleeping, dreaming, ones radiance, perspiration, tongue and speech. Stuttering from this point of view can be seen as a disturbance of the Heart energy. When there is a weakness or blockage in the flow of energy of one of the organs, this will influence not only this one organ, but also has impact on the energy of other organs. In the long run a web of complaints may arise from this imbalance that may look vague and unconnected to each other but for an acupuncturist they can be related and tracked down to one main source.
The modern scientific explanation is that needling acupuncture points stimulates the nervous system to release chemicals known as endorphins (natural pain killers) or other chemicals or hormones which influence the body's own internal regulatory system. This may explain acupuncture's effectiveness in treating pain but it does not totally explain its other numerous effects. The truth is modern science has no complete explanation of acupuncture. Meaningful research in this area is now taking place.
The improved energy and biochemical balance produced by acupuncture results in stimulating the body's natural healing abilities and in promoting physical and emotional well being.
Acupuncture and herbs can influence three areas of health care:
- Promotion of health and well being
- Prevention of illness.
- Treatment of various medical conditions
While acupuncture in the United States is frequently associated with pain control, in the hands of a well trained practitioner it has much broader applications. Acupuncture can be effective as the only treatment used or in conjunction with herbal medicine or conventional medical therapies.
Conditions Treated
The World Health Organization recognizes the use of acupuncture in a wide range of medical problems including the following:
- Neurological and muscular disorders – headaches, trigeminal neuralgia, neck pain, low back pain, sciatica, arthritis, frozen shoulder, tennis elbow, tendonitis.
- Respiratory disorders – sinusitis, sore throat, bronchitis, cough, asthma.
- Digestive disorders – gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, spastic colitis (irritable bowel syndrome), constipation, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting.
- Urinary, menstrual and reproductive complaints – dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation), frequent or heavy menses, infertility.
- Miscellaneous – obesity, smoking cessation, addiction problems, insomnia, physical problems related to stress, and emotional conditions such as depression and anxiety.