| Introduction to Traditional Chinese Medicine by Sasha Harrington While many forms of natural therapy are best termed "complimentary," Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is one of the few complete systems of holistic medicine. It is also one of the oldest with a tradition that spans over 4000 years of application and experience. A TCM practitioner uses acupuncture, acupressure, herbal medicine, food therapy, massage, meditation, and/or exercise to correct imbalances in the body/mind/spirit. However, instead of diagnosing and treating specific diseases or disorders, he/she diagnoses and treats syndromes that are usually described in terms of the Eight Principles (Interior and Exterior; Hot and Cold; Excess and Deficiency; Yin and Yang), the Six Pernicious Influences (Wind, Cold, Heat, Dampness, Dryness, Summer Heat), and the Five Elements/Ten Organ Systems. For instance, rather than diagnosing an animal with acute pancreatitis, the TCM practitioner may make a diagnosis of Liver Energy Congestion, Liver Fire Flaming Upward, or Hot Stomach, depending on the symptoms accompanying the pancreatitis. In TCM the cause of disease is viewed as an imbalance, blockage, or interruption in the flow of Qi (pronounced "chee"). The concept of Qi is very similar to what the homeopath calls the Life-force and what is known to the Ayurvedic practitioner as Prana. This imbalance in the flow of Qi is described in terms of Yin (negative) and Yang (positive) which reflects the dualistic qualities and interdependence of all phenomena. Very generally speaking, Yang diseases are External, Hot, Excessive, Dry, and Acute, while Yin diseases tend to be Internal, Cold, Deficient, Wet, and Chronic. Most forms of disease begin in the Yang stage but may turn into the Yin stage if allowed to progress. It's often a positive sign of recovery when a Yin disease turns into a Yang disease, but the opposite is the case when Yang conditions become Yin conditions. The Five Element Theory holds that each element is connected to an organ system (considered either yin and yang, except for the kidneys which have both yin and yang functions) which in turn corresponds to specific climates, seasons, times of day, directions, colors, foods, herbs, emotions, sounds, secretions, odors, flavors, body parts, etc. The organ systems are connected by invisible pathways called Meridians through which Qi flows. Hence diagnosis and treatment of an imbalance in one organ system requires knowledge of the interactions between the organ systems. TCM always considers and treats the individual as a whole. Where TCM differs from many Western approaches to holistic medicine is that the individual is not viewed as separate from his/her environment. Internal balance is not possible if one is out of touch with one's external environment. Indeed, TCM is based on an understanding of nature and its relationship to specific organ systems. Everything is interwoven -- there is no part of the body, mind, spirit, or outer world that is isolated from the whole. Health is viewed as a balance between Yin and Yang energies within the individual, and between the individual and his/her environment. |
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