HSC3521 1: WEEK 1 Lecture
“Is Chinese Medicine an art? Is it a science? If we mean by science the relatively recent intellectual and technological development in the West, Chinese Medicine is not scientific. It is instead a tradition that has survived into the modern age and remains another way of doing things. But it does resemble science in that it is grounded in conscientious observation of phenomena, guided by rational, logically consistent, and communicable thought process.� ---The Web That Has No Weaver, page 18-19
What is TCM? Chinese Medicine, also known as Traditional Chinese Medicine or TCM, has been practiced in China for thousands of years. Historically, it has played an important role in the prevention and treatment of diseases in China. With its complete theoretical system, firm clinical foundations and significant therapeutic effects, most of the major western nations have now realized the value of this ancient healing art. Central to the philosophy of Chinese Medicine is the premise of the self healing mechanism active in the body. The goal of Chinese Medicine is to promote this mechanism from within. TCM presents the processes of the
human body as interrelated and in constant interaction with the environment. Therefore signs of disharmony, known as illnesses in Western Medicine, are observed from both the external and internal environment of a person in order to understand, treat and prevent further illness and disease. *********************************************** *********************************************** *************************** "Biomedicine, a more accurate name for Western Medicine, is primarily concerned with isolable disease categories or agents of disease, which it zeroes in on, isolates, and tries to change, control, or destroy." "The Chinese Physician, in contrast, directs his or her attention to the complete physiological and psychological individual. All relevant information, including the symptom as well as the patient's general characteristics, is gathered and woven together until it forms what Chinese medicine calls a "pattern of disharmony." -----The Web That Has No Weaver, pages 3-4
What form of medicine is best? One concept is not better than the other; instead, the two offer different perspectives, each with its own validity and limitations. Within each discipline, there is an enormous amount of time tested information that has its own logic and usefulness. In my opinion, both Western and Chinese systems have their place in the present healthcare system.
Together they provide the best healthcare available.
Chinese Medicine vs. Western Medicine China many hospitals have the two medicines integrated, combining the best of each medicine for the In
patient's benefit. The Chinese study both with an open mind to discover which medicine works best for what condition. A person with a broken leg will clearly benefit from a medical doctor rather than an acupuncturist. But once the bone is set, acupuncture can help speed recovery. Cancer patients in China may receive radiation treatment or chemotherapy. At the same time, they are advised to receive appropriate herbs and acupuncture, because it is recognized that this will help ameliorate the side-effects and help improve quality of life for the patient. In America over the last hundred years, we have all benefited immensely from advances in western medicine. It has produced numerous unimaginable miracles such as organ transplants, in-vitro fertilization, bio-engineered medicine and the mapping of human genes. Let's not forget the emergency care provided for traumatic events and pharmaceutical drugs that allow quick remedies for acute problems, such as respiratory, sinus, bladder and many other infections. Having acute conditions in mind and in regards to society and meeting Americans needs, Western medicine is crucial to fast paced lifestyles and demanding schedules. Unfortunately, the side effects to a "quick fix" drug can be quite undesirable. When relying only on
Western drugs and last minute healthcare people find their immune systems compromised and overall health to be poor. In this case, Chinese Medicine would be a great "alternative" form of therapy. Chinese Medicine remains the primary to many Chinese but here in the U.S. is referred to as "alternative". Well, the alternative is sometimes best. For Corporate America, Chinese Medicine can be used to decrease and ultimately diminish acid reflux, indigestion, insomnia, restless leg, irritability, road rage, etc....., many of the common illnesses treated with pharmaceutical drugs. Once these imbalances are harmonized, preventative measures can be applied. Chinese Medicine utilizes the body's natural occurring healing system to remedy any imbalance; therefore, "preventative medicine" has been the most recent term associated with Chinese Medicine. The origin of Traditional Chinese Medicine, or TCM, has roots deep within Taoist beliefs and culture dating several thousand years ago. The present practice, extracted from these foundations, is now practiced throughout the world. Various forms of therapy and treatment are implemented balancing the body’s internal function and physical form with external influences and environmental conditions. Unlike Western Medicine a Chinese physician will not have a diagnosis based solely on the main complaint. Main complaints are recorded along with an overall observation of the patient, presenting symptoms, attitude, emotional state, diet, exercise routine, relaxation techniques and past medical history. All of these components are considered when creating a pattern of disharmony.
Overall, it is important to recognize the many great advances in Western Medicine, but when choosing the best care you must take into consideration the approach that each form uses in treatment. Western medicine approaches the human body from an anatomic and biochemical standpoint. It regards us as physical and biochemical beings made of many parts that can be dissected into tiny, independent components (cells), and all internal changes can be expressed by biochemistry equation. Chinese Medicine approaches the human body from an energetic and functional standpoint. TCM treats each person on an individual basis of their individual nature and regards the human body as an organic whole. It regards us as living organisms made of energetic, physical, emotional and spiritual parts that are intimately related. One concept that is central to Chinese medicine that the scientific world is still struggling to accept is the presence of "Qi". According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, the practice of Feng Shui and many martial arts, qi is a "life force". Qi exists within every living being and within the space where we live, between heaven and Earth. In the West, Qi is translated as energy, an intangible force that cannot be viewed through a microscope and cannot be detected with any scientific instruments. Many Americans and several cultures embrace the existence of this life force. Yogis refer to qi as prana, or breath. Martial artists sometimes feel it as heat in the palms of their hands, or warm liquid moving through the body. Patients of acupuncture treatment compare qi sensation to tingling, aching, a muscle spasm or electric current. Feng Shui
practitioners claim areas of a home or office feel crowded; induce irritability and confusion when qi is stagnant and not able to flow freely through a space. These Qi based practices rely on a smooth, free flow of qi to produce proper function and maintain sufficient form, thereby, presenting good health. Any form of stagnation will lead to a disharmony, and ultimately imbalance. Chinese Medicine treats health problems by working with the resources of the body itself. It uses acupuncture, acupressure, Tuina (Chinese massage), moxibustion and herbal medicine to re-establish a harmonious relationship amongst the organs and organ system to achieve a healthy state. Most importantly, Chinese Medicine is free from fear of side effects and limits a patient's need for medical intervention. • Acupuncture: application of special fine needles to harmonize and activate the body’s own healing ability and to promote health and longevity.• Acupressure: application of touch along specific areas for well-being and self-help• Herbal medicine: an advanced and effective system that uses herbs both as food and medicine. • Diet: a unique and effective system teaches how to eat to restore and maintain health by understanding the energetic qualities of food. • Healing movement: Qi Gong and Tai Qi promote health, longevity and a calm heart. • Breath: simple awareness of breath in our daily lives and combined with movement and meditation can promote health.• Moxibustion (moxa): therapeutic application of heat with specially prepared herbs• Meditation: to promote inner quiet and peace,
essential for well-being.• Tui Na: Chinese medical massage
Treatment of Yin Yang Everything in the universe can be described in terms of Yin or Yang. This is one of the underlying philosophies of Chinese Medicine that you will learn in the next lecture.