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Philosophy of traditional Chinese medicine

Any occurrence of discomfort indicates an imbalance of the forces of yin and yang and of vital energy (qi). TCM endeavors to maintain or restore balance in people. The Chinese therapist therefore looks after you as a person and not just your symptoms.

The four examination methods (si-zhen)

The four examination methods are used to diagnose the various causes of illness (internal and external). The disease can then be treated with individually adapted methods.

1. observation (wang-zhen)
2. listening and smelling (wén-zhen)
3. questioning (wèn-zhen)
4. palpation (qie-zhen)

The 5 basic substances of TCM

The foundation of TCM is formed by the five basic substances of the body. Each aspect of TCM is only relevant in relation to the symptoms and patterns of the individual person.

1. qi

Qi is a fundamental concept in Chinese philosophy, no English or German word can adequately translate its meaning.
Qi is the source and companion of all movements of the body and protects it at the same time. Qi prevents pathological environmental influences (disease-causing factors) from entering the body and combats them if these disease-causing factors do manage to enter.

2. blood

The Chinese description of blood does not correspond exactly to that of Western medicine.
The main function of blood is to circulate continuously in the body, nourishing, maintaining and, to a certain extent, moistening various parts of the body.
Blood moves in the blood vessels, but also in the pathways. Congested blood means an obstruction or blockage that can inhibit blood flow.

Jing is best translated as "essence". It is thought of as a liquid substance that has a supporting and nourishing function. It forms the basis of all organic substances and is the basis for reproduction and development.

4. Shen

Shen is translated as "spirit". If Jing is the source of life and Qi is the source of activity and movement, Shen is the vitality behind Jing and Qi.

5. juices (jin-ye)

All fluids of the body, except blood, are referred to as juices. These include sweat, saliva, digestive juices and urine. "Jin" are the light and clear juices, while "ye" refers to the heavy and viscous ones.

Yin-Yang

The two terms stand for opposing principles: yang is originally associated with the idea of sunlight and therefore warm and light, while yin is associated with the idea of shade and therefore cool and dark. The transition between yin and yang is fluid. Based on this basic meaning, a wealth of other pairs of opposites were also assigned a yin and a yang pole. In particular, the male was regarded as yang and the female as yin. With the consistent application of this binary division to the totality of all things and ideas, the opposition of yin and yang was elevated to the rank of a universal given that constituted and characterized all of reality. All phenomena were thus interpreted as manifestations of the opposition of these two opposing poles and their interplay

Treatment methods

• Ear acupuncture
• Moxibution
• Herbal therapy
• Tui Na massage (An mo)
• Acupuncture
• Cupping