The TCM (or Traditional Chinese Medicine) style of acupuncture is more symptom based than five element acupuncture and so is often more effective for acute or painful conditions. A TCM practitioner will take a detailed case history and then make a diagnosis. The patient will be diagnosed as having a number of specific "syndromes" such as "Kidney Yin deficiency" or "Liver Qi stagnation" and the treatment will be aimed at releiving these syndromes. The practitioner will attempt to understand why the patient is suffering from these particular syndromes and may often give lifestyle advice as well as administering the acupuncture treatments indicated. The syndromes are a way of formularising some of the fundamental concepts of Chinese Medicine which are listed below.
Yin and Yang The most fundamental concept of Chinese medicine is Yin and Yang. All things in the Universe are either Yin or Yang. However, nothing is ever all Yin or all Yang, but a balance between the two that is ever changing. They are opposites, yet complementary. They are not independent of each other but change into each other. For example, the day (Yang) turns into night (Yin) and winter (Yin) turns into spring (Yang.) Illness is caused by an imbalance of Yin and Yang in the body. In Chinese Medicine, treating illness is the process of rebalancing Yin and Yang. This is done through acupuncture, herbs, and Qigong.
The Yin-Yang symbol is a representation of Chinese medicine philosophy. The symbol is a circle divided by a curved line into a black (Yin) side and white (Yang) side. The curve represents the constantly changing balance between Yin and Yang. Each side contains a small circle of the opposite color which symbolizes that there is some of Yin in Yang and some of Yang in Yin (i.e., Yin exists in Yang and Yang exists in Yin.)
Listed below are examples of Yin and Yang.
Yin Female Earth Night Moist Cold Winter Death Structure Small Solid Chronic
Yang Male Heaven Day Dry Hot Summer Birth Function Large Hollow Acute
Vital Substances Vital Substances interact with each other to nourish and sustain the body. Together they form the mind and body. The Vital Substances — Qi (pronounced chee), Blood, Body Fluids, Jing, and Shen — are described below.
Qi—The body has an energy force (also referred to as life force or vital force) running through it known as Qi. Qi travels through the body along channels or meridians. It is both energy and substance. The Chinese say, "When Qi gathers, so the physical body is formed; when Qi disperses, so the body dies." Qi nourishes, protects, and supports all systems and functions of the body. The other Vital Substances are manifestations of Qi. Health is affected by the flow of Qi through the body. If the flow of Qi along channels (pathways that connect all parts of the body) is disrupted, insufficient, or stagnant, then Yin and Yang become unbalanced, which may result in illness.
Blood—Blood has a different meaning in Chinese medicine than it does in Western medicine. Blood not only transports nourishment, but also vitality. Blood is a material form of Qi. The Zang Fu organs form blood from food and drink. Blood is the basis for the formation of our skin, bones, muscles, and organs. Illness may be caused by Deficient Blood, Stagnant Blood, or Heat in the Blood.
Body Fluids—Bodily Fluids, also known as Jin Ye, are formed from food and drink and serve to moisten, lubricate, and nourish the body. Jin fluids are light and watery fluids that lubricate the skin and muscles and exterior of body (sweat, tears). Ye fluids are heavy and thick fluids that lubricate the joints and brain and interior of body. Illness can be caused by Deficient Body Fluids or Accumulation of Body Fluids.
Jing—Jing gives the body vitality and health. It is the Essence or vital force. If the Jing is strong, the person's constitution is strong. If the Jing is weak, the person's constitution is weak and more susceptible to illness. Jing is the root of existence and reproduction. Jing is also responsible for growth and development. Illness presents as constitutional or developmental problems.
Shen—Shen is the Mind or Spirit.
Internal Organs
Each Organ is predominantly Yin or Yang. Yang organs transform and digest. Yin organs store, in particular the Vital Substances.
Yin Organs and their functions
The Spleen governs the transportation and transformation of nutrients.
The Heart governs the circulation of blood and is the residence of Shen.
The Kidney is mainly responsible for fluid metabolism and the storage of Jing.
The Liver stores the Blood and is responsible for maintaining the free flow of Qi throughout the body.
The Pericardium, not always considered a Zang Organ, protects the heart.
Yang Organs and their functions.
The Stomach is responsible for initiating the metabolism of food and drink.
The Large Intestine and Urinary Bladder are responsible for excretion of feces and urine.
The Gallbladder governs the storage and secretion of bile.
The Small Intestine and Triple Burner (a Fu Organ that has no corresponding physical organ) assists the process of water metabolism and fluid flow.
Extraordinary Organs are less important organs to the processes of the body. Their names and functions are listed below.
The Uterus regulates conception, pregnancy, and menstruation.
The Brain plays a role in sensory functions, memory, and intelligence.
The Bones provide structure to the body.
The Bone Marrow fills the Bones and Brain.
The Blood Vessels circulate the Blood.
The Gallbladder, a Fu Organ, is also considered an Extraordinary Organ because it stores the Liver's bile.
Meridians The organs and all components of the body are connected by channels or Meridians. They are pathways for the flow of Qi throughout the body. There are Twelve Regular Meridians running vertically up and down the surface of the body with many branching channels. The Meridians are paired (the same on both sides of the body). Each Meridian is associated with a Zang Fu organ. Acupuncture points are Qi access points along the Meridians.
There are Eight Extraordinary Vessels, which do not connect to the Zang Fu Organs. Only two of these channels have acupuncture points. They mostly function as reservoirs of Qi and Blood for the Twelve Regular Meridians.
