A brief introduction to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).

How does TCM work?

 

Over the time that Chinese medicine has evolved (3000-5000 years) it has developed its own unique theories and concepts that describe the physiology (function), pathology (illness) and health of the human being. Because it is based on concepts that are different to other types of medicine it has a very unique way of expressing its views and methods for the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of diseases and promotion of health. Terms like ‘Qi’, ‘wind’ and ‘damp’ are common examples of the type of language a TCM doctor will use.

The basic principles of TCM theory are that life is holistic and dynamic. If all parts are connected and functioning in a balanced way health will prevail. When a person comes to see a TCM doctor their case is treated as unique because their exact circumstance and constitution is not like that of any other individual. The assessments that the doctor performs use observation, questioning and possibly physical examination to gather information. What the doctor looks for is a pattern that will then be used to describe the individual’s condition and the treatment needed to rebalance them to a state of health.

In the traditional schools of Chinese medicine the body has been classified into five major systems that are then used to explain and explore the physiological and pathological changes in the human body as well as its reaction to herbal medicine. In clinical practice, traditional Chinese medicine stresses its diagnosis and treatment based on the pattern of illness in the individual. In effect, this means that TCM does not only focus on dealing with symptoms, but also finds and treats the underlying causes of the disease that are producing these symptoms.

What sort of conditions can TCM help?

Over TCM’s history practitioners have gained a rich theoretical and clinical experience that has allowed TCM to branch into many fields to treat different aspects of health. TCM has developed very specific knowledge and practice in the fields of internal medicine, surgery, obstetrics, gynecology, otolaryngology (ear and throat), pediatrics, ophthalmology, acupuncture and massage. Cultural and legal constraints have a major influence on the range of conditions that are considered to be appropriate for treatment by TCM. This range tends to be narrower in Western countries than it is in China.

The following is a list of conditions that have been cited in a reference book titled “The Practice of Chinese Medicine” (published by Churchill-Livingstone) by Giovanni Maciocia, visiting associate Professor at the Nanjing University of TCM. This list focuses mainly on internal medicine and provides examples only; it is by no means exhaustive.

  • Headaches
  • Dizziness
  • Asthma
  • Allergic rhinitis (hay fever)
  • Cough
  • Mental-emotional problems
  • Insomnia, tiredness
  • Abdominal pain
  • Diarrhoea
  • Oedema (fluid retention)
  • Constipation
  • Lower back pain
  • Sciatica
  • Diabetes
  • High blood pressure
  • Heart problems
  • Arthritis
  • Menopause
  • Atrophy syndrome (muscle weakness)
  • Post-viral syndrome (chronic fatigue)
  • Urinary difficulties (including prostate problems)