Traditional Chinese medicine (abbreviated: TCM) is one of the oldest healing sciences in the world. It took its origin over 2000 years ago in the East Asian region. According to grave finds and traditions, there were first traces – in the form of fish bones as acupuncture needles – already 5000 years ago. The roots of Chinese herbal medicine are said to go back even to the Stone Age. Meanwhile, traditional Chinese medicine is practiced in various forms around the world and some of its therapeutic elements, such as acupuncture, are also enjoying growing popularity in the West.
What is traditional Chinese medicine?
Chinese medicine treatments primarily include medicinal therapy and acupuncture, as well as moxibustion. The teaching of traditional Chinese medicine takes a holistic approach. Complaints and diseases are not considered in isolation, but the body and its organ systems are understood as a unit of mutually influencing energies and dynamics. The elementary life energy according to traditional Chinese medicine is the so-called Qi. This is seen as an energetic process that flows in a steady stream through the human body. Qi can be translated as breath, energy and power, but also as air, temperament or atmosphere. It has an essential meaning in Asian culture, where it shapes the understanding of the world and life. In traditional Chinese medicine, qi is held responsible for the harmony of organic and hormonal processes, but also for moods and temperament. Closely related to qi are the symbols yin and yang. According to TCM, their polarity principle ensures an optimally balanced state of health, while an imbalance leads to illness. The principle of Yin and Yang is based on the view that our world is subject to the principle of dualism. Day and night, sun and rain are constantly alternating polarizing states that cannot function without each other. Yin, according to TCM, is considered the feminine-passive side that receives and is associated with the moon. Yang is the masculine-active and uplifting side associated with the Sun.
Function, effect and goals
Traditional Chinese medicine is now used for many diseases. For back pain and migraines, acupuncture has been very successful and is now covered by some health insurance companies. But also Qigong and Tai-Chi provide valuable relief from tension and blockages. Many digestive complaints are alleviated by Chinese drug therapy, especially when combined with nutritional teachings. TCM is a valuable addition to conventional treatment methods because it strengthens the body from within, bringing about healing. The most widely used healing method is acupuncture. With the help of fine disposable needles, certain points on the body are stimulated through the skin to get the Qi flowing again. The mechanical stimulation of these points causes the flow of Qi to be stimulated, thus bringing about healing. Chinese drug therapy consists of administering medicinal plants, minerals and animal ingredients. These are mixed and individually adapted to the person to be treated, e.g. as tea or a medicinal decoction from plant components such as leaves, flowers, roots, barks and stems. For the preparation and intake there are exact application instructions. Taiji and Qigong are special movement teachings within TCM. Different movement sequences are combined with breathing and coordination exercises and are also intended to bring the Qi to flow again, to release blockages, congestion and tension. This strengthens the organs and the nervous system and thus the life force. The manual therapy (Tuina) works with different massage and grip techniques, grasping, kneading and stroking and tries in this way to release the energy blockages in the body and to improve the blood circulation. Acupuncture belongs to the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). It is based on the life energy (Qi) of the body, which flows on so-called meridians and has a regulating influence on all bodily functions. Click to enlarge. The nutritional teachings of TCM are intended to strengthen the body preventively.TCM assumes that food has an energetic effect and can trigger certain vegetative processes. Foods are divided into hot, warm, neutral, cool and cold. Chili, for example, is considered hot, while yogurt and other dairy products are considered cold or cool. Too much dairy can cool the body too much and trigger mucus processes. The way food is prepared also plays a role. Food should be enjoyed seasonally and at leisure.
Treatments and therapies
In traditional Chinese medicine, human organs are also divided into yin and yang. Each yin organ has a yang partner. Too strong or too weak activity of one organ has a direct influence on its partner organ. The basic principle of all traditional Chinese forms of medicine is to bring the Qi back into natural balance. The teaching of TCM assumes that inside the body there are so-called functional circuits. These energy channels are also called channels or meridians and are the focus of treatment. The treatment methods of traditional Chinese medicine are based on the principle of the five pillars. These consist of therapy by means of acupuncture, nutrition, medicinal herb therapy, massages and various movement teachings, first and foremost Qi Gong. The practices of the five pillars principle are intended to help regain balance. Acupuncture and medicinal therapy are the two most important practices. Traditional Chinese medicine (abbreviated: TCM) is one of the oldest healing sciences in the world. It originated in East Asia over 2000 years ago. In the former, blockages in the flow of qi are removed by inserting thin needles into the acupuncture points located along the meridians. The same effect is achieved by heating these points (moxibustion) and massaging them (acupressure). An acupuncture session lasts about 30 minutes. The patient lies relaxed on a couch. Before the puncture, the respective points are warmed up and massaged. The aim is to release blockages of the Qi with as few punctures as possible and to provide the patient with relief from his complaints. The exact cause of acupuncture’s effect has not yet been researched, but many patient reports have confirmed its effectiveness. The main areas of application of acupuncture include sleep disorders, muscular complaints, neurological diseases, disorders in the gastrointestinal tract, as well as acupuncture in preparation for childbirth in pregnant women. In contrast to acupuncture, medicinal therapy is an internal therapy. In TCM, particularly natural medicines are used – 90% of which are of herbal origin. The diagnosis of the disease is usually made after a detailed conversation and a typical Chinese pulse and tongue diagnosis. Also skin tone and texture, the sound of the voice, as well as the complete physical appearance of the patient are included in the diagnosis. Chinese drug therapy works strongly with flavors. Each of the medicines used can be assigned to a flavor, and each flavor has its own effect on the body. Salty, for example, is said to dry, spicy to stimulate and open. Chinese medicines are usually administered in the form of teas or decoctions. In the meantime, however, there are also ready-made mixtures or capsules. They are usually prescribed in combination of up to sixteen individual medicines. The areas of application are very wide, most often respiratory diseases, flu-like infections, gastrointestinal complaints, skin diseases and allergies are treated with Chinese medicines.
Diagnosis and examination methods
From a scientific point of view, many modes of action of traditional Chinese medicine could not be proven until today, which is why it is partly not taken seriously as an alternative medicine in the Western world. However, numerous positive patient reports could confirm an effect. As with orthodox medicines, complaints can also occur in Chinese drug treatment if used improperly. Poisoning, for example through contamination of untested medicines on the black market, can be circumvented by buying controlled medicines in pharmacies. A major criticism of TCM is its use of a large number of animal ingredients from protected and endangered species. For example, bears are kept for the production of bear bile under mostly cruel conditions.Tigers, snow leopards, rhinos, saiga antelopes, saw rays, sharks and various species of turtles are also still abused and killed for traditional Chinese medicine. German TCM associations are unified in their opposition to the use of endangered animal and plant species for medicine production.
Risks, side effects and dangers
Since TCM is a gentle, holistic healing method, there are no significant risks and side effects to be considered. If there are isolated temporary side effects, they are usually so-called initial aggravations, which indicate that something is set in motion in the body. They usually disappear in the course of therapy. TCM as a valuable, healing method, precisely because it takes the whole person in view and not only treats symptoms.
