Chinese Medicine - Research Paper Example

Chinese Medicine Introduction Chinese medicine is one of the oldest forms of treatment that has been used all over the globe. Currently, it is steadily earning its market position in the US. Americans prefer TCM as compared to the conventional medicine available in formal hospitals. However, Chinese form of treatment mainly uses naturally occurring plants that have medicinal value. Chinese medicine aims at treating the main cause of disease and not the appearing symptoms as it takes a holistic perspective by focusing on the well-being of the whole body. These include soul, body and mind in one complete cycle. However, one of the major types of Chinese treatment that is widely known by many is the well-known Chinese acupuncture. Nevertheless, this is just one of the many examples of Chinese medicine. Other treatment techniques apart from acupuncture include Qigong and Herbal Therapy among others. However, one of the major areas of importance in Chinese medicine is the Qi, which can be translated to mean vital energy. The Chinese traditional medicine practitioners believe this energy as the driving force that informs all things. They go further and describe the formation of the human body into meridians. American Views on Chinese Herbal Medicine Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been practiced in USA for a long time. However, many Americans did not initially embrace it; instead, they went for the conventional hospital treatment. Similarly, the scale at which TCM was practiced was small. However, in the resent times, the number of practitioners has amplified terrifically due to the increase in demand of TCM services. This indicates a change of heart in the way Americans perceived this form of treatment (Feng). In trying to explain this phenomenon, we need to understand TCM concepts and theories behind this form of treatment. Similarly, evaluate how effective they are and to what extent TCM impacts the heath system of the country.Furthermore, understand the most widely used aspects of the TCM. The Qi According to TCM According to the Qi theory, there are twelve meridians in the human body. These meridians act as the tunnels that the Qi flows. It travels to various organs sending messages and coordinating all activities of the body. Due to this, it is important to keep the meridians clear through constant practice and lots of exercise hence enabling the body to increase its sensitivity, and this will enable one to feel the flow of the Qi. Normally, most people describe it as energy while the Chinese call it vital energy. Additionally, they believe that the term Qi carries a far much deeper meaning than just calling it energy. However, according to the Chinese the term Qi carries two major meanings. One is that it means power, force or energy while the other meaning is information or conscious intelligence. The human body consists of numerous organs, each having its unique roles. However, these organs have different Qi. This Qi allows the organ to perform a unique function and differentiates it from the other (Dr. Shen’s). However, the function may vary form physical to energetic. TCM refers to several Qi problems as Qi deficiency, which, in other words or according to the western medical terminology, is referred to as fatigue syndrome. The Qi theory goes further and clearly identify, which organ in the body has Qi deficiency. Similarly, according to Chinese medicine, another serious condition as described by Qi is Qi stagnation, which means that the meridians are experiencing problems and there is lack of smooth flow of Qi. As a result, information and energy cannot be delivered to their destinations as required. Qi stagnation is the main explanation behind headache, pain and stomachache among other major complications. According to traditional Chinese medicine, blood and Qi cannot be separated. It is believed that blood is the originator of Qi. Additionally, it is the main mode of transport and it further nourishes Qi, While, on the other hand, Qi provides blood with the necessary intelligence that guides and directs blood as to where it needs to go. Additionally, blood and Qi mutually affect each other. However, this effect is balanced because various components are constantly transferred back and fourth. For instance, the after effect of woman who has just delivered may experience some sort of fever. Moreover, the blood loss during delivery may trigger a fever. It does not mean that the woman has developed an infection. This can be explained as deficiency of the Qi due to excessive blood loss. Furthermore, due to lack of Qi the body develops a fever. The Theory of Five Elements in TCM According to TCM, human beings are part of the universal microcosm and as a result they need to follow universal laws to attain harmony and complete health. Additionally, the Yin/Yang and the theory of five elements are actually drawn from the observations and descriptions of the universe. Man does not develop these concepts. However, Traditional Medical Practitioners (TCP) believes that these complex interrelated sets have a deeper level of energy beyond the material surface. As time passed, these they developed a collective pull of wisdom and knowledge hence the TCM Theories. These theories are applied to diagnose and treat various illnesses. Additionally, they are the foundation of TCM. The five elements include wood, Metal, Water, Fire and Earth (Traditional Chinese medicine information page). According to TCM, the five major organs of the human body are in some way related to the five elements. However, the classification widely varies from food color, weather, time of day and season. The Yin/Yang and the theory of the 5 elements fulfill the law of the universe. Furthermore, the show the universe as one system in which the human beings are part of. The TCM Practitioners draw their knowledge from the five theories. Meridian Theory According to the Traditional Chinese Medicine, meridians are channel in the human body in which vital energy known as the Qi flows (Ding). Meridians connect the whole body, and they connect the body to universe. Additionally, the body has 12 meridians, which link with each other to form a complex network structure in the body. The meridians connect to the bones, skin, internal organs, cells and even atoms. The meridians are compared to a network of highways, which are interconnected to form a bigger network, and the cities are the body organs. This formation makes up an energy map. Meridians are like highways of the body and when the highway experiences traffic then accessing the cities will be a problem. Meridians are powerful form of information system of the body in which the body organs act as the data system. However, the main function of meridians is to provide a pathway in which Qi flows. According to TCM, when the meridians are functioning perfectly then the body is completely healthy and as a result it strong because the Qi is flowing seamlessly. Additionally, the meridians provide a pathway for disease diagnosis by TCM practitioners. The Yin and Yang Theory According to the TCM, the human body is composed of two opposite forces that can never be separated. However, the Yin and Yang work together as much as they are opposing forces hence remain in harmony. One of the key components in TCM is the practitioner’s understanding about the Yin and Yang in conventional medicine body balance and health restoration is the ultimate goal while in TCM the main aim is establishing harmony within the body. The Current State of the American View of the Chinese Acupuncture and Change of Heart Acupuncture has been practiced for several years across the world. However, it is not until recently that it gained tremendous popularity in the US. Acupuncture is part of the TCM. It aims at restoring the body into a health state. Similarly, it aims at maintaining this healthy state. However, in the US it is generally considered as a contemporary or an alternative form of treatment. It originates from China, Japan and some parts of Korea. The oldest form of acupuncture originated from China thousands of years ago. However, due to the mystery behind how acupuncture works scientists have been taken to task to examine the possibility of using this form of treatment on a spectrum of conditions. The sudden change of heart by Americans to use acupuncture as an alternative form of treatment is because it has proved to be effective and has so far not reported much complication except for the time it is administered by an unqualified practitioner. A Scientific Approach to Acupuncture Acupuncture is a terminology that describes the process of stimulating anatomical points on the human body. The acupuncture process involves penetration of the skin using small, thin and solid needles by the use of hands or electronic stimulation. The Chinese medical healers originally practiced this method of treatment thousands of years ago. Since then, it has dynamically evolved and is presently practiced in several countries including the US. According to the TCM, the human body is made up of a delicate balance of two opposite forces that cannot be separated (NCAM). These forces are known as the Yin and Yang. The Yin is a representation of sow, cold and sometimes passive aspect while Yang is a representation of hot and active aspect. Acupuncture Used in the US According to a consensus conference held by the National Institute of Health (NIH) in the year 1997, revealed that acupuncture had gained a lot of popularity in the country and more physicians were practicing it. According to statistics by National Health Insurance Survey (NHIS), in the year 2007, approximately 3.1 million adult Americans and 150,000 children have used acupuncture for treatment of various illnesses. The number has since risen by an additional one million people. Scientifically Proven Benefits and Dangers of Acupuncture Acupuncture has several benefits. However, the most common one is that it relieves pain and restores body balance. Additionally, it has been used in treatment of various health conditions such as cancer (American Cancer Society). However, there are dangers that are involved when practicing acupuncture. These dangers include acquiring infections from sharing needles. Furthermore, complications may arise due to the improper execution of the treatment. Several cases have been reported to the Food and Drug Administration agency in relation to complications arising from improper delivery of acupuncture treatment (Stux, Brian & Bruce, 4). The government is putting measures in place to provide disposable needle to practitioners in order to avoid transmission of disease or infections due sharing needles. The Current State of Medical Researches Many resources have been directed toward research and benefits acupuncture as an alternative form of treatment in the US (American Acupuncture). Scientists are looking into ways of using acupuncture to treat a wide spectrum of conditions. However, the main points to look into include whether acupuncture can effectively treat chronic conditions like lower back pains and headache. Additionally, researchers want to acquire further understanding as to how the brain responds when performing acupuncture. Furthermore, get better methods and instruments of delivering acupuncture. However, positive steps are being made toward getting a safe and sure way of practicing acupuncture and maximizing the benefits accrued from the treatment. In conclusion, Chinese medicine has greatly helped many people across the world. However, it has not been fully embraced by many due to conventional medicine and formal hospitals. Additionally, TCM has proved to be effective in many instances hence making the practice gradually grow. In the US, the government is putting in place measures to regulate the practice of TCM in order to protect its citizens from the dangers that may arise. Similarly, the government is creating a safe environment for this practice. Additionally, it is providing education to practitioners hence avoiding improper treatment. Traditional Medicine can provide an alternative to conventional medicine when properly administered. It is important to note that TCM is one of the oldest forms of treatment. For this reason, it has some values that are effective in dealing with various conditions. Works Cited Stux, Gabriel, Brian Berman, and Bruce Pomeranz. Basics of acupuncture. Berlin: Springer, 2003. Print. Feng, Charles. Merging Chinese traditional medicine into the American health system. Journal of young investigator. 5 (2002). Print. Dr. Shen’s. The webs largest Chinese herb & Chinese medicine Pharmacy. 2011. Web. 21 November 2011. Traditional Chinese medicine information page. The theory of five elements. 2009. Web. 11 November 2011. Ding, Li. Acupuncture, Meridian Theory and Acupuncture points. 2005. Web. 11 November 2011. American cancer society. The most reliable cancer treatment formation. 2011. Web. 11 November 2011. NCAM. Acupuncture. 2011. Web. 11 November 2011. American Acupuncture. Changing the way medicine works, one needle at a time. N.d. Web. 11 November 2011. Read More