TCM: Tongue Diagnosis

The tongue diagnosis of TCM has enjoyed a distant history, which can be proved by records of tongue inspection for analyzing diseases in the Inner Canon of the Yellow Emperor (Huangdi Neijing) and Treatise on Cold Pathogenic Diseases (Shanghan Lun). Tongue inspection is one of the basic means of diagnosis in TCM. The Ao's Records of Golden Mirror on Cold Pathogenic Diseases (Aoshi Shanghan Jinjing Lu) finished in 1341 is one of the most famous books on tongue diagnosis. The book points out that our tongue can present three colors, reddish, red and blue, while the coating of tongue can be pale, yellow, gray and dark. Changes such as red thorn and crack can happen to the surface of tongue, and the nature of tongue may vary among dryness, smoothness, unsmoothness and thorniness. The descriptions above have basically covered all major pathological changes.

TCM's Concept of Preserving Health

 

Health preserving is a concept in Chinese traditional medicine to enhance physical fitness, prevent diseases, postpone aging and prolong the life by spiritual toning, therapeutic diets and medicated diet, healthy exercises and other methods. Such concept takes the natural point of view in ancient China as the theoretical basis, such as Five Elements Theory, Yin-yang Theory, Pneumatism and Connecting with Macrocosm.

The ancients believe that all things in the world are generated from the five substances: metal, wood, water, fire and earth. This Five Element Theory also can be applied to explain the uniformity of mutual connection between human viscera and tissues as well as between human body and the external environment.

The ancients also believe that, all things in the world can be divided by Yin and Yang. If apply to medicine, this Yin-yang Theory will define such substances and functions that driving, warming and exciting the human body as Yang, while such substances and functions that condensing, moisturizing and inhibiting the human body as Yin. Yin and Yang rise and fall by restricting each other to achieve dynamic balance. If this balance is damaged, disease will produce.
The ancients also believe that the Qi is the source of changes of Yin and Yang and the Five Elements; they believe that man and nature communicate and correspond to each other. The theory of Pneuma and Man-Heaven Correspondence has been also applied to the understanding of human life activities, as well as the explanation for the mutual restraint and effect of man and nature.
The concept of health preserving is the product of such natural views. It is in light of this concept that people established the rich and effective methods of health preserving, such as spiritual toning, guiding and breathing, health care in four seasons, food and medicine diets for health preserving , thus forming a miracle of the traditional Chinese medicine - Health Preserving Theory.
 

TCM: Aging and its causes

 

Aging is the natural law of normal human vital activities. Reasonable health preservation measures may delay the occurrence of physiological aging, block the progress of pathological aging so as to prolong human life span. Premature aging mainly includes the following causes.

• Deficiency of essence and qi - Essence is stored in the kidney. "The kidney is the congenital base of life." If renal essence is deficient, life will age prematurely. The deficiency of essence and qi originates mainly from congenital insufficiency, excessive sexual life, exhaustion of diseases, physical strain, etc.
• Malnutition - The diet is the source for the human body to obtain nutrients. Malnutrition includes the two aspects of insufficient ingestion and malabsorption. Insufficient ingestion is seldom seen in modern people while malabsorption is more common. If the nutrients required by the human body cannot be instantly supplemented, this will affect the health of human body, speed up aging, even result in death.
• Impairment of the five zang organs - The heart stores spirit and controls blood circulation. It is the dominator of vital activities. If the heart suffers from diseases, it will affect blood circulation and mental functions, consequently accelerating aging. The liver stores blood, governs smoothing and regulating the flow of qi and blood, regulates emotions, promotes digestion as well as regulates blood volume. If the liver suffers from diseases, it will affect various physiological functions of blood, emotions, digestion, etc., accordingly giving rise to aging of the human body. The lung dominates qi of the general body. Deficiency and impairment or obstruction of the lung qi may affect the functions of the general body. In these cases, aging manifestations like endurance to physical labor, gradual functional decline of respiration and blood circulation will occur.

• Excessive emotional stimuli - If persistent emotional stimuli or sudden violent psychic trauma occur beyond the range of adjustment of physiological activities of the human body, it will cause disorders of qi and blood inside the human body, functional disturbances of viscera, meridians and collaterals, thus speeding up aging.
• Maladjustment of work and rest - Strain and insufficient rest are both harmful to health. The so-called strain refers to not only excessive and heavy mental labor and physical labor, but also abnormal life style such as frequent sexual life, excessive food ingestion and recreation, etc. On the contrary, excessively comfortable life is not good for health and longevity, either.
• Heredity - Aging is closely related to heredity. Good heredity results in strong physique full of vigor are insusceptible to aging. Conversely, poor heredity brings on wan and sallow complexion and listlessness. Consequently, aging will occur early or accelerated.
• Social environment - Dramatic changes in social position may bring about mental and physical impairment to people. Thus, premature aging will appear. Besides, rich life is replaced by poverty or respectable status is followed by low one, both of which may result in premature aging, even death at a young age. Also, irrational social systems, unhealthy social customs, backward ideology, intense and acute competition for existence as well as complicated interpersonal relationships may all result in metabolic disorders of the human body, giving rise to premature aging. 
• Living conditions/environmental factors - Residents in mountainous areas with cold climate possess relatively long life; dwellers have relatively short life in flat lands and low-lying lands as well as in the south with high temperature throughout the year. Besides, environ¬mental pollution in cities is more serious than that in rural areas, this can affect health and promote premature aging.

Daoyin - An Ancient Way of Preserving Life

 

Daoyin, or "xingqi," is a kind of callisthenic exercise combining breathing with bodily movements mimicking animals. Dao means to regulate qi, or vital energy, by guiding its flow in the body. Yin means to limber up the body and limbs through physical movements.

"Epigraph on Circulation of Oi," an inscription on a piece of jade of the Warring States Period (475-221 BC), shows that people at that time already knew how to nourish qi and guide its flow in the body. Monographs on daoyin began to appear in the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 24). The daoyin diagrams painted on silk, unearthed from Tomb No.3 of the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220) in Changsha, Hunan Province, are the earliest extant and most complete paintings on ancient callisthenics. The paintings depict in color 44 persons of both sexes and different ages doing daoyin movements of various descriptions. Hua Tuo, a famous physician of the Period of the Three Kingdoms (220-280), adapted over 140 daoyin routines into five groups of movements mimicking tigers, deer, bears, apes and birds to create a set of exercise called Five Animal Play. By the Song Dynasty (960-1279), daoyjn had developed into baduanjin (eight-section brocade), which has remained popular to this day. Other exercises like wenbaduan and yijinjing, which appeared in the Ming (1368-1644) and Oing (1644-1911) dynasties, are a blend of qigong and massage.

Daoyin exercises have proved very effective in prolonging life. Dougong, a blind musician during the reign of Emperor Wendi of the Western Han Dynasty, kept practicing daoyin until he died at the ripe old age of over 100. Sun Simiao, a noted medical expert of the Tang Dynasty (618- 907), performed daoyin three times a day and lived to an age of 110. Lu You, a celebrated scholar of the Song Dynasty, was still going strong when he was well over 80. No wonder daoyin was called an art for achieving longevity in ancient times

Qi Gong Therapy

Qigong, or "exercising the Qi" -- the vital life force in one's body -- is considered to be a part of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in preventive and therapeutic health care.
Qigong is commonly considered as mysterious and profound. Deeply rooted in traditional Chinese culture -- especially in the unique concepts of the Yin and Yang, five elements of nature and Jingluo (main and collateral channels) in the human body -- it is inseparable from ancient Chinese philosophy, medicine and religion.
According to Chinese philosophy, everything, including the universe, is interrelated and in a state of constant flux where human organisms are microcosms of the universe. Everything is inter-related and interacts with the five basic elements -- wood, fire, earth, gold (or metal) and water, constantly interacting among the opposing and unifying forces - the Yin and Yang. Health is achieved when equilibrium is maintained; sickness appears when the balance is broken. This is the basic law governs all humans and nature.

It is said that the Qi flows through all of the Yin and Yang organs. A deficiency of Qi in any organ means the organ is out of balance. The inter-relatedness of all organs ensures that the Qi flows properly throughout the body. One has to reach a peaceful state of mind and be in harmony with his or her surroundings to maintain good health.
Qigong is a health-oriented art involving the body and mind that helps prevent disease and cures illnesses, making life more pleasant. Qigong smoothes the process of delivering oxygen to cells, reduces stress and improves bowel functions. Good for treating mental disabilities and stress, the Qi exercises bring one to a state of meditation where distress and anxiety are driven away and positive thinking with great confidence is affirmed. In this state, concentration can also be easily achieved. Through the exercises one gains control of his or her body and develops good feelings about life. This, in turn, stimulates the circulation of blood and the Qi .

To achieve this the practitioner must adjust his mind, posture and breathing and act on the whole organism. On one hand, this actively self-regulates the functional activities of the organism and maintains a dynamic equilibrium. On the other hand, it enables the body to produce an "energy-storing" reaction, reduce energy consumption and increase energy accumulation, which helps regulate the Yin and Yang and smooth the channels and collaterals to emit the external Qi .
The easy and convenient exercises add to the popularity of Qigong, which can be performed virtually anywhere and at any time, requiring little more than an open mind. The exercises themselves are generally slow and gentle, and are thus suitable for people of varying ages and health conditions. The elderly and even people suffering from ailments can benefit from Qigong .
Chinese doctors have applied Qigong in hospitals and clinics to treat individuals suffering from a variety of ailments, including arthritis, asthma, bowel problems, constipation, diabetes, gastritis, headaches, heart disease, hypertension, lower back pain, sleeplessness, stress, obesity, neurasthenia and even cancer. The exercises can help treat aphasia, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's Disease and post-stroke syndrome. They are also especially useful in alleviating chronic pain and chronic disorders of the digestive, respiratory, cardiovascular and nervous systems.

Today, millions of Chinese are practicing Qigong -- some for treatment and most for exercise. Qigong allows people to experience higher levels of energy and stamina and is believed to slow down the aging process. While Qigong may not be effective in treating acute illnesses or medical emergencies, it is ideal for preventing some diseases and treating certain chronic conditions or disabilities.

TCM: Extinguishing the “Fire” in the Body

There is "fire" (excessive internal heat) in one's body. To some extent, the fire is necessary; however, when there is too much, he/she will feel uncomfortable and develop symptoms, such as red skin, swelling, pain and agitation.
Sometimes, when there is too much fire in the body, it doesn't matter how much water you drink, how many vegetables you eat or how much "fire-releasing medicine" you take. In fact, taking medicine, without applying preventive measures, will help you feel better, but, if you want to extinguish the fire, you should expel it from your body.

What Is 'Fire?'
Chinese herbalists believe the greatest sum of "evil fire" (fire beyond what one can endure) is created within the body.More specifically, the fire results from the imbalance of yin and yang (the ancient Chinese philosophy based on the idea that everything in the universe is formed and influenced by the combination of two opposing forces called yin and yang) in the body.
Symptoms vary, depending on the type and cause of fire; for example, stomach fire may cause a stomachache and constipation, lung fire may cause cough and yellow phlegm; while liver fire may cause fidgeting and insomnia, and women may have aches in their breasts.
 

Types of Fire
The main symptom of external fire is heatstroke, which generally occurs — when the body's temperature rises — due to lack of water and long exposure to high temperatures.
Generally speaking, a person experiences more internal fire than external fire because he/she feels more intense pressure,  tends to stay up late and eats too many spicy foods.
 

Some Suggestions
There are many types of fire, from false fire and true fire to liver fire and lung fire. Some Chinese medicine can help extinguish fire, such as rhubarb, Chinese goldthread, corktree, weeping forsythia, and honeysuckle.
But not everyone can take "fire-releasing medicine." Therefore, one should only take medicine after consulting a doctor.

Various Treatments
Acupuncture, cupping therapy, massage and kneading are suitable treatments for excessive fire.
 

Cupping Therapy
The earliest written account of cupping therapy is Elbow Rear (Jin Dynasty 281-361) by Ge Hong. With this method, small cups cling to a person's body after the air is removed — with heat — from each cup. As the cups cling to the body, a negative pressure is created, which causes blood stasis.
This will help warm and stimulate the skin. That stimulation can cause blood vessels to expand, which will promote blood circulation and metabolism. It will also increase discharges of bodily wastes and toxins.

Gua Sha
Gua sha, a treatment for sunstroke that involves the scraping of the patient's neck, chest and/or back, dates back more than 2,000 years. Sha means blood stasis, and once blood circulation is obstructed, illnesses are sure to follow. Gua sha can help excrete noxious waste and dissipate blood stasis.
The therapy uses acupuncture points and exerts influence on different reflex sections of the body. The treatment of channels and collaterals in the waist will strengthen the kidneys, while treatment of the channels in the upper back will strengthen the heart and lungs.
In daily life, we should strike a proper balance between work and rest, and we should eat more vegetables and fruit that are rich in vitamins. We should also drink more water. We should eat fewer spicy foods, avoid smoking and drink less wine. Fire is closely related to one's mental health. Therefore, an optimistic outlook may be the best fire extinguisher.

TCM: Bone-setting Therapy

 

The bone-setting therapy in traditional Chinese medicine is a treatment for motor system diseases like bone fracture and joint dislocation through pulling, repositioning and aligning etc, with small splints keeping the broken bones in position. The therapy is a key component in traditional Chinese medicine, dating back over 3,000 years. As early as the Zhou Dynasty, there were already doctors specialized in orthopedic disease treatment. Basic theories and techniques in this field took shape in the Qin and Han Dynasties and were handed down from generation to generation. Such theories and techniques were greatly featured in medical works like the Thousand Golden Essential Prescriptions.
During the course of long-term medical practices, a unique and systematic set of theories, principles and methods about the bone-setting therapy has been formed, gaining rich experiences. Using small splints to hold bones in position was pioneered in China and later followed by many other countries. The bone-setting therapy is arguably one of the remarkable contributions traditional Chinese medicine has made to the world medical science.    
Characterized by “no operations, no medications, quick recovery and cheap expenses”, the age-old bone-setting therapy in traditional Chinese medicine has proved popular with the masses of patients. Simple and effective therapies like this have contributed a great deal to the health of the Chinese nation in the long-term medical practices. Meanwhile, such therapies have been passing from one generation to another and enjoying continuing development.