DOCSLIB.ORG

Understanding Traditional Chinese Medicine Therapeutics: an Overview of the Basics and Clinical Applications

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Understanding Traditional Chinese Medicine Therapeutics: an Overview of the Basics and Clinical Applications healthcare Review Understanding Traditional Chinese Medicine Therapeutics: An Overview of the Basics and Clinical Applications Luís Carlos Matos 1,2,3,* , Jorge Pereira Machado 2,4 , Fernando Jorge Monteiro 1,5 and Henry Johannes Greten 4,6 1 Faculdade de Engenharia da Universidade do Porto, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal; [email protected] 2 CBSIn—Centro de Biociências em Saúde Integrativa, Atlântico Business School, 4405-604 Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal; [email protected] 3 CTEC—Centro Transdisciplinar de Estudos da Consciência, Universidade Fernando Pessoa, 4249-004 Porto, Portugal 4 ICBAS—Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; [email protected] 5 INEB—Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal 6 German Society of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 69126 Heidelberg, Germany * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +351-22-508-1884 Abstract: Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is a systematic healthcare system developed from clinical experience based on a scientific model of regulation. TCM relies on unique theories and practices to treat diseases and enhance health. These practices include Chinese herbal medicine and dietetics, acupuncture and moxibustion, and other non-medication therapies such as Chinese bodywork or manual therapy, known as “Tuina”, and traditional biofeedback exercises, known as “Qigong” and “Taijiquan”. The integration of TCM in Western health systems and research requires a rational communicable theory, scientific proof of efficacy and safety, and quality control measures. Citation: Matos, L.C.; Machado, J.P.; Understanding the structural concepts of the TCM language makes possible the parallelism to West- Monteiro, F.J.; Greten, H.J. ern physiology, and the inherent rational use of the reflex therapeutic systems, anti-inflammatory Understanding Traditional Chinese Medicine Therapeutics: An Overview mechanisms and mental training involved, for example, in acupuncture and “Qigong”. The results of the Basics and Clinical of TCM clinical trials and fundamental research on its nature and mechanisms have encouraged Applications. Healthcare 2021, 9, 257. the development and application of well-designed research strategies such as double blinding in https://doi.org/10.3390/ acupucture to overcome limitations and resistances in integrating these practices into the existing healthcare9030257 biomedical paradigms of the West. This review aims to overview some TCM theoretical concepts and the evidence-based clinical application of TCM’s leading practices to create an easy-to-consult Academic Editor: Pedram Sendi and condensed source of information, available for the healthcare community, facilitating the under- standing and communication between conventional health professionals and TCM practitioners and Received: 8 January 2021 acupuncturists. Accepted: 23 February 2021 Published: 1 March 2021 Keywords: traditional Chinese medicine; herbs; dietetics; acupuncture; moxibustion; “Tuina”; “Qigong”; “Taijiquan”; Heidelberg Model of TCM Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affil- iations. 1. Introduction Although the origin of TCM remains uncertain, some evidence points to more than 5000 years of history. Indeed, some archaeological findings of acupuncture needles and traces of herbal treatments suggest 4000 to 8000 years of existence [1,2]. The “Yijing” Copyright: © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. (“I Ching” or The Book of Changes) and the “Huangdi Neijing” (The Yellow Emperor’s This article is an open access article Classic of Internal Medicine) are the oldest known written sources of information in distributed under the terms and TCM philosophy and clinical application. The “Yijing”, dating back 3000 to 5000 years, conditions of the Creative Commons describes the course of life systematically based on a mathematical model of regulation. It Attribution (CC BY) license (https:// describes its changes and modalities, offering advice on personal emotional lifestyle and creativecommons.org/licenses/by/ guidance [3,4], while the “Huangdi Neijing” is comparable in importance to the Hippocratic 4.0/). Corpus in Greek medicine [5]. Healthcare 2021, 9, 257. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare9030257 https://www.mdpi.com/journal/healthcare Healthcare 2021, 9, 257 2 of 32 Healthcare 2021, 9, 257 2 of 33 The main TCM theories include the teaching of “yin” and “yang” and the Five tres- passes Phases (“Elements”).The main TCM They theories describe include the activity the teaching of effects of “yin” and and functional “yang”, the powers Five trespasses involved in bodyPhases function (“Elements”). such as They the “qi”,describe the the “blood” activity or of “xue”, effects asand well functional as the effectspowers involved of active and restingin body fluids function “jin such ye”, as and the the “qi”, differential the “blood diagnosis” xue, as ofwell syndromes, as the effects while of active and the primary practicesresting fluids include “jin acupuncture ye”, and the anddifferential moxibustion, diagnosis the of use syndromes, of Chinese while herbs the primary and dietetics, andpractices “Tuina”, include “Qigong” acupuncture and “Taijiquan”, and moxibustion, commonly the use known of Chinese as Tai herbs Chi. An-and dietetics, cient Chinese physiciansand “Tuina”, postulated “Qigong” that and everything “Taijiquan”, is commonly made of the known same as “substance”, Tai Chi. Ancient the Chinese “qi”. This philosophyphysicians stands postulated for oneness that everything and wholeness is made as of part the ofsame the same“substance”, paradigm, the “qi”. This considering thatphilosophy all existing stands things for oneness are symbiotically and wholeness connected as part of through the same the paradigm, system of considering “qi” [6]. One ofthat the all main existing goals things of TCM are is symbiotically to balance the conne effectscted of through the body’s the “qi”,system known of “qi” in [6]. One of the West as thethe “Vital main Force”, goals of to TCM live is in to harmony balance the with effe thects surroundingof the body’s “qi”.“qi”, known According in the West as to ancient Chinesethe “Vital culture, Force”, this to includes live in harmony the energies with of the “Heaven”, surrounding such “qi”. as theAccording energy to ancient of the sun, moon,Chinese planets, culture, and this constellations, includes the energies and the of energies “Heaven”, of “Earth”, such as suchthe energy as the of the sun, effects of geographicalmoon, planets, location, and the constellations, energy of the and plants, the soil,energies water, of animals,“Earth”, andsuch natural as the effects of formations [6].geographical TCM aims tolocation, treat not the only energy the secondaryof the plants, manifestations soil, water, (“biao”), animals, but and natural formations [6]. TCM aims to treat not only the secondary manifestations (“biao”), but also also the primary causes (“ben”) of several chronic and acute conditions; for example, in the primary causes (“ben”) of several chronic and acute conditions; for example, in internal medicine, gynecology, pediatrics, traumatology, external medicine, dermatology, internal medicine, gynecology, pediatrics, traumatology, external medicine, dermatology, emergency medicine, and eye, ear, nose and throat treatments. emergency medicine, and eye, ear, nose and throat treatments. The “Yijing” analysis performed by the mathematician Gottfried Leibniz in 1697 [4] The “Yijing” analysis performed by the mathematician Gottfried Leibniz in 1697 [4] allows for understanding TCM as a logical model of a system’s biology with a structural allows for understanding TCM as a logical model of a system’s biology with a structural mathematical language. The analogy to the binary system, considering 0 as “yin” and 1 mathematical language. The analogy to the binary system, considering 0 as “yin” and 1 as as “yang”, allows“yang”, for theallows understanding for the understanding of monograms, of monograms, bigrams and bigrams trigrams, and whichtrigrams, are which are related to the Phasesrelated and to thethe circularPhases regulatoryand the circular processes regulatory seen, for example,processes inseen, rhythmical for example, in seasonal changes,rhythmical daytime seasonal processes changes, and human daytime behavior processes (Figure and1 humana,b) [ 7, 8behavior]. These circular(Figure 1a,b) [7,8]. processes are expressedThese circular as sinusoidal processes functions,are expressed which as integratesinusoidal the functions, concepts which of “yin”, integrate the “yang”, and theconcepts Phases of as “yin”, cybernetic “yang”, elements and the and Phases vegetative as cybernetic functional elements tendencies and in vegetative human physiologicalfunctional regulation. tendencies in human physiological regulation. Figure 1. TheFigure creation 1. The of creation “yin yang” of “yin and yang” “Bagua” and “Bagua” (a); the “Taiji” (a); the symbol “Taiji” (symbolb). (b). The “yin yang”The concept “yin yang” is central concept in TCMis central philosophy. in TCM philosophy. This pair of This terms pair is of used terms to is used to describe functionaldescribe relationships functional inrelationships Chinese culture in Chinese and language culture and,and language metaphorically, and, metaphorically, has a broad list ofhas possible a broad meanings. list of possible Common meanings. examples Common related examples to “yin” related
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Akasha (Space) and Shabda (Sound): Vedic and Acoustical Perspectives
    1 Akasha (Space) and Shabda (Sound): Vedic and Acoustical perspectives M.G. Prasad Department of Mechanical Engineering Stevens Institute of Technology Hoboken, New Jersey [email protected] Abstract A sequential ordering of five elements on their decreasing subtlety, namely space, air fire, water and earth is stated by Narayanopanishat in Atharva Veda. This statement is examined from an acoustical point of view. The space as an element (bhuta) is qualified by sound as its descriptor (tanmatra). The relation between space and sound and their subtle nature in reference to senses of perception will be presented. The placement of space as the first element and sound as its only property will be discussed in a scientific perspective. Introduction The five elements and their properties are referred to in various places in the Vedic literature. An element is the substance (dravya) which has an associated property (of qualities) termed as guna. The substance-property (or dravya- guna) relationship is very important in dealing with human perception and its nature through the five senses. Several Upanishads and the darshana shastras have dealt with the topic of substance-property (see list of references at the end). The sequential ordering of the five elements is a fundamental issue when dealing with the role of five elements and their properties in the cosmological evolution of the universe. At the same time the order of the properties of elements is also fundamental issue when dealing with the perception of elements is also a through five senses. This paper focuses attention on the element-property (or dravya-guna) relation in reference to space as the element and sound as its property.
    [Show full text]
  • The Alchemical Body in Daoism
    The Alchemical Body in Daoism FABRIZIO PREGADIO Abstract This paper surveys some of the main features of the view of the human body in Daoist internal alchemy (neidan 內丹). The first sections discuss three different terms that refer to the body; cosmological, political, theological, natural, and al- chemical metaphors used to describe it; and the use of the body as a support for the system of correspondences that tie the human being to the cosmos. On this background, the development of internal alchemy closely relates to the earlier Daoist meditation practices on the inner gods. The figure of the Red Child (the innermost deity of the human being), in particular, bears close analogies to the “embryo” that alchemists generate through their practices. The final sections are concerned with the two main alchemical charts of the human body and with the use of the Buddhist concept of “dharma-body,” which some masters describe as the true immortal body. It is virtually impossible to distinguish the Daoist understanding of the body from its understanding of the human being, and this point consti- tutes on its own a central aspect of the Daoist way of seeing. For a Daoist, knowledge of the anatomic forms and the physiological workings of the body, or any of its parts and organs, is virtually irrelevant. The physical body performs another function: it serves to support different sets of metaphors that express the relation of the whole person to the Dao, the ultimate principle to which the person owes its existence. These metaphors may be cosmological (the body as a microcosm), political (the body as an administrative system), theological (the body as the residence of inner gods), natural (the body as a “landscape”), and alchemical (the body as a laboratory for compounding the elixir), to name the most important ones.
    [Show full text]
  • Traditional Chinese Medicine and Modern Medicine --- When East Meets West
    TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE AND MODERN MEDICINE --- WHEN EAST MEETS WEST BY MK Sastry TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE (TCM) Simplified Chinese: 中医学 Traditional Chinese: 中醫學 Pin Yin: zhōng yī xué HISTORY OF TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE TCM MODERN MEDICINE Several Thousand Years Several Hundred Years Huang-di Nei-jing (Canon of Medicine): Suwen and Lingshu The earlist medical classic in China Compiled between 500 – 300 B.C. Summary of the medical experience and theoretical knowledge including yin-yang, the five elements, zang- fu, meridians (channels and collaterals), qi (vital energy) and blood, etiology, pathology, dignostic methods, differentiation of syndromes, As well as basic knowledge of acupuncture points and needling methods PRACTICES OF TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE MODERN MEDICINE Internal Medicine Surgery Immunotherapy Radiotherapy Chemotherapy 1. Chinese Herbal Medicine 中药 2. Acupuncture and Moxibustion 針灸 Cupping Gua Sha 刮痧 3. Chinese Massage – Tui Na 推拿 Die-da or Tieh Ta – 跌打 THE BASIC THEORIES OF TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE MODERN MEDICINE Anatomy Biology Physiology Biochemistry Immunology Microbiology Genetics Pathology Radiology 1. Yin-Yang Theory 2. The Five Elements 3. Zang-Fu Therory 4. Meridians (Channels and Collaterals) 5. Qi, Blood, and Body Fluid THE THEORIES OF YIN-YANG AND FIVE ELEMENTS The theories of yin-yang and the five elements were two kinds of outlook on nature in ancient China Chinese ancient physicians applied these two theories in traditional Chinese medicine, which have guided clinical practice up to
    [Show full text]
  • Energies Alterations and Chakras' Energies Deficiencies As One of The
    RESEARCH ARTICLE Energies Alterations and Chakras’ Energies Deficiencies as one of the Causes of Psoriasis Huang Wei Ling Infectious Diseases, General Practice, Nutrition, Acupuncture, Pain management, Medical Acupuncture and Pain Management Clinic, Franca, São Paulo, Brazil ABSTRACT Introduction: Psoriasis is an inflammatory and proliferative condition of the skin characterized by plaques covered by silvery scales mainly in the exterior surfaces, lumbar region, and scalp. In traditional Chinese medicine, psoriasis is caused by the internal Heat generating a Fire, caused by emotional factors leading to a blocked in the Qi movement. This Fire can enter the Blood circulation or stagnate due to improper diet or due to exogenous Fire. Purpose: the purpose of this study is to demonstrate that patients with psoriasis symptoms have energies alterations and chakras’ energies deficiencies and the balance of this internal energies using Chinese dietary counseling, auricular acupuncture associating with apex ear bloodletting and replenishing the chakras’ energies meridians using homeopathies medications according to the theory Constitutional Homeopathy of the Five Elements Based on Traditional Chinese Medicine are important tools to treat this kind of patients. Methods: Two cases report of patients with history of psoriasis symptoms during years using topical medications and other treatments without any success. They both began treatment using Chinese dietary counseling avoiding dairy products, raw foods, sweets, cold water and also, fried foods, chocolate, honey, coconut, alcoholic beverages, and melted cheese. The radiesthesia procedure was done and reveled that all chakras’ energies were in the lowest level of energy, rated one out of eight and the treatment replenishing the chakras’ energies meridians using homeopathies medications according to the theory created by the author entitled Constitutional Homeopathy of the Five Elements based on Traditional Chinese Medicine.
    [Show full text]
  • THEORY of AYURVEDA (An Overview)
    THEORYTHEORY OFOF AYURVEDAAYURVEDA (An(An Overview)Overview) Dr Chakra Pany Sharma M. D. ( Ayu ), PhD ( Sch ) READER -PG MMM Govt Ayurveda College Udaipur -India Lord Brhama Lord Dhanvantari-The 313001 Father of Surgery Email: [email protected] [email protected] An Overview of Lake City Udaipur Fatehsagar Lake and Island Park Greenery in Rural Area Clouds over the Peak of Mountain Night Scenario of Fountain Park Introduction & Background Ayurveda (Devanagari : आयुवBद ) or Ayurvedic medicine is an ancient system of health care that is native to the Indian subcontinent . It is presently in daily use by millions of people in India , Nepal , Sri Lanka ,China , Tibet, and Pakistan . It is now in practice for health care in Europian countries. The word " Ayurveda " is a tatpurusha compound of the word āyus meaning "life" or "life principle", and the word veda , which refers to a system of "knowledge". Continued…………………….. According to Charaka Samhita , "life" itself is defined as the "combination of the body, sense organs, mind and soul, the factor responsible for preventing decay and death." According to this perspective, Ayurveda is concerned with measures to protect "ayus ", which includes healthy living along with therapeutic measures that relate to physical, mental, social and spiritual harmony. Continued…………………. Ayurvedavatarana (the "descent of Ayurveda ") Brahama Daksha Prajapati Indra Bharadwaj Bharadvaja in turn taught Ayurveda to a group of assembled sages, who then passed down different aspects of this knowledge to their students . Continued…………………. According to tradition, Ayurveda was first described in text form by Agnivesha , named - Agnivesh tantra . The book was later redacted by Charaka , and became known as the Charaka Samhit ā.
    [Show full text]
  • Effect of Wine and Vinegar Processing of Rhizoma Corydalis on the Tissue Distribution of Tetrahydropalmatine, Protopine and Dehydrocorydaline in Rats
    Michigan Technological University Digital Commons @ Michigan Tech Michigan Tech Publications 1-18-2012 Effect of wine and vinegar processing of Rhizoma Corydalis on the tissue distribution of tetrahydropalmatine, protopine and dehydrocorydaline in rats Zhiying Dou Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Kefeng Li Michigan Technological University Ping Wang Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Liu Cao Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.mtu.edu/michigantech-p Part of the Biology Commons Recommended Citation Dou, Z., Li, K., Wang, P., & Cao, L. (2012). Effect of wine and vinegar processing of Rhizoma Corydalis on the tissue distribution of tetrahydropalmatine, protopine and dehydrocorydaline in rats. Molecules, 17(1), 951-970. http://doi.org/10.3390/molecules17010951 Retrieved from: https://digitalcommons.mtu.edu/michigantech-p/1969 Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.mtu.edu/michigantech-p Part of the Biology Commons Molecules 2012, 17, 951-970; doi:10.3390/molecules17010951 OPEN ACCESS molecules ISSN 1420-3049 www.mdpi.com/journal/molecules Article Effect of Wine and Vinegar Processing of Rhizoma Corydalis on the Tissue Distribution of Tetrahydropalmatine, Protopine and Dehydrocorydaline in Rats Zhiying Dou 1,*, Kefeng Li 2, Ping Wang 1 and Liu Cao 1 1 College of Chinese Materia Medica, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 300193, China 2 Department of Biological Sciences, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI 49931, USA; E-Mail: [email protected] * Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: [email protected]; Tel./Fax: +86-22-5959-6235. Received: 29 November 2011; in revised form: 5 January 2012 / Accepted: 9 January 2012 / Published: 18 January 2012 Abstract: Vinegar and wine processing of medicinal plants are two traditional pharmaceutical techniques which have been used for thousands of years in China.
    [Show full text]
  • QIGONG: Proper Growth and Development Helping One to Be ProliC, Bal - Anced and Healthful in a Multitude of Ways
    relate with others combined with the ability to honor their own uniqueness and healthy boundaries while doing so. Jing (vital essence) resides in the lower dantian. Cultivation of jing provides the physical strength and stamina needed for QIGONG: proper growth and development helping one to be prolic, bal - anced and healthful in a multitude of ways. The lower dantian is the energetic center of ph ysical healing of the body as well Chinese Yoga as an individual’s power center. It is also where the majority of vital energy is stored for the lasting resilience and centeredness for Energetic necessary to withstand the plethora of stressful situations in life. Chinese medicine practices such as Qigong strengthen the Momentum three treasures of jing, qi and shen as it nourishes an individual’s integral being. In terms of emotional and mental health this sup - ports full and appropriate expression of feelings and emotions as well as dev elopment of spiritual identity involving ones total by Shoshanna Katzman, L.Ac., M.S., being. It forges the ability to release negative emotions such as excessive anger, sadness, worry, grief and fear which in and of igong (pronounced ‘chee-gung’) is an ancient Chinese itself strengthens the vital health of the body’s organ system – exercise designed to balance and cultivate the ow of namely the liver, heart, spleen, lung and kidney respectively. Q energy for health and healing purposes. Qigong is easy Qigong is easy to learn, simple to practice and readily avail - to learn and can be performed by anyone regardless of ability.
    [Show full text]
  • Lecture 9 Plato's Theory of Matter
    Lecture 9 Plato's Theory of Matter Patrick Maher Scientific Thought I Fall 2009 Necessity and intellect Both play a role We must describe both types of causes, distinguishing those which possess understanding and thus fashion what is beautiful and good, from those which are devoid of intelligence and so produce only haphazard and disorderly effects every time. [46e] Timaeus calls these \intellect" and \necessity," respectively. Now in all but a brief part of the discourse I have just completed I have presented what has been crafted by Intellect. But I need to match this account by providing a comparable one concerning the things that have come about by Necessity. For this ordered world is of mixed birth: it is the offspring of a union of Necessity and Intellect. [47e] Contrast with Phaedo In Phaedo Socrates said he wanted to explain everything by showing it is for the best. In Timaeus's terminology, he wanted to explain everything by intellect. But Timaeus says that in addition to intellect there is necessity and we need to take account of both. Role of intellect in matter Use of Platonic solids The creator gave fire, air, earth, and water forms that make them as perfect as possible. The regular polyhedra are the best shapes, so he gave the elements those shapes. See diagrams. Tetrahedron: fire Octahedron: air Cube: earth Icosahedron: water Elementary triangles The faces of the tetrahedron, octahedron, and icosahedron are equilateral triangles. Timaeus says these triangles are composed of six smaller ones, each of which is half an equilateral triangle. The faces of the cube are squares.
    [Show full text]
  • Safe Management of Bodies of Deceased Persons with Suspected Or Confirmed COVID-19: a Rapid Systematic Review
    Original research BMJ Glob Health: first published as 10.1136/bmjgh-2020-002650 on 14 May 2020. Downloaded from Safe management of bodies of deceased persons with suspected or confirmed COVID-19: a rapid systematic review 1 2,3 1 Sally Yaacoub , Holger J Schünemann, Joanne Khabsa , 1 4 1 Amena El- Harakeh, Assem M Khamis , Fatimah Chamseddine, Rayane El Khoury,1 Zahra Saad,5 Layal Hneiny,6 Carlos Cuello Garcia,7 Giovanna Elsa Ute Muti- Schünemann,8 Antonio Bognanni,7 Chen Chen,9 Guang Chen,10 Yuan Zhang,7 Hong Zhao,11 Pierre Abi Hanna,12 Mark Loeb,13 Thomas Piggott,7 Marge Reinap,14 Nesrine Rizk,15 Rosa Stalteri,7 Stephanie Duda,7 7 7 1,7,16 Karla Solo , Derek K Chu , Elie A Akl, the COVID-19 Systematic Urgent Reviews Group Effort (SURGE) group To cite: Yaacoub S, ABSTRACT Summary box Schünemann HJ, Khabsa J, Introduction Proper strategies to minimise the risk of et al. Safe management of infection in individuals handling the bodies of deceased bodies of deceased persons What is already known? persons infected with 2019 novel coronavirus (2019- nCoV) with suspected or confirmed There is scarce evidence on the transmission of are urgently needed. The objective of this study was to ► COVID-19: a rapid systematic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and other systematically review the literature to scope and assess review. BMJ Global Health coronaviruses from the dead bodies of confirmed or the effects of specific strategies for the management of 2020;5:e002650. doi:10.1136/ suspected cases. bmjgh-2020-002650 the bodies.
    [Show full text]
  • Educational Importance of Acupuncture and Moxibustion: a Survey at the Tokai University School of Medicine Japan
    Tokai J Exp Clin Med., Vol. 41, No. 2, pp. 76-80, 2016 Educational Importance of Acupuncture and Moxibustion: A Survey at the Tokai University School of Medicine Japan Masanori TAKASHI*1, Yoshinobu NAKADA*2, Katsuhiko ARAI*2 and Makoto ARAI*2 *1 Office of acupuncture and moxibustion Tokai University Oiso hospital *2 Department of Kampo Medicine, Tokai University School of Medicine (Received March 1, 2016; Accepted March 29, 2016) Objective: Acupuncture and moxibustion are categories of Japanese traditional medicine (Kampo). Precise teaching of Kampo is one of the important issues in medical education, and therefore acupuncture and moxibustion education has been applied to students in Tokai University School of Medicine. To investigate and compare the awareness the medical students have of acupuncture and moxibustion before and after the education, we conducted questionnaire surveys. Methods: The questionnaires were distributed to 117 fourth-year students before and after the education. Results: Of the 117 students issued surveys, 111 responded before, 115 after, and 109 both before and after the education program. Before the education, 79% of the respondents were interested in acupuncture and moxibustion, and 67%, 73%, and 80% thought they were effective, necessary, and worth learning. These results were increased to 92%, 95%, 94% and 97% after the education, respectively (p<0.001 in all four com- parisons). Although 9% said they would perform acupuncture and moxibustion in their routines proactively before the education, after the education this increased to 24% (p<0.001), and 43% supposed that they would definitely introduce patients to acupuncturists. Conclusion: Medical students’ awareness improved after the education, which demonstrated importance of the acupuncture and moxibustion education in medical school.
    [Show full text]
  • Qi Gong and High Blood Pressure, Part II
    Qi Gong and High Blood Pressure, Part II Published in New Health Digest, February 2007 issue Traditional Chinese Medicine looks at hypertension (high blood pressure) as being related to Liver and Heart energy imbalances and stagnation. Diet and exercise can go a long way toward alleviating these issues. In last month’s article I discussed diet changes that could be made to reduce stagnation and cleanse and improve the cardiovascular system. This article will cover the specific Qi Gong techniques that work best to help with this. There are two very effective exercises, the Liver and Heart Sounds, from an ancient form of Qi Gong called the Six Healing Sounds. These exercises date back to the 7th century B.C. and improve our health by releasing out stagnant energy as well as stuck emotions from our bodies. Do the Liver Sound first as many times in a row as feels comfortable and then do the Heart Sound next for as many times as feels good. Repeat these two exercises three times per day. Liver Sound Sit on the edge of a chair or your bed. Place your palms facing up on your lap, elbows out slightly and away from your body. Keep your back straight and relaxed and your chin in slightly. You can have your eyes closed or opened slightly. Begin the posture by bringing your hands out from the sides of the body. Liver Sound Stretch them out as far as they will go while keeping the elbows bent “Tshhh” slightly and the shoulders relaxed. Continue to raise the hands up until they (lean to left) meet over the head.
    [Show full text]
  • TREATMENT of CANCER with CHINESE HERBAL MEDICINE Signe E Beebe DVM, CVA, CVCH, CVT Integrative Veterinary Center Sacramento, California, USA
    TREATMENT OF CANCER WITH CHINESE HERBAL MEDICINE Signe E Beebe DVM, CVA, CVCH, CVT Integrative Veterinary Center Sacramento, California, USA The focus of this discussion is on the use of Chinese herbal medicine to treat cancer. Acupuncture and Chinese food therapy are typically combined with Chinese herbs in the treatment of cancer. In addition, European mistletoe (IscadorR, HelixorR) and other integrative therapies such as intravenous Vitamin C can also be used in combination with Chinese medicine to treat cancer. The incidence of cancer in pet animals has been gradually increasing over the past few decades and the features of cancer (tumor genetics, biological behavior and histopathology) in dogs appear to parallel that of humans (Paoloni, M., Khanna C., Science and Society: Translation of New Cancer Treatments from Pet Dogs to Humans, Nature Review Cancer, 2008:8:147-156). Cancer incidence increases with age and according to the AVMA is the leading cause of death in dogs 10 years of age and older. Several European cancer group registries have been tracking and recording the occurrence of spontaneous tumors in pet animals as well. Cancer or malignant neoplasia is a class of disease that involves tissues with an altered cell population that operates independently of normal cellular controls. Three properties differentiate them from benign tumors; cancers grow uncontrollably, invade and destroy adjacent tissues and can metastasize and spread to other parts of the body via blood and or lymphatic circulation. Cancers consume body resources, grow at the expense of the individual and provide no benefit to the body. The most common cancers reported involved the skin (mast cell tumor), mammary glands (adenocarcinoma) and lymph tissue (lymphoma).
    [Show full text]