What is Traditional Chinese Medicine?

Dr. Zhu Weimin (January 2, 2020)

Traditional Chinese Medicine generally refers to the traditional medicine created by the Han ethnic workers, and is therefore also called Chinese medicine. It is a discipline that studies human physiology, pathology, diagnosis, and disease prevention.

Traditional Chinese Medicine originated in a primitive society, and the theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine was essentially formed during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods. Successive generations have summarized and developed it. Furthermore, it has a considerable influence on countries within the Chinese cultural circle, such as Japanese Kampo medicine, Korean traditional medicine, and Vietnamese oriental medicine, all of which are developed based on Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Traditional Chinese Medicine carries the experience and theoretical knowledge of the ancient Chinese people in combating diseases and is a gradually formed and developed medical theoretical system through long-term medical practice under the guidance of simple materialism and spontaneous dialectical thinking.

Traditional Chinese Medicine takes the Five Elements of Yin and Yang as its theoretical basis, considers the human body as the unity of Qi, form, and spirit, and explores the etiology, disease, disease location, analysis of the disease mechanism, and changes in the five internal organs, meridians, joints, Qi, blood, and body fluids. It then derives the disease name, summarizes the evidence type, formulates the principle of dialectical treatment, formulates "sweat, expectorate, lower, warm, clear, tonify, and eliminate," and uses Traditional Chinese Medicine, acupuncture, tuina, massage, cupping, Qi Gong, dietary therapy, and other treatment methods to achieve harmony and the restoration of yin and yang in the human body.

What is the content of TCM theory?

It includes: the theory of the unity of man and nature; the theory of Yin and Yang and the five elements; the theory of the Five Transportations and the Six Qi; the theory of Organ Phenomena; and the theory of meridians. These theories form the framework and cornerstone of TCM clinical practice.

What are the characteristics of Traditional Chinese Medicine?

Derived from Han culture and dominating the comprehensive theoretical system of Traditional Chinese Medicine for thousands of years, the most characteristic and representative feature is the theory of "harmony between man and nature," which is the holistic view of "correspondence between man and nature" and treatment based on syndrome differentiation. Its specific application is reflected in the well-known theory of the "Five Transportations and Six Qi."

The theory of "harmony between man and nature" supports the idea that man is an integral part of nature and constitutes a unified whole with nature. Different natural environments and different degrees of adaptation of individuals have different physical characteristics and pathological patterns. Therefore, in the diagnosis and treatment of the same disease, it is necessary to adapt to the time, place, and individual conditions, rather than a fixed stereotypical model.

What are the fundamental characteristics of Traditional Chinese Medicine?

1. Holistic concept: the integrity of the human body itself and the unity and integrity of man and nature.

2. Differentiated treatment:

Syndrome: the pathological summary of a certain stage of disease development.

Syndrome differentiation: analysis and identification of disease syndromes.

Treatment: determining the method of treatment.

How does TCM diagnose diseases?

Observation, auscultation, inquiry, and pulse-taking are the basic methods for diagnosing diseases.

Observation and Inspection: Observe all visible signs of systemic and local disharmony.

Auscultation: This includes listening to sounds and smelling odors.

Inquiry: Inquire about the onset, development, treatment process, current symptoms, and medical history of the disease.

Pulse-taking: This includes diagnosing the pulse by pressing on it; diagnosis is done by touching, feeling, and pressing in various areas. It helps to understand internal changes or the body's surface response to the disease.

After the diagnosis, differentiation of syndromes is necessary. What is the content of the diagnosis?

Eight Principles of Syndrome Differentiation: The dialectical method for analyzing the common character of diseases is the general principle of dialectics. It has four aspects:

1. Exterior and Interior: Identify the location and depth of the disease.

2. Cold and Heat: Identify the nature of the disease.

3. Deficiency and Excess: Distinguish the rise and fall of good and evil. False refers to deficiency; real refers to excess.

4. Yin and Yang: This is the general principle. All diseases are divided into yin and yang.

Differentiation of Zang-Fu Syndromes: Based on the physiological and pathological manifestations of the zang-fu organs, pathological syndromes are analyzed and summarized to determine the location and nature of the disease, as well as the rise and fall of good and evil.

Differentiation of Meridian Syndromes: Use the meridians to deduce the cause, nature, and syndrome of the disease.

Diagnosis of Qi, Blood, and Body Fluids: Diagnosis and differentiation of pathological syndromes based on the physiological functions, pathological changes, and different syndromes of Qi, blood, and body fluids.

Comment la MTC traite-t-elle les maladies ?

Une fois la maladie et les syndromes déterminés, les principes de traitement sont formés, ils comprennent la transpiration, les vomissements, disperser, la réconciliation, le réchauffement, le nettoyage, l'élimination et la reconstitution Médicaments : Il existe 20 catégories de médicaments basées sur la communauté des fonctions et des méthodes de traitement, telles que : les médicaments anti-surface, les médicaments tonifiants pour le sang, etc. Prescriptions : Il existe 21 types de prescriptions selon la méthode et la fonction de traitement, telles que les toniques, les agents anti-humidité, etc. Selon le principe de traitement, médecin peut choisir une ou plusieurs méthodes pour traiter: Par ex: Diététique chinoise, pour les maladies liées de l'habitude de vie; Phytothérapie, souvent pour les maladies des organes; de la peau etc; Acupuncture et moxa, sous pour les douleurs et blocage des méridiens; Massage, sous pour les douleurs et blocage des méridiens; surtout les patients qui ne peuvent pas être aiguillés; Musicothérapie, pour les maladies difficile, comme cancers, cirrhose du foie, maladie cardiaques, fibromyalgie, atrophie progressive mye-musculaire etc.

Etc.

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