traditional Chinese medicine
Chinese medicine dates
back at least 2500 years, with some of its elements probably much older
than that. Its practice in China has had considerable competition from
western methods since the 1800s, but the traditional ways were encouraged
by the Communist government because they were relatively inexpensive and
accessible to the majority of the people. It began to gain popularity
in the west after the “opening” of China in 1970, and now has
a considerable following.
Traditional Chinese Medicine is an energy-based system, and all of its
theory and practice centres on the idea that balance of the life energy
Qi (chee) is the key to health. This energy is further categorized and
described in a number of ways: the balance of the two principle types
of energy, Yin and Yang; the division of matter into five basic elements,
wood, fire, earth, metal and water; and the understanding of health based
on eight principles, cold/heat, interior/exterior, deficiency/excess,
and Yin/Yang.
Diagnosis usually consists of an interview, taking of the pulse, and examination
of the tongue, which is believed to reveal a great deal of information
about internal phenomena; treatment varies from acupuncture to herbal
remedies to diet and exercise counseling.
Traditional Chinese medicine is considered especially useful for treatment
of chronic conditions such as allergies, asthma and many others, and is
also effective for pain relief and some psychological problems. Some practitioners
recommend that patients rely on western medicine for acute or life-threatening
illnesses.
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