9: Alternative Medical Systems: Traditional Chinese Medicine

Question 1

During the early period, Chinese medicine was not known as TCM because _______

Answer 1

there was nothing to contrast it to (ex. modern medicine)

Question 2

4 main theories constitute basis TCM

Answer 2

i. Theory of qi (chi)
ii. Meridian theory
iii. Theory of yin-yang
iv. Theory of the 5 elements

Question 3

Theory of Qi (Chi)

Answer 3

Qi: energy that flows along the surface of the body and through the body’s organs

manifests simultaneously on a spiritual and physical level = constant state of change

force unites the heavens and earth

Question 4

Qi takes many forms and functions within the body, and is derived from two main sources:

Answer 4

1. inherited form: receive from parents prior to birth
2. external form: air we breathe, food we eat

Question 5

Qi flows through the body by way of channels (________) that correspond to particular organs/organ systems

Answer 5

meridians

Question 6

Theory of Meridians

Answer 6

Meridians: channels that qi is thought to flow through the body (externally and internally)

12 major meridians (6 - yin, 6. - yang)

meridians form a network; go outside the body in the skin and then return to the internal body, transporting energy and blood

Question 7

what happens with qi is blocked

Answer 7

disease occurs

Question 8

dual role of meridians

Answer 8

1. Prevent harmful energies (bacteria/viruses) from entering the body

    2. Indicate the presence of harmful energy already inside the body, indicated by body symptoms (aches, pains, heat, cold)

Question 9

Any type of “disease” is a sign that the energy within the _____ system is out of balance

Answer 9

meridian

Question 10

When a meridian is blocked

Answer 10

○ one part of the body is getting too much qi and enters a state of excess or overactivity

	○ another part of the body/organ is getting too little and becomes deficient in qi and appears underactive

Question 11

_______ are highly charged energy points along the meridians

Answer 11

Pressure points

Question 12

Theory of Yin and Yang

Answer 12

Everything is composed of two opposing but complementary energies—yin and yang

Even though they are opposite, one cannot exist without the other; they are never separate

Question 13

Outer circle = ‘everything’
Black
White

Answer 13

Outer circle = ‘everything’
Black (yin)
white (yang) = interaction of 2 energies

Question 14

Yin and yang are in a constant state of _____ balance

Answer 14

dynamic

Question 15

When one becomes unbalanced …..

Answer 15

the other changes proportion and achieves a new balance

Question 16

T or F: TCM believes there is an absolute yang or yin

Answer 16

F: no absolute

Question 17

T or F: Every yin organ is related to a yang organ with similar function

Answer 17

T
(kidney/bladder for purifying)

Question 18

Theory of the Five Elements

Answer 18

5 elements:
i. Water
ii. Fire
iii. Wood
iv. Metal
v. Earth

elements of nature correspond with, body parts, sensations, colors etc.

Question 19

Body Shapes of the Five Elements

Answer 19

1. Wood type: Slender and tall body shape
   2. Fire type: Pointed head and chin, small hands, with curly or a small amount of hair
   3. Metal type: Square and broad shoulders, strong body type, and a triangle shaped face
   4. Earth type: Large head, larger body and belly, strong legs, and a wide jaw
2. Water type: Round face and body with a longer than normal torso

Question 20

elements directions

Answer 20

○ Water = moistens downward

○ Fire = flares upwards

○ Wood = can be bent and straightened

○ Metal = can be molded and can harden

○ Earth = permits sowing, growing, and reaping

Question 21

elements as season cycles

Answer 21

○ Wood =spring, associated with birth because that is the time for growth

○ Fire = summer, associated with growth, radiating, and flourishing

○ Earth = late summer, everything is ripening

○ Metal = autumn, the forces return to the earth

○ Water = winter, life is directed to the inside and associated with storage

Question 22

generating and controlling sequence between elements

Answer 22

○ Generating sequence: wood generates fire, fire generates earth, earth generates metal, metal generates water, water generates wood

Controlling sequence: wood controls earth, earth controls water, water controls fire, fire controls metal, and metal controls wood

Question 23

TCM Diagnostic Methods

Answer 23

observation
- sound of voice/breathe, smell of breathe/skin/secretions
- shen (spirit)
- body appearance related to 1/5 elements

tongue
- colour, shape, coating
- determine deficiency of yin/yang

pulse
- identify deficiency/excess of yin and yang

8 guiding principles
4 polar opposites
○ yin/yang
○ cold/heat
○ deficiency or excess energy, blood, or fluids
○ interior/exterior

medical history
- Tree theory
- treat branches (symptom - make patient comfortable)
- treat root (cause - restore health)
- treat both

Question 24

Acupuncture

Answer 24

insertion of stainless steel needles into skin at specific points on the body (acupuncture points) to affect the flow of qi through meridians

Question 25

Acupressure

Answer 25

uses finger to find key points (trigger points) on surface of body

Question 26

Major difference between acupuncture and acupressure

Answer 26

people can be taught to apply acupressure on their own bodies

Question 27

Herbal products are classified as _________ in chinese herbal medicine therapy

Answer 27

dietary supplements

Question 28

Classification of herbs

Answer 28

Upper: expel illness, strength and function are gentle

Middle: cure illness, if taken to eliminate suffering, they are to be used quickly, but if taken to increase life span, they should be taken gradually

Lower: attack the organism causing the illness and are to be taken short term

Question 28

Safety Issues with Chinese Herbal Medicine Therapy

Answer 28

considered dietary supplements = manufacturer does not have to prove product’s safety and effectiveness before it is marketed

* Many Chinese herbs are available OTC, yet some may not be safe for public use 

	○  problems that have occurred have been because an unqualified practitioner has prescribed the herbs and may have prescribed them in an untraditional way or the herb was made with poor quality control

Chinese herbal pharmacists prepare and dispense herbs even though they are not registered to practice herbal medicin

Question 29

Decoction

Answer 29

= traditional way to prepare herbal medicine

= Weigh out day’s dosage of herbs and combine in a bag

Question 30

tuina
therapeutic bodywork
oriental therapy

Answer 30

= manipulation and mobilization of soft tissue

* Hand techniques to massage soft tissue is combined with acupressure to affect flow of qi

1. Rolling methods
   ○ Rolling with nuckles and back of hand
   ○ joint and soft tissue problems, insomnia, migraines, high BP
2. One-finger method
   ○ deep tissue work, pushing points along meridian with tip of fingers
   ○ Helps chronic/internal problems, pediatric patients, gynecological problems

Question 31

chinese Diet Therapy

Answer 31

Diet is one of the sources of qi, grounded in the 5 elements and 8 guiding principles theory

Not focussing on balance of protein, carbs, fats

views food as having yin/yang, drying/moistening properties

planned to optimize digestion and aid organ function
**no frozen foods = hard to process

Question 32

Exercise Therapy

Answer 32

1. Qigong
   - regulate mind and breathing
   - posture, movement, meditation, visualization
   a. internal: regulate qi
   b: external = practitioner transfers qi to another person for healing purposes
2. Tai Chi Ch’uan
   - martial arts with self-defence applications
   - very slow movements
   - young and old