TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE EXPLAINED

Traditional Chinese medicine is more than a medical theory; it is also a theory of the Universe and of life. It is a framework within which everything that exists can be understood. There are also some key concepts at the core of Traditional Chinese medicine with which the practitioner works. Let's briefly define each one of these traditional Chinese medicine concepts which are the qi (also spelled chi), the yin and yang duality, the meridians, the five elements theory and moxibustion.

Qi (chi): Everything in the universe is composed of Qi which, for lack of a better translation is “the life force”. It is energy that is behind and within everything in the Universe. Qi is energy just before becoming tangible, and therefore, it is unseen, yet its manifestations are quite visible. Like electricity Qi (chi) “powers” whatever structures it moves through. Electricity “becomes” light, heat, movement or data storage respectively as it moves through lamps, heaters, motors or computers. By the same token, Qi (chi) “becomes” digestion, movement, thought, emotions etc. depending on the organ of the body it moves through, or even the meridian it moves through. And although the life force is equally available to all of us and flows into us whether or not we are aware of it or not, it is possible to maximize our intake and use it to keep us healthy or make us better. But is can also get blocked or depleted or in excess, which will eventually cause problems like disease. Symptoms in traditional Chinese medicine are only the physical manifestation of an underlying cause of Qi (chi) imbalance. Through acupressure and acupuncture we unblock and balance the Qi (chi).

Yin and Yang Duality:   The Law of Duality states that everything in the universe has two aspects; the yin aspect and the yang aspect and these two parts are inseparable. Together they create, maintain, support and oppose each other. They are not just classifications like night (yin) and day (yang), female (yin) and male (yang), moon (yin) and sun (yang); they are an attempt to see and understand or interpret the dynamics or interrelationships of anything and everything. These two aspects also need to be balanced in order to create wellness and health.

Meridians:   The meridians are a system of pathways carrying the Qi (chi) or energy. A Meridian works kind of like a human electrical channel. These pathways connect the acupressure points to each other as well as to internal organs; they are also thought to be part of a master communication system of universal energy connecting the organs with all sensory, physical and emotional aspects of the body. Moreover, this physical network of energy also contains key points that we can use to deepen our spiritual awareness as we heal ourselves. In fact traditional Chinese medicine believes that emotions and mental states are every bit influential on disease as purely physical mechanisms and considers factors like work, environment, relationships, values, and attitudes just as fundamental to a person's health.

Five Elements Theory:   The five elements theory is a system of movement and dynamics and a method used to diagnose the underlying cause of any given imbalance. Since ancient times Chinese philosophy divided the world into five symbolic elements: Earth, Metal, Water, Wood and Fire and each element include a pair of organs, one yin and one yang. For instance, the Wood element includes the Liver (Yin) and the Gallbladder (Yang). The interplay and movement between these elements and the yin and yang aspects creates all activity and change in nature.

Moxibustion: Moxibustion is a technique of putting heat on an acupressure or acupuncture point with a Moxa Cigar made of artemisia herb in order to tonify the meridian.