Traditional Chinese Medicine Flashcards
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
Is defined by the NCCAM as a System of medicine
Began 3000-4000 years ago
Shen Nong
the “father of agriculture and herbal medicine”; dressed in leaves and eating or holding plants.
Huang di
Wrote the “Yellow Emperors Inner Cannon or Nei jing (Nei Ching)
The Yellow Emperor; the “father of medicine” (2697-2597 BC)
It is a Medical philosophy
What are the 5 Elements
Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water
5 Elements
WOOD (feeds) > FIRE (creates ash) > EARTH (contains) > METAL (bucket/carries) > WATER
Acupuncture Points/Acupoints
Energy points along the meridians where the vital force can be accessed to influence the flow qi.
Meridians
12-14 non-anatomical channels through which Qi (Chi) travel throughout the body
Wood:
Season: spring
Color: Green
Associated with: Gall Bladder and liver
Emotions: anger and shouting
Fire
Season: summer
Color: red
Associated with: heart and small intestine
Emotions: Joy or Sadness
Earth
Season: late summer
Color: yellow
Associated with: spleen and stomach
Emotions: Compassion
Metal
Season: autumn
Color: white
Associated with: lungs and large intestine
Emotions: Worry and Grief
Water
Season: winter
Color: black
Associated with: bladder & kidneys, fluidity and flow
Emotions: Fear and Anxiety
Yin Yang
Everything in nature has an opposing force
Yin: Passive, cool, dark, soft, and feminine. Inside and front of body
Yang: Active, hot, bright, hard, masculine. Outside and back of body
Definition and Cause of Illness
Defined by balance or imbalance of the vital force/Qi
Can cause imbalance of Chi: Negative emotions, hunger, overuse of the body, environment, and stress
The negative influences lead to a deficiency of Chi
Symptoms are regarded as signals of impaired flow of Chi
Diagnosis
Pulse, tongue, urine
Chi may be felt through wrist pulses
Treatments
Intended to restore the flow of chi
Herbs, Massage, Nutrition
Qi gong, Tai chi
Acupuncture
