About TCM

What is TCM?

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a practical medical system developed in China about 3000 years ago. Its core theory is to uphold the good and suppress the evil through strengthening the immune system.

It is the understanding of the human body based on the “holistic understanding of the universe.” It comprehends how the human body interacts with all aspects of life and the environment, including the seasons, time of day, weather, diet, and emotional states.

The harmony of body, mind, and spirit is physiology; a disharmony of body, mind, and spirit is pathology. Restoring the harmony of the body is the aim of TCM.

TCM terms

Qi (chee) literally means air, it is the life force or information carrier, which is invisible, but it can be presented by people’s energy level and appearance such as an upbeat person and a fatigued person. Qi is the commander of blood within the body.

Meridians are the energy pathways, which Qi flows through; the crisscrossed meridians form a network within the body. Every atom, cell, skin, tissue, blood vessel, bone, organ, and brain are connected through this network.

When Qi does not flow smoothly, blockages of Qi and blood are formed within meridians, then pain takes place somewhere in the body. Pain is a warning signal that could be a sign of a serious medical condition. “The quicker you break away from the pain, the quicker you will drive the pain out of your system.”

How does TCM work?

TCM treatment starts with the analysis of the entire system. It focuses on the correction of pathological changes through readjusting the function of the organs. A dysfunction of internal organs may be reflected on the body surface through the network of meridians; diseases of body surface tissues may also affect their related internal organs.

The typical TCM treatments include acupuncture, herbal medicine, dietary therapy, an exercise regiment, and psychological counseling.

Acupuncture treatment is accomplished by stimulating certain areas of the external body. It 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.”

Chinese herbal medicine is categorized to internal medicine that acts on internal organs. It “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.”

Dietary therapy is using food combinations to restore imbalanced health state. TCM shows that every food has a special healing property on particular organs. The value of accumulating healing benefits from foods is crucial.

Exercise—“Tai Ji” is a centuries-old mind and body practice. It involves gentle, dance-like body movements with mental focus, breathing, and relaxation. It uses movements and postures to break down the blockages of Qi and blood. Qigong “tries to restore the orderly information flow inside the network through the regulation of Qi.”

Psychological counseling: TCM sees the body as a whole. The body, mind, emotions, and spirit are completely connected. People’s emotional state is not only a question of emotions but is also related to organ functions. By adjusting the function of the organs involved, there will be an accompanying adjustment in the emotions. An imbalance of an organ’s function can actually cause emotional issues.

These methods have been used effectively without harmful side effects. The treatments can be done in clinic or through “telemedicine.” Telemedicine is a remote diagnosis and treatment of patients through telecommunication technology.