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Alternative Health > 4-Eastern Therapies > Flashcards

4-Eastern Therapies Flashcards

1
Q

Origin and development of Traditional Chinese Medicine

A
  • TCM
  • Originating in Chinese culture more than 3000 years ago
  • propagated throughout other Asian countries (Japan, Tibet)
  • rooted in the ancient philosophy of Taoism, and has evolved
  • Today, widely used in the US as a complementary health therapy
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2
Q

List the Fundamental Concepts of TCM

A
  1. Qi
  2. Yin and Yang
  3. Five phases
  4. Five seasons
  5. Three treasures
  6. Viscera and Bowels
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3
Q

Qi

A
  • The invisible “life force” or “vital energy,” (pronounced “chee”) is believed to circulate “through plants, animals, and people as well as the earth and sky”
  • travels throughout all parts of the body along energy channels or meridians
  • The process of maintaining balance and harmony in the circulation of qi is health
  • Obstructions in this circulation can cause health challenges that range from illness to social difficulties (problems with work, fights with the family), depending on the individual’s unique qi
  • There are 5 types
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4
Q

List the 5 types of Qi

A
  1. Ying
  2. Wei
  3. Jing
  4. Zang
  5. Zong
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5
Q

Ying

A
  • Construction qi
  • supports and nourishes the body
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6
Q

Wei

A
  • Defense qi
  • protects and warms the body
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7
Q

Jing

A
  • Channel qi
  • flows in the channels/meridians
  • influenced by acupuncture
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8
Q

Zang

A
  • Organ qi
  • flows to promote the physiological function of organs influenced by acupuncture
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9
Q

Zong

A
  • Ancestral qi
  • responsible for respiration and circulation
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10
Q

The Yin and the Yang

A
  • the natural world, and all life, is shaped by “opposing but complementary phenomena that exist in a state of dynamic equilibrium”
  • always present simultaneously, dependent on one another, and a union of opposites
  • ex: no light without dark, hot without cold
  • ex: A gear (yang) that works too hard burns away the grease (yin) and builds up heat. If continued, this ultimately will overheat the gear and cause it to seize up and become damaged
  • the goal is to maintain this balance between the yin and yang for optimal health.
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11
Q

Yin

A
  • considered to be the vital function
  • generally described as passive, cold, and heavy
  • moistens and cools our body, and allows a restfulness so that we can slow down and sleep
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12
Q

Yang

A
  • considered to be the vital essence
  • characterized by aggressiveness and activity
  • is energy that allows movement and animates the host body, with heat and circulation characteristics
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13
Q

Describe the Five Phases concept

A
  • Refer to the movement of energy as it continues to cycle throughout birth, life, and death
  • Everything changes over time, even seemingly static objects such as the oceans and mountains
  • Connections between five major forces of nature (phases or elements) and various states within the body.
  • The five phases are wood, fire, earth, metal, and water.
  • Phases refer to a set of dynamic relations occurring among phenomena that are organized in terms of the five phases”
  • The relationship between the 5 phases and of body organs are just one such correspondence.
  • When referring to the internal sensory organ system the five phases would appear as:
    • Wood = eyes
    • Fire = Tongue
    • Earth = Mouth
    • Metal = Nose
    • Water = Ears
  • The interplay between each of these phases is known as a creation cycle where: burning wood feeds fire; from its ashes, fire produces earth; earth in turn gives up its ore, creating metal; from condensation on its surface, metal brings forth water; and water nourishes and creates plants and trees, creating wood
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14
Q

Fire phase

A

linked to the circulation of blood, hormones, and food. Its partner organs are the heart (yin) and small intestine (yang)

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15
Q

Earth phase

A

linked to digestion and is comprised of the spleen/pancreas (yin) and the stomach (yang)

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16
Q

Metal phase

A

linked to respiration and elimination and is made up of the lungs (yin) and large intestine (yang)

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17
Q

Water phase

A

linked to elimination and is comprised of the kidneys (yin) and urinary bladder (yang)

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18
Q

Wood phase

A

linked to toxic processing and is made up of the liver (yin) and gallbladder (yang)

The process returns back to Fire

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19
Q

The five seasons concept

A
  • linked to the diagnosis and treatment of disease in TCM
  • Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter correspond with compass directions; east, south, west, and north.
  • 5th season of Late Autumn or a changing of the season which occurs each quarter
  • compass directions are directly associated with the 5 phases (i.e., wood, fire, metal, water, and earth)
  • It is interesting to note that the compass direction of south is of such importance in Chinese culture that historically maps were drawn with south at the top of their maps, as opposed to north as in our Western culture. modern Chinese maps have discontinued this practice
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20
Q

The three treasures concept

A
  • qi, essence, and spirit
  • body, mind, and spirit and the combination of these three are all considered forms of our life force
  • ex: Water can look extremely different as a solid, liquid, or gas. However, they are all expressions of the same individual compound
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21
Q

Qi (three treasures)

A
  • energy or life force
  • several forms of qi as discussed earlier
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22
Q

Essence (three treasures)

A
  • also known as jing
  • most fundamental source of human physiological processes
  • must be replenished by food and rest
  • people are born with this gift from their parents (e.g., genes, DNA)
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23
Q

spirit (three treasures)

A
  • also known as shen
  • the “alert and radiant” facet of humanity
  • representation of the spiritual and mental aspects of life, including emotional well-being, thoughts, and beliefs
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24
Q

Viscera and Bowels concept

A
  • Traditional Chinese medicine uses a system where, “organs serve as markers of associated physiological functions rather than actual physical structures”
  • Within TCM, 12 organs are identified as essential to function.
  • These 12 organs are divided in two groups, with an equal number allocated to the zang (i.e., solid organs) of the viscera, and the fu (i.e., hollow organs) of the bowels.
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25
Q

Bowel

A
  • yang
  • ful/hollow organs
  • small intestine
  • large intestine
  • gallbladder
  • stomach
  • urinary bladder
  • san jiao / tripple burner
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26
Q

Causes of Disease / San Yin

A
  • TCM classifies the causes of disease in 3 ways
  • “these ideas developed in a setting in which the possibility of investigating a bacterial or viral cause was nonexistent”
  • Treatments were designed based on the observation of the body’s response to the disease
  • The 3 causes of disease:
    1. External causes (the 6 evils)
    2. Internal causes (the 7 affects)
    3. Nonexternal, noninternal causes
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27
Q

External causes (6 evils)

A
  • environmental causes of wind, cold, fire, dampness, summer heat, and dryness
  • if the appropriate qi is not strong enough, the evil may enter from the surface of the body and cause disease internally
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28
Q

Internal causes (7 affects)

A
  • mental states of joy, anger, anxiety, thought, sorrow, fear, and fright
  • believed that these mental states can affect the body if they are strongly or frequently experienced
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29
Q

Nonexternal, noninternal causes

A
  • causes that are not a direct result of environmental or mental states
  • examples include dietary irregularities, excessive sexual activity, taxation fatigue, trauma, and parasites
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30
Q

Traditional Chinese medicine emphasizes individualized treatment based on what four methods to evaluate a patient’s condition?

A
  1. Inspection (wang)
  2. Listening and smelling
  3. Inquiry
  4. Palpation (qie)
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31
Q

Inspection (wang)

A
  • observation of the patient, in terms of their spirit, the way they hold themselves, head and face, and substances excreted from the body
  • specific attention is given to the colour, shape, markings, and coating of the tongue
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32
Q

Listening and smelling

A
  • listening for speech and breath quality, as well as any other sounds
  • being aware of odors of breath, body, and excreta
  • believed that these mental states can affect the body if they are strongly or frequently experienced
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33
Q

Inquiry

A
  • asking a system of 10 questions in order to build a complete medical history
  • questions relate to sensations of hot/cold, perspiration, head/body, excreta, diet, chest, hearing, thirst, prior illnesses, and prior medications and their effectiveness
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34
Q

Palpation (qie)

A
  • feeling the pulse on the radial arteries at the wrist
  • pulse is divided into 3 parts:
    • inch position: nearest the wrist, indicates the function of the body above the diaphragm
    • cubit position: nearest to the heart, indicates the function of the body below the navel
    • bar position: in between the inch and cubit, indicates the function of the body between the diaphragm and navel
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35
Q

List the therapeutic methods of TCM

A
  1. Acupuncture
  2. Moxibustion (Jiu Fa)
  3. CUping and Bleeding
  4. Tui na
  5. Qi Gong / Tai Chi
  6. Herbal Medicine (Zhong Yao)
  7. Diet
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36
Q

Acupuncture (simple explanation)

A
  • the use of needles to apply a stimulus to particular points along channel or meridian pathways, in order to restore and affect the movement of qi
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37
Q

Moxibustion (Jiu Fa)

A
  • refers to the burning of a cone or stick of moxa (i.e., dried herb, usually mugwort), either on or near the skin, in order to change the movement of qi and blood, warm meridians and expel cold, strengthen yang or to prevent disease
  • direct moxibustion
    • a small amount of moxa (i.e., size of rice grain) is burned directly on the skin
    • can cause a blister or a scar, though it can be removed prior to this
  • indirect
    • similar to above however a protective mediating substance (e.g., ginger or garlic slices or salt) is placed between the skin and the moxa
  • sometimes used in conjunction with acupuncture by igniting some moxa at the end of the acupuncture needle
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38
Q

Cupping and Bleeding

A
  • a vacuum is created using a small glass or bamboo cup; this increases circulation and brings blood and lymph to just below the skin surface in the location of the cup
  • only very small amounts of blood (i.e., a drop to a few centiliters) is released from the body to remove heat from a specific location
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39
Q

Qi Gong / Tai Chi

A

the, “art and science of using breath, movement, self-massage, and meditation to cleanse, strengthen, and circulate vital life energy and blood”

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40
Q

Diet

A
  • the 5 phase theory is applied to foods, and they can be prepared with specific medicinal purposes in mind
  • diet is used to rebalance the body temperature using thermal food qualities
    • cooling foods; e.g., duck, broccoli, ice cream
    • neutral foods; e.g., beef, rice, apple
    • warming foods; e.g., tuna, oats, ginger
  • food is also categorized by 6 tastes
    • sweet; influence the spleen and stomach and aid digestion and qi
    • salty; influence the kidney and bladder and aid the body prior to surgery
    • sour; influence the intestinal, urinary, reproductive, and respiratory surfaces and aid in drying these mucousal membranes
    • bitter; influence the bowels and aid in digestion
    • astringent; aid in stopping the flow of bodily secretions (e.g., tears or sweat)
    • pungent; aid in digestion, circulation, and stimulating sweating
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41
Q

TCM in the US

A
  • “Many states license acupuncture, but vary in their inclusion of other TCM components (e.g., herbal medicine) in the licenses they issue
  • The federally recognized Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine accredits schools that teach acupuncture and TCM, and 1/3 of the states that license acupuncture require graduation from an ACAOM-accredited school
  • The National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) offers separate certification programs in acupuncture, Chinese herbology, and Oriental bodywork.
  • Almost all licensing states require completion of NCCAOM’s national written exam; some states also require a practical exam.”
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42
Q

TCM in Canada

A
  • several exciting developments have occurred for practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine
  • September 1, 2011, the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care (MOHLTC) sent out a press release restating their commitment to regulating the profession of TCM through the Regulated Health Professionals Act
  • The press release states, “Ontario is the second jurisdiction in Canada to move to regulate TCM.
  • British Columbia is the only province to regulate the practise of TCM.
  • Alberta and Québec, regulate the practice of acupuncture only.”
  • MOHLTC worked with the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of Ontario to “develop regulations, standards, and policies that will allow this college to protect the public in Ontario
  • Health Canada reports that as of December 2011, the government has called to establish an Advisory Committee on TCM
  • The news release states, “The Government of Canada recognizes the unique nature of Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCM) and wants to hear the TCM community’s views.”
  • recognition of the unique characteristics of TCM
  • concern about the appropriateness of the ‘western’ medical model for Traditional Chinese Medicines
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43
Q

Acupuncture (in detail)

A
  • Built on many of the foundations of TCM (yin and yang)
  • yang is the acupuncture needle itself, sharp and metallic
  • yin refers to the body as a whole, soft and organic
  • Used for thousands of years, it is believed that the insertion of the needles at designated points on the body stimulates qi and opens up channels (i.e., meridians) to allow qi to flow
  • directly rooted in the five phases (i.e., wood, earth, fire, wind, metal), the vital substances of the body (i.e., qi, as well as blood and fluids), and the viscera and bowels
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44
Q

The Channel System

A
  • One of the two types of major pathways within the body
  • predates the use of acupuncture points
  • directly related to the placement of acupuncture needles
  • believed to be the pathways through which qi and blood travel throughout the body
  • important to keep the body healthy,
  • unifying communication system for the body
  • five major functions
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45
Q

List the 5 major functions of the channels system

A
  1. Transportation
  2. Regulation
  3. Protection
  4. Therapy
  5. Integration
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46
Q

Transportation (channel system)

A

pathway for the circulation through the body of qi and blood

47
Q

Regulation (channel system)

A

maintains the flow of qi and blood, and therefore maintains the yin and yang of the organs

48
Q

Protection (channel system)

A
  • protects against the invasion of ‘evils’
  • if the evils gain a foothold in the body, the channels reflect a sign or symptom of this disease
49
Q

Therapy (channel system)

A

treatments of a disease are based along the channel points that will have an impact on the affected organ system

50
Q

Integration (channel system)

A
  • connects the viscera to the bowels
  • connects the internal (e.g., viscera and bowels) to the external parts (e.g., limbs and surface) of the body
51
Q

List the two types of major pathways within the body

A
  1. The Channels system
  2. Network vessels
52
Q

The 12 Regular Channels

A
  • The ones most commonly used for acupuncture points, and each one directly relates to one of the 12 organs outlined in TCM
  • Yin: Inner surface of limbs, chest, abdomen
    • Arms: lung, heart, pericardium
    • Legs: speen, kidney, liver
  • Yang: Outer surface of limbs, buttock, back
    • Arms: large intestine, small intestine, san jiao (triple burner)
    • Legs: Stomach, bladder, gallbladder
  • As well as directly relating to organs, “each of the six yin channels is paired with its interiorly-exteriorly related yang channel”
  • This allows for an internal to external flow of qi from the viscera and bowels, through the channels, to the surface of the body
  • Directly associated with the 12 regular channels, there are four additional types of regions or channels
53
Q

List the four additional types of regions or channelsDirectly associated with the 12 regular channels

A
  1. The 12 cutaneous regions
  2. the 12 sinew channels
  3. the 12 divergent channels
  4. the 8 extraordinary vessels
54
Q

The 12 Cutaneous Regions

A
  • considered the most superficial of the channels and divides the surface of the body into 12 segmented areas
  • function is to circulate blood and defense qi among the body surface, strengthen the body’s disease resistance, and regulate the skin and pores
  • due to the broad nature of these regions, it is understood that a stimulus could still be provided to this channel even if the needle point is not exact
55
Q

The 12 Sinew Channels

A
  • below and deeper than the cutaneous regions, these sinew channels are still fairly superficial in location
  • branch off from regular channels at the tips of fingers or toes, and then travel internally along muscles, tendons, and ligaments
  • similar to cutaneous regions, the function of the sinew channel is to circulate defense qi
56
Q

The 12 Divergent Channels

A
  • considered 12 major branches that flow away from the 12 regular channels
  • three functions:
    1. circulate defense qi to the viscera and bowels, and defend against ‘evil’
    2. strengthen the connection between organs and channels
    3. integrate internal areas of the body not met by the regular channels
57
Q

The 8 Extraordinary Vessels

A
  • utilized as reservoirs of qi and blood, these vessels have 2 primary differences between themselves and the other channels:
    1. the vessels do not have a continuous interlinking pattern of circulation
    2. the vessels are not associated with specific organs, but rather are linked to specific types of disorders based on their location and function
  • two functions:
    1. further link the major channels and the organ systems
    2. regulate the flow of qi and blood in the regular channels by storing or releasing excess qi and blood flow as needed
58
Q

Network vessels

A
  • They act as links for the distribution of qi and blood between channels, between related organs, and along the surface of the entire body
  • two types:
    • Network divergences
    • Superficial (grandchild) netwoek vessels
59
Q

Network divergences

A
  • 12 Transverse network vessels:
    • short pathways that connect directly between the yin and yang of an internally-externally related organ pair
    • function is to allow a balance of qi between the two points
  • 16 Longitudinal network vessels:
    • one vessel for each of the 12 regular channels as well as the governing vessel, the controlling vessel, the great spleen network, and the great stomach network
    • off-shoot branches of the regular channels, however, they have their own symptomatology
60
Q

Superficial (‘Grandchild’) Network Vessels

A

small branches of network divergences that appear along the surface of the skin, such as small veins and venules

61
Q

Acupuncture points

A
  • simply, “a hole where qi and blood can be manipulated in relation to a channel, organ, or body region”
  • location of these points may vary slightly between cultural styles of acupuncture, it is understood that there are 361 specific points associated with the 12 regular channels, including the governing and controlling vessels
  • numerous extra points associated with some of the other channels.
  • While each acupuncture point has the individual potential to aid in treatment, many points belong to special groups that work best together
  • One of the most commonly used groups is the 5 transport points or 5-phase points
  • A total of 80 points are associated with the 5 phases and are only located between the finger to elbow and toe to knee
62
Q

Describe the acupuncture needle

A
  • filiform needle that varies in dimensions
  • Typically 1 to 1.5 inches (25-38mm) long although it can vary from 0.25 inches (6.4mm) up to 7 inches (17.8cm) in length
  • The tip of the needle is solid and does not have a cutting edge (i.e., lumen) that would slice or cause damage to the tissues
  • In North America, generally 0.25mm in diameter
63
Q

Describe acupuncture treatment planning

A
  • Based on a thorough TCM diagnosis, the practitioner begins to point match, creating a large set of points (i.e., 20-40) that address the condition’s underlying root cause as well as the specific symptoms occurring
  • Once the large set of points is created, the practitioner goes through the process of point selection.
  • These smaller sets of points (i.e., 2-5), are selected from the original available points
  • Once an insertion site has been determined the needle is quickly inserted and then adjusted to an appropriate depth. The practitioner will make modifications, as they see fit, to the angle and depth of insertion, method of manipulation (e.g., leave the needle alone or rotate the needle periodically) length of retention (e.g., 15 to 30 minutes) and number of needles used (i.e., 8 to 16).
64
Q

When selecting points from the large point match set, the TCM practitioner needs to keep the following 4 issues in mind:

A
  1. point selection must address both the root and tip of the problem
    • the cause as well as the symptoms of the problem need to be addressed
  2. point selection must be balanced
    • between the right and left, upper and lower, front and back of the body
    • between the yin and the yang
  3. point selection is based on local, adjacent, and distal points
    • points would be used directly on the problem area, nearby the area, as well as points on the four limbs far away from the affected site
  4. the elements of function and size of the treatment must be considered
    • each point is chosen for individual reasons, however, the group of points selected need to work together as cohesive unit for the overall goals
65
Q

Describe the basic physiological effects of acupuncture

A
  • Understood that the positive results of acupuncture are “the consequence not of a complex dynamic of local tissue, vascular, and CNS mediated neuroendocrine events”
  • These events are explained by the theory of the “splinter effect”, in essence a chain-reaction that occurs in the body when an acupuncture needle is used
  • Finally, there have been many studies that support the hypothesis that acupuncture stimulates endorphins, the brains natural pain killers or “feel good” drugs
66
Q

What happens specificaly when the acupuncture needle is used?

A

Needle pierces the skin;

  • For approximately 20 minutes, the blood vessels vasoconstrict to stop blood loss and prevent outside organisms from entering the body;
  • Post 20 minutes, the blood vessels vasodilate to increase circulation to begin tissue repair and to aid in infection control;
  • Post 1 hour, the damaged cells, blood, and any other waste products are flushed away through the process of vasomotion;
  • Birch’s splinter effect occurs whereby a number of vascular changes occur to promote tissue repair, improve metabolic processes, and aid in defense of the body
67
Q

List the seven “physiologically inseparable,” local and CNS specific responses

A
  1. response to the initial ‘injury’ of the needle through the skin and tissue
  2. interplay between the needle and the now surrounding connective tissue
  3. relaxation of muscle, and increase of circulation to needle site
  4. change in the CNS, including the pain receptors (i.e., nociceptors), motor neurons, and hormonal (i.e., neuroendocrine) systems
  5. improvement in lymph circulation and blood clotting (i.e., coagulation)
  6. localized immune system response
  7. tissue repair response including creation of DNA
68
Q

Describe the safety of acupuncture

A
  • in comparison to conventional drug therapies, there are very few side effects
  • minor effects such as bruising or short term nerve damage and infection (rare))
  • reduce the risk of side effects: ensure that the practitioner uses sterile, disposable needles
  • several reviews have concluded that acupuncture is a relatively safe CAM therapy
  • growing body of evidence about the efficacy of acupuncture
  • North American culture has started to see a rise in the number of western practitioners utilize acupuncture sometimes without the background in TCM
  • ‘medical acupuncture’, although this refers to only to the professional status of the person performing the acupuncture
69
Q

Three traditional medical systems are utilized in modern India

A
  1. Ayurveda
  2. Siddha
  3. Unani
70
Q

Ayurveda

A
  • Becoming a much more accepted CAM practice in North America
  • Ayurveda = “science of life”
  • ayus = life
  • veda = science or knowledge
  • Practiced for more than 5000 years and one of the oldest systems of medicine in the world, “many Ayurvedic practices predate written records and were handed down by word of mouth”
  • “Three ancient books known as the Great Trilogy were written in Sanskrit more than 2,000 years ago and are considered the main texts on Ayurvedic medicine” and these describe eight distinct branches of Ayurvedic medicine including internal medicine, toxicology, and psychiatry
  • Today, the Ayurvedic practitioner uses many approaches when providing treatment for a patient
  • Practitioners feel that they need to take into account all facets of the patient’s life including the body, mind, behaviour, environment, but most importantly the patient’s consciousness, which is thought to be of primary importance for optimal health
  • This consciousness is the “life force that must exist before anything can live” and in Ayurveda is referred to as prana (http://www.catie.ca/en/practical-guides/complementary-therapies/2/2-2).
  • Prana = ‘before breath’ is similar to the TCM’s concept of qi.
  • Ayurvedic practitioners believe that the physical human body is comprised of the seven dhatus (i.e., tissues), the three malas (i.e., waste products), and the three agnis (i.e., digestive enzymes).
71
Q

The 5 Elements of Ayurveda

A
  • recognizes prana as the source of the five elements:
    • fire: Regulation of body temperature, digestion, absorption, and assimilation; Brain activity to recognize, appreciate, and comprehend the world
    • earth: Content of all solid structures and compact tissues
    • water: Plasma, cytoplasm, saliva, nasal and eye secretions, cerebralspinal fluid
    • air: Cellular functioning, the movement of the breath and the intestinal tract; Brain activity of thought, desire, and will
    • ether (i.e., space): Allows for the existence of sound, which needs space to travel; Audible sound, as well as vibrations within our body that we “feel” rather than “hear”
  • These elements make up all the matter in the universe, including the human body
  • People are considered a combination of all the five elements working in tandem
  • One of the underlying concepts of Ayurveda is that the 5 elements combine to create humans in the form of 3 doshas, along with the 7 dhatus and 3 malas
72
Q

The Three Doshas and Prakriti of Ayurveda

A
  • The three doshas of vata, pitta, and kapha (collectively the tridosha) are forces that maintain equilibrium within the human body for optimal health
  • Doshas are constantly being changed by food, activity, and the processes of the body.
  • An imbalance occurs, disease can manifest
  • Ayurvedic treatments aim to retain the proper balance of the tridosha. Imbalances may be caused by “a person’s age, unhealthy lifestyle, or diet; too much or too little mental and physical exertion; the seasons; or inadequate protection from the weather, chemicals, or germs
  • Each person has a unique combination of the three doshas that create their personal constitution or prakriti. Most people are a combination of doshas, although one is usually prominent.
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Q

One of the underlying concepts of Ayurveda is that the 5 elements combine to create humans in the form of 3 doshas, along with the 7 dhatus and 3 malas.

A
74
Q

Keeping in mind that most people fall under the two-dosha type of prakriti, the following outline the characteristics of the three doshas as compiled from a variety of sources

A
  1. Vata (meaning Wind, comprised of air and ether)
  2. Pitta (meaning Bile, comprised of fire and water)
  3. Kapha (meaning Phlegm, comprised of earth and water)
75
Q

Vata (meaning Wind, comprised of air and ether)

A
  • considered the most powerful and important dosha as imbalance here can effect both pitta and kapha doshas
  • responsible for most basic body processes such as cell division, physical (i.e., body) and mental movement, nervous system function, and elimination
  • embody qualities of dryness, cold, light, irregularity, mobility, roughness, and abundance
    • individuals with predominantly this dosha type are dry, cool, and capable of fast, variable movement and thought, however are unpredictable, anxious, or fearful and often do not finish what they start
    • balanced vata people are happy, enthusiastic, and energetic
    • too much dryness produces irregularities in the body and mind
    • imbalanced vata people have a tendency to be impulsive
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Q

Pitta (meaning Bile, comprised of fire and water)

A
  • governs enzymes and hormones
  • responsible for digestion including hunger and thirst, pigmentation, body temperature, sight, courage, and mental activity
  • embody qualities of heat, light, intensity, and fluidity
    • individuals with predominantly this dosha type are determined and intense, may exhibit aggressive and impatient characteristics, and are ambitious, outspoken, bold, orderly, and efficient
    • balanced pitta people are confident, joyous, and sweet
    • excessive heat results in irritability in the body and mind
77
Q

Kapha (meaning Phlegm, comprised of earth and water)

A
  • the heaviest of the 3 doshas, it is considered to be the strength, structure, and stability that the body needs
  • regulates vata and pitta
  • also responsible for body lubrication, sexual power, and fertility
  • embody qualities of softness, smoothness, and stability
    • individuals with predominantly this dosha type are relaxed, stable, and entrenched
    • balanced kapha people are graceful with a happy, tranquil world view
    • imbalanced kapha result in too much heaviness and produces a slowness in the body and mind
78
Q

The seven dhatus

A
  • must be maintained for health and are responsible for nourishment of the body in a particular order of importance:
    1. Rasa: tissue fluids that originally come from digested food, e.g., bile, lymph, plasma
    2. Blood: invigorates the body using the red blood cells
    3. Flesh: provides stabilization of body using muscle, tendons, and ligaments
    4. Fat: provides lubrication of the body using adipose tissue
    5. Bone: functions as support through the bone and cartilage
    6. Marrow: provides the structure and filling of bones, using both the red and yellow marrow
    7. Shukra: supports the reproduction and immune system
79
Q

The three malas

A
  • refer to the waste products of the body: urine, feces, and sweat.
  • the digestive system is the most important system of the entire body.
  • Dysfunction in this system is understood to be the root cause of all disease in the body and is due to a build up of ama or undigested food or drink.
  • Dysfunction can occur in the digestive system at one of the areas where the three agnis (i.e., enzymes) break down food.
  • Dysfunction may also occur; in any of the 13 srotas of the body (i.e., which are thought to be channels through which all substances circulate).
80
Q

The three mental states

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  • Ayurveda understands that beyond the physical body, the mind also needs equilibrium for optimal health
  • The three mental states that influence an individual are the qualities of
    • Balance, or sattva
    • Energy, or rajas
    • Inertia, or tamas
81
Q

In addition to using modern diagnostic tools (e.g., x-rays), practitioners of Ayurveda use the following system to create a diagnosis

A
  1. Pulse examination
  2. Urine examination
  3. Body observation
  4. Disease examination
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Q

Pulse examination (Ayurveda)

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  • the general feel of the pulse (i.e., like a snake, frog, or bird) is related to dosha type
  • taken by placing 3 fingers on the radial artery of the right hand for men and left hand for women
83
Q

Urine examination (Ayurveda)

A
  • originally studied for colour and clarity, this is also related to the 3 doshas
  • secondarily, a few drops of sesame oil is added and examined as to what shape, movement, or diffusion occurs—this indicates the prognosis of the disease (e.g., “if the oil spreads immediately, the illness is probably easy to cure”)
84
Q

Body observation (Ayurveda)

A
  • review of the tongue, lips, skin, and nails for indications of dosha imbalance (e.g., a white coating on the tongue, bumps on the fingernails, or roughening of the lips)
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Q

Disease examintion (Ayurveda)

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  • a detailed, five step review of the disease including the cause; early signs and symptoms; manifest signs and symptoms; exploratory therapy; and prognosis
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Q

Ayurvedic Treatments

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  • Ayurveda promotes treatments based on both the prevention and therapy models
  • Overall, “Ayurvedic treatment goals include eliminating impurities, reducing symptoms, increasing resistance to disease, and reducing worry and increasing harmony in the patient’s life”
  • A practitioner has a variety of treatment practices that are available to achieve these goals:
    1. ​Herbal remedies
    2. Diet and digestion modification
    3. Purification strategies, panchakarma
    4. Breathing techniques, pranayama
    5. Transcendental meditation
    6. Exercise
87
Q

Herbal remedies (Ayurveda)

A
  • similar to TCM, whole single plants or mixtures of whole plants are used instead of reducing the compound to a single active ingredient taken alone
  • more than 600 herbal formulas and 250 single plant drugs (including oils and spices) are used as Ayurvedic treatments, however, some formulas include minerals or metals that may become toxic
  • uses “the synergistic cooperation of substances as they coexist in natural sources”
88
Q

Diet and digestion modification (Ayurveda)

A
  • strongly encourages the adoption of a lactovegetarian diet
  • the doshas are influenced by the food itself as well as the taste (e.g., salty) and quality (e.g., oily)
  • the manner in which food is eaten is also thought to hold importance
89
Q

Purification strategies, panchakarma (Ayurveda)

A
  • intended to cleanse the body channels by eliminating ama, pollutants, and other pathogenic impurities
  • methods used to cleanse the body may include massage, enemas, or medical oils administered within a nasal spray
90
Q

Breathing techniques, pranayama (Ayurveda)

A
  • several different techniques that can be used to relax the mind and body
    follow the link to watch a seven minute video introducing pranayama there are (there are several other videos from the same yogi, demonstrating specific pranayama variations)
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Q

Transcendental meditation (Ayurveda)

A
  • ​a method for developing consciousness within the body where “the mind transcends even the subtlest impulses of thought and settles down to the simplest state of awareness”
  • a person chooses a mantra (i.e., a word or sound) to repeat silently over and over again while sitting quietly. As other thoughts come to mind, the person is to notice them and then return back to the mantra
92
Q

Exercise (Ayurveda)

A
  • an individual’s dosha type should influence their exercise choice
    • Kapha: moderately heavy exercise such as running, aerobics, dancing, and weight training
    • Pitta: more competitive, with less endurance based activities such as jogging, hiking, swimming, and skiing
    • Vata: stretching, yoga, and tai chi
  • walking is the best exercise for all doshas as it is calming
93
Q

Ayurveda in North America

A
  • Ayurvedic practitioners “study in India, where there are more than 150 undergraduate and 30 postgraduate colleges for Ayurvedic medicine…[students] can earn either a bachelor’s degree (Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery, BAMS) or doctoral degree (Doctor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery, DAMS).” (can take 5 years or longer to complete)
  • As of 2015, no states in the US license Ayurvedic practitioners, although a few have approved Ayurvedic schools. Similarly Ayurvedic practitioners are not regulated by legislation in Canada and of the very few courses in Ayurveda offered here they do not meet the standards of a 5-year university level course in India
  • Health Canada has also posted some warnings regarding Ayurvedic medicines as they could be manufactured outside of Canada and therefore be subject to differing regulatory practices. The last official warning was posted in 2008, however there is still a risk of toxicity in the herbal medicines today
94
Q

Yoga

A
  • One of the cornerstones of East Indian
  • The word yoga comes from the Sanskrit root word of yuj (join, to unite, or to yoke together)
  • Originating thousands of years ago
  • Based on the eight yoga sutras (i.e., thoughts) that were postulated by the sage Patanjali
  • Conscientious practice of these eight sutras, enables successful meditation through stillness in the mind, along with realization of goals that have been set
  • Many ways to practice yoga:
    • yoga of service (karma yoga)
    • yoga of wisdom (jnana yoga)
    • yoga of devotion (bhakti yoga)
  • Our Western culture is most aware of, and has embraced, the school of hatha yoga
  • yoga creates a mosaic in which every variation has a purpose and fits into the greater design
95
Q

List the 8 yoga sutras

A
  1. Yama/discipline
  2. Niyama/restraint
  3. Asana/posture
  4. Pranayama/breath control
  5. Pratyahara/sense withdrawal
  6. Dharana/concentration
  7. Dhyana/meditation
  8. Samadhi/ecstasy
96
Q

Yama/Discipline (yoga)

A
  • meaning forbearance or restraint
  • how an individual should interact with the outside world
  • e.g., refrain from violence or stealing
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Q

Niyama/Restraint (yoga)

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  • meaning self-discipline or observance
  • for mental and physical purity, tolerance, and introspection
  • e.g., a guide for personal codes of conduct
98
Q

Asana/Posture (yoga)

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refers to yogic postures or the physical exercises performed in some forms of yoga (i.e., hatha yoga)

99
Q

Pranayama/Breath Control (yoga)

A
  • regulation of the flow of prana (i.e., life force)
  • manipulation of the breath is the main method of regulating prana
100
Q

Pratyahara/Sense Withdrawal (yoga)

A
  • turning the mind inward, or to withdraw the mind from the senses
  • preparation for meditation
101
Q

Dharana/Concentration (yoga)

A

the development of concentration by focusing the mind on one object for a period of time

102
Q

Dhyana/Meditiation (yoga)

A
  • all previous stages were in preparation for this stage: meditation
  • full meditation: the ability to concentrate on one thing (or nothing) indefinitely
  • difference between this stage and dharana (the previous stage) is that the individual’s mind is now “regulated” and will not be distracted from concentration
103
Q

Samadhi/Ecstasy (yoga)

A

a further degree of meditative concentration, also referred to as “absorption,” where “only consciousness of the object exists without concurrent consciousness of the mind”

104
Q

Hatha yoga styles

A
  • Taken root in our Western culture
  • Focuses on asanas, pranayama and pratyahara
  • Some feel that hatha yoga has “ignored the deeper spiritual planes and are satisfied with the physical health and vitality that its practice brings”
  • Others feel that hatha yoga allows anyone to practice yoga, “regardless of age, sex, or physical condition…with no political or religious boundaries”
  • Classical hatha yoga is the traditional East Indian approach as it has not been adapted in any way
    • Simple movements, or poses, flow from one to the other and individuals are encouraged to move at a comfortable pace and in sync with their breath
105
Q

Prana

A
  • term to describe our ‘life force’ -
  • similar to qi in Traditional Chinese Medicine and prakriti in Ayurveda -
  • considered to be in constant motion
  • This movement of prana through the body is called pranayama and is controlled by using various breathing techniques
106
Q

List types 7 of hatha yoga

A
  1. Iyengar
  2. Ashtanga
  3. Kundalini
  4. Bikram
  5. Kripalu
  6. Sirvananda
  7. Viniyoga
107
Q

Iyengar Yoga

A
  • Crafted by B.K.S. Iyengar, this classical style is well suited for beginners and advanced participants alike
  • use of props, as necessary, to facilitate poses
  • blocks, belts, and bolsters and their uses to facilitate poses
  • (flow)
108
Q

Ashtanga yoga

A
  • power yoga
  • more physically demanding
  • asanas move quickly from one pose to the other, usually in a 12-pose series entitled a sun salutation
  • Each movement linked with the breath
  • builds physical strength, stamina, and flexibility
109
Q

Kundalini yoga

A
  • Kundalini means awareness
  • focuses on healing and purifying the mind, body, and emotions
  • designed to activate the kundalini energy in the spine
  • Movements performed relatively quickly, and include breathing, chanting, and meditation components along with the poses
  • (there is a technique to relieve headaches)
110
Q

Bikram yoga

A
  • hot yoga
  • Advanced style of yoga
  • practiced in a room heated to 90-105 °F (temperatures found in India)
  • Twenty-six postures are practiced in a particular order and repeated twice
  • Each posture is held one minute for the first set, and 30 seconds for the second set
111
Q

Kripalu yoga

A
  • continuous flow of postures while meditating
  • for gentle, yet dynamic yoga
  • Posture, movements held for short periods of time, and breathing are the focus in the early stages of this practice
  • As the individual progresses, the practice begins to incorporate meditation, and the asanas are held for a longer period of time
112
Q

Sivananda yoga

A
  • The first Sivananda Yoga Vedanta centre established in the west was in Montreal, Canada, in 1959
  • practices a 12-pose series, or sun salutation
  • sun salutation is only subtly different from others
113
Q

Viniyoga

A
  • commonly thought of as therapeutic yoga
  • named for the Sanskrit term that “implies differentiation, adaptation, and appropriate application”
  • used to address the unique needs and abilities of each individual through variations in methods of practice
  • created by the guru Krishnamacharya, whose students included B.K.S. Iyengar and the “first lady of yoga,” Indra Devi
114
Q

Describe the safety of yoga

A
  • yoga is one of the Top 10 complementary health approaches (includes 13 million adults in the US)
  • In Canada, grown in popularity with 9% of our population using yoga for exercise and therapy
  • can be dangerous if not done properly

Alternative Health (7 decks)

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