Principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Tuesday, February 24th, 2009 Subscribe To Our Feed
There have been many miraculous cases of people who have healed themselves by clinging to religion or positively thinking themselves out of a life-threatening ailment. Psychologists have been studying the idea of “mind over matter” for decades now, with little scientific proof as to the mechanics of miracles. The proof lies in the end result for these anomalies. In traditional Chinese medicine, philosophy and Buddhist religious principles are the groundwork for medical therapies. Obviously, if you’ve been in a car accident or are in need of emergency medical attention, it’s best to rush to the nearest emergency room; but if you are suffering from a painful long-term ailment or are just looking to improve your general well-being, then Chinese, natural medicines may be for you!
Ancient written texts such as, “A Treatise On Cold Damage,” and “Basic Questions of Internal Medicine” were written 3,000 years ago, and were the results of oral traditions that started 5,0000 years ago.Since the Nationalist government feared missing out on scientific progress, classic Chinese medicine was fobade in the 1930’s. However, thirty years later, Mao Zedong chose ten highly respected doctors to create a traditional but standardized practice called Traditional Chinese Medicine. Not only is TCM taught in all Chinese schools, but schools in England, Russia and the US are opening.
One of the basic principles of TMC is the Taoist idea of “Yin and Yang.” The term is used by the school of Chinese medicine to describe a series of opposites; for example, hot and cold, dark and light or moving and still. Just like the changing of the seasons or the fading of day into night, the body goes through constant motion as well. If the cycle of equilibrium is disrupted and there’s an excess of something or deficiency of something, then the body naturally breaks down.
Another principle in traditional Chinese medicine is the idea of the “Five Elements” which are wood, fire, earth, metal and water. It is believed that these elements are in constant motion and work in an interdependent relationship, as do the various organs and systems within our own bodies. According to the Five Elements chart, if you’re feeling fearful, then it means you need more calm in your life or if you’re angry and frustrated, then you need more patience. The Five Elements Theory is further defined by the Zang Fu Theory, which explains the functions and interaction between various body parts in more detail.
Traditional Chinese medicine has several more “scientific” procedures. After all, it’s not all breathing and thinking! Chinese acupuncture is one of these procedures. People suffering from fibromyalgia, sciatica, tendonitis, headaches, carpal tunnel or other pains can be treated. While having a long needle stuck into certain acupuncture points may not sound desirable, patients say that it doesn’t physically hurt more than the usual ache. The more balanced you get over time, the less you feel the needles at all, in fact!
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