| x Traditional Chinese Medicine
At the core of this ancient medicine is the philosophy of Yin and Yang. Both Taoism and Confucianism have had a great influence over the development of medicine in China. One of the main tenets of Confucianism stresses that the body is holy, and must remain intact through life and into death. The Taoists, on the other hand, believe that the key to health is the maintenance of balance between opposing forces in nature, symbolized most powerfully by Yin and Yang. The philosophy of Chinese medicine can be said to exist between these two philosophies: disharmony brings 'dis-ease', and a doctor can cure the patient through detailed and accurate observations of the external and emotional life of the patient. Table of Contents
History of Traditional Chinese MedicineChinese medicine is the oldest, continuously practiced, professional, literate medicine in the world. Imperial schools, dating back to about 300-400 AD, were created to ensure quality and consistency in the teaching of this medicine -- a practice maintained by the Chinese government today. These schools practiced side-by-side with the apprenticeship system of learning medicine. By basing treatment on patterns (groupings of signs and symptoms) rather than by disease, Chinese medicine allows the practitioner to treat the whole person. This makes Chinese medicine the oldest 'holistic' medicine in the world with a history of more than 2,500 years. The earliest, still extant written records date back at least 2,300 years ago, although literary evidence suggests that these are a continuation of a much older written legacy, dating back prior to 500 BCE, when the then ruling emperor ordered the burning of all books written prior to his reign. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is the form of Chinese medicine taught in modern-day China, and encorporates various schools of treatment. In China, TCM is practiced side-by-side with Western medicine, with the practitioners of each learning the fundamentals of the other style of medicine. This integrated approach to healthcare has created a better system than either system alone. Chinese medicine has developed internally consistent methods of diagnosing, of creating treatment principles, and of prescribing treatment protocols to deal with most known human conditions. Just as most of the earliest books focused first on how to stay well and then how to treat illnesses, TCM emphasizes prevention above treatment. Over the last 50 years, the TCM medical community in China has developed very high standards of care, ensuring the best healthcare. These standards include peer review of treatments for accuracy and appropriateness.
Benefits of Traditional Chinese MedicineChinese medicine tends to produce almost no side effects in its treatment of illnesses. It helps people regain full functionality in their lives without having to give up any specific aspect of their daily living. Chinese medicine can be used to treat many illnesses treatable by Western medicines without invasive surgery or pharmaceutical drugs. The World Health Organization has recognized and recommends acupuncture and moxibustion for the treatment of over 40 types of illness including:
Traditional Chinese Medicine: Treatments AcupunctureAcupuncture is a treatment method using the insertion of thin filiform needles into specifically identified points of the body in order to help rebalance biological energies. The underlying belief in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is that illness is an expression of an imbalance of physiological energies, whether they are engendered by external pathogens or internal stresses. The insertion of needles can redirect and rebalance these energies to allow a movement towards regaining health. Chinese Herbal RemediesThe administration of Chinese medicinals is probably the most frequently prescribed method of treatment used in modern China, especially for complex, internal illnesses like autoimmune disorders, allergies, or mental-emotional disorders. Throughout Asia, (China, Japan, Korea, etc.), Chinese medicinals are used side-by-side with Western pharmaceuticals for treating most of the illnesses treatable by Western medicine. Chinese medicinals are very effective when prescribed in its traditional manner. Formulas are made from groupings of 3 to 25 medicinals, tailored for each unique individual in such a way as to alleviate the condition and mitigate potential side effects. Their effectiveness has been proven by literally up to 2500 years of clinical practice. Formulas can be taken as raw medicinals that are decocted into water, wine, or tea or powdered and mixed with honey or other binders to form pills. They are also presently available as powdered or tinctured extracts, which can then be placed into capsules or vials for administration. Modern China has placed conservation laws into effect in order to protect endangered species from being made extinct because of their medicinal value. An example of this is the Tiger Bone, which is a very powerful medicinal for atrophy or arthritic syndromes. Since the tiger is an endangered species, the tiger bone has been replaced by water buffalo bone that acts in almost the same way. Tui Na MassageTui Na (pronounced "two-AY nah") is a traditional adjunctive therapy in both the treatment of and prevention of disease. Tui Na literally means push and hold. It can be used in painful syndromes, abdominal and digestive complaints, women's and men's issues, colds and flus, and many other types of illnesses. It is based upon channel and muscular meridian theory. There are several techniques that can be used from simple massage techniques to more acupressure styles. Simple tui na techniques can be used by patients at home and can be a powerful adjunctive method in their recovery.
Softness and Flexibility
Amazon Review Here are some of the verses about flexibility and softness from that site:
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