Introduction to Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM)

Prevailing over several centuries, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is an approach to diagnosing, treating, and preventing illnesses using various psychological and physical approaches and herbal products. 

The two central aspects of TCM are the concepts of Qi and Yin and Yang. Pronounced as “chi,” Qi refers to your vital energy. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) defines Qi to be the vital energy flowing through the body to maintain your overall health. Although it is difficult to define Qi exactly, it is concerned with the physiological functions of the organs and meridians (energetic highways in the human body). The concept of Yin and Yang can correct the balancing of this energy flow. At the same time, Yin refers to traits like cold, moist, descending, and dark, while Yang refers to warm, bright, ascending, and light. According to a study published in the National Library of Medicine, the functional aspects of the body are classified as Yang, and the material aspects of the body (blood and body fluids) belong to the Yin. A balanced interaction between the Yin and Yang generates your Qi or your vital life force! 

What does TCM offer?

TCM has much more to offer in terms of concepts, principles, and practices to a hungry audience trying to understand their physiology and health even in the present world. Some popular traditional Chinese medicine practices to stimulate the flow of Qi include Qigong, Tai Chi, Acupuncture, Cupping, Moxibustion, and Chinese herbal medicines.

Rather than focusing solely on symptoms, TCM considers the overall pattern of disharmony within the body and seeks to restore balance and harmony. TCM is often used as a complementary approach alongside conventional medicine, and it is recommended to consult a qualified TCM practitioner for a comprehensive assessment and treatment plan.  It offers a unique approach to understanding and treating health and disease.

Attaining Vital Energy through Qigong practices

Centuries-old Qigong (pronounced as “chi gung”) practices help people to optimize energy to maintain their physical, mental, and spiritual health. Qigong comprises two concepts – Qi, the vital energy, and Gong, meaning cultivation or mastery. So essentially, Qigong is about working towards cultivating vital energy. A practice combining breathing, meditation, and physical movements, Qigong can be broadly classified into two types – Wai Dan and Nei Dan. Primarily concerned with the physical aspects of our body, Wai Dan (Wai means external), or External Elixir, mainly focuses on body postures and breathing to enhance your yang energy.

In contrast, Nei Dan (Nei means internal), or Internal Elixir, promotes your yin energy by focusing on meditation, visualization, and consciousness. Some of the benefits of the practice include reduced symptoms of depression, better mental functioning and less fatigue, appreciable impact on immune functioning, and improved quality of life for cancer survivors. Qigong practices are quickly gaining popularity. There are different forms of qigong practice, Tai Chi being a popular one. 

Tai Chi, the meditation in motion

Physical actions combined with continuous awareness and mindful engagement, Tai Chai is designed to energize and balance your body’s Qi. Referred to as medication in motion by Harvard Medical School, Tai Chai involves continuous movements that are slow, smooth, rhythmic, and focused, combined with deep breathing. There are now studies showing the growing health benefits of the practice. Tai Chi practices stabilize muscles, tendons, and ligaments, releasing body tension.

The movements improve your muscular strength and body flexibility and minimize the risk of chronic illnesses like dementia, heart disease, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, COPD, and arthritis, among others. The meditative aspect of the practice improves one’s mood and decreases stress, anxiety, and depression. The best part of Tai Chis is that it is devoid of age restrictions. Whether you are 16 or 85, you can exercise Tai Chi as per your fitness level. 

The Healing Modalities of Acupuncture

Deeply rooted in Chinese medicine, acupuncture is another core technique of TCM for balancing energy flow. Widely used around the globe (103 of 129 countries, according to WHO), it is a complementary treatment to 28 other diseases, symptoms, and conditions. Inserting hair-thin needles into the skin at specific parts (our body has 2000 acupuncture points) of the body, the gentle movement of the needles by the practitioner stimulates the central nervous system and releases natural biochemicals into muscles, spinal cord, and brain, helping the body to heal by itself physically and emotionally. Acupuncture helps with blood pressure, back and neck pains, gastric conditions, allergies, stroke risk reduction, induction of labor, morning sickness, menstrual discomfort, fibromyalgia, and chemotherapy side effects. It also helps people recover from substance abuse and relieves patients from depression, anxiety, PTSD, and other mental disorders. The acupuncture treatment market is expected to expand at a CAGR rate of 16.3% from 2022 to 2032, owing to the high rate of adoption of treatments for chronic pains.  

What is Moxibustion?

Moxibustion is another type of TCM practice to maintain good health and increase the circulation of Qi in the body. It is a form of heat therapy where dried leaves of Chinese mugwort are made into cones (called moxa) and are burnt directly on our body’s acupoints. A complement to acupuncture, Moxibustion regulates Qi inclined to warmth and nourishment. Ancients found it easier to collect the leaves, but its fire is warm and not dry, making it possible to ascend and descend deep into the viscera easily. 

The heat generated in Moxibustion is used to treat back pain, arthritis, headaches, migraines, muscle stiffness, tendonitis, ulcers, indigestion, infertility, menstrual cramps, cancer, and digestive problems. Studies also show that Moxibustion can be used to turn breech babies. In some cases, the process is done indirectly, where moxa is placed an inch above the skin on therapeutic substances like ginger or placed on acupuncture needles. However, the wide availability of moxa sticks should not entice you to administer this on your own, and it is always advisable to have a trained practitioner. 

TCM for Modern Beauty Standards

Makeup tutorials, skincare routines, and product reviews. Today, the chances of coming across such content on our social media exploration pages are enormous. Consumers are more health and wellness-conscious, and their obsession with skincare is quickly ramping up. 

With the skincare market growing quickly, indigenous traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is gaining momentum to meet modern beauty standards as more and more skincare brands are looking into incorporating techniques and principles used in TCM into their products and formulas. The concept of beauty from TCM is that a healthy body and youthful appearance come from the balance and coordination of Qi (vital energy), blood, Yin, and Yang, and the five organs that our skin is closely linked to (heart, lungs, liver, spleen, kidney). Using natural resources and lifestyle changes to stimulate bodily changes, the approach to skincare includes a blend of techniques, including herbology, acupuncture, and diet therapy.

Some universally accepted and beneficial treatments include chamomile tea for acne, calendula oil for eczema, aloe vera to moisturize and soothe your skin, and saffron to improve your overall complexion. Acupuncture treatment treats several skin conditions like rosacea, hormonal acne, psoriasis, and allergies. Diet is a separate branch of TCM and promotes the importance of having a strong stomach to nourish your body’s Yin. In TCM, you have to eat your way to fabulous skin. 

Gua Sha revives in the age of social media

Another ancient treatment to meet modern beauty standards is the Gua Sha. Also called skin scraping, spooning, or coining are the latest social media skincare trend and a popular DIY trick for facial benefits using jade instruments. Pronounced as gwahshah, it is a treatment in which the skin is scraped (Gua) repeatedly in a unidirectional fashion, using a smooth-edged tool that causes the petechiae (Sha). The tool used for the treatment allows practitioners to apply more pressure and helps relieve conditions like tightness in the shoulders, legs, and back. Its benefits also expand across headaches, migraines, neck pain, and swelling. Gua sha also helps with anxiety, fatigue, and insomnia if supplemented with acupuncture. 

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Summation

Upon a rich history of experimentation, TCM shows how to lead better lives physically, mentally, and emotionally.  It offers a unique approach to understanding and treating health and disease. While TCM has its own theories and practices, its integration with modern medicine offers a broader range of options for individuals seeking holistic and personalized approaches to their health. TCM recognizes that each person is unique, and their practitioners tailor treatments to individual needs. By considering factors such as constitution, lifestyle, and specific patterns of disharmony, TCM practitioners provide personalized treatment options.

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