The Traditional Chinese Medicine
Origin and background of traditional Chinese medicine
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has its origins around 10,000 years ago. Back then, people began using stone needles to relieve pain by puncturing and stimulating those areas. Only moxibustion and herbal medicine are older. After discovering the fire, people lit leaves and applied them to painful areas. I use these methods as a naturopath in Berlin.
From the emergence of Taoism, this collected experience was then systematized with its philosophy and developed into an independent medical system to this day. The achievements and insights were recorded and passed on by various masters over the millennia in books, writings and verbally.
In addition to the theories of Yin & Yang, the five phases of change and the meridians, various therapy methods also developed, which are known today as the five pillars of Chinese medicine.
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The goal of Chinese medicine is to bring the Qi back into a harmonious flow.
If you have any questions about TCM, I'll be happy to help and answer any questions you may have.
What is Traditional Chinese Medicine?
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a medical system that was systematized around 2000 years ago from the experiences and texts of thousands of years ago.
TCM has its origins more than 10,000 years ago when humans learned to use plants and stone needles, as well as manual pressure on various areas of the body to relieve pain and other ailments.
How does Traditional Chinese Medicine treat?
TCM is divided into 5 pillars. Each of these pillars represents one or two therapeutic procedures.
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The first pillar is acupuncture and moxibustion.
Acupuncture is probably the most widespread and well-known method in the west, in which special points on the body are punctured with thin needles.
Moxibustion, on the other hand, is not as well known, but no less effective for certain diseases. With moxibustion, mugwort is burned in various forms, eg in the shape of a cigar, and is used to stimulate various points and areas on the body.
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The second pillar is medicinal and herbal therapy.
This is probably one, if not the oldest, therapy method. Here, a decoction is created from various plant, animal and mineral components, which the patient then drinks. In Germany, only plant-based components are used for this.
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The third pillar is nutritional therapy, which is similar to drug and medicinal herb therapy, in which the patient is given nutritional advice as to which foods to avoid and which to eat more of to combat his illness.
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The fourth pillar is QiGong and Taiji.
Qigong means working with the Qi and is a mixture of movement therapy and meditation, which aims to get the Qi to flow harmoniously in the body again.
Taiji is originally a martial art, but it can also be practiced to maintain health and, similar to QiGong when practiced with a health background, is also a mixture of movement therapy and meditation.
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The fifth pillar is Tuina, which translates as to push and push. It isTo put it bluntly, it is a Chinese physiotherapy that not only uses therapeutic massages, but also joint manipulation and bone setting.
What can Traditional Chinese Medicine treat?
TCM can treat many ailments and ailments. Good results can be achieved with the following ailments:
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allergies
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Disorders of the digestive system
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Insomnia, depression, headaches
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rheumatic diseases
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Back pain, joint problems, chronic pain
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Skin diseases such as acne, herpes or neurodermatitis
How effective is Traditional Chinese Medicine?
Since traditional Chinese medicine is a natural healing method and has a different understanding of disease than western medicine, it is well suited as a supplement to western medicine, for patients who, from a western point of view, have had no therapy and for chronic diseases.
How long does it take for Traditional Chinese Medicine to work?
This question cannot be answered simply, but varies from case to case. Among other things, it is not only important whether a patient has a chronic or acute illness, but also how long she has had this illness, which therapy method is used and how disciplined she is in following the therapist's advice.
An example would be if someone comes to the practice with chronic migraine and after the first treatment already feels a general relaxation and well-being, but still has migraine attacks until the next appointment. The intensity and/or duration of the migraine attacks only decrease after the second appointment.
From this you can see that although the migraine attacks had not gotten any better by the second appointment, a general relaxation in everyday life was already present.
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