Traditional Chinese Medicine
Traditional Chinese medicine originated with Shennong, the celebrated herbal medicine master of ancient China who lived about 6,000 years ago, a time which is believed to the embryo stage in the development of traditional Chinese medicine.
Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine, the theoretical work on TCM that emerged in the Warring States Period (475 - 221 B.C.), marks the establishment of Chinese medicine's unique theoretical system. To date, this classic work is still considered as the theoretical basis guiding traditional Chinese medicine.
Shennnong's Herbal Classic, the famous TCM work that sums up medical experiences prior to the Qin (221 - 207 B.C.) dynasty, records 365 varieties of medicinal herbs and classifies them into three categories in accordance with their respective primary treatments, functions and toxic character. This is the earliest pharmacopoeia ever found in China. During its long process of evolution, the TCM science has gradually developed a complete set of medical principles and concepts.
First, TCM believes that "nothing compares to a human life". It regards "healing the sick and saving the dying" as its professional work ethics.
Second, TCM places emphasis on the early prevention of diseases, advocating the food treatment approach, that is, efforts should be focused on maintaining good health through the intake of nourishing food to defer senility and reduce the risk of contracting diseases.
Third, the TCM theory argues that the relationship of social and natural environment, as well as the relationship of the human body and spirit, is one of mutual influence and interdependence; meanwhile, the human body is an organic whole composed of various organs and different systems with various functions. Therefore, TCM doctors try to diagnose the patients' diseases by finding out the relationships between humans and nature, between humans and nature, between humans and society, between the human body and the psychology of humans, and among the various segments of the human body.
Fourth, the TCM science maintains that yin and yang, the two opposing and complementary principles in nature, exist in the human body, mutually functional and dependent. According to the philosophical view of TCM, the two aspects of yin and yang are mutually opposing and constraining, interdependent and mutually promoting, proportionally changing with the decrease of one resulting in, or from, the increase of the other, and mutually transformational. The balance of yin and yang is essential for the maintenance of good health. And if the balance is upset, health will be hurt and illness will develop. Therefore, TCM pays close attention to the effort of regulating yin and yang and maintaining an appropriate balance between the two.
Last but not least, TCM believes that a series of movements, called the superseding of the old by the new, or metabolism in western medicine, exist within the human body throughout its life. If such movements are obstructed, abnormal circumstances will occur and people will fall ill. This is an important guiding concept of TCM regarding disease prevention and treatment.
During its long practice and evolution, TCM has developed a complete and independent theoretical system and unique and effective methods of clinic treatment centering on Chinese herbal medicines, supplemented by acupuncture and moxibustion, medical massage and qigong, that is, deep breathing exercises.
Chinese Acupuncture
Today, traditional Chinese medicine has won worldwide acclaim owing to its unique effectiveness and scientific nature. China has also made energetic efforts to develop TCM, encouraging the combination of Chinese and western medicines in diagnosing and treatment. Today, China boasts over 2,500 TCM hospitals across the country backed up by a team of more than 500,000 TCM professionals. In addition, most of China's one million general hospitals have TCM sections. On top of that, China has more than 100 TCM institutions and research centers.
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