Traditional Chinese Medicine in a Nutshell

The term “Oriental Medicine” has often been used to mean Traditional Chinese Medicine. Not only is such usage a mistake but also an exclusion of other forms of medical practices that have originated in Asia. As a matter of fact, Traditional Chinese Medicine, more widely known among its proponents as TCM falls under the general term “Oriental Medicine” along with Korean, Japanese, Tibetan and Mongolian traditional systems of Medicine.

Defined as a system of health care founded on oriental views of the universe and its models of existence such as Yin and Yang, Qi (energy) and the 5 elements, Traditional Chinese Medicine is the antithesis of Western Medicine as we know it.  Mr. Zhou Zhen, a medical student from the Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, explains by saying that unlike Western Medicine, which is founded on experiments, TCM is based on philosophy. There are several philosophical concepts that make up the foundation of Traditional Chinese Medicine, although the two main theories are the “Yin and Yang Theory” and the “5 Elements Theory”.

The Yin and Yang theory symbolizes two complementary sides of every phenomenon in the universe, including the human body. A very good example of which would be fire and water. This theory explains the state of being “healthy” as the existence of a balance between the Yin and the Yang, and any imbalance or disharmony between the two can physically manifest itself.  In other words, a weaker Yin and a stronger Yang would cause a person to have the symptom of “fire,” which could result in a person becoming red-faced or developing a fever. Conversely, a stronger Yin and a weaker Yang would result in the accumulation of fluid in the body causing the extremities to bulge, otherwise know as the medical condition of edema.

The Five Elements Theory, on the other hand, is based on the idea that everything in nature, the human body included, can be simplified into the five elements of wood, fire, earth, metal and water. Each element in turn represents the five “Zang,” or internal organs in the human body… wood – liver, water – kidney, fire – heart, earth – spleen, and metal – lung.  These elements in so far as Traditional Chinese Medicine is concerned are irrevocably linked to one another.  Because of this connection, a disease in one internal organ would definitely adversely affect another. As Mr. Zhou explains, a disease in the “mother” organ affects the “child” organ, and vice versa. It is this interdependence that requires practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine to focus on the overall condition of their patients. Better known as holism, this concern for the patient's entire well being differentiates Traditional Chinese Medicine from its Western counterpart, which tends to focus on the affected area/s of the human anatomy.

To Be (internal), or Not To Be……(internal)

Apart from Holism, Traditional Chinese Medicine also sees the causes of diseases differently. TCM operates under the idea that there are three fundamental categories under which the causes of diseases fall. First, there are the external causes which are basically environmental factors such as the climate. Then there are the internal factors, which are sometimes translated into “Seven Emotions” composed of grief, happiness, anger, sorrow, fear, brooding and fright. In Chinese Medicine, these feelings affect not only one’s psychological well-being, but could very well damage the various organs of the body. Finally, there are also causes of illness that fall in neither category but are excesses that take its toll on the human body. This category could be clearly explained by the saying that “too much of everything is poison.” Thus, intemperance of any kind specifically in one’s diet, work (that causes fatigue), and even sex are seen in TCM as hazardous to a person’s health.

Mr. Zhou was, however, quick to point out that despite such categories, every patient's case is considered by TCM practitioners entirely on its own merit.  After all, what might adversely affect one individual may not necessarily have the same effect on another. Thus there is always a need for a thorough examination of each patient in order to determine the appropriate treatment. It is therefore absolutely ill-advised to do self-medication as many people are prone to these days.

Trick or Treatments

This brings us then to a few of the more common treatments in Traditional Chinese Medicine. The first is Acupuncture, where treatment is accomplished by stimulating various points (acupoints) of the body. Needles specially designed for acupuncture are inserted into the patient's skin. To an observer this creates a picture of a person pierced with several miniature arrows. Yet despite such a "painful" image, Acupuncture is a form of treatment that many Chinese seek and is not as excruciating as it appears to be. In fact, many patients without any obvious sickness still opt to have acupuncture in order to relax their muscles or simply to feel energized. Acupuncture after all is believed to improve blood circulation.

Another common treatment is “cupping,” which involves the use of spherical glass cups. A cup is heated by placing a lit matchstick inside the cup. The matchstick is then removed and the heated cup is placed against the patient's bare skin.  This form of Chinese Medicine, Mr. Zhou explains, is meant to “suck out” the dampness from the body. After treatment, purple round marks can be seen on the patient's skin. Darker marks are interpreted as symptoms of an irregularity in the patient’s body. When this happens, further examination and/or treatment is often recommended.

Then there is Acupressure or what most people would consider a massage.  This type or treatment according to Mr. Zhou is very different from the type of massage that many shops/spas around the city offer. Massage in these places he says are "comfortable" and are meant for relaxation. But in Traditional Chinese Medicine, an effective session would in fact make the patient feel physical discomfort.  Treatment would generally take only 15 to 20 minutes as TCM practitioners only concentrate on stimulating the acupuncture points.

A fourth treatment is the use of herbal medicine. This type of medicine has different sources – plants, animals and even humans. To people who have not been exposed to Eastern Medicine, certain medicinal sources may appear unorthodox and even downright weird. Yet it does not change the fact that fresh placenta is a very valuable medicine in Chinese Medicine. It is believed most useful in nourishing the Yin and the Qi (energy) when eaten fresh. Another example is the centipede, which is considered by many to be a pest, but is in fact also a valued source of herbal medicine in TCM.

Despite their ubiquity, these treatments are not as easy and simple as they appear to be.  Mr. Zhou cautions that one should always seek the service of an expert for safety and efficacy of treatment. For this, he recommends going to 3A (major) hospitals such as Shuguang Hospital and Longhua Hospital, or even 2A (smaller) hospitals like Tianshan Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital on Lou Shan Guan Lu for medical attention. In these places, one is assured of professional treatment from TCM doctors who have had years of training and experience.

In recent years, Traditional Chinese Medicine has enjoyed a surge in the number of believers as more and more people seek "natural" and holistic methods of maintaining their health. But that is not to say that it enjoys the wholehearted approval of the medical community. On the contrary, many still consider it an "alternative" form of medicine despite a history that spans 3000 years.  For Mr. Zhou Zhen and the many students of Traditional Chinese Medicine at Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, there is nothing "alternative" in what they are studying. After all is said and done, they have the best of both worlds, for not only are they being taught how to treat ailing patients but, more importantly, they are also being trained to help prevent people from succumbing to illness. 

Annie Claire Delen is a contributor for ShanghaiExpat.com. She is a former newspaper columnist turned free-lancer constantly plagued by writer’s block -- caused by her mind numbing day job. If you have any questions or comments regarding this article, you may reach her at: anne_delen@yahoo.com. The author thanks Mr. Zhou Zhen and Ms. Liu Yun  Jing (Not Liu Lulu) for their valuable assistance in the writing of this piece.