The
Basics
Traditional
Chinese Medicine is a truly holistic system of healing which has diagnosed,
treated, and prevented illness for at least 3000 years.
Based
on the principles of internal balance and harmony, this highly refined
and complex discipline works to regenerate the body's organs and systems,
including:
- circulatory
- endocrine
- neurological
- excretory
- respiratory
- urinary
Traditional
Chinese medicine views each human as a mini-ecosystem that shares common
traits with the earth on which we live. The basic principles of this
complete medical system are:
The
Chinese have a concept of vital energy known as chi (pronounced chee),
or qi which is the basis of all life. In the body, chi is transported
via the 12 major energetic pathways known as "meridians".
Although these meridians cannot be seen with the naked eye, modern
science has proven their existence through electronic detection.
Each
meridian connects to one of the major organs, and the chi is said to
power the organ, enabling effective functioning.
For
example, the path of the heart meridian travels from the heart, to
the armpit, and down the inside of the arm to the little finger. This
explains why some individuals with heart conditions will express a
tingling feeling running down the arm and into the fingers.
Chi
is regulated by the interdependant forces of Yin and Yang. The Chinese
symbol for Yin literally means "the dark side of the mountain",
and as such represents the following qualities:
- cold
- still
- dark
- below
- weakness
- hollowness
The
chinese symbol for Yang translates to "the sunny side of the mountain",
and therefore represents the opposite qualities of Yin:
- heat
- activity
- light
- above
- strength
- solidity
A
person's constitution, or the nature of the disease is determined by
the aspects of Yin and Yang. Harmony and balance of this union yields
a healthy state, whereas excess/deficiency of either Yin or Yang is
thought to lead to illness.
