What is Traditional Chinese Medicine?
Traditionally Chinese medicine is an alternative medical practice that traces its roots to the traditional medicine of China. It is also a form of alternative medicine criticized as pseudoscience. The majority of its treatments have little or no logical mechanism of action. These treatments include herbal therapy, acupuncture, and moxibustion.
Acupuncture
During an acupuncture treatment, thin needles are inserted into specific points on the body. The needles stimulate the facts to promote healing and reduce pain. The process is usually painless, but the patient may experience tingling or numbness.
Acupuncture in traditional Chinese medicine works to unblock and restore the flow of energy within the body. It is also used to treat many different health problems. It can help with various physical ailments, such as back and neck pain, headaches, and menstrual disorders.
Traditional Chinese medicine believes that energy flow is controlled through pathways called meridians. Acupuncture treatment improves the flow of energy along the meridians.
Research indicates that acupuncture may be as effective as prescription medication for pain relief. Researchers have found that acupuncture can impact the same pathways in rats as pain-relieving drugs.
Research has also shown that acupuncture affects the immune system. It works by stimulating nerves to release hormones and chemicals that decrease pain. It can also alter the activity of some regions of the brain.
Research also shows that acupuncture can improve the body's ability to handle stress. It is used to treat various health problems, including anxiety and depression. It can also help with reproductive disorders, respiratory conditions, menstrual disorders, and urinary disorders.
Acupuncture is generally safe, but it can cause minor bruising and bleeding.
It is best performed by a qualified practitioner.
The needles are inserted into the skin at three different depths during an average session.
Acupuncture treatments last for 15 minutes to an hour.
As an effective treatment for many conditions, acupuncture is gaining popularity in the Western world. The World Health Organization recognizes acupuncture as an effective alternative to Western medicine.
Herbal therapy
Several clinical trials have shown that certain Chinese herbs help reduce the side effects of conventional cancer treatments. However, more research is needed to determine whether these compounds improve survival outcomes.
Chinese herbal medicine is based on the theory that different parts of plants have various medicinal uses. These parts are used according to their effect on a particular body part.
Chinese herbalists believe that herbal remedies restore the balance of the body's energy systems. These systems are supposed to run through invisible channels called meridians. Acupuncture is used to help restore the balance of Qi, which is essential for good health.
Herbs have been used to treat many diseases in China for thousands of years. However, some herbs are toxic in high doses. These include aristolochic acid, which has been linked to kidney failure.
Herbs can act on the body as powerfully as pharmaceutical drugs. However, some of these herbs may also cause side effects, especially if the herbalist does not understand the underlying cause of the disease.
Some herbalists also believe that herbs help reduce the side effects of conventional medical treatments. However, it is essential to consult a qualified herbalist before taking any herbs. Aside from identifying which herbs may be used for a particular disease, it is also necessary to know which herbs interact with other medications.
Some herbalists also recommend changes in diet or lifestyle. For example, a Chinese herbalist may recommend eating more fish and vegetables or taking supplements. However, it is crucial to understand that Chinese herbal therapy is not a substitute for conventional medical treatment. It is recommended that patients consult their primary care physician before taking a Chinese herbal prescription.
Moxibustion
Traditionally, moxibustion has been used in China to treat many diseases. Several clinical practices have confirmed that the moxa leaf has effective drug properties. However, the mechanism behind its therapeutic effect is still unclear. Therefore, a better understanding of moxibustion may help clinicians to improve patient outcomes.
According to TCM theory, the effects of moxibustion are based on the basic theory of traditional Chinese medicine.
The action of fire and the role of moxa in moxibustion; are the two main factors contributing to moxibustion's therapeutic effect.
In addition, the meridian system plays a vital role in moxibustion's effects.
Indirect moxibustion is a kind of moxibustion that involves the use of herbs or other materials to touch the skin. Garlic, for example, has been used to treat indirect moxibustion.
Moxibustion is a form of external treatment which can cure many diseases, including arthritis, fatigue, post-stroke syndrome, and many other conditions. The effects of moxibustion can appear as skin irritations or blisters. Despite its efficacy, moxibustion is not a complete substitute for acupuncture. It also cannot be replaced by herbal therapy.
Indirect moxibustion was carried out using garlic slices of seven different thicknesses. The pieces were cut into a circular shape of 17 mm in diameter. The thickness of each portion ranged from 1.0 to 1.7 mm. The maximum temperature of the fourth moxibustion was a bit higher than the other thicknesses. The maximum temperature did not reach 50 deg, so the therapeutic effect of indirect moxibustion was not achieved.
The maximum temperature for the third moxibustion was within the therapeutic window. However, the maximum temperature for the fourth moxibustion was outside the therapeutic window.
Yin and Yang
Yin and Yang are two of the most basic pattern pairs in Traditional Chinese Medicine.
They are the mainstays of diagnosis and treatment of diseases and are also a central concept in the Five Element theory.
The concept of Yin and Yang in Chinese cosmology originated in the ancient Chinese agrarian society, which lived by natural cycles.
A yin-yang symbol is made up of two teardrop shapes. Each represents a different aspect of the yin-yang dualism.
The yin aspect represents grounded Earth energy. The yin-yang symbol is tied to the moon, shade, and oceans.
The yin-yang concept is considered a metaphor for the universe's natural order. It is based on the Taoist philosophy that everything in nature has a yin and yang aspect. The yin-yang concept also represents a dynamic balance of the opposites. It is also related to the I Ching, which means processes and unfolding events.
The yin and yang concept is also related to the Five Phases theory, a metaphor for movement through the internal and external environments. The universe is divided into five stages of transformation.
This model also includes the movement of internal organs.
The body's physical form, function, and condition depend on its operations.
These concepts also form the basis of the Eight Principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine. The Eight Principles are related to health, balance, and harmony. When the yin and Yang in a person are in balance, they will achieve good health. However, when one aspect of the yin or Yang is out of balance, the other element is affected. This imbalance results in illness.
Diseases are thought to be states of yin and yang imbalance. These imbalances can manifest in different ways.
