Traditional Chinese Medicine A Brief History and Evaluation of Current Practices
Presentation Outline 1. Introduction 2. TCM Theory 3. Diagnosis 4. Treatment 5. Future of TCM 6. Evaluation
Origins of Chinese Medicine Age of Chinese Medicine?
Chinese Medical Theory Five Elements Earth, Fire, Water, Metal, Wood Five Zang Organs Heart, Lung, Spleen, Liver, Kidneys Six Fu Organs Gall Bladder, Stomach, Small Intestine, Large Intestine, Bladder, Sanjiao
Chinese Medical Theory Yin and Yang Qi For a man at the age of sixteen, his kidney qi becomes even more abundant, he begins to have sexual energy and is full of semen that he can ejaculate. When he has sexual intercourse with a woman, he can cause conception. At the age of fifty-six the liver qi begins to run out, the semen becomes inadequate, the kidney becomes debilitated with the result that all parts of the body begin to grow old. At the age of sixty-four his hair and teeth are gone. Suwen Chapter 1
Yang is moving, ascending, bright, progressing, hyperactive. (Day) Yin is stillness, descending, darkness, degeneration, hypoactivity. (Night)
Types of Qi Primary Qi Zong Qi (Aggregative Qi) Ying Qi (Nutrient Qi) Wei Qi (Defensive Qi)
Traditional Chinese History and Physical Observation of the Mind Observation of the Complexion Observation of the Tongue Listening Smelling Inquiring Palpation
Eight Principles to Differentiate Syndromes Is the Disease: 1. Exterior or Interior? 2. Cold or Hot? 3. Xu or Shi (deficiency or excess)? 4. Yin or Yang?
Two Valuable Tools for Diagnosis Tongue Pulse
Tongue Observe the color of the tongue. At least 37 possibilities. Pale, Red, Deep Red, Purplish? Flabby, Thin, Small, Rigid, Deviated or Cracked? Is there a coating? Is it: Thin or Thick? Moist or dry? Sticky or Curdled? Peeled? White? Yellow? Grayish? Black?
Pulse At least 51 types of pulse The pulse is felt with three fingers. Cun, Guan, Chi postions. TCM Physicians claim to be able to diagnose pregnancy at 2 months with pulse alone.
Types of Pulse Floating (fumai): wind, cold, heat, exterior, yang loss Deep (chimai): only felt by heavy pressure Rapid (sumai): more than 90 per minute, heat syndrome Xu type (xumai): blood and qi deficiency, all 3 regions weak Shi type (shimai): blood and qi excess, all 3 regions forceful
Types of Pulse Slippery (huamai): smooth and flowing, like a pearl rolling on a plate, excessive phlegm, or heat Rough (semai): uneven, like scraping bamboo with a knife, qi or blood stagnation Hollow (koumai): floating, large, empty, like a scallion stalk, massive loss of blood or essence Tense (Jinmai): taut and forceful like a tightly stretched cord, diseases of cold
Channel (Meridian) Theory Channels are for the movement of Qi and Blood. They coordinate the functions of the Zang-Fu organs There are: 12 regular channels 8 extra channels 15 collateral channels
The Channel System and Disease The channels and collaterals are the passages through which blood and qi flow to nourish yin and yang, to moisten tendons and bones, and to lubricate the joints. Lingshu Chapter 47 When pathogenic factors invade the skin and pores are open they enter the collaterals. When the collaterals become full, the pathogenic factors will move into the channels. When the channels are full, the pathogenic factors transmit to and reside in the zang and fu organs. Suwen Chapter 56
Because Traditional Chinese Medicine focuses on syndromes and not “diseases”, more than one treatment can be used for the same disease and the same treatment can be used for multiple diseases with the same symptoms on presentation.
Chinese Medical Treatment Herbal Massage Acupuncture Moxibustion Cupping The Rack (traction)
Acupuncture Major component of most TCM treatments. Needles are sterilized in alcohol and autoclaved in China. In the US disposable needles are standard. Acupuncture affects channels, unblocking obstructions and stimulating the flow qi.
Illustrations of Acupoints
Herbal Remedies You can find anything in a Chinese Pharmacy 1. Cobra Liquor 2. Powdered Deer Penis 3. Flying Squirrel Feces 4. Wild Ginseng ($3000) 5. Dried Seahorse
High Tech TCM 1. New Techniques for Acupuncture Vitamins and Electricity 2. Palm Pilot Programs for TCM Docs 3. Copious Internet Resources 4. Software: Acupartner 2000 Herbal Encylopedia, Chinese Materia Medica
Evaluative Questions What does TCM claim to treat? Is TCM therapeutic/curative? Can there be integration with Western Medicine? Are there resources available to Western physicians interested in TCM?
Web Pages for TCM www.acupuncture.com www.china-med.net www.bubishi.com
The End (clap and cheer loudly)
