9: Alternative Medical Systems: Traditional Chinese Medicine Flashcards
During the early period, Chinese medicine was not known as TCM because _______
there was nothing to contrast it to (ex. modern medicine)
4 main theories constitute basis TCM
i. Theory of qi (chi)
ii. Meridian theory
iii. Theory of yin-yang
iv. Theory of the 5 elements
Theory of Qi (Chi)
Qi: energy that flows along the surface of the body and through the body’s organs
manifests simultaneously on a spiritual and physical level = constant state of change
force unites the heavens and earth
Qi takes many forms and functions within the body, and is derived from two main sources:
- inherited form: receive from parents prior to birth
- external form: air we breathe, food we eat
Qi flows through the body by way of channels (________) that correspond to particular organs/organ systems
meridians
Theory of Meridians
Meridians: channels that qi is thought to flow through the body (externally and internally)
12 major meridians (6 - yin, 6. - yang)
meridians form a network; go outside the body in the skin and then return to the internal body, transporting energy and blood
what happens with qi is blocked
disease occurs
dual role of meridians
- Prevent harmful energies (bacteria/viruses) from entering the body
2. Indicate the presence of harmful energy already inside the body, indicated by body symptoms (aches, pains, heat, cold)
Any type of “disease” is a sign that the energy within the _____ system is out of balance
meridian
When a meridian is blocked
○ one part of the body is getting too much qi and enters a state of excess or overactivity
○ another part of the body/organ is getting too little and becomes deficient in qi and appears underactive
_______ are highly charged energy points along the meridians
Pressure points
Theory of Yin and Yang
Everything is composed of two opposing but complementary energies—yin and yang
Even though they are opposite, one cannot exist without the other; they are never separate
Outer circle = ‘everything’
Black
White
Outer circle = ‘everything’
Black (yin)
white (yang) = interaction of 2 energies
Yin and yang are in a constant state of _____ balance
dynamic
When one becomes unbalanced …..
the other changes proportion and achieves a new balance
T or F: TCM believes there is an absolute yang or yin
F: no absolute
T or F: Every yin organ is related to a yang organ with similar function
T
(kidney/bladder for purifying)
Theory of the Five Elements
5 elements:
i. Water
ii. Fire
iii. Wood
iv. Metal
v. Earth
elements of nature correspond with, body parts, sensations, colors etc.
Body Shapes of the Five Elements
- Wood type: Slender and tall body shape
- Fire type: Pointed head and chin, small hands, with curly or a small amount of hair
- Metal type: Square and broad shoulders, strong body type, and a triangle shaped face
- Earth type: Large head, larger body and belly, strong legs, and a wide jaw
- Water type: Round face and body with a longer than normal torso
elements directions
○ Water = moistens downward
○ Fire = flares upwards
○ Wood = can be bent and straightened
○ Metal = can be molded and can harden
○ Earth = permits sowing, growing, and reaping
elements as season cycles
○ Wood =spring, associated with birth because that is the time for growth
○ Fire = summer, associated with growth, radiating, and flourishing
○ Earth = late summer, everything is ripening
○ Metal = autumn, the forces return to the earth
○ Water = winter, life is directed to the inside and associated with storage
generating and controlling sequence between elements
○ Generating sequence: wood generates fire, fire generates earth, earth generates metal, metal generates water, water generates wood
Controlling sequence: wood controls earth, earth controls water, water controls fire, fire controls metal, and metal controls wood
TCM Diagnostic Methods
observation
- sound of voice/breathe, smell of breathe/skin/secretions
- shen (spirit)
- body appearance related to 1/5 elements
tongue
- colour, shape, coating
- determine deficiency of yin/yang
pulse
- identify deficiency/excess of yin and yang
8 guiding principles
4 polar opposites
○ yin/yang
○ cold/heat
○ deficiency or excess energy, blood, or fluids
○ interior/exterior
medical history
- Tree theory
- treat branches (symptom - make patient comfortable)
- treat root (cause - restore health)
- treat both
Acupuncture
insertion of stainless steel needles into skin at specific points on the body (acupuncture points) to affect the flow of qi through meridians
Acupressure
uses finger to find key points (trigger points) on surface of body
Major difference between acupuncture and acupressure
people can be taught to apply acupressure on their own bodies
Herbal products are classified as _________ in chinese herbal medicine therapy
dietary supplements
Classification of herbs
Upper: expel illness, strength and function are gentle
Middle: cure illness, if taken to eliminate suffering, they are to be used quickly, but if taken to increase life span, they should be taken gradually
Lower: attack the organism causing the illness and are to be taken short term
Safety Issues with Chinese Herbal Medicine Therapy
considered dietary supplements = manufacturer does not have to prove product’s safety and effectiveness before it is marketed
* Many Chinese herbs are available OTC, yet some may not be safe for public use ○ problems that have occurred have been because an unqualified practitioner has prescribed the herbs and may have prescribed them in an untraditional way or the herb was made with poor quality control
Chinese herbal pharmacists prepare and dispense herbs even though they are not registered to practice herbal medicin
Decoction
= traditional way to prepare herbal medicine
= Weigh out day’s dosage of herbs and combine in a bag
tuina
therapeutic bodywork
oriental therapy
= manipulation and mobilization of soft tissue
* Hand techniques to massage soft tissue is combined with acupressure to affect flow of qi
- Rolling methods
○ Rolling with nuckles and back of hand
○ joint and soft tissue problems, insomnia, migraines, high BP - One-finger method
○ deep tissue work, pushing points along meridian with tip of fingers
○ Helps chronic/internal problems, pediatric patients, gynecological problems
chinese Diet Therapy
Diet is one of the sources of qi, grounded in the 5 elements and 8 guiding principles theory
Not focussing on balance of protein, carbs, fats
views food as having yin/yang, drying/moistening properties
planned to optimize digestion and aid organ function
**no frozen foods = hard to process
Exercise Therapy
- Qigong
- regulate mind and breathing
- posture, movement, meditation, visualization
a. internal: regulate qi
b: external = practitioner transfers qi to another person for healing purposes - Tai Chi Ch’uan
- martial arts with self-defence applications
- very slow movements
- young and old
