What is Traditional Chinese Medicine?
T raditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is a medical system developed in China between 3000 - 5000 years ago. It has played an important role in promoting and maintaining health for Chinese people and people around the world. TCM is getting more popular because of its effectiveness in treating a broad range of illness; it is free of chemicals, and has no or very minimal side effects.
There are two distinct characteristics in TCM. First, it holds a holistic concept. This holistic concept refers to emphasizing the holism of our body to the environment, nature and universe, and emphasizing the holism of body, mind, and spirit as well as the systems, organs, tissues, and functions of our body. Second, it has a fundamental treatment concept as treatment is based on differentiation of syndromes. A syndrome is a TCM diagnosis, which comes from an assessment of all information gathered from five diagnostic techniques: inquiry, inspection, listening, smelling and palpation. In this diagnosis process, factors of age, gender, constitution, season, weather, geographical area, as well as emotions, stress, diet, lifestyle and all aspects of symptoms and signs (tongue picture and pulse) of the body are taken into consideration to form a syndrome for a patient. This syndrome is the reflection of the root cause of the illness. The treatment strategy is given according to what syndrome it is. Take the common cold as an example. According to TCM, a common cold is due to exogenous pathogenic factors attacking the body surface. It is differentiated as seven syndromes. There are three excessive syndromes that happen more often in people who are healthy with a strong constitution. The other four deficiency syndromes often happen in elderly people, people with chronic illnesses, weak constitution or post-partum. The treatment in each case is very different. This syndrome-based treatment, or treating the root concept, is one of the major differences from conventional medicine, which is a mostly disease or symptom-based treatment.
TCM has a broad range of applications; it is commonly used for internal, gynecological, pediatric, dermatological and infectious diseases. Although treatments of particular diseases and for each individual are different, in TCM practice the following are the general principles:
1) Preventative: For healthy people or people with early signs of illness, TCM practitioners guide people to have a healthy lifestyle, good diet, proper exercise, and good emotions to maintain health and prevent illnesses. For people who are ill, the treatment is not only to restore health, but also to prevent further development of the illness (i.e., to prevent bronchitis when a patient has a cold or flu; to prevent further development of MS, rheumatoid arthritis, bone loss and so on).
2) Strengthen the body’s vital energy to dispel pathogens: TCM believes if the body has a strong vital energy, pathogens will not be successful in attack. Therefore, strengthening the vital energy to prevent and treat illness is always a principle for promoting and maintaining good health.
3) Open meridians and stop pain: According to TCM, meridians are the channels in which energy and blood flow smoothly to nourish the body. It’s believed that when pain occurs, there is an obstruction. In other words, the obstruction of energy and blood flow causes pain. Therefore, to remove stasis and unblock the meridians, thus promoting the normal flow of body energy, is a principle for pain syndromes.
4) Balance Yin and Yang: From the TCM perspective, the balance of Yin and Yang is the reflection of health. Illness happens when there is the loss of the Yin-Yang balance in the body (i.e., hot flushes in menopause are often due to Yin deficiency, which comes from declining levels of estrogens. Intolerance to cold or cold hands and feet, which happens in hypothyroidism, is a Yang deficiency of the body).
There are two major treatment components in TCM:
One is acupuncture and the other is Chinese herbal medicine. Acupuncture regulates the body functions towards a normal (healthy) point. For example, acupuncture promotes the peristalsis of the intestines to relieve constipation, as well it inhibits the peristalsis to stop diarrhea. For a patient who has hypertension, acupuncture decreases blood pressure. However, for a patient with low blood pressure, acupuncture increases it. It is believed that there is a natural healing ability in our bodies, and acupuncture stimulates this process to help the body to recover. With that in mind, acupuncture is beneficial for almost everyone and is used to treat a wide variety of health conditions.
Chinese herbal medicine includes thousands of herbs:
There are about 800 commonly used ones. These herbs are divided into 20 categories, and their functions are described in TCM terminology. Research has showed there are herbs having the following functions: anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antivirus, anti-clotting, and antibacterial. There are also herbs that boost immunity, promote digestion, and so on. The clinical use of Chinese herbs is mostly as combinations or so-called formulas. In a formula, herbs are combined together to strengthen/ broaden an effect or overcome a side effect. A formula is a group of strategically balanced herbs used to achieve the best results with the least amount of side effects. Again, the application of the formula is syndrome-based or addresses the root of the illness.
TCM is a very unique medical system:
In comparing western and Chinese medicine for health care, it’s said that, “Western medicine is a fire fighter; Chinese medicine is a housekeeper.” Obviously, Chinese medicine has an important role in the field of health.
Alternative Woman's Health
A Look at Traditional Chinese Medicine
When it comes to addressing women’s health, hormone replacement, antibiotics, painkillers and surgery are commonly used in conventional medicine for gynecological treatment. However, if you are interested in an alternative approach, you might consider Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).
TCM (acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine) has a long history of treating women’s diseases. As early as 200 BC, Bian Que was recorded as being the first gynaecologist in Chinese history. For generations, TCM has played a very important role in improving and maintaining women’s health in China and around the world. TCM is rich in knowledge for treating women’s illness, and emphasizes education to prevent disease.
According to TCM, many women’s health problems are caused by poor diet, emotional disorders, stress, overwork, multiple childbirths and abortion. TCM practitioners will tell you how these factors play a role in gynecological disorders. Commonly given advice includes avoiding cold food or drinks to prevent menstrual cramps, proper nutrition or herbs after childbirth for faster recovery, or for prevention or treatment of post-partum illnesses such as depression, arthritic pain, prolonged vaginal discharge or prolapse of the uterus. At all times keeping a balanced diet, emotions leveled, and minimizing stress are keys to maintaining health and wellness.
Menstrual disorders can manifest as abnormally heavy periods, early or delayed periods, prolonged periods, missed periods or menstrual cramping. In TCM, each one may have different causes. For example, heavy periods can be caused by ‘excessive heat’ in the blood, which happens most often in young girls with raging hormones or, in TCM terms, strong body constitutions, people who like to eat hot spicy foods, or people with emotional disorders. It can also happen because of ‘empty heat’ which happens often in pre-menopause or menopause, or because of a deficiency in spleen Qi (energy) after a severe illness, miscarriage, abortion, overworking or other stressful life events. In TCM, the treatment may differ for each individual, however the objective will be the same: regulating and balancing the hormone system to restore a normal period.
Chinese herbs are used for many disorders of pregnancy, such as morning sickness, threatened miscarriage, as well as abdominal pain, uterine bleeding, edema, and hypertension during pregnancy. Herbs used for pregnancy are safe for both the mother and baby, though you should be aware that there are herbs that are contraindicated in pregnancy. Also, if your pregnancy is healthy, there is no need to take herbs.
Breast-feeding is very important for the newborn baby. After delivery, if your breasts are congested, tender to touch, release very little milk, or are very soft and lacking lactation, Chinese herbs can help. If you have mastitis (breast infection) and you still wish to breast-feed, there is help from Chinese medicine. There are many Chinese herbs that treat infections that are safe for the baby.
Some women can get through menopause without any discomfort. However, many women will experience a period of time with the following symptoms: hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, depression, insomnia, fatigue, vaginal dryness, decreased sexual drive, menstrual disorder, memory loss, osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. According to TCM theory, all these symptoms are related to ‘kidney deficiency’ because the kidney is the organ from which our primary energy comes. It stores essence that is closely related to our hormone system. It dominates the bones and is in charge of development and reproduction. Therefore, the main treatment for menopause in TCM is to ‘boost the kidney’. Boosting the kidney clears the menopause symptoms and slows down the aging process.
In TCM theory, the liver ‘stores blood’. The liver is the organ most closely related to our emotions. Good emotional balance comes from the smooth flow of liver Qi, and the normal flow of liver Qi depends on sufficient blood nourishment. New mothers commonly lose blood during and after delivery. Post-partum depression is related to blood deficiency in the body and stagnation of the liver Qi due to lack of nourishment. Therefore, soothing the liver Qi, boosting the blood and boosting Qi to generate blood with acupuncture and Chinese herbs are the general principles of treatment for post-partum depression.
The formation of cancer in the body is a complicated process. In TCM, it is thought that the major cause is that the body’s vital energy is low; the pathogen has stagnated and blocked the normal flow of energy. Phlegm and blood stagnation lead to the formation of nodules and masses. Therefore, the treatment principle is to boost vital energy, soothe Qi, move blood, and resolve phlegm. According to research, acupuncture and Chinese herbs help to enhance our immune system and improve blood count, boost body energy, stop nausea, promote hair growth, improve appetite and protect the body from radiation injury. Some Chinese herbs also have anti-cancer affects. The application of acupuncture and Chinese herbs depends on the different stages of the cancer and the symptoms of each individual. TCM therapy helps to prevent cancer recurrence as well as to improve or maintain a good quality of life.
In summary, TCM has been used for all kinds of women’s health problems. However, self-medication or buying herbs over the counter is not recommended. TCM diagnosis and treatments are very individualized and herbs are often used in combinations to enhance their effects and overcome side effects. An assessment by a knowledgeable practitioner is absolutely necessary for a safe and effective treatment.
Natural Health Care
How Does Acupuncture Work?
Nowadays, more and more people are willing to try acupuncture. Their belief that acupuncture may help them is, for the most part, based on word-of-mouth or from an article or television program. However, many of them come into an acupuncture clinic asking how acupuncture works. This is a commonly asked question. I would like to take this opportunity to give a brief introduction to acupuncture and to answer this question.
What Is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a treatment that acupuncturists and Chinese medical doctors perform by inserting needles into acupoints on our body surface to alleviate different illnesses. Acupuncture treatment is based on Chinese medicine theory and diagnosis and it is part of traditional Chinese medicine that has been practiced for over 4000 years. Other modalities included in acupuncture are moxibustion, cupping, plum-blossom needling, auricular acupuncture, scalp acupuncture and so on.
How Was Acupuncture Started?
Acupuncture started in China over 4000-5000 years ago. The first acupuncture needles were sharpened stones. Later bamboo or fish bone was used as needles until people started to use metal. Acupuncture is inserting needles in acupoints, and the points are located along the meridians. People have asked, “Did ancient doctors find the points first or the meridians first?” Most researchers hold the view that acupoints were found first and then they were connected as meridians. However, in 1973, two books were discovered in a 2000-year-old tomb. These books were carved on bamboo pieces and had a very clear description of the 11 meridians out of the 12, which we are still using today including the route they run. However, there were only a few specific acupoints mentioned in these books. So, that had given evidence to suggest that people actually found meridians first. So how did people back then find those meridians? One of the most possible ways researchers thought would be through Qigong practice. People who practice Qigong may tell you that they had experienced the travel of Qi in the meridians.
What Are Meridians and Acupoints?
There are 12 regular meridians, 8 extraordinary meridians, and countless collaterals, which form the meridian system of the body. In our body, there are over 360 regular acupoints, and over 100 extra points. Meridians are the channels that our body Qi and Blood travels. Through meridians, Qi and Blood flow to all over the body to nourish the organs/tissues and support the normal body functions. Acupoints are on the meridians where the body energy surges to body surface. Acupoints connect with internal organs through meridians and they reflect the functions of internal organs, thus stimulating the acupoints can balance body functions.
How Acupuncture Works
In Traditional Chinese Medicine textbooks, it is stated that acupuncture can balance Yin Yang, regulate Qi and Blood, open meridians, stop pain, invigorate the body’s vital energy and dispel pathogens. To interoperate these functions into a modern description, we can say that acupuncture balances body functions, improves blood circulation, promotes endorphins to stop pain, boosts our immune system, and helps the body to fight illnesses. Research has shown that acupuncture has multi-aspect, multi-level and multi-route regulatory functions.
You may ask how can acupuncture do that? I often explain this to my patients in a very simple way. Our body has it’s own healing ability. Under illness, this ability can be suppressed or dysfunctional. Acupuncture gives stimulation to our body to awaken this process. The reason why acupuncture can help almost all kinds of body dysfunctions is because acupuncture is only stimulation to your body - our body performs the healing to its own. Acupuncture can regulate and balance the functions of our hormone system, nervous system, digestive system, cardio-vascular system, reproductive system, muscle-skeleton system and so on. The regulatory function of acupuncture refers to acupuncture’s two-way effect that often brings our body disorders to the normal physiological level. For example, acupuncture can both increase and decrease heart rate; acupuncture can treat both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism; acupuncture can also increase or decrease blood pressure.
The effect of acupuncture to the body very much depends on the body’s conditions. On the other hand, acupuncture not only influences our physical functions but also emotional and psychological status. We all understand that our emotions are related to neuro-transmitters in our brain, acupuncture can influence those transmitters to help emotional and psychological abnormal conditions. That is why acupuncture helps people with depression and other mental disorders. Also, because acupuncture gives influence to overall balance to the body, regular acupuncture treatments or “tune ups” helps the body stays in balance.
Acupuncture has become increasingly accepted worldwide and more and more research is being done which will reveal the mystery of acupuncture to people. In China, acupuncture has been part of the primary health care system for thousands of years, even with western medicine influence. Acupuncture is still part of mainstream medicine that serves the needs of over a quarter of the world population. It is used in conjunction with other medical treatment in the hospital to get the maximum healing benefit for the patient. In fact, in China acupuncturists are often trained in the same system as medical doctors. We look forward to the future when there will be acupuncture wings in our own western hospitals so that a greater number of people will be able to experience it’s healing power.
What do you think ? Dr. Cheng would like to hear from you ...
Please use the "comment" box below to respond ...
|
