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Traditional Chinese medicine

Traditional Chinese Medicine

Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine | 2005 | Schonbeck, Joan; Odle, Teresa
COPYRIGHT 2005 The Gale Group, Inc.

Traditional Chinese medicine

Definition
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is based on a set of interventions designed to
restore balance to human beings. The therapies usually considered under the heading
of classic Chinese medicine include:

acupunture and moxibustion

dietary regulation
herbal remedies
massage
therapeutic exercise

These forms of treatments are based upon beliefs that differ from the disease concept
favored by Western medicine. What is referred to as illness by Western medicine is
considered in traditional Chinese medicine to be a matter of disharmony or imbalance.

The philosophy behind Chinese medicine is a melding of tenets from Buddhism

(/topic/Buddhism.aspx), Confucianism, and the combined religious and philosophical
ideas of Taoism (/topic/Taoism.aspx). Although there are various schools of thought
among practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine, five Taoist axioms form its basis:

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There are natural laws which govern the universe, including human beings.
The natural order of the universe is innately harmonious and well-organized. When
people live according to the laws of the universe, they live in harmony with that
universe and the natural environment.
The universe is dynamic, with change as its only constant. Stagnation is in
opposition to the law of the universe and causes what Western medicine calls
illness.

All living things are connected and interdependent.

Humans are intimately connected to and affected by all facets of their environment.

Origins

Historical background
Traditional Chinese medicine is over 2,000 years old. It originated in the region of
eastern Asia (/topic/Asia.aspx) that today includes China (/topic/China.aspx), Tibet
(/topic/Tibet.aspx), Vietnam (/topic/Vietnam.aspx), Korea (/topic/Korea.aspx), and
Japan (/topic/Japan.aspx). The first written Chinese medical treatises (as the West
understands the term) date from the Han dynasty (206 b.c.–a.d. 220). Tribal shamans
and holy men who lived as hermits in the mountains of China as early as 3500 b.c.
practiced what was called the "Way of Long Life." This regimen included a diet based
on herbs and other plants; kung-fu exercises; and special breathing techniques that
were thought to improve vitality and life expectancy.

After the Han dynasty, the next great age of Chinese medicine was under the Tang
emperors, who ruled from a.d. 608-a.d. 906. The first Tang emperor established
China's first medical school in a.d. 629. Under the Song (a.d. 960–1279) and Ming (a.d.
1368–1644) dynasties, new medical schools were established, their curricula and
qualifying examinations were standardized, and the traditional herbal prescriptions
were written down and collected into encyclopedias. One important difference
between the development of medicine in China and in the West is the greater interest
in the West in surgical procedures and techniques. In the nineteenth and early
twentieth centuries, the opening of China to the West led to the establishment of
Western-style medical schools in Shanghai (/topic/Shanghai.aspx) and other large
cities, and a growing rivalry between the two traditions of medicine. In 1929 a group of

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Chinese physicians who had studied Western medicine petitioned the government to
ban traditional Chinese medicine. This move was opposed, and by 1933 the Nationalist
government appointed a chief justice of the Chinese Supreme Court to systematize
and promote the traditional system of medicine. In contemporary China, both
traditional and Western forms of medicine are practiced alongside each other.

Philosophical background: the cosmic and natural order

In Taoist thought, the Tao, or universal first principle, generated a duality of opposing
principles that underlie all the patterns of nature. These principles, yin and yang, are
mutually dependent as well as polar opposites. They are basic concepts in traditional
Chinese medicine. Yin represents everything that is cold, moist, dim, passive, slow,
heavy, and moving downward or inward; while yang represents heat, dryness,
brightness, activity, rapidity, lightness, and upward or outward motion. Both forces
are equally necessary in nature and in human well-being, and neither force can exist
without the other. The dynamic interaction of these two principles is reflected in the
cycles of the seasons, the human life cycle, and other natural phenomena. One
objective of traditional Chinese medicine is to keep yin and yang in harmonious
balance within a person.

In addition to yin and yang, Taoist teachers also believed that the Tao produced a third
force, primordial energy or qi (also spelled chi or ki). The interplay between yin, yang,
and qi gave rise to the Five Elements of water, metal, earth, wood, and fire. These
entities are all reflected in the structure and functioning of the human body.

The human being

Traditional Chinese physicians did not learn about the structures of the human body
from dissection because they thought that cutting open a body insulted the person's
ancestors. Instead they built up an understanding of the location and functions of the
major organs over centuries of observation, and then correlated them with the
principles of yin, yang, qi, and the Five Elements. Thus wood is related to the liver
(yin) and the gall bladder (yang); fire to the heart (yin) and the small intestine (yang);
earth to the spleen (yin) and the stomach (yang); metal to the lungs (yin) and the large
intestine (yang); and water to the kidneys (yin) and the bladder (yang). The Chinese
also believed that the body contains Five Essential Substances, which include blood,

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spirit, vital essence (a principle of growth and development produced by the body from
qi and blood); fluids (all body fluids other than blood, such as saliva, spinal fluid,
sweat, etc.); and qi.

A unique feature of traditional Chinese medicine is the meridian system. Chinese

doctors viewed the body as regulated by a network of energy pathways called
meridians that link and balance the various organs. The meridians have four
functions: to connect the internal organs with the exterior of the body, and connect
the person to the environment and the universe; to harmonize the yin and yang
principles within the body's organs and Five Substances; to distribute qi within the
body; and to protect the body against external imbalances related to weather (wind,
summer heat, dampness, dryness, cold, and fire).

Benefits
Traditional Chinese medicine offers the following benefits:

It is believed by some to treat certain chronic illnesses more effectively than

Western medicine.
It is holistic; all aspects of the person's being are taken into account.
It treats the root cause of the disease as well as the manifest symptoms. Chinese
practitioners distinguish between the root (ben ) of an illness and its branches (biao
). The root is the basic pattern of imbalance in the patient's qi; the branches are the
evident symptoms.
Traditional Chinese medicine does not rely on pharmaceutical products that often
cause side effects.
It improves a person's general health as well as treating specific diseases or
disorders.
It is often less expensive than standard allopathic treatment.
It is not a self-enclosed system but can be used in combination with Western
medicine.
It can be used to treat the side effects of Western modalities of treatment.

Description

Acupuncture/moxibustion
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Acupuncture/moxibustion
Acupuncture is probably the form of treatment most familiar to Westerners. It is often
used for pain relief, but has wider applications in traditional Chinese practice. It is
based on a view of the meridians that regards them as conduits or pathways for the qi,
or life energy. Disease is attributed to a blockage of the meridians; thus acupuncture

can be used to treat disorders of the internal organs as well as muscular and skin
problems. The insertion of needles at specific points along the meridians is thought to
unblock the qi. More than 800 acupuncture points have been identified, but only about
50 are commonly used. Acupuncture is usually used as a treatment together with
herbal medicines.

Moxibustion refers to the practice of burning a moxa wick over the patient's skin at
vital points. Moxa is a word derived from Japanese and means "burning herbs." The
moxa wick is most commonly made from Artemisia vulgaris, or Chinese wormwood ,
but other herbs can also be used. Moxibustion is thought to send heat and nourishing
qi into the body. It is used to treat a number of different illnesses, including
nosebleeds , pulled muscles, mumps , arthritis, and vaginal bleeding.

Dietary regulation
Diet is regarded as the first line of treatment in Chinese medicine; acupuncture and
herbal treatments are used only after changes in diet fail to cure the problem. Chinese
medicine uses foods to keep the body in internal harmony and in a state of balance
with the external environment. In giving dietary advice, the Chinese physician takes
into account the weather, the season, the geography of the area, and the patient's
specific imbalances (including emotional upsets) in order to select foods that will
counteract excesses or supply deficient elements. Basic preventive dietary care, for
example, would recommend eating yin foods in the summer, which is a yang season.
In the winter, by contrast, yang foods should be eaten to counteract the yin
temperatures. In the case of illness, yin symptom patterns (fatigue , pale complexion,
weak voice) would be treated with yang foods, while yang symptoms (flushed face,
loud voice, restlessness) would be treated by yin foods.

Chinese medicine also uses food as therapy in combination with exercise and herbal
preparations. One aspect of a balanced diet is maintaining a proper balance of rest and
activity as well as selecting the right foods for the time of year and other
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circumstances. If a person does not get enough exercise, the body cannot transform
food into qi and Vital Essence. If they are hyperactive, the body consumes too much of
its own substance. With respect to herbal preparations, the Chinese used tonics taken
as part of a meal before they began to use them as medicines. Herbs are used in
Chinese cooking to give the food specific medicinal qualities as well as to flavor it. For
example, ginger might be added to a fish dish to counteract fever . Food and medical
treatment are closely interrelated in traditional Chinese medicine. A classical Chinese
meal seeks to balance not only flavors, aromas, textures, and colors in the different
courses that are served, but also the energies provided for the body by the various
ingredients.

Herbal remedies
Chinese herbal treatment differs from Western herbalism in several respects. In
Chinese practice, several different herbs may be used, according to each plant's effect
on the individual's qi and the Five Elements. There are many formulas used within
traditional Chinese medicine to treat certain common imbalance patterns. These
formulas can be modified to fit specific individuals more closely.

In 2002, a study in Texas (/topic/Texas.aspx) showed that a traditional Chinese

antirheumatic herb extract helped patients with rheumatoid arthritis by improving
symptoms such as morning stiffness and tender, swollen joints. Side effects of
decreased appetite and nausea were tolerable for those the herb helped. The
researchers planned to move on to a more scientifically controlled clinical trial phase
to further test the herb's effectiveness. Another scientific study that year reported
new benefits for applying soy proteins, an ancient Chinese practice, to the skin.
Scientists worked on a new preparation that showed benefits in reducing age spots
and ultraviolet ray damage, and smoothing and moisturizing the skin, among other
benefits.

A traditional Chinese herbal formula typically contains four classes of ingredients,

arranged in a hierarchical order: a chief (the principal ingredient, chosen for the
patient's specific illness); a deputy (to reinforce the chief's action or treat a coexisting
condition); an assistant (to counteract side effects of the first two ingredients); and an
envoy (to harmonize all the other ingredients and convey them to the parts of the
body that they are to treat).

Massage
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Massage
Massage is recommended in traditional Chinese medicine to unblock the patient's
meridians, stimulate the circulation of blood and qi, loosen stiff joints and muscles,
and strengthen the immune system. It may be done to relieve symptoms without the
need for complex diagnosis. Chinese massage is commonly used to treat back strain,
pulled muscles, tendinitis, sciatica , rheumatism, arthritis, sprains, and similar
ailments. In Tui na massage, the practitioner presses and kneads various qi points on
the patient's body. The patient does not need to undress but wears thin cotton
clothes. He or she sits on a chair or lies on a massage couch while the practitioner
presses on or manipulates the soft tissues of the body. Tui na means "push and grasp"
in Chinese. It is not meant to be relaxing or pampering but is serious treatment for
sports injuries and chronic pain in the joints and muscles. Tui na is used to treat the
members of Chinese Olympic teams.

Therapeutic exercise
Therapeutic exercise, or qigong, is an ancient Chinese form of physical training that
combines preventive healthcare and therapy. Qigong relies on breathing techniques to
direct the qi to different parts of the body. The literal translation of qigong is "the
cultivation and deliberate control of a higher form of vital energy." Another form of
therapeutic exercise is t'ai chi , in which the person moves through a series of 30–64
movements that require a relaxed body and correct rhythmic breathing. Many Chinese
practice t'ai chi as a form of preventive medicine.

Preparations
Preparations for treatment in traditional Chinese medicine are similar to preparing for
a first-time visit to a Western physician. The patient will be asked to give a complete
and detailed medical history. The practitioner may touch the patient's acupuncture
meridians to evaluate them for soreness or tightness. The major difference that the
patient will notice is the much greater attention given in Chinese medicine to the
tongue and the pulse. The Chinese practitioner will evaluate the patient's tongue for
form, color, and the color and texture of the tongue fur. In taking the pulse, the

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Chinese therapist feels three pressure points along each wrist, first with light pressure
and then with heavy pressure, for a total of 12 different pulses on both wrists. Each
pulse is thought to indicate the condition of one of the 12 vital organs.

Precautions
There are no special precautions necessary for treatment with traditional Chinese
medical techniques other than giving the practitioner necessary details about major or
chronic health problems.

Side effects
Side effects with traditional Chinese medicine are usually minor. With herbal
treatments, there should be no side effects if the patient has been given the correct
formula and is taking it in the prescribed manner. Some people feel a little sore or stiff
the day after receiving Tui na massage, but the soreness does not last and usually
clears up with repeated treatments. Side effects from acupuncture or from therapeutic
exercise under the guidance of a competent teacher are unusual. However, care should
be taken in using herbal preparations and possible side effects or toxins within any
preparations, as well as interactions with other drugs. Patients should consult with
qualified practitioners.

Research & general acceptance

At present, there is renewed interest in the West in traditional Chinese medicine. Of
the 700 herbal remedies used by traditional Chinese practitioners, over 100 have been
tested and found effective by the standards of Western science. Several United States
agencies, including the National Institutes of Health, the Office of Alternative
Medicine, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA
(/topic/Food_and_Drug_Administration.aspx)) are currently investigating Chinese
herbal medicine as well as acupuncture and Tui na massage. In general, however,
Western studies of Chinese medicine focus on the effects of traditional treatments and
the reasons for those effects, thus attempting to fit traditional Chinese medicine
within the Western framework of precise physical measurements and scientific
hypotheses.
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As use of traditional Chinese medicine has increased steadily in the West, many
allopathic physicians have needed to understand the intricacies of the practice and to
know how to deal with adverse reactions to herbal remedies. In 2002, a project was
undertaken to develop a Chinese herbal medicine toxicology database to share
information about English and Chinese studies on Chinese herbal medicines. The goal
of the project was to help doctors in Western hospitals better manage poisonings or
adverse reactions to Chinese medicines.

Training & certification

Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners can be either acupuncturists, herbalists, or
both. At present, no schools accredited in the United States
(/topic/United_States.aspx) confer the degree of Doctor of Oriental Medicine because
the standards for such a degree have not yet been established. More than half of the 50
states now have licensing boards for acupuncturists as of the early 2000s. There is no
present independent licensing for herbalists. California (/topic/California.aspx) has
been the only state that has required (since 1982) acupuncture practitioners to take
licensing examinations in both acupuncture and herbal medicine.

There is also a national organization called the National Commission for the
Certification of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) that offers certification
in acupuncture. This certification provides the basis for licensure in a number of
states. The NCCAOM also offers a certificate in herbal medicine that does not lead to
licensure at present but is beginning to be used in some states as a basis for practice.

Resources

BOOKS
Mills, Simon, M.A., and Steven Finando, PhD. Alternatives in Healing. New York
(/topic/New_York.aspx): NAL Penguin, Inc., 1989.

Reid, Daniel P. Chinese Herbal Medicine. Boston: Shambhala, 1993.

Stein, Diane. "All Women Are Healers: A Comprehensive Guide to Natural Healing."
Chinese Healing and Acupressure. Freedom, CA: The Crossing Press, 1996.

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Svoboda, Robert, and Arnie Lade. Tao and Dharma: Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda. Twin
Lakes, WI: Lotus Press, 1995.

PERIODICALS
Bensoussan, Alan, et al. "Development of a Chinese Herbal Medicine Toxicology
Database." Journal of Toxicology: Clinical Toxicology (March 2002): 159.

"Chinese Herbal Extract Safe and Effective for RA." The Journal of Musculoskeletal
Medicine (January 2002): 43.

Liu, Jue-Chen, et al. "Applications of Soy in Skin Care." The Journal of Nutrition (March
2002): 574S.

ORGANIZATIONS
American Association of Oriental Medicine. 909 22nd St. Sacramento, CA 95816.
<http://www.aaom.org> (http://www.aaom.org).

American Foundation of Traditional Chinese Medicine (AFTCM). 505 Beach Street. San
Francisco (/topic/San_Francisco.aspx), CA 94133. (415) 776-0502. Fax: (415) 392-7003.
aftcm@earthlink.net.

Florida Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine. (800) 565-1246. fitcm@gte.net.

Joan Schonbeck

Teresa G. Odle

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