Traditional Chinese Medicine
Traditional Chinese Medicine is perhaps the most well known of all the forms of alternative medicine and is one which is the most practised and used throughout the world over. , as it is known consists of many different alternative practises, which can be used in conjunction with one another to form a total health care system. It is a system which is diverse and complex while also being the most popular, in its most well known form, herbal remedies.
Chinese medicine has helped a wide variety of illnesses and ailments for thousands of years; it also offers a boost to the immune system brings a sense of well being and offers recuperative powers.
The main basis behind the philosophy of Traditional Chinese Medicine is that everything has an opposite and equal. This is seen in day and night, light and dark, sun and moon and happy and sad, all have an effect and are linked to the other. This is called “yin and yang” and we can only be truly fit, healthy and happy when our body is in totally harmony, this means both the physical and mental health.
All organs in the body are indirectly linked according to Chinese medicine and pain felt in one part could mean that there is a problem in another part of the body and not necessarily in the immediate area where the pain is felt. The human body is made up of many constituents, which is called Chi, this substance is what allows a person to think, feel and work.
Chi is made up of blood and moisture, the moisture protects nurtures and lubricates the tissues in the body while the blood is the foundation for skin, bones, nerves and muscles. Further still the body is divided again into five functional systems which are known as the organ networks. These are wood, earth, fire, water and metal.
The principles of diagnosis in Traditional Chinese Medicine
As Chinese medicine believes in treating the person as a whole the actual consultation in order to make a diagnosis is a complete one. It will take into account the symptoms of the patient along with their presence of mind, thoughts and feelings and lifestyle and diet.
The most well know therapies of Chinese medicine include acupuncture, massage, qi-gong and herbal remedies. The most widely used of all the therapies has to be acupuncture and the many and diverse herbal remedies.
Herbal remedies can either be prescribed after a through consultation with an herbalist, which is the recommended way of taking them or they can be bought freely at many health food stores and chemists. While all the remedies contain only natural ingredients, herbal remedies can have side effects. Although the side effects are usually nowhere near as plentiful as those which are associated with traditional medicines.
As with any form of medication, if you are currently taking medicine prescribed by a Doctor then it is essential that you work with your Doctor, by telling them you are looking into Chinese medicine. Most traditional Doctors and health care workers are now recognising the fact that although not proven scientifically, Chinese medicine does seem to work for a great many people.