What is Chinese Medicine?

Chinese Medicine is also commonly referred to as "Traditional Chinese Medicine" or TCM; it is so called because of it originated in mainland China.Chinese Medicine refers to the ethnic medicine that has been practiced in China since prehistory. Chinese Medicine has also been a major influence on the traditional medicine of Japan. Chinese Medicine is a complete system of treatments that has been traditionally, and is still today the mainstream medicine in China.

How Old is Chinese Medicine?

The first evidence of the type of medicine that led to the Chinese Medicine in use today however, dates back to about 6000 BC, which was during the neolithic (new stone age) period. Stone tools from this period have been found that were specially shaped for making small incisions in the skin, which was the early form of acupuncture. It is also believed that moxibustion developed around this time. It was not until the Shang Dynasty (c. 1600 - 1100 BC) that bronze casting technology was developed, which enabled the manufacture of metal acupuncture needles which could, like modern needles, be inserted in the skin and left in place. The Chinese written symbols or ideograms, which have changed little over the centuries, have provided a continuity of knowledge and tradition that has not been paralleled by any other culture.
Chinese Medicine, which embodies a complete and holistic treatment system, is still an integral and most important part of everyday life in China and is actively supported by the Chinese Government through research, education and hospitals. This stands in sharp contrast to the ethnic medical traditions of the West, which have been persecuted and suppressed since the Renaissance, and have been replaced by the relative newcomer Allopathic Medicine as the mainstream medicine.

What are the Principles of Chinese Medicine?

Although the philosophy of Chinese Medicine is very ancient, its principles were only first set down around 400 BC. by Lao Tzu in his book the "Tao Te Jing", or "Classic of The Law". This book expounds a natural and ecological philosophical system which promotes the concept of health and prosperity through the awareness and observance of the immutable cosmic law, the "Tao". It states that there are two opposing and equal forces in the universe, the dark, static and negative force "Yin" and the radiant, active and positive force "Yang". It explains that there is a natural interaction between the opposing potentials of these two forces, which manifests as a flow of energy called "Qi".

Chinese Medicine philosophy considers there to be a number of different forms of Qi in the body, but the most important type of Qi as far as treatments are concerned, is the Qi which is perceived to flow along the 12 "Meridians", or energy lines.

These Meridians are associated with certain major organs of the body as follows:

1. Lung Meridian
2. Colon Meridian
3. Stomach Meridian
4. Spleen Meridian
5. Heart Meridian
6. Small Intestine Meridian
7. Bladder Meridian
8. Kidney Meridian
9. Pericardium Meridian
10. Triple Warmer Meridian
11. Gallbladder Meridian
12. Liver Meridian

The flow of Qi is governed by the time of the day, the seasons of the year, the traditional 5 elements, cold, heat, dampness, dryness, etc.; and by internal factors such as the emotions and the indiscriminate use of food
Chinese Medicine therefore, sees health as a balance in the body of the two opposing forces Yin and Yang, which provides a harmonious and correct flow of Qi. It considers that an unbalanced diet, lifestyle or environment will disrupt this balance and thus the flow of Qi; this in turn manifests as the symptoms of disease. The aim of the practitioner of Chinese Medicine is to restore health by removing the cause, correcting abnormal function, opposing the imbalance and normalizing the flow of Qi.

What Treatment Methods are used in Chinese Medicine?

Chinese Medicine uses a number of modalities:

1. Herbal Medicine - this is the oldest form of Chinese medicine.
   This treatment originally required the patient to boil up medicinal plants and other medicinal substances, and drink the resultant liquid. These days Chinese Herbal Medicine is more commonly administered in the convenient form of powders that can be dissolved in water, or in the form of pills. Herbal Medicine is usually used to counteract the effects from excessive cold, heat, dampness, dryness, etc., and to restore normal function of the organs.
2. Acupuncture (from the Latin: Acu = fine needle + punctura) refers to the insertion of very fine needles into specific points on the body which are traditionally known to regulate the flow of Qi. Acupuncture when done by an expert Chinese Medicine practitioner is rarely painful, but is relaxing and provides a sense of renewed energy and well-being. The aim of Acupuncture is to restore the normal the flow of Qi in the Meridians. As such it is used to relieve pain and restore normal homeostasis.
3. Moxibustion is the application of heat to specific points or areas on the body. A smoldering roll or small cone of dried and compacted herbs usually provides the heat source. Moxibustion may be used by itself, but is most commonly used as an ancillary to acupuncture for "cold", that is, chronic diseases.
4. Cupping. In this modality glass or acrylic suction cups are applied to specific areas of the body. It is mainly used for conditions that are associated with "stagnation" which often manifests as chronic pain.
5. Massage (Tui-Na). Chinese Massage uses a number of techniques, which are designed to release tightness in tissues, stimulate specific points or areas, and facilitate the flow of Qi. Chinese massages are usually very relaxing, highly invigorating or both.
6. Surgery (this was always regarded as a last resort, although effective anaesthesia which used a combination of Acupuncture and Palina wine or Acupuncture and opium, has been available for over 2000 years. This was because Confucian ethics frowned on surgery as it regarded the human body sacred and inviolable).
7. Other therapeutic methods:
   • Diet therapy.
   • Manipulation.
   • Breathing exercises (Qi-Gong).
   • Exercise therapy (Tai-Qi).
   • Hydrotherapy.
   • Heliotherapy