Respecting Your Body's Language
A Chinese medical practitioner is trained to be able to detect how the flow of energy (Qi) is within the body by tuning in to the symptoms that are presented during examination of the patient. These symptoms are the language of the body and being able to hear the language
Chinese Alternative Medicine |
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| Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is vastly different from western medicine in that it listens to, understands and responds to the body's language. The human body has a harmonizing flow between the body, mind and spirit. This flow can be depleted or blocked by various causes. A Chinese medical practitioner is trained to be able to detect how the flow of energy (Qi) is within the body by tuning in to the symptoms that are presented during examination of the patient. These symptoms are the language of the body and being able to hear the language and interpret it are the skills necessary to have in order to practice Chinese medicine. Restoring the harmony within the individual between the body, mind and spirit fights illness.
The Chinese practitioner uses unique tools to uncover the root and branches that will depict the cause and manifestation of illness within the body, mind and spirit of the patient.
The practitioner uses observation, hearing & smelling, Inquiry and palpation as the tools for discovery.
Observation uncovers clues from the hair, face, nose, ears, mouth & lips, teeth & gums, the throat, nail & limbs as well as from the skin, tongue and meridians.
Hearing and smelling detect clues from the sounds the patient makes, his/her voice and odors present from body and the oral cavity.
Inquiring will give clues about sweating, the existence of pain, clues from the head and body, the intensity levels of pain over the entire body, the specific location of pain in the joints, any backaches, the presence of numbness, dizziness, noises within the chest or abdominal areas as well as answers to diet and appetite which includes information about taste, any vomiting, the stools, condition of urine, sleep patterns as well as information about how the ears and eyes are doing, and also drinking patterns (thirst?)
Palpation includes taking the pulse. The pulse has 3 qualities: the stomach Qi, spirit and root.
The stomach Qi is a pulse that is soft, calm and gentle to touch. It is a slow pulse. If upon palpation, it is determined that the stomach pulse is rough or hard than the stomach is injured.
The spirit is also a soft pulse, but has a strength to it that is not big, small or regular in nature. The spirit pulse shows health Qi and blood. A patient's spirit is observed through the eyes, the complexion, how the patient is breathing, the vitality and aura of the patient. The spirit is described as either strong or weak.
Root pulse is a deep level pulse and if felt the kidneys are strong.
All of these tools are important in diagnosing the patient. A diagnosis can not be made accurately by using only one of the above tools. One word does not make a language. The accuracy of diagnosis and treatment depends on the practitioner's ability to discern the language presented by the patient and to be able to respect the flow of that language and to be able to use the information gathered from the tools to interpret the needs of the patient. Restoring the body's balance rests on the ability of the practitioner to interpret and respect what the body is saying.
World News About Chinese Medicine
11/21/2008
Tongjitang Chinese Medicines Company to Announce Third Quarter 2008 Financial Results on November 25, 2008 (Business Wire via Yahoo! Finance)
SHENZHEN, China----Tongjitang Chinese Medicines Company , a leading specialty pharmaceutical company focusing on the development, manufacturing, marketing and selling of modernized traditional Chinese medicine in China, today announced that it plans to announce its third quarter 2008 financial results before the market opens on Tuesday, November 25, 2008.
Tongjitang Chinese Medicines Company to Announce Third Quarter 2008 Financial Results on November 25, 2008 (Business Wire via Yahoo! Finance)
11/21/2008
(AFX UK Focus) 2008-11-21 08:29 Hutchison China, Eli Lilly expand drug deal (Interactive Investor)
Nov 21 (Reuters) - Hutchison China Meditech Ltd, a traditional Chinese medicine-sourced pharmaceuticals maker, said on Friday it has expanded its drug discovery and development partnership with Eli Lilly and Co focused on an additional target in oncology. The companies agreed last year to collaborate on the discovery and development of pharmaceutical agents focused on targets in oncology and ...
(AFX UK Focus) 2008-11-21 08:29 Hutchison China, Eli Lilly expand drug deal (Interactive Investor)
11/17/2008
Indigo plant may treat chronic skin disease (Reuters via Yahoo! News)
Indigo naturalis, a dark blue plant used in traditional Chinese medicine, appears to be effective in treating psoriasis, a study in Taiwan has found.
Indigo plant may treat chronic skin disease (Reuters via Yahoo! News)
11/17/2008
Indigo plant may treat chronic skin disease (Reuters via Yahoo! News)
Indigo naturalis, a dark blue plant used in traditional Chinese medicine, appears to be effective in treating psoriasis, a study in Taiwan has found.
Indigo plant may treat chronic skin disease (Reuters via Yahoo! News)
11/20/2008
Chinese medicine and wisdom (OECD Observer)
The report entitled Challenges for China’s Public Spending: Toward Greater Effectiveness and Equity , published earlier this year, identified education and healthcare as priority areas for public spending. Why does China need to spend more on education and health?
Chinese medicine and wisdom (OECD Observer)
11/20/2008
Job Special: Alternative medicine as a career choice (Hour.ca)
Despite the fact that acupuncture is an increasingly favoured health option for many Quebecers, there is only one CEGEP, Rosemont College, where this branch of traditional Chinese medicine is taught. But this doesn't mean there is a low enrolment quota or that it's an uncertain career path.
Job Special: Alternative medicine as a career choice (Hour.ca)
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