Traditional Chinese Medicine

The tongue has many relationships & connections in the body, both to the meridians & the internal organs. It is therefore very useful and important during inspection for confirming TCM diagnosis.

The Zàng-Fǔ organs are functional entities stipulated by Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). They constitute the centrepiece of TCM's general concept of how the human body works.

The earliest reference to Yin and Yang is in the I Ching (Book of Changes) in approximately in 700 BC. In this work, all phenomena are said to be reduced to Yin-Yang.

In TCM, natural phenomena can be classified into the Wu Xing, or the Five Phases, usually translated as five elements, five movements or five steps, Metal, Water, Wood, Fire & Earth.

In TCM summer corresponds to the heart. According to Chinese medicine, now is the time to focus on the heart & incorporate foods & lifestyle advice that will tonify heart.

Acupuncture is increasingly being used to treat problems of chemical dependency. Individuals addicted to opiates who underwent acupuncture anesthesia experienced a substantial reduction in the severity of their withdrawal symptoms.

TCM practitioners feel the pulse, note & the rate. They discern width or amplitude, length, how close it is to the surface, how deep & close to the bone, the strength & the quality

In Traditional Chinese Medicine TCM, the organ that corresponds to the season of winter is the kidneys. The paired kidneys are part of the urinary tract. The urinary tract also consists of ureters, the bladder & the urethra, connecting the bladder to the outside.

Qi is responsible for keeping the body in balance. Disharmony or imbalance can be caused externally by weather changes or internally by excessive emotion.

Traditional chinese medicine describes imbalances in the body & mind. Diagnosing insomnia as Yin Deficiency or Blood deficiency with heat harassing the heart causing shen disturbance.

Points in the TRIANGULAR FOSSA

The use of acupuncture for the treatment of drug and alcohol dependency (Acudetox) is a recent development in the history of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, in order to treat the eyes, one must treat the liver. Dietary, lifestyle, supplement & herbal medicine advice that can be prescribed to improve nutrient blood flow to the eyes to improve eye health & function.

The National Acupuncture Detoxification Association (NADA) auricular ear acupuncture protocol, is used globally to deal with and recover from substance abuse, addiction & assist detoxification.

Shen can be translated as "Spirit" or "Mind" & implies our consciousness, mental functions, mental health, vitality, & our "presence".

TCM and Mental Illness/Addiction. In TCM the Heart houses the Shen/mind. Mental illness is said to result from harassment of the Heart. Excess Phlegm can block the orifices of the Heart so that the Heart can no longer house the Shen.

Five element theory is the foundation of Chinese disciplines such as feng shui, martial arts & the I Ching (The Book of Changes, a text also Universal in its understanding & representation of the dynamic balance of opposites & the processes of unfolding events & change).

"Medicine & food share a common origin", & that food materials can be used to prevent or treat medical disorders. Like medicinal drugs, food items are classified as "heating" or "cooling".

The Vital Substances are Jing (Essence), Xue (Blood), Jin Ye (Body Fluids), Qi (Life Force), they travel through the body's pathways to help the body maintain its health state.

Qi is energy. Qi flows in our body much like water flows from the springs to the seas. In Chinese medicine, the liver dominates the free flow of Qi throughout the body. The liver is like General of the Army of our body.

The writings on TCM, at that time project back in history over 2000 years. Ancient works are alluded to in the prehistoric period but are now lost as "legendary".