TCM & Chinese Medicine

 

The History of Traditional Chinese Medicine & Chinese Medicine

The roots of Traditional Chinese Medicine reach back more than two millennia to the first Chinese dynasties. It is based on Taoism, a philosophy concerned with the harmony between humankind and the cosmos. The oldest TCM textbook, the "Huang Di Nei Jing" (The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine), was written approximately 300 years before our era and is still considered a crucial foundation for sound training in Chinese medicine in both the East and the West.

During the Zhou Dynasty (1066 – 256 BCE), the art of healing underwent significant development with precise ideas about the human body and its diseases. At that time, China strived for models of thought that were applicable to all areas – including medicine. Cosmological concepts began to emerge, and the idea of a universal order, based on the rhythm of the seasons, the annual calendar, and astronomy, gained importance.
These concepts were divided according to a numerological system, with classifications made by two (Yin and Yang), three (Heaven, Earth, Man), five (the Five Phases), and nine (the nine world directions and celestial regions). Thus, the fundamental ideas of Qi, the alternation of Yin and Yang, and the correspondences of the Five Phases with seasons, colors, and body parts gradually became established.

The holistic understanding of humanity assumes that the organism, like humans and the surrounding nature, forms a unity that must be considered for understanding the development and treatment of diseases. Changes within the organism can be recognized and influenced externally through the flow of energy (Qi) in the meridians.

A key role in the medical discourse of Chinese tradition is played by the concept of "Qi." The organism appears as an extraordinarily complex structure of dynamic Qi structures. It is a dynamic built on balance. If this balance is delicately disturbed, a doctor is needed who, with their experienced eye and in conversation with the patient, seeks to determine the cause of the disturbances. For example, there is talk of "Liver-Qi," "Heart-Qi," "ascending Qi," "Qi deficiency," etc.

Qi in the Tension of Yin and Yang

The balance of Qi dynamics consists of a compensation of opposites, which are formed according to patterns such as: illuminated and shadowed, male and female, up and down, outside and inside, active and passive... According to the form of their opposition, they are brought under the conceptual pair of Yin and Yang. One does not – as in the opposition of good and evil – have to triumph over the other, but finds its purpose only in the recognition and promotion of the other. The idea that all events in nature and society inherently contain a tension between Yin and Yang is not only found in Chinese medicine. It is found in the "Yijing," one of the "Classics" written long before the appearance of Confucianism and Daoism, and is deeply rooted in the mental constitution and physical sensitivity of the Chinese.

Qi in the Five Phases

Secondly, the Qi dynamic is integrated into a cycle that follows the pattern of the five seasons. Each cycle (functional circuit or orb) emerges from a previous one and transitions into the next. Opposites and pairs also arise, for example, according to the pattern of the relationship between grandmother and grandchild. Five elements are assigned to the seasons: wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. The human organism is ultimately understood as an interaction of five "organs," each having its special relationship to one of the five elements and one of the five seasons. These are the liver, heart, spleen, lung, and kidney. Each of these terms only partially overlaps with our familiar understanding. In the "Heart," for example, in addition to the organ as a pump, the capacity for appropriate form is included. Physical and psychological aspects always intermingle and often indistinguishably. Besides all the resulting differences, the most important one is likely the following: The five organs are a self-fulfilling whole, a microcosm as a reflection of a macrocosm that, with its seasons and elements, plays its part with the individual organism. The organs relate to the organism as the five seasons relate to the cycle of genesis and decay, and the five elements relate to the whole of material existence.

Qi as "Energy"

Qi is often translated as "force" or "energy." Qi is also used in a medical context. "Wei-Qi" refers to the ability to withstand harmful weather influences and to cope with injuries and infections. It is said to be present differently in the awake organism than in the sleeping one, and to withdraw from the surface of the body into the body's interior upon falling asleep. "Qi Gong," on the other hand, means "working on Qi."

The concept is frequently used in connection with the "meridians," which are supposed to represent the connecting lines between the 365 acupuncture points. By stimulating these points with needles, the "De-Qi" (sensation) is evoked - the "arrival of Qi." For the therapist, it is perceptible as an increase in tissue resistance; for the sensitive patient, as a radiating sensation along the affected meridian.

What is Traditional Chinese Medicine?

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a healing art that originated in China over 2000 years ago and has evolved over centuries. It encompasses various therapeutic procedures, also referred to as the "pillars" of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Acupuncture and Moxibustion

By needling (or warming) specific points on the body's surface, the flow of vital energy is regulated. The Chinese refer to this energy as "Qi" (pronounced: Chee). Qi flows through the body in an energetic network of channels. It not only connects the acupuncture points but also influences the relationships between the organs. By needling specific acupuncture points, the organism is specifically stimulated to restore its own balance.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has published a list of diseases that can be successfully treated with acupuncture.

Herbal Medicine

Chinese herbal medicine primarily uses plant parts, as well as minerals and some animal products. All of them have proven their healing effects over more than two millennia of application. A fundamental principle of Chinese Medicine is the understanding that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Therefore, individual herbs and substances are usually combined. This allows both acute and chronic diseases to be treated.

Tuina Anmo (Massage)

Acupuncture applies stimuli through needles, while Tuina massage does so through various manual techniques. Tuina is one of the oldest manual therapies. The treatment is based on the meridian theory and includes acupuncture points. This influences the entire organism to restore the disturbed balance between Yin and Yang and to alleviate pain conditions.

Dietetics or Nutritional Therapy

"Only when nutritional therapy brings no cure should medicines be used," said a famous Chinese physician. And: "A good practitioner must be able to cook!" From ancient times, the Chinese have investigated foods according to their energetic healing effect on humans. Thus, today it is possible to treat and heal a wide variety of diseases also - and some primarily - with specific foods and dishes.

Qi Gong and Tai Ji Quan

Originally, the flowing exercises originated from meditative practices and have thus been proven over many centuries. In modern China, these exercises have become an integral part of traditional Chinese medicine. They involve movement sequences and breathing coordination exercises that are used as supportive therapy for illnesses. Qi Gong and Tai Ji cleanse and strengthen our energies. Furthermore, they promote relaxation and inner calm. Especially Qi Gong can be learned and practiced by anyone in the West, even into old age.