II. Background
- Established over 4000 years in far east Asia
- Focus on holistic approach that views body, mind and spirit as one system
- Based on Taoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism
III. Components
- Yin and Yang
- System of balance: Everything has 2 opposite aspects
- Good health results when Yin and Yang in equal balance
- Qi (Pronounced Chee)
- Energy flowing through all living things
- Qi flows through the body in currents known as channels or Meridians
- Contains 6 main functions
- Produces body motion
- Transforms food to nutrients
- Transports nutrients to body
- Warms the body
- Protects the body
- Contains the body fluid
- Five elements
- Universe is linked to the body microcosm
- Affected by daily and seasonal cycles of nature
- Ideal situation requires that all five elements are in balance
- Treatment based on sedating or energizing elements that are out of balance
- Elements
- Wood
- Fire
- Earth
- Metal
- Water
IV. History
- Patient history and concerns
V. Exam
- Observe
- Tongue appearance
- Face appearance
- Listen and smell
- Sound of patient's voice
- Patient's odors
- Palpation
- Radial artery pulse
- Ear surface
- Warmth and coolness of body parts
VI. Management: Modailties used in TCM
- Physical Techniques
- Acupuncture
- Moxibustion
- Cupping
- Chinese Herbal Medicine
- Qigong (breathing and meditation Exercises)
- Massage therapy
- Food therapy
- Mental health therapy
VII. Resources
- Maciocia, Foundations of Chinese Medicine, Churchill Livingstone
VIII. References
- Chon (2008) Mayo Selected Topics in Internal Medicine, Lecture