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Traditional Chinese
Medicine, of which Acupuncture is a part, is a holistic system of healing
which has diagnosed, treated, and prevented illness for at least 3000
years.
Based on the principles
of internal balance and harmony, this highly refined and complex discipline
works to regenerate the body's organs and systems, including:
- circulatory
- endocrine
- neurological
- excretory
- respiratory
- urinary
Traditional Chinese
medicine views each human as a mini-ecosystem that shares common traits
with the earth on which we live. The basic principles of this complete
medical system are:
The Chinese have
a concept of vital energy known as qi (pronounced chee), which is the
basis of all life. In the body, qi is transported via the 12 major
energetic pathways known as meridians. Although these meridians cannot
be seen with the naked eye, modern science has proven their existence
through electronic detection.
Each meridian
connects to one of the major organs, and the qi is said to power the
organ, enabling effective functioning. For example, the path of the
heart meridian travels from the heart, to the armpit, and down the
inside of the arm to the little finger. This explains why some individuals
with heart conditions will express a tingling feeling running down
the arm and into the fingers.
Qi is regulated
by the interdependant forces of Yin and Yang. The Chinese symbol for
Yin literally means "the dark side of the mountain", and represents
the qualities of cold, still, dark, below, weakness, and void.
The chinese symbol
for Yang translates to "the sunny side of the mountain", and therefore
represents the opposite qualities of Yin: heat, activity, light, above
strength, and solidity.
A person's constitution,
or the nature of the disease is determined by the aspects of Yin and
Yang. Harmony and balance of this union yields a healthy state, whereas
excess or deficiency of either Yin or Yang is thought to lead to illness.
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