Traditional

Chinese
Medicine

Traditional Chinese
Medicine
An ancient and
complete system of
health care with its own
unique theories of
anatomy, health, and
treatment.
Originated in China
about 3,000 years ago.

Acupuncture

Herbal
Medicine

Moxibustion

Diet
Therapy

Cupping
Therapy
or
V entusa

Tui - na

Tai Chi

Underlying
Concepts
View of the world and the human body
is unique, different from Western
medicine concepts.
Chinese medicine views the body as a
small part of the universe,
interconnected with nature and subject
to its forces, to universal laws and
principles of harmony and balance.

The laws of nature can be used to

understand the inner workings of the
body. Health, like the universe at large
is subject to constant battling between
opposing forces such as heat and cold,
male and female, joy and sadness,
which manifest themselves in the body
as too much or too little activity in
particular organs. An imbalance
between any of these forces can cause
a blockage in the flow of qi (chee) or
vital energy traveling through the body
along invisible pathways known as
meridians. TCM practitioners typically
use acupuncture and herbs to help

Chinese medicine does not draw a

sharp line, as Western medicine does,
between mind and body. The Chinese
system believes that emotions and
mental states are every bit as
influential on disease as purely physical
mechanisms, and considers factors like
work, environment, lifestyle and
relationships as fundamental to the
overall picture of a patient's health.
The human body is regarded as an
organic entity in which the various
organs, tissues, and other parts have
distinct functions but are all
interdependent. In this view, health and

Theories of TCM

Yin and Yang

Universe

and the body can be

described by two separate but
complementary principles, that
of yin and yang. Cold and hot.
Female and male. Passive and
active. Dark and bright. Inward
and downward versus outward
and up, and so on.
Nothing is ever completely yin
or yang, but a combination of
the two. These two principles
are always interacting,
opposing, and influencing each
other.

Yin and Yang

The

goal of Chinese medicine is to

allow the two to balance each
other and exist harmoniously
together. Illness results if there is
an imbalance of the two.
Acupuncture seeks to either
increase or reduce yang, or
increase or reduce yin in
particular regions of the body.

Qi (pronounced chee)
Fundamental life
energy of the universe.
Invisible, found in the
environment in the air,
water, food and
sunlight. In the body, it
is the invisible vital
force that creates and
animates life. We are all
born with inherited
amounts of qi, and we
also get acquired qi
from the food we eat
and the air we breathe.
The level and quality of
a person's qi also
depends on the state of

The meridians
Qi

travels through
the body along
channels called

meridians.
Health is an
ongoing process
of maintaining
balance and
harmony in the
circulation of qi
in the meridians.

Organ System and the

Meridians
12

main organs: the lung, large intestine,

stomach, spleen, heart, small intestine,
urinary bladder, kidney, liver, gallbladder,
pericardium, and the "triple warmer," which
represents the entire torso region.

Each

organ has qi associated with it, and

each organ interacts with particular
emotions on the mental level. As there are
12 organs, there are 12 types of qi which
can move through the body, and these move
through 12 main channels or meridians.
There are also 2 extraordinary meridians, the
governing vessel and the conception vessel.

Chinese

doctors connect symptoms to

organs. That is, symptoms are caused by
yin/yang imbalances in one or more
organs, or by an unhealthy flow of qi to
or from one organ to another. Each organ
has a different profile of symptoms it can
manifest.
Acupuncture is used to open or adjust the
flow of qi throughout the organ system
and the meridians, which will strengthen
the body and prompt it to heal itself.

Causes of Disease
Disease

are seen as imbalances in the organ

system or qi meridians, and the goal of any
remedy or treatment is to assist the body in
reestablishing its innate harmony.
Disease can be caused by internal factors like
emotions, external factors like the wind, cold,
heat, damp, and other factors like injuries,
trauma, diet, and germs.
Infection is seen not as primarily a problem
with germs and viruses, but as a weakness in
the energy of the body which is allowing a
sickness to occur.
In Chinese medicine, no two illnesses are ever
the same, as each body has its own
characteristics of symptoms and balance.

Some diseases
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

URTI = wind-cold attacking the lungs

Chronic bronchitis, asthma,dyspnea = lung qi
deficiency
Urticaria, eczema = heat in the blood
Localized muscle pain = obstruction of qi
Acute dysentery = damp-heat in the intestines
Generalized body weakness = qi and blood
deficiency
Irregular menstruation, dysmenorrhea = stuck liver
qi or liver blood deficiency
Impotence, sterility, urinary problems = kidney qi
deficiency
Diarrhea, anorexia, abdominal problems = spleen
qi deficiency.

Acupressure
Finger or hand massage is used instead of
needles. Principle is the same, to
stimulate the circulation of qi, to balance
yin and yang.
Can be done by oneself.
Can relieve everyday aches, headaches,
backaches, sinus pain, neck pain,
eyestrain.
Relieve the pain of ulcers, relieve
insomnia, alleviate constipation and other
digestive problems.

Cupping
Therapy
or Ventusa

Cupping is an ancient
Chinese modality, where
glass or bamboo cups
are applied to the skin
through vacuum to
create localized
stimulation of circulation.
The instrument is
immediately placed on
the skin in the desired
location and creates a
suctioning effect on the
skin. This has the effect
of drawing up the
underlying tissues. When
the cup is left in place
like this, the stimulated
circulation helps the

Is used to drain excess

fluids and toxins;
stimulate the
peripheral nervous
system; bring blood
flow to stagnant
muscles and skin; and
loosen adhesions,
connective tissue and
stubborn knots in soft
tissue.
To relieve what is called
"stagnation" in TCM
terms.

Cupping therapy has

been further developed
to unblock the meridian
systems of the body.
There are some five
meridians on the back of
the body that, when
unblocked can deliver
invigorating energy
across the entire span of
the body. Research has
shown that cupping is
most effective in

Further research has shown that cupping has

deep tissue effects, often effecting as deep as
up to four inches into the body, stimulating
deep tissue to release stagnant toxins and
metabolic byproducts into the peripheral
lymphatic circulation for disposal, help activate
and clear venous system, and even clear
intestinal blockages. For this reason, cupping is
considered as one of the best deep tissue
massages.

Procedure

1.

Cupping can be used on

the neck, shoulders, back,
sacral area, hip, abdomen,
thigh, upper arms and
calves.

2.

Light a cotton ball soaked

with alcohol and insert it
into the cup to create the
vacuum.

3.

Prior to applying the cup,

oil is administered to the
skin to facilitate smooth
movement and palpably
discover the areas of
tension and congestion.
Create the vacuum and

Procedure
4. A cup may be "parked" for
a short time on stubborn
knots or over inflamed
joints or tissue. Slide the
adhered cup around on the
skin, preserving the
suction seal as it glides.
5. May use 8 12 cups on the
subjects back in two
parallel columns. The cups
are roughly bell shaped
with a capacity of about 4
fluid ounces.

Effects
Deep

warmth and tingling

sensation
long after the treatment has
ended.
Sedating, often descend into a
profound state of relaxation.
Skin

will redden indicating that

circulation has been brought to
the surface. Application of
liniments or essential oils
immediately following a
cupping treatment will aid
absorption deep into the tissue.