Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)

Note. presentation of this form differs from other forms of therapies Guide. It describes briefly the foundations of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) which are based on the specific practices of this medicine. For a more thorough throughout the MTC, please visit our section on Chinese Medicine 101.

Traditional Chinese medicine, what is it?
Old a few thousand years, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a "system", that is to say a set of theories (explanations) and practices (techniques) on human health. Its relative complexity, for the West, primarily due to the following facts:

It has its own symbolic and philosophical basis.
She sees the body, heart and spirit as a whole.

It is not developed by dissecting the dead, but by observing the living. Therefore, nothing is seen as static.

It considers the phenomena not in itself, but from the relationships between them. Therefore, the health of a body or a person depends on many factors, all interconnected.
It uses several common terms in a different sense of what is usually understood in the West.
To ensure the well-being in humans, Traditional Chinese Medicine uses five main practices. Each is discussed in more detail in our data sheets.

The acupuncture
The Chinese Pharmacopoeia (herbs)
The Chinese diet
The Tui Na
Energy exercises
- The Qi Gong
- The tai chi
Trained individuals to practice five have the title of doctor of Chinese medicine . Formed only one or some of these practices, they carry a specific title, acupuncturist, herbalist, etc..

If Traditional Chinese Medicine's primary objective is to maintain health and prevent disease , it can also treat most health problems (occasional or chronic), including skin disorders, musculoskeletal, neurological, digestive, respiratory, reproductive, hormonal, as well as some infections and some emotional problems.

Here is a summary of the main theories - there are dozens of others - which are based on the MTC and each of its practices.

Qi, Yin, Yang and other major forces

The general principle of harmony
The Traditional Chinese Medicine seeks first to maintain the harmony of energy within the body and between the body and the outside elements. The health is linked to the body's ability to maintain the momentum needed to confront the attacks. In return, the disease occurs when the body has lost its ability to adapt.

Each individual has a particular constitution which different elements interact, according to a balance of its own. This is called the field . In two people, one symptom (headache or trouble digesting, for example) does not, a priori , a common cause, but an imbalance specific to each of them.

To maintain the health, harmony must reside in each of the elements of the set, and that between the different elements. And at all levels: in each organ of the individual, and between these organs in the individual, and between individuals and their environment. TCM does not treat the symptoms (as would the mechanistic medicine), but the person holistically.

The fundamental element: Qi
According to the Chinese view, which is both symbolic and practical , everything in the universe is driven by a fundamental force, an energy called Qi (pronounced chee ). This is the Qi that circulates the electrons in atoms. It allows cells to multiply, plants and living things grow. It also animates the movement of the wind and the stars. You can not see or touch. As is the case for electricity, we can only perceive its effects. Humans, as Qi supports the body's functions and the spirit walking, digest, think, feel are all manifestations.

This energy flow continuously circulates throughout the body via a network immaterial, but specific channels called meridians . The path of the meridian points are skin, called acupuncture points , where you can regulate the flow.

When Qi is sufficient and good circulation, the body is healthy, clear thinking and sharp reflexes. When stagnant, blocked or is forced, it feels weak, heavy and without vitality. Qi can be disturbed by many factors, internal or external (see Causes of diseases below).

Two poles: the Yin and Yang
The balance is never static, but constantly moving between the two opposing forces, which are complementary and interdependent Yin and Yang (represented in the symbol of the Tao).

The Yin represents the forces type passive , dark, cold, depth, moisture, etc.. The Yang -type forces means active , light, hot surface, drought, etc.. As a garden needs much rain (Yin) and the sun (Yang), all organizations need both forces. Yin and Yang are always in a dynamic relationship: when one increases, the other decreases. In all natural cycles, Yin and Yang succeed continually, as day follows night, the action at rest, inspiration to expiration and vice versa.

In a healthy individual, the movement of Yin and Yang are balanced . But when one comes to fade or fail, the other takes over and is manifested by symptoms of its own. A lack of Yang, for example, results in a pale complexion, the reluctance, loose stools (pallor, coldness, softness characteristics being Yin).

Note that, according to Chinese philosophy, the principles of Yin and Yang can be found both in nature (water / fire, night / day, contraction / expansion, etc..), in anatomy (internal / external, Liver / heart, left / right, etc..) and physiology (female / male, structure / function, descent / ascent, etc.)..

It is also important to know that for the Traditional Chinese Medicine , organs and elements represent phenomena that go beyond the mere function accorded them in our anatomy and our traditional thinking, which is why they are written with a capital letter.

The five movements: Metal, Wood, Earth, Fire, Water
In any phenomenon whatsoever, alternating between the state and the state Yin Yang does not happen instantly, but a constant process of transformation. The Chinese have identified five key phases (called movements) in this process. Each of the five movements has its own energy increase or decrease, it also bears the name of an element. When a phenomenon leaves the Yin Yang to enter, it is the movement of birth, dawn, spring, awakening, identified by Wood. At the top of Yang, is the entrance into adulthood (Fire). Then came the ripening (Earth) and aging (Metal). With death (Water), the phenomenon occurs again in the Yin.

The five movements give life in a specific order, according to the principle of generation : Water produces Wood, which generates the light, which generates the Earth, which produces Metal, which produces Water. As for the principle of control , it works in the same direction, but not linearly: Water controls Fire, which controls Metal which controls Wood, who control the Earth, which controls the water. Cycles of generation and control together form a balanced system. It is used to classify any natural phenomenon, but also for studying human tissues and relations between the elements.

5 movements theory also applies to the temperament of a person to his own behavioral dynamics. Wood temperaments, for example, have an expansive energy and are stimulated by the challenge and action. They are fed by water types and Fire types nourishing, but easily enter into conflict with the kinds Earth and Metal. As is the case in any other system of classification of temperaments, no individual corresponds to a pure type. It is a little of each in a special balance, with a predominance of more or less pronounced. To find your "temperament Chinese" made ​​our test Are you Metal, Earth, Fire, Wood and Water? .

Traditional Chinese Medicine, from the abstract to the concrete
The traditional Chinese medicine believes that the body contains organs and entrails , and 5 "vital substances".

The five vital substances
The first 3 are immaterial substances and called Three Treasures . First the Shen , which is consciousness organizes the individual creative spirit. It plays a role in mental health. Then Qi , then Jing , the essence, that is to say, features intimate and specific of every living being. A certain amount, limited and non-renewable, is transmitted to us by the parents: the innate Jing, the vital capital of the species. By cons, air and food we provide the Jing acquired, thereby maintaining the innate Jing.

To these are added Three Treasures 2 material substances, namely Blood and body fluids that nourish and moisten all tissues and organs.

Bodies
There are five bodies , each corresponding to a movement : Liver (Wood), Heart (Fire), Spleen (Earth), lung (metal) and Kidney (Water). The viscera are "full" kind of Yin. Together, they have the role of producing, processing and storing energy, Blood, Body Fluids, Jing and Shen. But each plays specific roles: for example, the house spirit (heart), or raise the "pure Yang" (Spleen).

The Guts
Gallbladder (Wood), Small Intestine (Fire), Stomach (Earth), Large Intestine (Metal), bladder (Water): Yang in nature, these Viscera 'hollow' joint role is to receive, process and excrete fluids. The Guts also have specific roles (the Small Intestine "sorts the clear and disorder").

The causes of disease in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Most of the time, the traditional Chinese medicine attempts to identify the causes of disease by describing the types of imbalances (Empty, Excess, Stagnation, etc..), and determining what Viscera or what functions they affect. The causes can be external (symbolized by climatic conditions), internal (especially emotional nature) or other.

5 external causes are wind , the cold , the humidity , the heat and drought . These conditions are due to diseases when they are excessive or when the body is too weak to endure. They then attack through the mouth, nose or skin tracks. Wind and cold combined, for example, can cause sneezing, fever, muscle stiffness, etc.. Of course, if we say that a disease is caused by Liver-Fire, for example, does not mean that the liver is physically hotter, but it is overly active, it takes too much space, that it "overheating".

7 internal causes are Anger, Grief, Sadness, Fear the, Joy, Fear and Concern. Indeed, Traditional Chinese Medicine has always believed that emotional factors strongly influence health. Body hurts every emotion which it is associated. For example, Anger hurts the liver, and Fear, Kidneys.

The other causes are all those which concern neither climatic factors or emotions. These are:
- a weak constitution;
- overwork;
- excessive or sexually frustrated;
- injuries and accidents
- parasites and poisons
- food (lack of balance in food hygiene) .

Methods of diagnosis in Traditional Chinese Medicine

The practitioner in Traditional Chinese Medicine seeks not to diagnose but to perceive disturbances may lead to disharmony. The only way to determine these disturbances is to observe its manifestations. The practitioner therefore proceeds by comments, questions and palpation.

Observations. Complexion, eyes, nails, hair, breath, breath, his voice, emotional state, feces and other excretions, etc.. The language is a major source of information, both in its size, shape, color, texture, and by the characteristics of the white coating that covers it.

Questions. Upon malaise, family history, sleep, appetite, etc..

Palpation. texture, moisture, temperature and elasticity of the skin, muscle tone tissue excitability, etc.. The pulse is also a fundamental diagnostic mode, because it allows to examine the Qi . Indeed, it is through the power of Qi that blood circulates. The practitioner takes 3 different pulse with three fingers on each wrist artery. The first pulse provides information on the chest, the second on the upper abdomen, the third on the lower abdomen. Left wrist and Yin organs are right wrist, Yang organs. Different characteristics are attributed to pulse (fast floating-hitting, low, strong, fluid, drowned, etc.)., Each index. Some features can be combined.

To interpret the data, the practitioner should refer to the eight guiding principles : Yin / Yang, Hot / Cold, Empty / Excess, Interior / Exterior. With them, he can determine the characteristics (status, quality, location) of Qi in the body. These characteristics allow it to prescribe or most appropriate treatments, whether a change of diet, treatment of acupuncture or practice exercises Qi Gong , for example.