CHAPTER 9: Alternative Medical Systems: Traditional Chinese Medicine

Question 1

intro to TCM

Answer 1

• is based on holistic approach to health care; remedies are prescribed to the entire body
• treating root cause of illness
• Acupuncture, acupressure, herbal medicines,
  qigong, tai chi, Chinese psychology, massage, dietary therapy, and exercise

Question 2

what are the 4 main theories of TCM

Answer 2

1. the theory of qi (chi)
2. meridian theory
3. the theory of yin–yang,
4. the theory of the five elements

Question 3

Theory of Qi (Chi)

Answer 3

Qi: vital energy, vital breath, life force, moving power
- meaning the energy which circulates in all living entities
- invisible substance and immaterial force, flows in air and through body organs

from 2 forms:
1. inherited form we recieve from parents
2. from air we breathe ands food we eat

Question 4

Theory of Meridians

Answer 4

Qi flows through body internally and externally through channels called MERIDIANS

• meridians form a network that crisscrosses throughout the body linking organs, skin, flesh, muscles, and bones
• go outside the body in the skin and then return to the internal body, transporting energy and blood, much like the pattern of blood vessels and nerves.
• when one meridian gets blocked, would get a high level of Qi on one side of the blockage, relates to imbalance

Question 5

Qi blocked =

Answer 5

disease occurs

Question 6

Theory of Yin and Yang

Answer 6

Even though yin and yang are opposite, one cannot exist without the other; therefore, they are never
separate

• constant state of dynamic balance; when one becomes
  unbalanced, the other changes proportion and achieves a new balance
• each one has characteristics

Question 7

Theory of yin-yang in medicine

Answer 7

as the opposing yin–yang of
human body structures, the opposing yin–yang character of the organs, and the
opposing yin–yang symptoms that occur with illness

Question 8

Theory of 5 Elements

Answer 8

The five elements are identified as water, fire, wood, metal, and earth; all are found in the
natural environment and are used to interpret the relationship between the physiology and pathology of the human body and nature

Question 9

what are the 5 elements

Answer 9

1. fire
2. wood
3. earth
4. water
5. metal

• constantly develop, move and change and are dependent of one another

Question 10

methods of diagnosis in TCM

Answer 10

observation of patient
tongue diagnosis
pulse diagnosis
olfaction - smell
auscultation - listening

Halitosis: Offensive odor of the breath

Question 11

Tongue Diagnosis

Answer 11

observe colour, shape, features, moisture, coating, thickness, cracks and coat root

Question 12

Pulse Diagnosis

Answer 12

• attached to major internal organs on both the left and right side
• felt at 3 depths: superficial, middle and deep

Question 13

Acupuncture

Answer 13

insertion of stainless steel needles into the skin at specific points on the body to affect the flow of Qi through meridians

Question 14

Acupressure

Answer 14

uses a finger to find key points (trigger points) on the surface of the body
- gentle and firm pressure

• may be effective in helping to relieve such conditions as headaches, eyestrain, sinus problems, neck pain, muscle aches, and lower backaches.

Question 15

how acupuncture works

Answer 15

• creates a cascade of signalling through connective tissues (fasica) involving the blood, nerves and immune
• promotes homeostasis and self healing

Question 16

benefits of acupuncture

Answer 16

• improved sleep
• improved stress response
• less pain
• more energy
• stabilized methods
• protection against disease

Question 17

Moxibustion

Answer 17

Heat used at acupuncture points
- burned near the body to create heat in
the meridian and increase the flow of energy and blood

Question 18

Cupping

Answer 18

• A round glass cup is heated and kept upside down over an area of the body, creating a vacuum that will keep the cup attached to the skin
• promote blood circulation so toxins are flushed

Question 19

Injection

Answer 19

Sterile water, saline, procaine, morphine, or vitamins are injected into
the meridian points

Question 20

Side effects of Acupuncture

Answer 20

• rare to happen
• infections
• allergic reactions to the needles (rare)
• painful
• inflammation of the cartilage

Question 21

Chinese Massage Therapy

Answer 21

stimulate or subdue qi energy in the body and bring
the patient’s body back into balance
- rolling method
- one finger method
- bone setting method
combined with acupressure

Question 22

Diet Therapy

Answer 22

therapy identifies foods as having yin and yang, warming and cooling, and drying and moistening properties
- diet is planned
to optimize digestion and aid organ function

Question 23

Exercise Therapy (Qigong and Tai Chi Ch’uan)

Answer 23

posture, movement, breathing, meditation, and visualization are all incorporated
- breathing exercises

Question 24

Tai Chi

Answer 24

very slow movements
- similar to martial arts but calm
- improve flexibility, decreases anxiety , get stronger

Question 25

Pharmacopoeia

Answer 25

A pharmaceutical book that contains a list of drugs, their formulas, methods for making medicinal preparations, requirements and tests for their strength
and purity, and other related information