Traditional Chinese Medicine Disease example essay topic

TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE Traditional Chinese medicine has a history of thousands of years. Its use spread throughout the Han society, with different treatment systems developed for the noble, peasant, worker and merchant classes. Chinese medicine,' often called 'Oriental medicine' or 'traditional Chinese medicine (TCM),' encompasses a vast array of folk medical practices based on mysticism. in traditional Chinese medicine is that disease is due to an internal imbalance of Yin and Yang; therefore disease can be treated by correcting the Yin Yang imbalance, thereby returning the body to a healthy state. It holds that the body's vital energy (chi or qi) circulates through channels, called meridians, that have branches connected to bodily organs and functions. Illness is attributed to imbalance or interruption of chi...

The Chinese believe that health is achieved, and disease prevented, by maintaining the body in a 'balanced state' also the body is a delicate balance of Yin and Yang To understand the fundamental polarity and harmony in life, you must have a background on Chinese medicine. Health is achieved though the balance of the opposing forces between 'yin' (spirit), and 'yang' (blood). Yin represents water, quiet, substance and night, whilst Yang represents fire, noise, function and day. The two are polar opposites and because of this one must be present to allow the other to exist; for instance, 'how can you experience joy if you do not understand misery?' The state of the body is determined by the balance of Yin and Yang within it. Each of the organs of the body has an element of Yin and Yang, although one organ may be more Yang in its nature The attraction between them creates an energy called 'Qi' (pronounced cheer). This energy flows to all parts of the body through channels which are known as 'meridians' (pathways that run along the surface of the body and branch into the body's interior).

An imbalance in these forces is what is believed to cause illness and disease. Qi is a very wide concept, difficult to understand in detail, but it is an essential part of the traditional Chinese picture of the body. For example, The Qi of the liver is the functional ability of the liver, and the Qi of the body is the total vital force of a human being. It is also divided into various sub groups such as original Qi, or the Qi with which you are born and nourishing Qi, or the Qi that you gain from the food you eat and the environment you live. The essential goal of Traditional Chinese medicine is to locate the exact imbalance of harmony between Yin and Yang, locate the case of the problem and correct the problem. As the natural forces of the body return to a normal balance the disease is then cured.

Ancient interventions such as Acupuncture, moxa, acupressure are widely used and other methods of diagnosis common in TMC include pulse pulse diagnosis, observation, case history etc The acupuncture points and the channels that connect them represent the anatomy of traditional medicine. The physiology is represented by the organ functions. Acupuncture is a strong component in China, and can be traced to their health care system for at least 2,500 years. The procedure involves inserting hair-thin steel surgical needles into specific points in the body... When needles are placed on the acupuncture points along the meridians, balance, and hence, health is restored. In traditional Chinese medicine Disease is evaluated or diagnosed through one of the five z ang organs which are the heart, the lungs, the kidneys, the liver and the spleen.

The cause of a disease is viewed in relationship with Qi, Disease results when the Qi of the body is weakened and unable to resist the assault of pathogens (disease-causing factors). Chinese medicine gives different kind of name for those agents causing the disease for example an infection (often associated with a fever) is called a disease of heat, and a chronically painful joint is usually a disease of cold. Pulse diagnosis in Chinese medicine achieved in the treatment of the specific organ affected by any particular disease. This is achieved by feeling the pulse at three positions at each wrist to the pulse around the wrist will tell the specialist which part of your z ang organs is diseased. Observation is the other area of diagnosing a patient these include taking the history of the disease and examining the patients facial complexion, smell and posture. These medical foundations were laid or some contribution was made by the philosophical ideas of Confucius, Daoism and Buddhism.

According to Daoism techniques used to help maintain the harmony of life or Yin and Yang is through breathing exercise, gymnastic technique, sexual activities and drug therapy like alchemy. Morality and benevolence were crucial factors for a successful state, according to Confucianism and Daoism. They also placed great importance for rituals and other traditions. Many practices were continued throughout generations.

Both Confucianism and Daoism accept the presence of a supernatural entity but do not provide a clear explanation on it. Both thought systems consider it mostly as a mystery that the human mind cannot fully comprehend The basic meanings of the Tao are: 1. The Way of the Mysterious: 'the mystery of mysteries. ' 2. The Way of the Universe: 'the mother of the world. ' 3.

The Way of the Vision: 'being one with the eternal. ' Confucius put great importance in conducting numerous rituals for various occasions. He found it to be an essential part for the well being of the society. He said, 'when superiors love ritual, the people are easy to direct'. Xunzi provides a more elaborate explanation. He said 'Ritual conduct is the perfection of decorum...

Sages comprehend it, gentlemen comfortably carries them out, officials preserves them and the common people consider them the custom'. Buddhism was introduced to china in the 1st century and gave birth to basic ideas of gautama sakyamuni like reincarnation after death to different kind of creature example cat, dog. Medical ideas of health and therapy. Medicine in China: Historical Artifacts and Images Paul U. Un schuld.