Basic Concepts In Traditional Chinese Medicine

There is a balance of Yin and Yang in each person, as well as in every individual “organ” and part of the person’s body. When there is an imbalance in any part of the body or organ, illness results. Based on Traditional Chinese Medicine theories, illnesses may be a result of an excess or deficiency in either yin or yang, or both at the same time. [3]

Dr Maoshing Ni, D.O.M., Ph. D., L.Ac. President of Yo San University of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Marina Del Rey, California, explained that a simple way of understanding illnesses would be to view them as a result of a particular system(s) in your body having too much function (i.e. Yang in excess) or too little function (i.e. Yang deficiency), functioning too quickly (i.e. Yang in excess) or too slowly (i.e. Yang deficiency), or not having enough of a substance (i.e. Yin deficiency) or having too much (i.e. Yin in excess) of it. [1]

Treatment in TCM then involves correcting the imbalances in the body.

The TCM physician relies on the meridians to treat the body.

With the Traditional Chinese Medicine herbal formulas which are consumed orally, the medicine ingested is first processed by the “Spleen” (脾) and “Stomach” (胃). The essential force or energy created in the digestive system as a result of the remedy then travels through the meridians to reach the affected organ(s), so as to improve its functions and the overall health of the body. [4]

In the same way, acupuncture works through the meridians. Very fine needles inserted into the body at the acupuncture points help remove blockages in the body, restore the normal circulation of Qi, and improve the overall health of the body by promoting balance in the body. [3]

To the disappointment of many westerners who have been trying to explain the effects and benefits of acupuncture in more scientific ways, the meridians do not correspond to the body’s nervous system. In fact, meridians have been charted through areas in the body where the nervous system could not be affected through acupuncture. [4]

If you have not tried TCM before, here’s what to expect. And if you have questions about how effective TCM is in treating ailments, then you should read our discussion on the evidence of TCM’s effectiveness.

Treating ailments using Traditional Chinese Medicine

Now that you have a better understanding of Traditional Chinese Medicine, you are ready to find out about the specific methods that TCM practitioners use in the treatment of various health conditions. This information is available on the related articles on this website.

See next page for the references used.

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