Alternative Medicine

Alternative Health

There have been many miraculous cases of people who have healed themselves by clinging to religion or positively thinking themselves out of a life-threatening ailment. Psychologists have been studying the idea of “mind over matter” for decades now, with little scientific proof as to the mechanics of miracles. The proof lies in the end result for these anomalies. In traditional Chinese medicine, philosophy and Buddhist religious principles are the groundwork for medical therapies. Obviously, if you’ve been in a car accident or are in need of emergency medical attention, it’s best to rush to the nearest emergency room; but if you are suffering from a painful long-term ailment or are just looking to improve your general well-being, then Chinese, natural medicines may be for you!

Natural Remedies

Many Americans don’t realize that traditional Chinese medicines date back nearly 5,000 years, passed down by oral tradition until about 3,000 years ago when people began writing down their findings in ancient texts like “Basic Questions of Internal Medicine” and “A Treatise On Cold Damage.Since the Nationalist government feared missing out on scientific progress, classic Chinese medicine was fobade in the 1930’s. Traditional Chinese Medicine was created thirty years later by ten highly respected doctors under Mao Zedong. Today TCM is taught in all Chinese schools and has even made its way around the world, opening schools in England, the US and Russia.

“Yin” and “Yang” , from the Taoist ideas, are one of the basic principles of TCM.” The term is used by the school of Chinese medicine to describe a series of opposites; for example, hot and cold, dark and light or moving and still. The body goes through constant motion, just like the seasons. If the cycle of equilibrium is disrupted and there’s an excess of something or deficiency of something, then the body naturally breaks down.

Another principle in traditional Chinese medicine is the idea of the “Five Elements” which are wood, fire, earth, metal and water. It is believed that these elements are in constant motion and work in an interdependent relationship, as do the various organs and systems within our own bodies. According to the Five Elements chart, if you’re feeling fearful, then it means you need more calm in your life or if you’re angry and frustrated, then you need more patience. The Five Elements Theory is further defined by the Zang Fu Theory, which explains the functions and interaction between various body parts in more detail.

Traditional Chinese medicine has several more “scientific” procedures. After all, it’s not all breathing and thinking! Chinese acupuncture is one of these procedures. People suffering from fibromyalgia, sciatica, tendonitis, headaches, carpal tunnel or other pains can be treated. While having a long needle stuck into certain acupuncture points may not sound desirable, patients say that it doesn’t physically hurt more than the usual ache. The more balanced you get over time, the less you feel the needles at all, in fact!

Naturopathy

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