|
| |
| ||
|
|
|
~ Back to Alternative Therapies Index Page ~  Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been among us for 2,000 to 3,000 years. This long-standing, comprehensive and complex system of diagnosing a patient and curing their illness is based on an in-depth understanding of the human body and the innate interconnectedness between organs, tissue, energy (Qi, pronounced “chee”) flow and blood vessels. TCM differs from western medicine in that it focuses first on an analysis of the patient’s entire system and then hones in to correct any pathological changes. Evaluation not only includes the cause, mechanism, location, and nature of the disease, but also the confrontation between the pathogenic factor and body resistance. Treatment is not based only on the symptoms, but differentiation of syndromes. Therefore, those with an identical disease may be treated in different ways, and on the other hand, different diseases may result in the same syndrome and are treated in similar ways.1 
Diagnostic methods in traditional Chinese medicine include four basic methods: inspection, auscultation (listening to body sounds, generally through a stethoscope) and olfaction (noticing smells), inquiry and palpation (examining by touch). The case history, symptoms, and signs gained through these four diagnostic methods are analyzed and generalized to find the causes, nature, and interrelations of the disease, and to provide evidence for the further differentiation of syndromes. The four diagnostic methods are therefore indispensable and important steps in the differentiation and treatment of syndromes.2 A doctor of TCM may prescribe many different treatments for a patient, including, but not exclusive to, the following: 
Carol Roy is a Natural Health Practitioner, registered with Natural Health Practitioners Canada, who received her diploma from the Alternative Medicine College of Canada in Montreal, Quebec. With 9 years experience in her area of expertise, naturopathic medicine, Carol has also trained to become a fully qualified Reiki Master, Quantum Touch ® Practitioner and Reflexologist. contents of this article, are for informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice, nor a replacement for prescriptions, nor an endorsement of any specific type of treatment. Always seek medical advice for any health concerns from a qualified medical health care professional before using any recommendations and/or information contained in Nutter's articles. References: 1. College of TCM Practitioners and Acupuncturists of BC, http://www.ctcma.bc.ca/intro.asp 2. Traditional Chinese Medicine Basics, http://www.tcmbasics.com/diagnose.htm |
|
Locate A Store
|