Traditional Chinese Medicine

Tural Abdullayev

IntroductionTraditional Chinese medicine

(TCM) originated in ancient China and has evolved over thousands of years.

TCM practitioners use herbal medicines and various mind and body practices, such as acupuncture and tai chi, to treat or prevent health problems.

Introduction The ancient beliefs on which TCM is based

include the following:

1. The human body is a miniature version of the larger, surrounding universe.

2. Harmony between two opposing yet complementary forces, called yin and yang, supports health, and disease results from an imbalance between these forces.

3. Five elements—fire, earth, wood, metal, and water—symbolically represent all phenomena, including the stages of human life, and explain the functioning of the body and how it changes during disease.

4. Qi, a vital energy that flows through the body, performs multiple functions in maintaining health.

IntroductionTraditional forms of medicine have been used in

China since the 3rd Century. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) system consist three parts:1. Theory

Yin – Yang 5 elements

2. Treatment Herbalism Acupuncture Moxibustion Cupping Massage therapy

3. Prevention Qi gong Tai – ji Meditation Massage

Daoist yin-yang concepts Yang predominates during the day and turns into yin

after dark. The human body is regarded as the universe in

miniature, when the Yin and Yang elements in a person’s body are well balanced, the person is in good hearth. ◦ A person falls sick when the balance is disrupted.

Five elements theory The five vital

organs◦ the heart, liver, spleen,

lungs, and kidneys are each seen as corresponding to one of the five elements of earth, wood, metal, fire and water.

◦ The five organs function in an interlocked and interconnected relationship.

◦ It is believed a pathological change in any of the vital organs will affect the health of the other organs.

Traditional Chinese MedicineTCM encompasses many different

practices, including 1. Acupuncture2. Cupping3. Moxibustion

Burning an herb above the skin to apply heat to acupuncture points

4. Chinese herbal medicine5. Tui na

Chinese therapeutic massage6. Dietary therapy7. Tai chi and qi gong

Practices that combine specific movements or postures, coordinated breathing, and mental focus

Traditional Chinese Medicine

1. Chinese herbal medicine

◦ The Chinese Materia Medica (a pharmacological reference book used by TCM practitioners) describes thousands of medicinal substances—primarily plants, but also some minerals and animal products.

◦ Different parts of plants, such as the leaves, roots, stems, flowers, and seeds, are used.

◦ In TCM, herbs are often combined in formulas and given as teas, capsules, liquid extracts, granules, or powders.

Traditional Chinese Medicine

2. Acupuncture◦ Acupuncture is a family of

procedures involving the stimulation of specific points on the body using a variety of techniques.

◦ The acupuncture technique that has been most often studied scientifically involves penetrating the skin with thin, solid, metal needles that are manipulated by the hands or by electrical stimulation.

◦ Acupuncture involves the stimulation of anatomical points on the body with thin needled.

◦ Acupuncture patients usually feel little to no pain.

◦ Acupuncture needles are hair-thin and are manipulated either by hand or electricity.

Traditional Chinese Medicine3. Moxibustion

◦ Moxibustion is a traditional Chinese medicine technique that involves the burning of mugwort, a small, spongy herb, to facilitate healing.

◦ The purpose is to strengthen the blood and improve Qi flow.

◦ Direct and indirect methods.◦ Traditionally used to treat

colds.◦ But it is not for everyone. ◦ Because it is used specifically

for patients suffering from cold or stagnant constitutions, it should not be used on anyone diagnosed with too much heat.

Traditional Chinese Medicine4. Cupping

◦ Cupping therapy is a form of CTM in which cups are placed on the skin to create suction.

◦ The cups can be made of a variety of materials, including: Glass Bamboo Earthenware

◦ The suction of the cups mobilizes blood flow to promote the healing of a broad range of medical ailments

Traditional Chinese Medicine

5. Tui Na◦ Also known as Chinese

massage◦ Uses wave-like motions

to loosen joints and nourish muscles.

◦ Brings awareness back to a person’s body, making it a first step in the healing process.

◦ Stimulates the flow of Qi, blood and body fluids

◦ Can be used to treat pain, stress or digestion problems.

Traditional Chinese Medicine6. Qigong

◦ Qigong is a Chinese form of exercise.

◦ It regulates the mind and breathing to promote the flow of Qi.

◦ Qigong is often used to treat diseases.

◦ External Qigong is performed on a person by a Qigong master

◦ Internal Qigong is practiced by oneself.

Traditional Chinese Medicine

7. Tai chi◦ Tai chi is a centuries-

old mind and body practice.

◦ It involves gentle, dance-like body movements with mental focus, breathing, and relaxation.

Traditional Chinese Medicine

8. Meditation◦ Meditation has been practiced

for thousands of years.◦ It involves focusing on one

thing, such as breathing patterns, while clearing all other thoughts from the mind.

◦ Meditation is used to replenish the flow of Qi, which helps to ward off illnesses.

◦ People may experience various feelings during meditation. Some people may begin to feel overjoyed, while others may experience extreme sadness, and even cry.

◦ Meditation is also popularly practiced in western countries as a means of stress relief.

Side effects and Risks 1. Herbal products

◦ There have been reports of products being contaminated with drugs, toxins, or heavy metals or not containing the listed ingredients.

◦ Some of the herbs used in Chinese medicine can interact with drugs, can have serious side effects, or may be unsafe for people with certain medical conditions.

◦ For example, the Chinese herb ephedra (ma huang) has been linked to serious health complications, including heart attack and stroke.

2. Acupuncture ◦ Acupuncture needles as medical devices and requires that the needles be

sterile, nontoxic, and labeled for single use by qualified practitioners only◦ Relatively few complications from the use of acupuncture have been

reported. ◦ However, adverse effects—some of them serious—have resulted from the

use of nonsterile needles or improper delivery of acupuncture treatments.3. Tai chi and qi gong

◦ Are considered to be generally safe practices.4. Moxibustion

◦ Complications include allergic reactions, burns, and infections, ◦ Both moxibustion and cupping (applying a heated cup to the skin to create a

slight suction) may mark the skin, usually temporarily.