Disease according to TCM
As I mentioned on the previous TCM page, please do not try to compare Western conventional medicine to Traditional Chinese Medicine. Both systems view the word "organ" as very different things, and disease as different things as well. For example, conventional "Western" medicine views organs as groups of tissues with similar function. These are pieces in the body that can be removed (although one generally hopes they do not need to be removed). Where TCM sees the word "organ" to resemble an area in the body usually with functions that relate to the whole system (both physically and energetically). They are not necessary correlated to that clump of tissues or structure. My general understanding is that TCM describes the qi of the organ. In other words, if that structure was removed from the body, the qi (or energy) of the organ would remain to function (maybe just not as effectively). Anyway, like I stated, please have an open mind, and feel free to politely comment about TCM in my blog under the "Contact" tab.
Diagnostics (what TCM practitioners are looking/listening for):
-Tongue. A person's tongue is seen as a road map to their body. It can tell a great deal about the current state of health the individual is in. You would be surprised at how different people's tongues can be (believe me, I was assigned a project on drawing all of my classmate and friend's tongues to practice this method of diagnosing, but feel free to try it for yourself)! A healthy tongue should be smooth and pink with some moisture and a thin white coating. Varies in color, texture, coating (color, texture, and coverage), moisture, shape, size, and thickness can all be used as clues to indicate an imbalance. Who knew?! :P
-Pulse. A TCM practitioner is not simply recording the number of beats per minute. Instead, each wrist has three different points (6 in total) that all link the the qi of specific organ systems according to TCM (see picture above left). They are feeling how strong/weak the pulse is. If it feels thread like/narrow/river like, superficial/deep, if the pulse flutters or quivers. All those qualities and more help the practitioner diagnose symptoms.
-Ask & Listen.
-Observe appearance/behaviour.
-Tongue. A person's tongue is seen as a road map to their body. It can tell a great deal about the current state of health the individual is in. You would be surprised at how different people's tongues can be (believe me, I was assigned a project on drawing all of my classmate and friend's tongues to practice this method of diagnosing, but feel free to try it for yourself)! A healthy tongue should be smooth and pink with some moisture and a thin white coating. Varies in color, texture, coating (color, texture, and coverage), moisture, shape, size, and thickness can all be used as clues to indicate an imbalance. Who knew?! :P
-Pulse. A TCM practitioner is not simply recording the number of beats per minute. Instead, each wrist has three different points (6 in total) that all link the the qi of specific organ systems according to TCM (see picture above left). They are feeling how strong/weak the pulse is. If it feels thread like/narrow/river like, superficial/deep, if the pulse flutters or quivers. All those qualities and more help the practitioner diagnose symptoms.
-Ask & Listen.
-Observe appearance/behaviour.
Five Element Theory:
-Excess or deficiency?
Common Organ Patterns (aka causes of disease):
TCM treatments:
-Herbs! Herbs are the main form of healing in TCM. Formulas are usually coupled with several herbs synergistically acting together. They are commonly given as a decoction (boiled like a soup) or in a capsule, but may also be given in other forms as well.
-Acupuncture/Acupressure/Moxa/Cupping
-Massage/ Tui na
-Diet according to TCM
-Exercise/Balance (Tai chi and Qigong)
-Excess or deficiency?
Common Organ Patterns (aka causes of disease):
TCM treatments:
-Herbs! Herbs are the main form of healing in TCM. Formulas are usually coupled with several herbs synergistically acting together. They are commonly given as a decoction (boiled like a soup) or in a capsule, but may also be given in other forms as well.
-Acupuncture/Acupressure/Moxa/Cupping
-Massage/ Tui na
-Diet according to TCM
-Exercise/Balance (Tai chi and Qigong)