Lesson 4

• Standardization of Chinese medicine started

  Western Han Dynasty (206 BCE to 220 AD)
• Other theorize Chinese medicine started

  Qin dynasty (221 – 206 BCE)
• Traditional medical practices are well-documented, with some of the authoritative medical books being over 2,000 years old
• The Compendium of Materia Medica compiled by Li Shizhen of the Ming Dynasty details 1,892 types of herbs and 10,000 prescriptions
• Different Literatures of Chinese Medicine

  • Huangdi Neijing (The yellow emperor's inner canon)
  • Shennong Jing (Classic of Shennong)
  • Shhenong Bencao Jing (Herbal Classic of Shennong)
  • Nanjing (Classic of Difficult Issues)
• Shennong


  Divine Farmer
• Qi (Chi)


  Movement of life energy which most Chinese medicine physicians recognize
• Illness occurs when energy flow is blocked
• Herbal Medicine and Acupuncture

  • Two aspects most associated with Chinese medicine
  • Used to unblock energy so that it can flow more freely throughout the body
• Acupuncture involves inserting steel needles into body parts
• Acupuncture is believed to be used before 168 BC
• Chinese doctors used stone probes to open up boils and abscesses
• Four Main Theories (basis) of Chinese Medicine

  • Theory of Qi (chi)
  • Meridian theory
  • Theory of yin and yang
  • Theory of five elements
• Theory of Qi (Chi)


  Concept of a vital energy called qi (chi) that animates humans
• Meridians


  Channels which qi flows throughout the body
• Theory of yin and yang

  • Two opposing but complementary energies
  • Constant state of dynamic balance - when one becomes unbalanced, the other changes proportion and achieves a new balance
• Theory of the Five Elements

  • Physical universe
  • Healers observe nature and set out to find patterns to apply in interpreting disease states
  • Five elements: Water, fire, wood, metal and earth – all are found in the natural environment --> physiology and pathology of human body and nature
  • Visceral organs are thought to have similar properties of the five elements
• Five Elements associated with body types

  • Wood – slender and tall body
  • Fire – pointed head and chin, small hands, curly or small amount of hair
  • Metal – square and broad shoulders, strong, triangle-shaped face
  • Earth - large head, larger body and belly, strong legs and wide jaw
  • Water – round face and body with a long than normal torso
• TCM Diagnostic Methods


  • Observation of the patient
  • Tongue diagnosis
  • Pulse Diagnosis
  • Pulse taking practice
  • Eight Guiding Principles (differentiate energetic imbalances)
  • Medication history
• TCM Treatment Methods


  • Acupuncture and acupressure
  • Herbal medicines
  • Diet
  • Exercise
• Acupuncture


  Insertion of stainless steel needles into the skin at specific points on the body called points to affect the flow of qi (energy) through body channels or meridians
• Acupressure


  Ancient healing method that uses a finger to find key points (trigger points) on the surface of the body to promote the flow of qi energy and to stimulate the body's own immune system
• Acupuncture stimulates the release of endorphins and the body's immune system, affording protection against disease
• It was found out that acupuncture stimulates the release of endorphins


  1980s
• China organized an international conference on traditional medicine and pharmacology, which was followed by participants signing the Beijing Declaration


  1991
• There are now a number of international academic-level collaborations in the field of traditional Chinese medicine
• PITAHC conducted its 15th Traditional and Alternative Health Care (TAHC) Congress in collaboration with the World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies (WFCMS), partnering for the 20th World Congress of Chinese Medicine (WCCM)

  2023