Introduction to TCM Flashcards
What is TCM?
ancient and natural form of healing
inseparable relationships of body, mind, spirit, and nature
harmony and dynamic balance from observing nature
when does TCM date back to?
2200 years (3000-5000BCE)
Shang dynasty (1000 BCE)
used acupuncture needles and divination bones
Earliest written record of TCM
Huang Di Nei Jing (Yellow Emperor’s Inner Classic)
-3rd century BCE
what are the 5 elements (Xu wing)
wood, fire, water, earth, metal
100-770 BC
earliest reference of yin and yang
book of changes (yi Jing) 700 BC
what concepts where established in the Han Dynasty (206 BCE - 220 CE)
-yin and yang
-five elements
-channel theory (meridians)
-pharmacopeia
what are the 4 principles of TCM?
- Holism
- Balance
- Prevention
- Pattern Differentiation
principles of TCM:
your body is integrated as a whole
mind, emotion, spirit interconnected
principles of TCM:
connection to nature
season, geographical location, time of day, age, genetics, bodily condition
principles of TCM: innate self-healing capacity
microcosm
principles of TCM: prevention in the best cure
tongue and pulse, signs and symptoms
principles of TCM:
treat the patient NOT the disease
i.e. treat same disorder differently and different disorders the same way
observe nature, peoples emotions and lifestyles
TCM methods of treatment
-accupuncture (traditional, auricular, electro-stim)
-cupping
-botanical (plant, mineral and animal)
-moxibustion
-massage (tui na)
-nutrition
-bleeding techniques
-gua sha
-tai chi and qi gong
taiji AKA yin and yong
define yin and yong
yin: overcast weather; feminine; moon; cloudy; negative electrical charge; shady
yang: positive electrical charge; sun
yin
material
produces form
grows
matter
contraction
descending
below
water female
nutrients
yang
immaterial
produces energy
generates
energy
expansion
rising
above
fire
male
functions of yin
cooling
nourishes
provides space for rest
substance that is moved
creates the space for conception
functions of yang
warming
transforms
protects
moves
holds
creates the spark for conception
yin in medicine
female
cold
heavy
obscured
earth
night
downward and inward movement
autumn and winter
lower body
interior
abdomen
–> i.e tired, no energy, viscous, less visibility, white nasal discharge, cloudy urine
yang in medicine
male
hot
light
radiant
heaven
day
upward and outward movement
spring and summer
upper body
exterior
back
yin and yang
yin is the material basis for yang
yang is the functional manifestation of yin
four aspects of yin/ yang
opposition
interdependence
mutual consumption
inter-transformation
yin and yang: opposition
-relatively opposite
-never 50/50
-always changing to maintain homeostasis
-even if something is yin, it contains yang as well
yin and yang: interdependence
-cannot exist without the other
-cannot have activity without having rest
yin and yang: mutual consumption
-too much of one will deplete the other
-not enough of one will sho more of the other
yin and yang: intertransformation
-yin and yang transform into one another
-awake into sleep, life into death, summer into winter
-occurs when timing is right
-female menstrual cycle: follicular phase into luteal phase
yin excess
-produces cold symtpoms
-abdominal pain better with warmth
-dysmenorrhea better with warmth
-local pain better with heat
-chills/cold
yang deficiency
-produces cold symptoms
-tired after bowel movement
-low libido
-edema
-fatigue
what is the different between a yin excess and a yang deficiency?
-chills and cold in yin excess vs fatigue in yang deficiency
yin deficiency
-produces heat symtpoms
-red cheeks
-dry stool
-anxiety at night
-night sweats
-hot flushes
-5 centre heat (i.e. palms, soles of feet, chest)
-thirst for cold drinks in sips
yang excesss
-produces heat symptoms
-feeling hot all day
-red face
-thirst for cold drinks (gulps)
what is the different between a yin deficiency and a yang excess?
yin deficiency is cold drinks in sips (sips=small=deficient) while yang excess is cold drink in gulps (gulp=big=excess)
