Many people are familiar with wellness buzzwords likechiandmeridians, but what really is the concept behind traditional Chinese medicine?
Where did Chinese medicine come from?
Traditional Chinese medicine, or TCM, dates back 2,500 to 5,000 years.
However, more recent discoveries suggest that the roots of TCM may extend even deeper.
In 1991, archaeologists uncovered a well-preserved,5,000-year-old mummy in Central Europe2that had acupoints tattooed on the body.
Detailed x-rays revealed arthritis in the hips, knees, and lumbar spine of this prehistoric man.
This important finding has implications on the basis for acupuncture and the history of medicine as we know it.
The fundamental philosophy of Chinese medicine.
TCM is considered a mystical science by some skeptics.
However, nothing about it is mysterious once you grasp its underlying concepts.
It recognizes that our organ systems are interconnected and our health is dependent on chi.
Translated to modern-day language, chi is active energya metaphor for metabolic processes taking place in a living being.
To be alive is to have vital chi flowing through the body.
TCM theory states that when chi is in perfect balance, we enjoy good health.
Another crucial concept in TCM is the meridian system, which forms the fundamentals of acupuncture.
The meridians are the pathways through which chi, blood, and bodily fluids travel in the body.
These pathways are not merely the blood vessels or the nerve networks.
(Interestingly enough, that recently discovered anatomy reference also mapped out the meridians in detail.)
What to expect when working with a TCM practitioner.
Modern TCM practitioners and acupuncturists like myself put this ancient mind-body medicine into practice.
These two metrics give us a snapshot of the status of internal organs and meridians.
How to live the TCM lifestyle.
Here’s a quick introduction to these five TCM pillars.
It can also be used totrigger the parasympathetic nervous system6, effectively improving mood, digestion, and sleep.
Sometimes,up to 20 herbs7are combined in a complex herbal formula tailored to a person’s needs.
He adds that herbal prescription uses a holistic approach.
Compatible herbs create synergy, which can enhance overall efficacy while reducing side effects.
Diets are customized to individual body constitutions.
TCM exercises often pair mindful breathing techniques with light movements and meditation.
Some traditional examples areTaiji and qigong.
Manual therapy
This branch includes gua sha, Tui na, and cupping.
Tui na is one of the most ancient forms of bodywork.
It literally translates to “push-and-grasp.”
Traditionally, the practice is combined with muscular manipulation and joint mobilization to achieve osteopathic functions.
In the past, TCM actually split some of these therapies into their own branches.
