MITCM

Archive for the ‘Ancient Practices’ Category

TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) is often an alternative source of health medicine all over the world, dominating the Asian market to begin with. In fact, it is considered as the mainstream method of treatment all over in East Asia. The West is yet to accept it as a major force in the medical world as the majority of the Western society depends largely on allopathic remedies.

TCM is not a single dimensional way of treating people as it consists of various forms of treatments such as acupuncture, massage, herbs and dietary therapies. TCM’s roots are supposedly quite deep in to the history of ancient China. Arguably it is the kind of treatment that has been going on in China and East Asia for thousands of years. TCM is based on the clinical observation of Nature and how it interacts with the human body, and vice versa. It studies the cosmos as well to get deep in to the remedial system of human body system. TCM has got its practice majorly through family tradition as it has moved from one generation to the other to establish its dominance.

China is one of those countries who prefer to update themselves with modern technologies and advancements without refusing the history, culture and tradition. As a part of that, TCM has also been modernized in its application. Now the major ingredients of TCM, such as herbs and plants, are transformed in to tablets and soluble granules. China has its medication source from living creatures as well. The living creatures used for preparing TCM, which are about 25 in number, include frogs, earthworms, bees and snakes. Their key ingredients are now packed in sachets as pills. Another example of its modernization is that Artemisinin, an extensively used western drug to treat malaria, has got its inspiration from the major ingredients of TCM.

Chinese traditional medicine includes a variety of treatment methods such as acupuncture, dietary therapy and herbal medicine that are used for treating health problems. It includes massage techniques such as Tui Na and Shiatsu through which various ailments can be brought to normal levels.

The philosophy behind Chinese Medicine is that the human body is made up of a set of systems that are interconnected with one another. Chinese medical practitioners akin the human body to the universe and state that it is ruled by yin and yang energies. Their view of disease or illness is that it arises out of the malfunctioning of interconnected body systems or simply put – an imbalance in yin and yang forces. It is only when there is harmony between these two life forces that a person’s qi or vitality is maintained and they enjoy good health. There are five critical elements in the human body and Chinese medicine aims to balance these elements to heal the body of its various illnesses.

Chinese health medicine is useful for treating a variety of health problems. Here is a look at the conditions that it can treat:

Respiratory problems such as chronic cough, perennial rhinitis, asthma, bronchitis and sinusitis

Gastro-intestinal problems such as chronic constipation, irritable bowel syndrome and ulcerative colitis

Rheumatological problems and urinary problems

Psychological problems such as depression, anxiety and so on

In the west, Chinese alternative medicine is viewed as alternative form of therapy, but in China it is used alongside modern medicine. Its popularity has risen over the years, owing to the fact that it does not cause any side effects since it does not make use of any harmful chemicals. Those who have undergone treatment feel re-energized and vitalized. It has shown positive results for problems such as asthma, bronchitis, arthritis, gastro-intestinal diseases and so on.

Many people are seen to opt for alternative medicines now-a-days because it does not give the kind of side effects experienced with chemical-based drugs. It includes a wide range of practices such as massage therapy, chiropractic, naturopathy, acupuncture, herbal medicine, acupuncture, and naturopathy.

Alternative health medicine has been used to treat a variety of illnesses such as bad breath, insomnia, heart disease, allergies, depression, skin problem, gastrointestinal problems, arthritis and much more. Though in the west, alternate medicine is not used in general hospitals in China, Chinese Medicine in the form of herbal treatment methods or acupuncture is used alongside modern medicines.

Chinese Alternative Medicine is based on the philosophy of yin and yang energies, which must be in the right balance for the body to function normally. The oldest book on Chinese medicine Shen Nong’s Herbal Classic, extensively describes the use of various forms of herbs for treating various health complications. It indicates the use of 365 different species of roots, stones, woods, grass, fur and also animals for curing diseases.

A diagnosis of a problem is based on observation of symptoms rather than the use of laboratory tests. There are four types of observation methods used and these include general observance of sickness symptoms, finding out background of the patient, hearing the patient and also smelling their body odor and finally touching them to understand their body strength and area of ailment.

Chinese alternate treatment methods are extensive. It encompasses auriculotherapy, acupuncture, cupping, moxibustion, Qigong, Tui na and much more. The form of treatment chosen depends on the illnesses and careful observation of what is necessary to cure the problem. It takes a good Chinese alternate medical practitioner a lot of years to understand various health problems and treatment methods and become fully accomplished in handling the treatment process. Today, it is favored by many because they find that it provides effective treatment, without causing undue side effects.

TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine), which is often an alternative foundation of health medicine all over the world, dominates the East Asian market.

The history behind the development of TCM goes back to Buddhist and Taoist philosophies which proclaim a unique thought that human beings possesses a close bonding with mother Nature. Every activity of human beings is directly or indirectly connected with the environment they are surrounded with.

Chinese legends say that Yellow Emperor composed a book named Neijing: Suwen which deals with the basic questions about the “Inner Cannon”. He composed the same after having a conversation with Qibo, his minister. This book is supposed to be the foundation of TCM. However, modern scholars have their disagreements regarding this. According to them, this book was brought together only about 2,000 years or so, which means it was not done before Han Dynasty.

There were significant developments in TCM all through Middle Ages. The noteworthy emperor of Tang Dynasty, Emperor Gaozong, was responsible for the commissioning of one materia medica, which was a compiled academic research. It took note of 833 substances worth medicinal worth. These substances were in use taking from stones, cereal crops, minerals, metals, herbs, animals, plants, fruits and vegetables. These ingredients were categorically recorded in accordance with their pharmaceutical employments.

TCM is viewed in recent history as a major part of evolution in modern medical science. There was a time when evil spirits were accused of being responsible for all the diseases but TCM can be regarded as the first of the lot to give it a scientific thought while curing a disease. This medical method is entirely based on observation and practical implementations of available resources. The Western civilization has identified TCM long back even in the 18th century when acupuncture was not an uncommon way of treating illnesses.

Chinese Alternative Medicine seeks to treat illnesses through a combination of various techniques that cure diseases by unblocking the energy flow in the body. One of the most well-known Chinese treatment methods is acupuncture.

According to the acupuncture theory, the body’s vital energy is Qi and it circulates throughout various body parts through energy channels called meridians. This flow of energy is similar to the way the body’s circulatory system works. If there is any interruption on the flow of Chi, the body succumbs to illness.

This form of medical treatment began around 2500 BC and is highly effective in treating various diseases that cannot be cured by western medicine. There are many acupuncture styles and techniques and these include Japanese style acupuncture, Korean Hand Acupuncture, Auricular Acupuncture, and Classical Chinese Acupuncture. The most commonly practiced form in the United States is the Classical Chinese Acupuncture.

The process of healing is done at three levels – mind, body and spirit. In curing the problem, it seeks to not just completely remove the symptoms of the problem but also the cause. Traditional acupuncture can treat chronic problems such as arthritis, migraines, and also other problems such as PMS, depression, chronic fatigue, headaches, migraines, chronic back pain, withdrawal symptoms of drugs and alcohol, infertility and so on.

During an acupuncture session, needles are inserted in various points of the body for the purpose of releasing blocked energy. However, it is not just the inserting of needles that is the critical factor here. In addition to the use of needles, a wide array of herbs is used with the needles or on their own. Pressure points are massages to help relieve muscle tension and bring abut relaxation. Lifestyle changes are also prescribed to reinforce treatment effects.

Acupuncture is a very effective alternate medicine or health medicine. In order to gain the best benefits from acupuncture treatment, it is necessary to have it done by an expert. Depending on individual health and the illness, it can take just a couple of sessions or maybe many sessions to ensure that the problem does not continue.

Traditional Chinese Medicine is sought after for curing health problems, because it is highly effective and can bring about definite positive results. The reason behind its effectiveness is that it likens the human body to the universe and all systems inside the body to be interlinked to one another, just like elements of the universe.

The entire body has a crisscross of meridians flowing through it through which the body’s energy, referred to as Chi in Chinese Traditional Medicine flows. When the energy is blocked, illness occurs. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) looks into releasing this blocked energy for making the body to function properly.

TCM practices include herbal medicine, qugong exercises, and acupuncture. Major theories that govern treatment are five Phases, Meridian System, Zang Fu, Six confirmations and four levels. The most important of these theories is the five elements theory. The five elements on which TCM is based are Water (kidney, ears), Wood (liver, eyes), Fire (heart, sexual glands, and tongue), Earth (spleen, mouth) and Metal (lungs, nose). This five elements theory has been use for more than 2000 years for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment of various illnesses.

Unlike modern medical practices, TCM does not make use of lab tests to check for the health problem. It makes use of methods such as observation, using hearing and smell, and touching to find out the exact cause of the problem and a means for curing it.

TCM can cure problems such as anxiety, spinal stnosis, high blood pressure, allergies, arthritis, insomnia, bipolar disorder, psoriasis, and even spinal cord injury. In order to get the best results from treatment it is necessary to consult an experienced practitioner. This way the health problem is addressed at the root level so that the actual cause of the problem is analyzed and the problem rectified to bring about normal health once again.

Many people opt for alternative forms of treatment because they do not cause any side effects. One of the most popular forms of alternative medicine is Chinese Traditional Medicine.

The philosophy behind TCM is the energy Chi – Qi, which is considered to be a vital part of the human body. This is the energy that animates the entire body and makes everything to work as required. The Chinese consider Qi to flow through all meridians of the body. It is important to keep the meridians clear so that body health is maintained. Chinese Traditional Medicine can pinpoint at body areas where Chi does not flow, resulting in health problems. For example, health problems such as stomach ache, headache and pain are a result Qi stagnation. When this stagnant Qi is released, energy again begins to flow properly through the body and health is restored.

TCM considers Qi to come from the universe. Treatment for disease is based on the five element theory. The five elements include water, wood, fire, earth and metal. When any of these elements are affected, their corresponding body parts come down resulting in disease. Water covers body organs – kidney, wood – liver, Fire – Heart and Sexual Organs, earth – Spleen, and Metal – Lungs. Treatment is prescribed based on which organs are affected by checking the corresponding element and releasing the flow of energy to that element to bring about a cure.

Chinese Traditional Medicine is effective in curing so many health problems. It can cure problems such as depression, hypertension, hearing loss, diabetes, arthritis and so on. The reason why it is so effective is because it is able to resolve health problem by attacking the root of the problem. In areas where modern medicine has failed to bring about an effective cure, TCM has shown positive results and hence is able to show the right cure for the problem.

Many people try alternative health medicines because they fear the potential side effects that arise when using chemical-based medicines. The most popular alternative health therapy is Chinese Medicine. Though it has many techniques and practices, the most commonly known practice is acupuncture.

Acupuncture has been practiced in China for more than 2000 years. In the past hundred years, it has spread to Europe, United States and also Canada. It is a much sought after form of treatment because it can effectively curb many health problems such as depression, inflammation, high blood pressure, vertigo, angina and obesity. Those who do not want to take pain medication will find acupuncture effective in helping them control pain.

How does acupuncture take place? As part of the acupuncture process, fine needles are inserted into the patient’s skin at various acupuncture body points. The needles are inserted at various depths. The acupuncture Chinese medicine treatment takes places over a couple of weeks or on a fortnightly basis. A typical treatment course lasts for twelve sessions or less and each session last for half an hour.

A person taking the treatment has to lie face-up or face-down, while the needles are being inserted. When the needles first pierce through the skin, the person will not experience any pain, but once the needles reach the correct depth a penetratingly acute stimulation is felt. At times, the practitioner may pre-heat the needles, or electrify them with minute amounts of electricity post insertion. The needles stay inserted for some 20 minutes time, after which they are carefully removed.

People who undergo acupuncture treatment feel quite invigorated and energized afterward. Their health problem also reduces and they do not experience any pain or side effects that can occur with normal drugs. Those who have undergone acupuncture Chines alternative medicine treatment show positive results in treatment outcome particularly when normal drugs and medial treatment have failed to bring a cure.

Acupuncture originated in China more than 2000 years ago and in the early part of the 19th century, it spread to other parts of the world. Today it is one of the oldest medical procedures and also one that is reported to show considerable treatment benefits and positive outcome in curing health problems.

According to Chinese medicine, everything in nature is ruled by yin and yang forces. If there is an imbalance in these energies, it can result in health problem. The aim of Chinese medical treatment is to bring back this energy into a proper balance, so that health is restored again.

Any person who is considering acupuncture should inform the practitioner about their medical history. A typical acupuncture course is made up of twelve sessions. During an acupuncture session, fine needles are inserted into acupuncture points, or those areas of the body that have been marked out for the procedure. The needles are thin, solid, metallic ones and they can be manipulated by hand, else they can be stimulated through electricity. When the needles are heated, the process is called moxibustion. Here the acupuncturist will light up a small bunch of moxa herbs and holds it over the needles. The herb burns off slowly to give off some smoke and a pleasant incense-like smell. When electricity is used to heat the needles, electrical wires are hooked up to the needles and some weak current is passed through them. A mild, tingling sensation is felt during the treatment process.

Hardly any pain is felt by the person undergoing this Chinese alternative health medicine treatment and those who take it up feel relaxed, else they feel energized. Acupuncture needles are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use by licensed practitioners. The FDA also lays down safety procedures that need to be followed when practicing acupuncture.

Acupuncture is a very effective form of treatment because it can cure diseases without side effects. This is an ancient Chinese medicine health practice that has been used in China for more than 2000 years. Today it is popular in other parts of the world because it works as a satisfactory alternative health therapy.

What type of illnesses can acupuncture alternative health medicine cure? Acupuncture is effective in reducing sever chest pain – Angina caused by lack of blood and oxygen flow to the heart muscle. It is also useful in treating problems such as depression, numbness, headaches, fatigue, back pain and shoulder stiffness. It is quite effective in treating depression which is usually treated through chemical drugs that can cause side effects in the long-run.

With today’s hectic lifestyle, fatigue is a common problem. It can cause strained muscles and also insomnia. Acupuncture offers a solution to this problem and people suffering from tiredness report brisk sensation and an invigorating feeling after undergoing an acupuncture treatment session. Another health problem that acupuncture is effective in controlling is high blood pressure. The body releases polypeptides beta-endorphins during an acupuncture sessions and this can effectively control blood pressure. Those who are short-tempered will find acupuncture to offer them good relief from their health problems.

Women suffering from pre-menstrual syndrome find acupuncture an effective mechanism for controlling this problem. PMS symptoms such s body swelling, weight gain and other psychosomatic conditions can be brought under control through this technique. It has also proven to be effective in treating infertility and is known world-wide as being able to control this problem. You can also lose weight considerably with acupuncture. This is because it is effective in curbing cravings, controlling your appetite, which is the chief cause for obesity.

Acupuncture is a safe alternative medicine practice. Those seeking acupuncture treatment are advised to go to an experienced acupuncturist so that they can gain the complete benefits of this treatment form.