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Principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Part 7.

Principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine ia a multi-part article written for those that would like to have a better understanding of the concepts behind Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). We will cover basic terminology, briefly describe the differences from Western medicine, describe how TCM treats illness and give examples in the form of case histories to help improve your understanding of TCM.

Part 1 can be found here

Part 2 can be found here

Part 3 can be found here

Part 4 can be found here

Part 5 can be found here

Part 6 can be found here

Arriving at a diagnosis - continued.

As we mentioned in parts 5 & 6, TCM has developed several systems to help the practitioner determine imbalances within the person, and in relation to the environment. Each of these systems relates the persons presenting symptoms and signs, with the functions of the Substances and Organs.

In this part we will look at the the Eight Priniples, Five Phases and methods of treatment.

The Eight Principles.

This is one of the most important methods of grouping signs and symptoms to help understand the nature of a persons disharmony. Based on the theory of Yin and Yang the Eight Principles describes the type of imbalances in the body. They are applied to the information gathered during the diagnosis and guide the principles of treatment to re-establish harmony in the body.

The Eight Principles are grouped into four Yin and Yang aspects.

1. Is it Yin or Yang in general?

Used to determine the general nature of signs and symptoms. The other three groups are actually subsets of this group. For example Internal is Yin and External is Yang.

2. Is it Internal or External?

Internal or External refers to the location or site of the imbalance.

External disorders produce acute illness with sudden onset, aversion to Wind, Cold, Heat, etc. Fevers, body aches, headaches and sweating.

Internal disorders mean that the internal Zang-Fu are effected they have a slow onset or are chronic in nature and produce signs such as abdominal pain, vomiting, changes in stool or urination, possible high fever and delirium.

3. Is it Excess or Deficiency? yin yang balance

Excess describes the accumulation of substances or excessive activity of any substance or organ (also see Heat and Cold).

Excess signs may include: swelling, bruising, pain, redness, wheezing.

Deficiency is the absence of adequate substance or activity often referring to Qi, Xue (Blood), Yin and Yang. Which can lead to weight loss, paralysis, shortness of breath, tiredness etc.

4. Is it Heat or Cold?

Relates to the Six Evils Heat and Cold pathogens but also to internal imbalance of Yin (Cold) and Yang (Heat).

The above illustration (fig.1) shows the normal balance of Yin and Yang and that it can be disturbed by an excess of either or by a deficiency of either. If for instance a Yang pathogen enters the body it raises the Yang level to cause a True Yang Excess. If however a person's Yin has been consumed which can occur from illness, drugs, or overwork, to name a few ways, then they exhibit heat signs however this is due to a relative Yin deficiency not a true Yang excess.

The treatment of the True Excess is quite different to that of deficiency.

The Five Phases.

This is the application of the Five Phases as described earlier installments to explain symptoms of imbalance between Zang-Fu. An example of this can be seen in stage fright where stress induced by having to perform over excites the Liver (wood). The Liver then becomes excessive in its control over the Stomach (earth) which leads to nausea and diarrhea.

Restoring Order - The methods of treatment.

All treatment in TCM aims a correcting the imbalance that exists. If there is Heat you apply treatments that can cool or clear heat. If there is Cold you disperse it with warmth. If there is excess then drain it. If deficiency supplement it.

Many of the methods of achieving this rely on regulation of the Zang-Fu or the Meridians For instance in acupuncture if there is an accumulation of Damp you would stimulate the Spleen to increase its ability to transform Damp. If there is excess Heat you might stimulate the Urinary Bladder to clear the heat via the urine. If there is Qi deficiency you would use points to stimulate the Spleen and Stomach to increase absorption of Qi from food.

Each therapeutic method in TCM, some of which are Acupuncture, Herbal medicine, Massage, Diet and Exercise, apply the same theory to establish diagnosis and treatment principles. Each system has its own methods of achieving the therapeutic aims.

The systems have their own strengths and weaknesses, for instance Acupuncture is very good at relieving pain but herbs are often better for strengthening Qi. Therefore many practitioners will apply a mixture of treatment methods or refer you to a specialist. For example sometimes an Acupuncturist will refer to a Herbalist for a course of herbs to speed the therapeutic result.

This concludes the introduction to the theory and principles of TCM for this series. In the next few articles we will introduce case histories and use them to illustrate the way this theory combines to treat illness. We have also listed a recommended reading list for those that would like to read more about Chinese Medicine.