A modern view of the theory of traditional Chinese medicine. Chinese medicine as a method of alternative treatment Chinese m

As long as people exist, they get sick. And therefore they turn to doctors, healers and magicians with the hope of finding a cure for their ailments. Sometimes, having lost faith in official medicine, people seek salvation in alternative medicine and unusual methods of treatment.

The phrase Chinese medicine evokes mixed feelings in us: there are a lot of rumors and legends about it, it is so unusual. Its differences from the generally accepted European one are so strong that sometimes the manipulations of doctors seem like real magic.

Medicine in China is based on a national philosophy that states that a person is part of the world that exists around him. Man is an integral system, a microcosm, a separate Universe in miniature. Therefore, Chinese doctors do not consider the work of all human organs separately, but treat the entire body as a whole.

Very often, a person, feeling unwell, drinks the drug, without thinking that any pain, even the slightest, can be the first sign of an incipient serious illness.

Chinese healers are known all over the world for treating, first of all, the person himself. Knowing certain energy points on the body helps to cope with any disease, even the most advanced one.

Secrets of medicine

According to Chinese philosophy, all living things consist of two fundamental parts, Yin and Yang (masculine and feminine). And besides, health is influenced by the functioning of Qi energy and the combination of the five elements or elements that underlie everything that exists.

These elements include: fire, water, earth, metal and wood. These components are associated with certain parts of the human body, as well as with natural phenomena and weather, emotional state, mental vibrations, and the functioning of the senses.

If Yin and Yang exist in harmony in the body, then a person’s health is excellent, but as soon as one of the parts tips the scales in its favor, the person’s body feels either cold or hot.

The predominance or vice versa deficiency of one of the components can also be determined by changes in tone of voice, skin color, condition of hair and nails, gait and skin moisture.

Basic substances

Qi energy is the basis for the existence of the Universe and the Earth, as well as each individual. It is produced in the human body from the food received, and the condition and functioning of the internal organs depends on it. In addition, Qi energy is responsible for energy and activity, performance and mood. If there is not enough Qi energy, then first of all the metabolism is disrupted and the person becomes susceptible to all diseases.

The essence of Jing is responsible for growth and maturation, the formation of a person as an independent person. This essence is inherited genetically, is stored in the kidneys and allows each person to develop according to the scheme: infancy - youth - youth - maturity - old age.

Also, this substance, interacting with Qi energy, is responsible for reproductive function and protecting the body from negative phenomena. If this essence is lacking, then the person is sterile, unbalanced, and is unable to study or do hard work.

Blood is a life-giving liquid that moisturizes the skin and all organs of the body. If there is little blood, a person becomes pale, tired, weak, dizzy and weak. If blood does not circulate well throughout the body, stagnation occurs in the form of tumors, and the body feels sharp pain and heat.

Fluids necessary for the body are responsible for the condition of the skin, muscles, joints, hair, teeth and nails. If there is not enough fluid, then the digestive system does not work well, and the person becomes irritated. If there is too much fluid, then the person becomes puffy, heavy to lift and clumsy.

Causes of dissonance in the body

Chinese philosophy examines the causes of dissonance in the human body in three different areas: internal - caused by the emotional and mental state of a person, external - caused by natural and weather conditions, mixed - caused by lifestyle and habits.

Internal factors are sadness, irritation, grief, joy, fear, anxiety, shock. All these feelings are collectively called the “seven emotions.” Every day we experience one or more of these emotions; this is the norm of life and it will not lead us to mental disorders. BUT if you remain in such a state for a very long time, it will definitely lead to illness.

External factors - abnormal heat or cold, wind, humidity, dryness, heat. The combination of these factors is called the “six pathogenic causes affecting health.” Each season has its own weather phenomena. But if such a pattern is violated, and a sharp cold snap occurs during the hot summer, then this upsets the balance of Qi and Jing energies in the body and it becomes vulnerable to diseases.

Mixed or different factors include physical activity and sports, work style, sexual activity, dietary habits, smoking and alcohol intake. Everything is possible, but in moderation, otherwise it leads to imbalance.

Traditional medicine methods in China

Chinese traditional medicine, which has existed for more than 5 thousand years, actively uses herbal medicine, massage, acupuncture, heat, aroma and light treatment.

Herbal medicine is used all over the world; it is one of the oldest methods of treatment using medicinal herbs and flowers. It requires enormous knowledge and accuracy; in China there are more than 200 mixtures of herbs, but no more than 30 can be found on the open market.

Acupuncture or acupuncture is extremely popular not only in China, but it was there that this branch of medicine reached its apogee. Needles are inserted into specific points on the human body to release Qi energy and allow it to circulate freely.

Moxibustion or heat puncture is used in conjunction with acupuncture and involves applying heat from cigars filled with medicinal herbs to particularly significant points.

Acupressure involves pressing your fingers on certain points of the human body to activate vital energy. This is a completely safe, but very effective method of treating and preventing many diseases. Anyone can master it and use it for self-medication using an atlas of vital points.

In addition, every Chinese healer will definitely prescribe a balanced diet aimed at restoring the balance of elements and fluids in the body. It is with the help of properly selected products that you can restore the balance of Yin and Yang energy, which normalizes digestion, relieves allergies, calms your nerves and restores excellent well-being.

Medicine in China differs significantly from European medicine. While in Europe the disease and its manifestations are treated, Eastern healers for thousands of years viewed the human body as a single system in which everything is interconnected. For this reason, Chinese doctors believe that the condition of the entire body should be examined, and not a separate organ. Such an unusual approach produces results - according to the World Health Organization, Chinese medicine methods are recognized as effective and are actively being introduced into the practice of Western doctors.

Secrets of Chinese traditional medicine

Chinese traditional medicine is one of the oldest healing systems in the world, its history goes back more than three thousand years. For many centuries, Chinese sages have kept teachings about human health. There are several books that set out the basic principles of this teaching and the most ancient methods of treatment:

• "Nan Zen"
• "Shang Han Long"
• "Wen Yi Lun"

Without exception, all methods of Chinese medicine are aimed at helping a person without harming him in any way.

Treatment is based on three pillars: herbal medicine, acupuncture and gymnastics. In addition, Chinese healers actively use baths, compresses, and massage.

The most important advantage of Chinese medicine is its preventive focus. The advantages of this approach are obvious: if the disease is detected at an early stage, simple methods such as diet, adherence to certain rules of behavior, massage, etc. will help the patient maintain health.

It should be noted that the healing process in ancient China could last a very long time. This was explained by the fact that first the doctor sought to eliminate the main symptoms of the disease, and then, after the person felt much better, he began to eliminate the cause of the disease in order to prevent possible complications in the future. Therefore, a doctor in China is not a disease specialist, but a health specialist.

The center of ancient treatment methods is the Heihe Traditional Medicine Hospital of China. They provide high-quality dental services, effective physiotherapeutic procedures and massage.

Principles of Traditional Medicine

Chinese medicine originates from the early teachings of Taoist monks, and its methods are all about cultivating the mind and body and establishing a balance between them. According to Chinese doctors, our well-being depends on the circulation of vital energy Qi, as well as on the balance of female Yin energy and male Yang energy. And if energy exchange is disrupted, this will certainly result in illnesses and ailments. Therefore, it is necessary to treat not the symptom, but the cause, restoring the harmony of the body.

The fundamental principle of Chinese medicine is natural healing. Doctors with special knowledge can return energy to the human body with the help of herbs, acupuncture, and massages. One of the most famous Chinese scientists, Gao Zong, described in his treatises a myriad of plants, methods of treatment using stones, minerals, vegetables and fruits.

Key Treatments in Chinese Medicine

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Traditional Chinese medicine has dozens of techniques. The most common ones include:

Basics of disease prevention

Chinese medicine considers massage and diet to be the basis of prevention. Chinese healers are confident that these methods can stop the disease at the very beginning and will not allow it to become chronic.

In addition, in their opinion, it is necessary to improve the state of the human immune system and eliminate pathogenic factors - the causes of diseases.

A healthy lifestyle is of great importance to the Chinese: giving up bad habits and following certain rules. For example, many city residents go to parks in the morning and evening and practice qigong gymnastics. This gymnastics has a lot in common with yoga - it also involves slow, smooth movements and control of breathing. Qigong helps harmonize the body and spirit and allows Qi energy to flow freely. As a result, this significantly improves the oxygen supply to the brain and all systems and organs of the human body, increases concentration and performance, relieves muscle tension and normalizes blood pressure.

Prices for medical services in China

China is famous for its high level of medical care. There are dozens of world-famous clinics in China that offer high-quality examination and treatment from highly qualified specialists.

Paid or free medicine in China is a question asked by everyone who is thinking about treatment in this country. Answering this question, it should be noted that free treatment is possible only for Chinese citizens; for all foreigners, medical care is paid. However, despite the fact that local doctors know their business very well, the cost of treatment in Chinese clinics and medical centers is 40%, or even 50% less than in Europe or America.

The patient will learn the amount needed to pay for services immediately after the examination. The consultation with a specialist itself will cost 20-75 US dollars. However, the cost of the ward can reach up to $200 per day.

And yet, Chinese medical centers, combining ancient traditions with modern scientific achievements in their work, are becoming increasingly in demand, and the popularity of Chinese medicine among patients is growing due to the relatively low cost of services and the high level of service and treatment.

How was I treated in China? Chinese Medicine: Video

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Traditional Chinese Medicine

is an eastern traditional medical practice. It began in China several thousand years ago. It did not develop from scratch in order to cure a person of an illness, but through long-term observation of how the human body works and resists.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a system of modern teachings and practices that originated in Ancient China and arose from careful observation of the functioning of the human body and the subsequent systematization of these observations using a paradigm specific to the region, which can be characterized as a doctrine of symbols and numbers. In China, it is considered as part of the science of “education of life” (“Yang Sheng Xue” - 養生學), which, in addition to medicine, also includes various methods of psychophysiological practices (Wushu, Qigong, Tao-yin, etc.), dietetics, etc. .

Traditional Chinese medicine: how it works

Traditional Chinese Medicine is abbreviated as TCM. Its directions: theory, diagnosis and treatment itself.

Treatment methods: herbal medicine, massage of acupuncture points and acupuncture. A slightly less common form of treatment, qigong, is a unique form of oriental medicine that includes traditional methods of Japanese and Korean medicine, that is, the traditions of East Asia.

The theory of the East states that there is a close connection between the human body and the environment. If there is harmony, a person is healthy. For disharmony, TCM is used for treatment.

The foundations of TCM theory are based on a number of philosophical principles: bn-yang, five elements, meridians, Zang Fu organs.

History of Chinese medicine

Traditional Chinese Medicine is based on philosophical foundations. This is, of course, Taoist philosophy, a Chinese faith.

The harmony of man with the environment is not only an Eastern belief. This is how people of all faiths should live. Belief in goodness, in the correctness of one’s actions, the absence of negative emotions, and helping those in need.

Any deviation from the typical commandments carries consequences. And it doesn’t matter how much good you’ve done before.

Remember, if you start to get slightly sick, this is the first signal that somewhere you have begun to think incorrectly; with more serious illnesses, more serious “sins” have occurred.

Chinese medicine began at the end of the 2nd century BC, during the Han Dynasty Zhang Zhong Jing. The anonymous scientist, called the Chinese Hippocrates, was a practitioner and proponent of acupuncture. Treatment methods were also based on warming up the human body. Numerous manuscripts speak of the antiquity of the technique. These are the works “Neijing Suwen”, “Jia I Jing”, “Neijing Suwen”.

CCM is classical Chinese medicine. It differs from traditional (TCM). At one time, the Chinese government banned everything non-traditional. This was due to the reluctance of m to lag behind progress. There were trials and executions of those who carried out the practice; they were deprived of their lives, despite the positive results.

Mao Zedong lifted the ban on KKM in 1960. Famous doctors and scientists were instructed to conduct a review and create forms of application. Now this form of TCM. From here came the famous, popular all over the world.

The People's Republic of China created a barefoot doctor program. This helped expand healthcare in rural areas.

Modern people are accustomed to the fact that any disease can be cured by a pill, that is, pharmaceuticals. However, the effectiveness of classical Chinese medicine has long been proven.

International conferences are held annually, research reports and quality control protocols for the introduction of a new medicine based on natural remedies using Chinese technology are published in publications.

It has been proven that anger provokes the formation of liver diseases. When we experience fear, we inhibit the functioning of our kidneys. The basis of Eastern medicine is changing human behavior and using medications. Simply put, you need to create a harmonious and balanced life.

Chinese medicine is more effective than Western medicine, you can’t argue with that. However, there are gaps. Such treatments can work unexplained miracles. This is a full-fledged independent system, with its own unique methods of diagnosis and disease prevention. These are new healing methods that include herbal therapy, aroma therapy, acupuncture, and the use of natural medications.

The Chinese view human health as a certain ability to respond to external factors. The main rule of Chinese medicine is to eliminate the cause, taking into account the individual characteristics of the patient.

Preamble

This article is not an attempt to revise the basic principles of the theory of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). This is only an attempt to critically rethink the ideas about the theory of Chinese medicine, taking into account its phenomenological essence, i.e. TCM theory was formulated on the basis of observed and felt events, without understanding the essence of the processes occurring at a deeper level, inaccessible to study and understanding at that time. The existing opinion, quite widespread among Western specialists already using TCM methods, about the transfer of knowledge of Chinese medicine from another highly developed civilization of cosmic or terrestrial origin, or by analogy with the transfer of spiritual knowledge - directly from the Creator, does not stand up to criticism and is not supported by the bearers of this traditions in China and is based on inaccuracies and distortions of the TCM theory during translation and its subsequent interpretation.

The language barrier, cultural differences between the West and the East, education and the perception of the authors of the translations led, at the initial stage of the transfer of knowledge from one cultural environment to another, to a distortion of the theory of Chinese medicine, the loss of its integrity and an emphasis on simpler, philosophically oriented aspects of TCM. Modern Chinese textbooks and English-language books on TCM that are similar in structure, for example, “Fundamentals of Chinese Medicine” by Giovanni Maciocia, are practically free from the touch of sacredness and mystification inherent in the first translations of works on the theory of Chinese medicine and are mainly focused on empirical experience and traditional differential diagnosis, currently practiced in China.

The attitude towards Chinese medicine among Western specialists is clearly ambiguous, ranging from complete denial to unfounded exaggeration of its capabilities. These extreme points of view are due to the lack of understanding by Western specialists of the essence and foundations of Chinese medicine, as well as the fact that modern natural science has long outgrown the natural philosophical foundations of TCM, which are not confirmed by modern scientific data and are naturally rejected by specialists.

We often hear from Western doctors that you can only understand Chinese medicine if you were born in China and the Chinese will never reveal to us the secrets of Chinese medicine. I immediately remember the fairy tale by Arkady Gaidar “About the Military Secret, Malchish-Kibalchish and his firm word,” where the Chief Burzhuin kept trying to understand this country, where even kids know the “Military Secret” of the Red Army, but he never understood. There is no need to be like the Chief Bourgeois and look for secrets where there are none. The main “Military Secret” of Chinese medicine lies in the combination of the amazing simplicity of the basic theory and the vast experience of systematic observations and analysis of symptoms and signs of diseases, as well as the action of herbs and one or another effect on acupuncture points on the condition of internal organs and the body as a whole.

About Western and Eastern medicine

Each medicine has its own area of ​​application.

Modern Western (conventional) high-tech medicine is the medicine of DISEASES, since we are interested in it only when we are already sick and this is confirmed by the results of tests and other studies. But everyone knows that in more than 70% of cases of initial visits to the clinic, neither tests nor studies using the most modern equipment reveal anything, and the state of health is “not very good.” This condition is often classified as a psychosomatic illness and, at best, you will be advised to rest, exercise, or, in extreme cases, go to a psychotherapist.

Chinese medicine, on the contrary, is initially focused on preserving HEALTH, preventing, restoring and treating psychosomatic and chronic diseases. If a patient of an ancient Chinese doctor fell ill, he was driven out of the house in disgrace as a bad doctor who failed to PREVENT the disease.

The main thing

So, let us repeat once again - Chinese medicine is based only on SENSATIONS and has a clearly defined phenomenological character, i.e. The theory of TCM was created on the basis of an analysis of observed phenomena and sensations without taking into account the deeper-level processes actually occurring in the body, which at that time were completely incomprehensible and unknown. This is the key statement that all serious researchers of Chinese medicine tend to accept.

For supporters of the version of the direct transfer of knowledge of Chinese medicine “from above”, by analogy with religious spiritual knowledge, we quote Mikhail Sankin, poem “Three Elephants”:

“The earth, like a pancake, lies on three elephants, Which stand on a turtle. The monk is confident in this truth, And the truth is confident in the monk.” We do not condemn or discuss believers. But we ourselves don’t believe it. By the way, the Chinese themselves do not believe in this.

Basic principles for assessing the condition of the body

Several thousand years ago, the Chinese had neither fundamental theoretical knowledge nor measuring equipment, and could only rely on their powers of observation and their own feelings. Let's try to reconstruct the process of creating the basic foundations of Chinese medicine:

In those ancient times, and even in winter, it was not easy to get something for food and the feeling of hunger and feeling Cold often haunted the ancient Chinese. The feeling of hunger is associated with the sensation Emptiness (Lack), and when satiated, the person enjoyed the sensation Fullness (Excess) and a feeling spreading throughout the body Heat. These feelings are Domestic, and the winter cold and warmth emanating from the fire on which he cooked food are sensations External. Or, in another way, a wise Chinese man, sitting on a mountain, watching the change of day and night, listened to his own feelings. At night - the moon and the feeling Cold, during the day - sun and feeling Heat, hungry - feeling of emptiness (Flaw), overate - feeling of fullness (Excess), what happens inside is a feeling Internal, outside - feeling External.

So we got three dichotomies - pairs Cold-Heat, Deficiency-Excess And Indoor-outdoor- six basic diagnostic criteria of Chinese medicine used to assess the condition of the body and its individual organs. It would be logical to add sensations to the list Dryness And Dampness, but the founders of Chinese medicine attributed these two concepts to the definition of the condition Body Fluids(see below).

Three vital substances - Qi, Blood and Body Fluids

Life in those days was dangerous and a person often saw a red substance flowing from any wound on the body, and sometimes it “spring out” if the vessel through which blood moves throughout the body was touched. This substance was named Blood. A dead warrior is cold and blood does not flow from his wounds, which means that the sensation of warmth is given by the movement of blood through the Vessels, manifested by pulsating points in certain places on the surface of the body. But in a dead warrior there are no pulsating points, the blood has frozen and life is gone, but in a living warrior it moves, and the feeling of blood movement means Life. And the ancient Chinese called this sensation of movement, sensation of warmth, sensation of life, sensation of pulsation - Qi. Qi- an immaterial, sensory substance, the MANIFESTATION of all life processes occurring in the human body, is associated with Blood- material substance and basis Qi. No wonder the Chinese used the same character “may” to denote distribution channels Qi and blood vessels.

Nowadays, even a schoolchild knows that the human body is 70-80% liquid. This fact could not escape the attention of the Chinese, and the concept was introduced Body Fluids, which includes sweat, saliva, sputum, vomit, semen, urine and lymph (interstitial fluid). Blood is also Body Fluid, but due to its visibility and the importance of its function as a material substance and basis Qi it was placed in a separate category by the founders of Chinese medicine, although Body Fluids can also be considered a material basis Qi, and this does not contradict the basics of Chinese medicine.

And two more vital substances - Shen and Jing

Shen- this is Spirit, Mind, consciousness and subconsciousness - an immaterial manifestation of life, while Jing- Life Essence is the material basis Shen, since when the Essences of the father and mother are combined, a new life is born and, accordingly, the Mind. In Chinese medicine the triad Jing - Qi - Shen called the "Three Jewels". There are Pre-Heavenly, Post-Heavenly Essence and Kidney Essence. Pre-Heavenly Essence is a mixture of the Essences of the father and mother, which after birth is transformed into the Kidney Essence, which is fueled throughout life by the Post-Heavenly Essence produced by the Spleen and Stomach from food and water.

Pathological states of vital substances

Each vital substance, both for the organism as a whole and for a separate organ, can have its own pathological conditions, manifested in the form of characteristic symptoms and signs felt by the patient and the doctor.

Qi

Qi Void Qi(disadvantage) Stagnation of Qi And Counterflow of Qi.

State of Void Qi characterized by mild shortness of breath, weak voice, spontaneous sweating, decreased appetite, general weakness, fatigue, and weak stools.

State of Qi Stagnation characterized by a feeling of fullness and wandering pains, depression, irritability, frequent mood swings, frequent sighs.

State of Counterflow (disturbance) of Qi. We remember that the carrier Qi are Blood And Body fluids, i.e. Where Blood And Liquids- there and Qi. For example, natural movement Stomach Qi- down, food processed in the stomach in the form of a liquid substance moves down - this is a normal movement Stomach Qi. But vomiting, heartburn, hiccups, belching are a typical example Counterflow of Qi- stomach fluids rise upward, which means Qi rises up. Another example is Counterflow of Lung Qi. Normally, the movement of Lung Qi is directed downward and throughout the body with the flow of oxygenated blood. If the Qi of the Lungs rises, a cough with phlegm, nasal discharge, sneezing, and asthma appears.

Blood

Blood may be in a pathological state Void Blood(disadvantage) Blood Stagnation And Heat of Blood.

Void State(disadvantage) Blood characterized by dizziness, memory loss, numbness and tingling in the extremities, insomnia, pale lips and pale tongue.

Blood Stagnation Condition. The main symptom is aching, stabbing localized pain. Other symptoms are purple lips and nails, dark complexion, purple tongue.

Blood Heat Condition. The main symptom is a feeling of heat. Other symptoms are skin diseases with red rashes, thirst, red tongue, rapid pulse.

Body fluids

Body fluids may be in a pathological state Dryness, Dampness And Phlegm.

Dry condition(disadvantage) Body fluids characterized by dry skin, dry mouth, dry nose, dry lips, dry cough, dry tongue, scanty urine, dry stool.

Damp Condition(edema). From a Chinese medicine perspective, swelling is caused by fluids moving from their normal pathways into the space between the skin and muscles.

State of Phlegm. well and Reflux- this is a manifestation of stagnation Dampness- thick, cloudy dampness. Reflux- this is the basis for the formation of compactions and formations in tissues, a very unpleasant substance that is very difficult to fight.

Kidney Essence (Jing)

Kidney Essence (Jing) may be in a pathological state Disadvantage And Leaks.

Kidney Essence Deficiency Condition characterized by a lack of sexual activity, early gray hair and hair loss, weakness in the knees.

Essence Leakage Condition characterized by leakage of semen (spermorrhea), uterine bleeding.

Mind (Shen)

Mind (Shen) It may be able to Worries from Deficiency or Excess. In Chinese medicine, the Heart is considered the seat of the Mind, so the pathology of the Mind will manifest itself in the pathology of the Heart.

Anxiety of the Mind from Lack characterized by anxiety, restless dreams, palpitations, poor memory, fearfulness.

Restlessness of the Mind from Excess characterized by agitation, restlessness, insomnia, fever, thirst, red tip of the tongue.

Yin and Yang

So, we have figured out the basic diagnostic criteria and the states of the five vital substances. You may ask - where? Yin-Yang law? Everyone knows these two words and in any book about Chinese medicine they are spoken of as the fundamental law of the universe.

In fact, these two words are just philosophical concepts, categories used to reason about dual (opposite, interconnected and interdependent) phenomena, introduced into use around the sixth century BC by the Yin Yang school of philosophy. It can also be said that Yin-Yang law is the Chinese version of the law of unity and struggle of opposites in Western culture.

At the intuitive (meditative) level, all dual phenomena can be considered from the point of view Yin And Ian. Then Cold, Emptiness, Internal- this is a category Yin, A Heat, Completeness, External- this is a category Ian. For other phenomena, these examples can be multiplied indefinitely, night (Yin) - day (Yang), etc. and so on.

In medicine the concept Yin the structure and tissue of organs may correspond, i.e. Blood, Body fluids And Jing, and the concept Ian- function of organs, i.e. Shen, Qi and Vital function. What is the convenience of using these two categories in medicine? When we talk about a healthy, harmonious, balanced organ, we mean that the structure and tissues of the organ correspond to its functions, i.e. talking about balance Yin And Ian organ. On the other side Yin- This Blood, Liquids And Jing organ, and Ian- This Shen, Qi and the ability of the organ to perform work, to warm (Vital function), which means that in a state of balance there is enough Blood, Liquids And Jing, and Shen, Qi and Vital function. An imbalance is characterized by a deficiency or excess Yin and/or Ian. Thus, with just two abstract concepts Yin And Ian you can convey different states of the organ (seven states in total - balance Yin And Ian, deficiency of Yin (Empty Heat) and excess of Yin (Full Cold), deficiency of Yang (Empty Cold) and excess of Yang (Full Heat), deficiency of Yin and Yang (Emptiness), excess of Yin and Yang (Fullness).

So, let's summarize. Six basic elementary sensations (states), these are pairs Cold - Heat, Flaw - Excess, Internal - External, supplemented by a pair Yin And Ian and constitute the eight classic universal basic diagnostic criteria in the theory of Chinese medicine.

If we supplement this list with the states of the three Vital Substances - these are Qi (Lack, Stagnation, Counterflow), Blood (Lack, Stagnation, Heat) and Body Fluids (Dryness, Dampness, Phlegm) - a total of nine states, as well as the states of Shen - Mind (Anxiety from Lack or from Excess) and Jing - Essence (Lack or Leakage) we will receive - differential diagnostic tool - CONSTRUCTOR OF TWENTY-ONE “CUBES”, which allows you to describe the imbalance of any organ or organism as a whole and the corresponding methods for correcting each condition:

Wu-Xing (Five Element Theory)

Another question will inevitably arise - where is the theory? Wu Xing(the theory of the Five Elements), the second, mandatory element in books about Chinese medicine?

Anatomy in those days was rather weak, not like now, but we figured it out anyway and identified five so-called dense organs - Liver, Heart, Spleen, Kidneys, Lungs. And also five hollow organs - Gall Bladder, Small Intestine, Stomach, Large Intestine and Bladder. Why did we write the names of organs with a capital letter? Because here we mean not only a specific organ, but an entire functional system assigned to this organ. For example, the Spleen includes not only the spleen itself, but also the pancreas, and not only.

The same school that introduced the concepts Yin And Ian, a theory was proposed to explain the interaction of internal organs Wu Xing(five elements, five phases, five movements). Popularity of the theory Wu Xing It has risen and fallen and is characterized by many contradictions that limit its use in medicine. Since its appearance, it has been constantly criticized, and in modern China it is generally recognized as unscientific. The attempt to replace the real interaction of internal organs at the physiological level with an abstract diagram of the interaction of organs along generative and oppressive connections naturally came to its logical conclusion, and its study can only be interesting in a historical sense. For reference, Japan imported Chinese medicine around the seventh century, and in the process of adapting to national cultural traditions, it was transformed into traditional Japanese medicine KAMPO, which translated means “The Way of Han” is the Chinese way. As a result of a critical rethinking of the theory of Chinese medicine, the Japanese even then abandoned the use of theories Yin - Ian and U -Syn, considering them speculative and untrue. The Japanese cannot be denied rationalism and common sense; it is worth listening to their opinion.

Causes of diseases

What is a disease and why does a person get sick, what is the reason? The question is relevant now, and even more so then. Able Health a person is in a state of harmony and balance both with the environment and with the internal harmony of all organs. A healthy person is active, full of desires and plans, his eyes “burn”, there is no sensation of the body, it is only an instrument for fulfilling desires, there are no symptoms or signs of disharmony. When all a person’s organs are in a state of balance, he is healthy, but the appearance of symptoms and signs indicates an imbalance in this balance, and this is a disease from the point of view of Chinese medicine.

If you ask a child, who is to blame for the fact that we are sick? Then, of course, the number one answer in the survey will be bad weather! The ancient Chinese, like children, also had the same opinion. Therefore, the first obvious cause of disease in those ancient times was bad weather - Cold, Heat, Dryness, Dampness, Wind and Summer Heat (Fire). Let's call them External pathogenic factors. Weather deviations from the norm have always caused outbreaks of diseases. External pathogenic factor attacks Outer layer of our body (skin, muscles and tendons) causing various diseases, including colds. If it is not expelled in time and quickly, it penetrates deeper and becomes Internal Pathogenic Factor, which affects internal organs.

The second, less obvious then, but probably the most relevant reason now is our emotions - Anger, Joy, Sadness, Anxiety, Brooding, Fear and Shock. Even the ancients noticed that a person obsessed with any one emotion inevitably begins to get sick.

Well, the third, no less relevant in our time - lifestyle - physical and mental overload, insufficient physical activity, excessive sexual activity, errors in diet.

What happens when we get sick?

First. External or Internal Pathogenic Factors, affects three basic life substances - Qi, Blood And Body fluids and lead to disruption of their movement and distribution throughout the body.

Second. Disturbance of movement and distribution Qi, Blood And Body fluids leads to imbalance in the body and its individual organs.

Third. An imbalance results in symptoms and signs characteristic of that imbalance.

Over several thousand years of existence and development of Chinese medicine, enormous experience has been accumulated in analyzing the causes and relationships between imbalances in a particular organ or system and the associated symptoms and signs.

Diagnostics

Based on the symptoms and signs identified during the diagnostic process - examination, questioning, listening and sniffing, as well as palpating the patient, the doctor establishes a pattern of the disease (a pattern or several patterns) and determines the nature and location of the imbalance.

The nature of the imbalance is determined by eight diagnostic criteria and the state of Qi, Blood and Body Fluids, indicating the location of the problem (in a specific organ) and characteristic symptoms and signs, which gives us a picture of the disease (pattern, or syndrome).

An example of a description of an organ imbalance (pattern) in Chinese medicine is as follows:

• Spleen Qi deficiency(fatigue, poor appetite, weak stool)
• Heart Blood Stagnation(acute chest pain, bluish lips, purple-red tongue);
• Kidney Yin deficiency
• Kidney Yin deficiency(lower back pain, night sweats)
• Dampness-Heat Gallbladder(feeling of fullness in the hypochondrium, bitter taste in the mouth, thick yellow sticky coating on the tongue)

Treatment

The main principle of treatment- in case of condition Cold need to be warmed - if necessary Heat needs to be cooled Flaw need to be replenished Excess need to be taken out. As soon as the doctor makes a diagnosis using differential diagnostics for 21 conditions, the treatment strategy is immediately clear - a total of 21 possible actions or a combination of them to correct the condition.

Herbal medicine

Herbs had previously been used for treatment, and ancient healers noticed that a decoction of some herbs warms, and others - cools, which is a decoction of sweet and sour herbs tones and quickly remove the feeling Voids, and bitter and pungent ones cause sweating or vomiting, stool or urination ( drainage), and dissipates Stagnation and relieve sensation Completeness. A decoction of other herbs is simple harmonizes condition and removes conflicting sensations. In accordance with these observations, over time, eight basic treatments:

Sweating, Vomiting, Drainage (Looseness), Harmonization, Warming, Cooling, Toning and Dissipation.

For each herb, ancient doctors identified the main characteristics that helped them choose the right herb for treatment: First - Nature- Cooling or Warming, Second - Taste- Sweet and Sour - replenishing, Bitter and Spicy - removing, Salty - dissolving, Third - Tropicness- Impact on the corresponding functional system, Fourth - Action to the basic vital substances, Fifth - Symptoms, which are eliminated by taking this herb. They also arranged all the herbs into “shelves” in accordance with the eight methods of treatment, as well as the effect of the herbs on the main vital substances (Qi, Blood and Body Fluids).

Gradually, as they gained experience, ancient doctors learned to combine various herbs together, and favorite combinations appeared that helped Patients well in various conditions. The combinations were named In cursive. At first these were simple combinations of two herbs, then of three, then they began to combine “twos” and “threes” and learned to compose complex Recipes. There appeared its own system for compiling Recipes, where there was Main component (herb or several herbs) that solved the main task of the Recipe, its Deputy, helping to solve the main problem, Assistant, whose main task was to weaken the negative effect of the main herbs on other organs, and Conductor, making it easier for all other herbs to solve problems.

Exact compliance of the prescription with the current condition of the patient - similarity, as in homeopathy, often leads to stunning results in the form of an improvement in the condition immediately after the first use of the decoction. Preparing a decoction at home is troublesome and, at the current pace of life, almost impossible. The Chinese began to produce the first honey pills, which were herbs finely ground in a mortar and mixed with a small amount of honey. The rational Japanese were the first to begin producing concentrated pills from medicinal herbs by repeatedly boiling and evaporating them to a certain consistency. In modern pills, the concentration level corresponds to 5, which makes it possible to reduce the daily dosage by the same number of times. Over the past two years, certified classical herbal preparations have appeared on the Russian market; only in the professional series of herbal preparations “FIVE ELEMENT FORMULA” there are about 60 of them. Convenient color and digital marking of herbal medicines in this series makes it easy to navigate in choosing a medicine that suits your condition.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture has evolved over several thousand years and continues to evolve. Any scientific theory is based on two main components: empirical facts and an explanatory model. Over the millennia, the Chinese have accumulated a huge amount of empirical facts about the relationship of various parts of the surface of the human body with each other and with internal organs . It was in an attempt to explain this relationship that the ancient healers formulated the theory of “Channels” (Jing-Lo), based on the ingenious for that time ASSUMPTION of the ancient Chinese that there was some unknown BASIS for all life processes in the body, called Qi. At the same time, there was a transition from the concept of Qi, as a SENSATION (a manifestation of the reflection of all life processes in the body), to the concept of Qi, as the BASIS of these processes. It is precisely this philosophical idea, where Qi is the basis of all processes in the body, and the entire theory of TCM was subsequently developed. Channel theory has become the "cornerstone" of TCM theory. Within the framework of this theory, Qi moves through special channels connecting acupuncture points, the impact of which leads to the restoration of balance in the corresponding organs.

Research conducted in China and other countries, including Russia, over the past 50 years to confirm the traditional theory of “channels” and search for their anatomical correlate has led nowhere, despite the enormous intellectual and financial resources invested in these studies. On the other hand, scrupulous research and analysis of primary sources and materials from archaeological excavations conducted in China for 20 years (at the Institute of Acupuncture Research at the Academy of TCM in Beijing under the leadership of Professor Longxiang Huang) made it possible to reconstruct the process of the origin of Chinese medicine, which confirms its phenomenological essence, and make a “seditious” assumption that the theory of “channels” is irrevocably outdated and is now a brake on the development of TCM.

The first acupuncture points were identified when examining patients as pulsating points (in fact, these were the sites of the superficial location of the arteries), which, according to ancient doctors, was caused by a vital force called Qi. Presence or absence Qi(pulsations) determined whether the patient was alive or dead. It was believed that all parts of the body are connected by channels or vessels Qi. By palpating pulse points throughout the body, doctors diagnosed the patient's condition. Since the pulsation was not felt along the entire length of the canal, but only at certain points, doctors connected them into an imaginary canal, thereby “finishing” its invisible part. It is not for nothing that the hieroglyph “may”, denoting a channel, also denotes a blood vessel. Of course, at different times, different doctors connected the dots in different ways, and hence the whole variety of theories of channels and meridians. Impact on these points led to relief of the patients' condition and restoration of balance.

IN The Yellow Emperor's Treatise on the Inner (Huang Di Nei Jing), composed approximately between 206 BC. and 220 BC Numerous previously existing theories based on movement were summarized Qi through channels. The treatise became a landmark event in the history of ancient medicine and is still used as a textbook on acupuncture throughout the world. After the appearance of the Treatise, acupuncture did not stop in its development: the number of theories, points and channels increased. When clinical facts did not fit any existing theory, they could be ignored so as not to call the entire theory into question. New theories had to not contradict the old ones: among the Chinese this is expressed by the proverb “Cut your feet, since your shoes are too small.” The classical acupuncture that has come down to us is a mixture of valuable theories and extensive clinical experience with misconceptions and incomplete explanatory models.

Currently the situation looks ridiculous. Scientists have been using the latest technological and scientific advances to study the physiological and molecular mechanisms of acupuncture for over 50 years, but students and professionals who want to study acupuncture are still taught by the Yellow Emperor's Treatise and textbooks written based on it.

The theory of “Channels” (Jing-Lo) has fulfilled its historical role, preserving the vast empirical experience of previous generations of Chinese doctors, but now it is holding back the development of acupuncture, which needs a new theory, a new explanatory model.

The main value of Chinese acupuncture, and the Chinese themselves say this, is the colossal empirical experience confirming the connection between individual points on the surface of the body with each other and with internal organs. This connection manifests itself with one or another influence on the point by a change in the state of the internal organs in accordance with 21 criteria for differential diagnosis and the elimination of symptoms and signs characteristic of this condition.

A few words about reflexology

It is clear that the period of formation of reflexology in the country was not simple (and it all started in 1957) and now is not the time or place to understand why we ended up as always “ ahead of the rest" From the holistic system of healing, only one method was taken - acupuncture. Why, as has always happened with us, ideology and revolutionary methods were dominant: “ The whole world violence we will destroy. Down to the ground, and then. We are ours, we are let's build a new world..." An attempt to replace differential diagnosis with instrumental diagnostic methods was an additional incentive to study the various mechanisms of acupuncture, but, unfortunately, a holistic, comprehensive, scientifically based theory based on neurology was never created, and the participation of the nervous system (reflex reactions) is not the only and, as practice shows, far from being the decisive mechanism for the therapeutic effect of acupuncture. As a result, in reflexology there is not a trace left of traditional differential diagnosis, which, together with vast empirical experience, is the main value of Chinese medicine and determines the effectiveness of treatment. It is for this reason that one often hears a common and offensive phrase for a reflexologist: “ the effectiveness of acupuncture decreases inversely with the square of the distance from Beijing».

The bottom line in the “baggage of knowledge” of a newly minted reflexologist is a prescription reference book of points for pricking by nosology, a description of the topography and symptoms of these points, modest recommendations on the Place, Method and Moment of Impact and an idea of ​​philosophical categories Yin And Ian and theories Wu Xing. And then he is one on one with the patient, although armed with diagnostic tools according to Voll, according to Nakatani, according to Akabana, he treats “deficiency” or “excess” Qi in the “channel” and through trial and error, he gains clinical experience. Although the theory of TCM, based on rich empirical experience, states that problems of the acupuncture channel may or may not be associated with problems of the internal organ associated with the channel. The same is true for an internal organ, the problems of which may or may not be reflected in the acupuncture channel.

A contradictory situation is emerging: on the one hand, modern reflexology uses the latest achievements and technologies in the study of the physiological, molecular and bioinformational mechanisms of acupuncture, on the other hand, the treatment of deficiency and excess Qi and a “virtual” channel, albeit with the use of diagnostic tools. An amazing combination of modern technologies with outdated theoretical models! And as a result, more than 90% of specialists, if they do not give up this activity - reflexology, then come to the conclusion that it is necessary to study the traditional methodology of differential diagnosis and, of course, use all the rich empirical experience of Chinese medicine.

Unfortunately, modern physics has not yet reached an understanding of the field structure associated with the concept Qi in Chinese medicine. On the other hand, from a modern point of view, discussions about Qi in Chinese philosophy and medicine do not correspond to the modern level of development of natural science.

Based on an understanding of the phenomenological essence of Chinese medicine and the concepts of modern quantum wave physics, the consistent movement Qi through channels is conditional, schematic in nature. The idea of ​​acupuncture points looks more realistic - like nodes in the quantum-wave frame of the human body, which consists of the radiation of each cell of our body. This idea of ​​radiation was first expressed by Russian scientist Peter Garyaev while studying the human genome. Confirming that each cell contains complete information about the organism is the possibility of cloning. This will also explain the presence of “correspondence systems” in different areas of the body.

Taking into account all of the above, it can be assumed that the acupuncture channel is essentially acupuncture point classification system, same category as Yin And Ian and theory Wu Xing. The Frenchman Soulier de Moran was right when he called it a meridian - a conventional line, an element of a coordinate system.

Of course, Russian reflexologists have made a huge contribution to the study of the mechanisms of action of acupuncture at the neurophysiological, biochemical and biophysical levels and are theoretically ready to propose new theories and explanatory models in acupuncture. Just do not discard the valuable empirical experience accumulated over thousands of years and the traditional differential diagnosis, which is brilliant in its simplicity, which gives them the opportunity to use in their medical work not only acupuncture, but also another method of traditional Chinese medicine - herbal medicine.

Finally

So let's look back and see what we did:

• They reduced the Yin-Yang theory to two banal categories and to an analogue of the law of unity and the struggle of opposites in Western culture.
• The Wu Xing Law was regarded as an attempt to replace the real interaction of internal organs at the physiological level with an abstract diagram of the interaction of organs along generative and oppressive connections and was recognized as unscientific.
• The theory of “channels” (Ching-Lo), the cornerstone of TCM, was considered to have played its historical role and was called a “brake” in the further development of acupuncture (reflexology).
• We have reduced the concept of Qi to the level of sensations, since we don’t know what it really is.
• Reflexology also received criticism for neglecting traditional differential diagnosis and treating “virtual canals.”

And what remains of Chinese medicine:

• An ingeniously simple system for assessing the state of homeostasis (balance) of the body and its individual organs, using only 21 differential diagnostic criteria, which determine both the condition and the action to correct it, the same for both herbal medicine and acupuncture and other methods of influence.
• According to the theory of Chinese medicine, disease is believed to be an imbalance in one or more functional systems, which is manifested by symptoms and signs indicating an imbalance, which is described using 21 differential diagnosis criteria. Over several thousand years of existence and development of Chinese medicine, enormous experience has been accumulated in analyzing the relationship between imbalances in a specific organ (described on the basis of 21 criteria) and associated symptoms and signs.
• The experience of using individual herbs and their compositions to correct the condition, proven over thousands of years, is again based on 21 differential diagnostic criteria.
• Invaluable empirical experience confirming the connection between individual points on the surface of the body with each other and with internal organs. This connection manifests itself with one or another influence on the point by a change in the state of the internal organs in accordance with 21 criteria for differential diagnosis and the elimination of symptoms and signs characteristic of this condition.

Since the advent of humanity, there has been a need to fight various diseases. Therefore, there have always been people involved in healing. They were called differently, but the essence did not change.

In the practice of healers, numerous herbs, infusions, plant extracts, spells, etc. were used. Over time, medicine appeared as a science, and, accordingly, chemicals that are now used to treat diseases.

But, despite the extensive range of the pharmacological industry, more and more people began to trust and turn to oriental medicine as an unconventional way to get rid of diseases and restore health.

To put it simply, modern medicine treats a diseased organ, while eastern medicine deals with the patient’s health as a whole. This probably explains the presence of a large number of centenarians in Asia.

The basis of oriental medicine is to combat the cause of illness, and not its consequences, and restore the patient’s disturbed internal harmony. The list of components of the recommended drug acts not only on the physical, but also on the energy level in the body.

The tenets of Chinese medicine say that a person must be in balance with the world around him, because this is impossible with an unhealthy lifestyle. To comprehend the secrets of oriental medicine and live a long time without knowing diseases is the dream of every person.

To restore lost harmony to a person is the goal of this treatment method. Each Case is approached individually. Doctors practicing oriental medicine use a variety of:

• - impact with special needles on special points;
• — a set of therapeutic and diagnostic methods of influencing certain points of the patient’s body;
• — the impact of the therapist’s hands on the patient’s body;
• yoga - various spiritual, mental and physical practices;
• Ayurveda - a system of protection and correction of the human condition; and etc.

For example, negative emotions affect muscles, and their damage leads to diseases of the musculoskeletal system. According to statistics, people most often resort to oriental medicine in the following cases:

• Insomnia;
• Hypertension;
• Various neuroses;
• Pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract;
• osteochondrosis;
• chronic fatigue syndrome, etc.

Currently, with the growing speed of technological progress, the majority of the population does not pay any attention to deteriorating health. Therefore, people turn to medicine at the highest stage of disease development. Therefore, oriental medicine pays attention to prevention. A positive outlook on life and peace of mind are the main conditions for a healthy person.

According to Eastern teaching, there are four levels in the human body:

• physical body;
• energy channel system;
• emotions;
• psyche.

According to Eastern doctors, the disease originates in the depths of the mind, and then manifests itself on the physical level with certain symptoms. As a result, damage to the emotional and mental sphere of a person occurs.

Those. a person’s psycho-emotional state determines the health of his physical body.

The main objectives of this direction in treatment are:

• health promotion (prevention);
• increasing people's health reserves (correction of minor discomfort);
• treatment.

Eastern medicine is based on the philosophical canons of existence, on the unity of all things. Harmony of the soul, observance of the laws of existence, balance of external and internal forces is the main factor of health in general. Each person is free to decide what methods to use to make their life fulfilling.