Introduction to Traditional Chinese Medicine Flashcards
WHAT IS TCM?
is an ancient and natural form of healing that recognizes the inseparable relationship of body, mind and Spirit and Nature.
Concepts of ______ and ______ balance from observing nature
harmony and dynamic
Acupuncture and Chinese herbal remedies date back at least
2,200 (3000-5000) years.
___________ archaeological findings: acupuncture needles and divination bones with medical problems engraved
Shang Dynasty (1000 BCE)
The earliest known written record of TCM is the Huang Di Nei Jing ________________ from the 3rd century BCE
(The Yellow Emperor’s Inner Classic)
Five Elements (Wu Xing) ________
1000-770 BC
‘Book of Changes’ (Yi Jing) ________ is the earliest reference to ______
700 BC, Yin and Yang
Established firmly in Han Dynasty (206 BCE - 220 CE) Concepts Established
- Yin and Yang
- Five Elements
- Channel Theory
- Pharmacopeia
PRINCIPLES OF TCM
- Your body is integrated as a whole
- Connection to Nature
- Innate self-healing capacity
- prevention is the best cure
Every part of the body is integral to the whole. Mind, emotions, spirit, and
the physical body are interconnected and can influence each other in the
interrelated system
TCM takes into consideration the particular season, geographical location, time of
day, as well as your age, genetics, and the condition of your body
What are the 4 principles of TCM?
- holism
- balance
- prevention
- pattern differentiation
TCM treats the patient ________.
NOT the disease
TCM may treat the same disorder differently and ________________________
different disorders the same way.
TCM is based on the observation of…
observation of nature, people’s emotions and lifestyles.
TCM methods of treatment
- acupuncture
- cupping
- botanical
- moxibustion
- massage
- nutrition
- bleeding techniques
- gua sha
- Tai chi and qi gong
what is AKA. The Taiji
Yin and Yan
The concept of ___________ is probably the single most important and distinctive theory of Chinese medicine
Yin-Yang
The first character 陰 / 阴 ____ means: overcast weather; feminine; moon; cloudy; negative electrical charge; shady.
(yīn)
The second character 陽 / 阳 _____means: positive electrical charge; sun.
(yáng)
Which is the following: material, produces form, grows, matter, contraction, descending, below, water, female
YIN
Which is the following: immaterial, produces energy, generates, energy, expansion, rising, above, fire, male
YANG
- cooling
- nourishes
- provides space for rest
- a substance that is moved
- creates the space for conception
What are the functions of YIN?
- warming
- transforms
- protects
- moves
- holds
- creates the spark for conception
What are the functions of YANG?
Female
Cold
Heavy
Obscured
Earth
Night
Downward and
Inward movement
Autumn and Winter
Lower body
Interior
Abdomen
YIN in medicine
Male
Hot
Light
Radiant
Heaven
Day
Upward and Outward
movement
Spring and Summer
Upper body
Exterior
Back
YANG in Medicine
Upward and Outward movement
yang
spring and summer
yang
upper body, exterior, back
yang
hot, light, radiant
yang
cold, heavy, earth
yin
male
yang
downward and inward movement
yin
female
yin
autumn and winter
yin
lower body, interior, abdomen
yin
“____ is the material basis for ____”
“Yin is the material basis for Yang”
____ is the functional manifestation of ____
Yang is the functional manifestation of Yin
Four aspects of Yin / Yang
- opposition
- interdependence
- mutual consumption
- inter-transformation
Opposition
yin and yang are relatively opposite
Is opposition exactly 50/50?
No. it is NEVER exactly 50/50
- always changing to maintain homeostasis
Even if something is Yin, does it contain Yang as well?
yes
What concept describes the following?: Cannot exist without the other
interdependence
what is an example of interdependence?
cannot have activity without having rest
amount of activity is correlated to the amount of rest
What concept describes the following?: Too much of one will deplete the other - too much Yin depletes Yang and vice versa
mutual consumption
What concept describes the following?: Not enough of one will show more of the other –
not enough Yang will look similar to too much Yin
mutual consumption
what describes the concept of intertransformation?
Yin and Yang transform into one another
what is an example of intertransformation?
Awake into sleep, life into death, summer into winter, etc.
- Occurs when the timing is right.
- Female menstrual cycle: follicular phase into luteal phase
what symptoms would excess yin produce?
cold symptoms
Abdominal pain is better with warmth
yin excess
Dysmenorrhea better with warmth
yin excess
Local pain better with heat
yin excess
Chills
yin excess
Tired after bowel movement
Low libido
Edema
Fatigue
what symptoms correspond with yang deficiency
Red cheeks and Dry stool
Yin deficiency
Anxiety at night and night sweats
yin deficiency
Hot flushes and 5 Centre Heat
yin deficiency
Thirst for cold drinks in sips
yin deficiency
what symptoms would yang excess express?
produces heat symptoms
Feeling hot all-day
Red face
Thirst for cold drinks (gulps)
absence of tongue coating
yin deficiency
edema
yang deficiency - lack of movement
pale tongue with white and moist coating
yang deficient - blood is not flowing
Fast rate but faint
yin deficient
- less substance
deep pulse, slow rate and weak strength
yang deficient
- no movement - slower pulse
