Traditional Chinese Medicine
Yin – Yang /5elements/Herbalism/Acupuncture/Moxibustion/Cupping/Massage therapy/Qi gong/Tai – ji /Meditation/Massage
Acupuncture is a family of procedures involving the stimulation of specific points on the body using a variety of techniques.
The acupuncture technique that has been most often studied scientifically involves penetrating the skin with thin, solid, metal needles that are manipulated by the hands or by electrical stimulation.
Acupuncture involves the stimulation of anatomical points on the body with thin needled.
Acupuncture patients usually feel little to no pain.
Acupuncture needles are hair-thin and are manipulated either by hand or electricity.
Cupping
Cupping therapy is a form of CTM in which cups are placed on the skin to create suction.
The cups can be made of a variety of materials, including:
Glass
Bamboo
Earthenware
The suction of the cups mobilizes blood flow to promote the healing of a broad range of medical ailments
Moxibustion is a traditional Chinese medicine technique that involves the burning of mugwort, a small, spongy herb, to facilitate healing.
The purpose is to strengthen the blood and improve Qi flow.
Direct and indirect methods.
Traditionally used to treat colds.
But it is not for everyone.
Because it is used specifically for patients suffering from cold or stagnant constitutions, it should not be used on anyone diagnosed with too much heat.
Tui Na
Also known as Chinese massage
Uses wave-like motions to loosen joints and nourish muscles.
Brings awareness back to a person’s body, making it a first step in the healing process.
Stimulates the flow of Qi, blood and body fluids
Can be used to treat pain, stress or digestion problems.
Risks and SIde effects
2. Introduction
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)
originated in ancient China and has
evolved over thousands of years.
TCM practitioners use herbal
medicines and various mind and body
practices, such as acupuncture and tai
chi, to treat or prevent health
problems.
3. Introduction
The ancient beliefs on which TCM is based include
the following:
1. The human body is a miniature version of the larger,
surrounding universe.
2. Harmony between two opposing yet complementary
forces, called yin and yang, supports health, and disease
results from an imbalance between these forces.
3. Five elements—fire, earth, wood, metal, and water—
symbolically represent all phenomena, including the
stages of human life, and explain the functioning of
the body and how it changes during disease.
4. Qi, a vital energy that flows through the body, performs
multiple functions in maintaining health.
4. Introduction
Traditional forms of medicine have been used in
China since the 3rd Century. Traditional Chinese
Medicine (TCM) system consist three parts:
1. Theory
Yin – Yang
5 elements
2. Treatment
Herbalism
Acupuncture
Moxibustion
Cupping
Massage therapy
3. Prevention
Qi gong
Tai – ji
Meditation
Massage
5. Daoist yin-yang concepts
Yang predominates during the day and turns into yin after
dark.
The human body is regarded as the universe in miniature,
when the Yin and Yang elements in a person’s body are well
balanced, the person is in good hearth.
◦ A person falls sick when the balance is disrupted.
6. Five elements theory
The five vital organs
◦ the heart, liver,
spleen, lungs, and
kidneys are each
seen as
corresponding to one
of the five elements of
earth, wood, metal,
fire and water.
◦ The five organs
function in an
interlocked and
interconnected
relationship.
◦ It is believed a
pathological change
in any of the vital
organs will affect the
health of the other
organs.
7. Traditional Chinese Medicine
TCM encompasses many different
practices, including
1. Acupuncture
2. Cupping
3. Moxibustion
Burning an herb above the skin to apply heat to
acupuncture points
4. Chinese herbal medicine
5. Tui na
Chinese therapeutic massage
6. Dietary therapy
7. Tai chi and qi gong
Practices that combine specific movements or
postures, coordinated breathing, and mental focus
8. Traditional Chinese Medicine
1. Chinese herbal medicine
◦ The Chinese Materia
Medica (a pharmacological
reference book used by
TCM practitioners)
describes thousands of
medicinal substances—
primarily plants, but also
some minerals and animal
products.
◦ Different parts of plants,
such as the leaves, roots,
stems, flowers, and seeds,
are used.
◦ In TCM, herbs are often
combined in formulas and
given as teas, capsules,
liquid extracts, granules,
or powders.
9. Traditional Chinese Medicine
2. Acupuncture
◦ Acupuncture is a family of
procedures involving the
stimulation of specific points
on the body using a variety
of techniques.
◦ The acupuncture technique
that has been most often
studied scientifically involves
penetrating the skin with
thin, solid, metal needles
that are manipulated by the
hands or by
electrical stimulation.
◦ Acupuncture involves the
stimulation of anatomical
points on the body with thin
needled.
◦ Acupuncture patients
usually feel little to no pain.
◦ Acupuncture needles are
hair-thin and are
manipulated either by hand
or electricity.
10. Traditional Chinese Medicine
3. Moxibustion
◦ Moxibustion is a traditional
Chinese medicine technique
that involves the burning of
mugwort, a small, spongy
herb, to facilitate healing.
◦ The purpose is to strengthen
the blood and improve Qi
flow.
◦ Direct and indirect methods.
◦ Traditionally used to treat
colds.
◦ But it is not for everyone.
◦ Because it is used specifically
for patients suffering from
cold or stagnant constitutions,
it should not be used on
anyone diagnosed with too
much heat.
11. Traditional Chinese Medicine
4. Cupping
◦ Cupping therapy is a
form of CTM in which
cups are placed on the
skin to create suction.
◦ The cups can be made of
a variety of materials,
including:
Glass
Bamboo
Earthenware
◦ The suction of the cups
mobilizes blood flow to
promote the healing of a
broad range of medical
ailments
12. Traditional Chinese Medicine
5. Tui Na
◦ Also known as
Chinese massage
◦ Uses wave-like
motions to loosen
joints and nourish
muscles.
◦ Brings awareness
back to a person’s
body, making it a first
step in the healing
process.
◦ Stimulates the flow of
Qi, blood and body
fluids
◦ Can be used to treat
pain, stress or
digestion problems.
13. Traditional Chinese Medicine
6. Qigong
◦ Qigong is a Chinese form
of exercise.
◦ It regulates the mind and
breathing to promote the
flow of Qi.
◦ Qigong is often used to
treat diseases.
◦ External Qigong is
performed on a person by
a Qigong master
◦ Internal Qigong is
practiced by oneself.
14. Traditional Chinese Medicine
7. Tai chi
◦ Tai chi is a centuries-
old mind and body
practice.
◦ It involves gentle, dance-
like body movements with
mental focus, breathing,
and relaxation.
15. Traditional Chinese Medicine
8. Meditation
◦ Meditation has been
practiced for thousands of
years.
◦ It involves focusing on one
thing, such as breathing
patterns, while clearing all
other thoughts from the
mind.
◦ Meditation is used to
replenish the flow of Qi,
which helps to ward off
illnesses.
◦ People may experience
various feelings during
meditation. Some people
may begin to feel
overjoyed, while others
may experience extreme
sadness, and even cry.
◦ Meditation is also
popularly practiced in
western countries as a
means of stress relief.
16. Side effects and Risks
1. Herbal products
◦ There have been reports of products being contaminated with drugs, toxins, or
heavy metals or not containing the listed ingredients.
◦ Some of the herbs used in Chinese medicine can interact with drugs, can have
serious side effects, or may be unsafe for people with certain medical
conditions.
◦ For example, the Chinese herb ephedra (ma huang) has been linked to serious
health complications, including heart attack and stroke.
2. Acupuncture
◦ Acupuncture needles as medical devices and requires that the needles be
sterile, nontoxic, and labeled for single use by qualified practitioners only
◦ Relatively few complications from the use of acupuncture have been reported.
◦ However, adverse effects—some of them serious—have resulted from the use
of nonsterile needles or improper delivery of acupuncture treatments.
3. Tai chi and qi gong
◦ Are considered to be generally safe practices.
4. Moxibustion
◦ Complications include allergic reactions, burns, and infections,
◦ Both moxibustion and cupping (applying a heated cup to the skin to create a
slight suction) may mark the skin, usually temporarily.