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Traditional Chinese Medicine

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Traditional Chinese Medicine, TCM

  • Background
  1. Established over 4000 years in far east Asia
  2. Focus on holistic approach that views body, mind and spirit as one system
  3. Based on Taoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism
  • Components
  1. Yin and Yang
    1. System of balance: Everything has 2 opposite aspects
    2. Good health results when Yin and Yang in equal balance
  2. Qi (Pronounced Chee)
    1. Energy flowing through all living things
    2. Qi flows through the body in currents known as channels or Meridians
    3. Contains 6 main functions
      1. Produces body motion
      2. Transforms food to nutrients
      3. Transports nutrients to body
      4. Warms the body
      5. Protects the body
      6. Contains the body fluid
  3. Five elements
    1. Universe is linked to the body microcosm
    2. Affected by daily and seasonal cycles of nature
    3. Ideal situation requires that all five elements are in balance
    4. Treatment based on sedating or energizing elements that are out of balance
    5. Elements
      1. Wood
      2. Fire
      3. Earth
      4. Metal
      5. Water
  • History
  1. Patient history and concerns
  • Exam
  1. Observe
    1. Tongue appearance
    2. Face appearance
  2. Listen and smell
    1. Sound of patient's voice
    2. Patient's odors
  3. Palpation
    1. Radial artery pulse
    2. Ear surface
    3. Warmth and coolness of body parts
  • Management
  • Modailties used in TCM
  1. Physical Techniques
    1. Acupuncture
    2. Moxibustion
    3. Cupping
  2. Chinese Herbal Medicine
  3. Qigong (breathing and meditation Exercises)
  4. Massage therapy
  5. Food therapy
  6. Mental health therapy
  • Resources
  1. Maciocia, Foundations of Chinese Medicine, Churchill Livingstone
    1. Paid link to Amazon.com (ISBN 0443074895)
  • References
  1. Chon (2008) Mayo Selected Topics in Internal Medicine, Lecture