Traditional Chinese Medicine

(TCM)

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university

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If you have any question, contact
with me
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I wish you will have the basic
knowledge about TCM in my class

History of TCM
TCM is a well of medical
knowledge gained from over
4,000 years of observation,
investigation and clinical
experience.
TCM has evolved as an
empirical science and its
theories and treatments have
been repeatedly in use and
refined over long period of
time.
More and more patients accept
TCM as the therapeutic
methods for diseases.

What is Traditional Chinese

Medicine
TCM has its systematic medical theory which is
strongly influenced by the theory of Yin-Yang and
five elements.
It is distinguished for the holistic concept, which
as dominant idea,
Views the various parts of the human body as an
organic whole,
Emphasizes the harmony and coordination of the
internal organs with other parts or structures
And also stresses the unity of the human body
with the external environment.

Theoretical Basis of TCM

The theory
The theory
The theory
The theory
The theory
fluid

of
of
of
of
of

Yin and Yang

five elements
Meridians
Zang-Fu organs
Qi, blood and body

Yin and Yang

these two words are Chinese
pronunciation.
It is very difficulty for you
Dont worry

The theory of Yin and

Yang

This theory holds that everything in the world

consist of two basic forces.
According to this theory, Yin and Yang exist
between inside and outside aspects of every
tissue and structure of the human body.
When there is a balance between the two,
there is no disease;
if the balance is disturbed, illness is sure to
arrive.

Five elements
In this theory, the material world is basically
made up of five elements.

fire

wood

metal

earth

water

The theory of five

elements

TCM uses a system of inter-relationships

between the five elements in order to
understand how the various processes of the
body support and control each other.
These five elements move and change
constantly to promote and restrain each
other.
The human body is part of the physical world
and the internal organs such as liver, heart,
spleen, lung and kidney correspond with the
five elements in the universe.

The theory of Meridians

There are 12 main
meridians.
Branching from them
is a network of other
smaller channels.
Each main meridian is
connected to one of
the twelve organs and
travels along its own
route within the body.

The theory of Zang-Fu

organs (viscera)
Spleen
Heart
Lungs
Liver
Kidneys

Small Intestine
Large Intestine
Gallbladder
Bladder
Stomach
Three Jiao (special
organ in TCM,
unknown to modern
medicine)

Etiology
Endogenous factors
Exogenous factors
Certain-case factors

TCM holds that human body forms an organic

integrity; all parts of human body are not only
structurally inseparable, but physiologically
kept in harmony, they are depending on,
making use of and restricting to each other.
TCM also holds that there is a close relation
between human body and natural environment,
any changes in the nature will inevitably
influence over human body directly or indirectly.
However, human body will make reaction to
respond to it.
Reaction within physiological limitation is called
reaction of physiological adaptability, beyond
the limitation is called pathological reaction.

Endogenous factors
which are illnesses caused by emotions.
include angry, sadness, worry, fear, joy, grief,
pensiveness and shock
and are usually termed as the seven emotions.

Exogenous factors
which are causes of disharmony that relate to
climatic conditions.
Called six pathogenic factors or the six outside
evils.
They are: wind, cold, damp, fire, dryness and
summer-heat.

Certain-case factors
include work, exercise, diet, sexual
activity and physical trauma.

Diagnosis
In TCM, the diagnostic process is
considered in four areas - known as the
Four Examinations. These are:

Visual examination
complexion, five sensor organs,
tongue,

auscultation and
olfaction examination

sound of voice and breath, odor of

breath

Inquiry
Current complaint
Health history
Family health
history
Patterns of sleep
Appetite
Digestion
Bowel movement

Bladder
Sweat
Pain
Emotional
features
Lifestyle features
Gynecological
features

Palpation
Palpation of the body is to discover
body temperature, body moisture,
pain
Pulse examination

Special examination
the Four Examinations are
very same to modern
medicine
tongue and pulse
examination is special in
TCM

Syndromes differentiation
With holistic concept as the dominant idea,
the observation and analysis of
physiological phenomenon, pathological
changes, syndrome differentiation, and
treatment are performed.
Proceeding from the situation as a whole,
applying special diagnostic methods of TCM,
making a comprehensive investigation on
the complicated symptoms and signs,
seizing the root cause of the diseases, such
procedure is called Syndromes
differentiation.

treatment based on
syndrome differentiation

under the final differentiation, the

principle of treatment is worked
out, the method of treatment is
determined, the prescription is
given.
This procedure is called treatment
based on syndrome
differentiation.

There are a number of methods to differentiate

syndromes in TCM,
differentiation of syndromes according to the
eight principles;
differentiation of syndromes according to the
theory of Qi, blood and body fluid;
differentiation of syndromes according to the
Zang-Fu organs theory;
differentiation of syndromes according to the
theory of six meridians;
differentiation of syndromes according to the
theory of wei, qi, ying and xue,
differentiation of syndromes according to the
theory of three jiao.

Each method, while having its own

features and laying stress.
They should be applied flexibly and
accurately so as to understand a
disease comprehensively,
Thereby providing the basis for
treatment.

Treatment

Acupuncture

Massage

Herbology

Qigong (yoga)

Acupuncture and moxibustion

1.

2.

3.
4.

Acupuncture and moxibustion, as two important

methods of treatment, form an indispensable part of
TCM.
Acupuncture and moxibustion have many advantages.
First, they are applicable in various kinds of diseases
and suit therapeutic needs in internal medicine,
surgery, gynecology, as well as in preventive
medicine.
Second, they produce prompt and appreciable cures;
increase resistance to disease by providing
stimulation at certain points, and stop pain.
Third, they are easily practiced and mastered.
Furthermore, they produce no or slight side effects,
are generally safe, and can be applied together with
other therapies.

Massage
Chinese massage is closely
related to acupuncture in
its use of the meridian
system and is considered to
be effective for a similar
range of health problems.
However it should not be
seen as a poor relation to
acupuncture.
It is an effective and
comprehensive therapy and
is regarded alongside
herbs, diet, Qigong and one
of the fundamental arts of
TCM.

Herbology
There is a great variety of Chinese material medica,
including plants, animal parts and minerals.
Among these materials, flowers, herbs and trees are the
ones most frequently used, that is why Chinese material
medica is called Chinese medicinal herbs.
The prescriptions in TCM are not merely collections of
medicinal substances in which the actions of one herb are
simply added to those of another in a cumulative fashion.
They are complex recipes of interrelated substances, each
of which affects the actions of the others in the prescription.
It is this complex interaction, which makes the prescriptions
so effective.

Plant-leaf

Plant-stem

mineral

decoction

Qigong
is being used as part of the TCM in preventive and
therapeutic health care.
Qi is seen as the vital energy in one's body to
maintain life.
Qigong will train one to work on physical to control
and exercise this energy for own good or if becomes
an expert, one can even use Qi for treatment.
Exercise is good for patients as well as any age
group who would like to maintain good health and a
state of peaceful mind.
Qigong is good in treatment of mental and physical
stress.

Today, There are more than 70 million

Chinese practicing Qigong, some for
treatment and most as a physical exercise.
Qigong lets people experiencing higher
levels of energy, and slow down the aging
process.
It may not be effective in treating acute
illness or medical emergencies.
It is good in preventing disease and also
treating chronic conditions or disabilities.

Review
Basic theories of TCM
Etiology
Diagnosis
Syndrome differentiation
Treatment

How to study
In the system of TCM, different theories
which contain various subjects are
embraced, some of which are complicated
and recondite.
However, to the beginners, the most
important thing is to be familiar with the
way of thinking by at first just following it,
till gradually see the frame of TCM, and
further get a more clear picture and
complete network.