How TCM Works
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TCM treats the mind, body and spirit as a single entity. This holistic approach is derived from fundamental beliefs in the Chinese culture, which emphasise the inseparable nature of Man with the Universe, as well as the need for balance and harmony.
When a person’s vital life force, known as Qi (气, pronounced "chi"), flows smoothly through the body, it establishes a balance between his spiritual, emotional, mental and physical realms. Similarly, the person needs to function in harmony with his environment, which includes acclimatising himself to the climate and the changes in his daily lifestyle.
If that flow and balance is upset, disease and illness will arise.
TCM employs a system of diagnosis, therapy and medication to restore that balance by boosting the body’s immune system in an attempt to fight off pathogens.
A TCM treatment usually includes a combination of medicinal herbs, nutritional therapies, physical treatments such as acupuncture, moxibustion, cupping, massage or Tuina, and therapeutic exercises such as taichi and related breathing techniques.
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Meridian System and the Passage of Qi
Qi is the body’s vital life force, which is an invisible energy that flows through the body to support life. The passage that Qi travels along is called the meridian (经络,Jing Luo). Jing refers to the "main road" while Luo refers to a network or branches. Jing Luo links up the organs, muscles, bones and joints, forming an entire body system.
In TCM, the human body’s meridian system is like a channel of communication between the organs, and explains how the external symptoms are related to internal problems.
Through the meridian flows both Zheng Qi (正气,Qi that prevents illness) and Xie Qi (邪气,undesirable Qi which causes illness).
Why disease occurs
When the meridians are unblocked, a person is healthy and life is exuberant. Illnesses may occur when the harmony of the Yin and Yang, or the equilibrium of the Five Elements in the body, are disrupted. This will give rise to an irregularity in physiological functions.
In TCM, there are three main factors that cause illness:
- The external factor (caused by the environment or climate changes)
- The internal factor (such as emotional changes)
- The miscellaneous factor (such as lifestyle or personal habits)
An illness can be in a constant state of change. Hence, treatments can also be altered according to how the illness progresses. TCM believes that the pathology of how some illnesses progress is due to poor organ functions, which requires steps to restore the organ as soon as possible.
Benefits of TCM
- TCM sees the person as an integral mind/body organism, and therefore does not treat symptoms and diseases alone.
- TCM ventures to stimulate our bodies’ natural healing potential by treating root causes rather than symptoms.
- TCM treatments are customised for each patient according to his or her unique body constitution and problems.
- TCM emphasises on prevention, and always addresses any imbalances so as to achieve a state of balance, optimal function and regulation.
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TCM Knowledge 