TCM Theory

Written by admin on September 22, 2010. Posted in All Posts

NB***The use of Taoism (Ying Yang) in Chinese medicine does not include any religious practices or rituals. Toaism is a philosophy or an observation of what is. It is not a religion.

Acudetox practitioners may not use this science to direct anyone towards any religion and agree to this code of ethics by signing an ethics agreement which binds a NADA ADP to this ethic. .

Traditional Chinese Medicine Theory (TCM)

Yin and Yang is one of the most fundamental concepts in traditional chinese medicine, as it is the foundation of diagnosis and treatment. The earliest reference to yin and yang is in the i ching (book of changes) in approximately in 700 BC. in this work, all phenomena are said to be reduced to yin-yang.

yin

yang

properties: 1. female, passive, negative principle in nature 2. the moon 3. shaded orientation 4. north or shady side of a hill 5. south of a river 6. down 7. night time 8. matter 9. earth 10. flat 11. more material (dense) 12. produces form 13. contraction 14. decending 15. below 16. water 17. deficiency 18. hypo activity 19. chronic disease, gradual onset 20. slowly changing symptoms 21. quiet, lethargy, sleepiness 22. wants to be covered 23. lies curled up 24. clod limbs and body 25. pale face 26. weak voice, no desire to talk 27. shallow weak breathing 28. No thirst, wants warm drinks 29. copius clear urine 30. loose stools, fluids not transformed 31. clear, copious secretions 32. excessive moisture 33. degenerative disease 34. pale tongue, white coat 35. empty pulse

properties: 1. positive, active, male principle in nature 2. the sun 3. bright orientation 4. south or sunny side of a hill 5. north of a river. 6. up 7. day time 8. energy 9. heaven 10. round 11. non-material (space) 12. produces energy 13. expansion 14. acending 15. above 16. fire 17. excess 18. hyper activity 19. acute disease, rapid onset 20. rapiid pathalogical changes 21. restlessness, insomnia 22. throws off bedclothes 23. lies stretched out 24. hot limbs and body 25. red face 26. loud voice and talkative 27. coarse, deep breathing 28. Thirsty wnats cold drinks 29. scanty, dark urine 30. constipation, damage to fluids by heat 31. thick, sticky white/yellow secretions 32. excessive dryness (throat, skin, eyes etc.) 33. inflammatory disease 34. red tongue, yellow coat 35. full pulse

The four main aspects of a Yin-Yang relationship :-

Yin-Yang are opposites:

They are either on the opposite ends of a cycle, like the seasons of the year, or, opposites on a continuum of energy or matter. This opposition is relative, and can only be spoken of in relationships. For example: water is yin relative to steam but yang relative to ice. Yin and Yang are never static but in a constantly changing balance.

Yin-Yang are interdependent:

They cannot exist without each other. The tai ji (supreme ultimate) diagram shows the relationship of Yin & Yang and illustrates interdependence on Yin & Yang. nothing is totally yin or totally yang. Just as a state of total Yin is reached, Yang begins to grow. Yin contains seed of Yang and vise versa. They constantly transform into each other. For example: no energy without matter, no day without night. The classics state: “Yin creates Yang and Yang activates Yin”.

The mutual consumption of Yin and Yang:

Relative levels of Yin Yang are continuously changing. Normally this is a harmonious change, but when Yin or Yang are out of balance they affect each other, and too much of one can eventually weaken (consume) the other.

inter-transformation of yin and yang:

one can change into the other, but it is not a random event, happening only when the time is right. for example: spring only comes when winter is finished.

Four (4) possible states of imbalance.

1. Preponderance (excess) of Yin.

2. Preponderance (excess) of Yang.

3. Weakness (deficiency) of Yin.

4. Weakness (deficiency) of Yang

Yin Yang forms the basis of traditional Chinese medicine theory.

Yin and Yang and the human body

The front and back

Front is more soft and vulnerable (yin).
Back contains spine that holds ribs: protection (yang).

When human depicted as crouching, back receives sun (yang) and front faces the earth (yin), is in shade and is protected. All yang channels (except the Stomach channel) flow on the dorsal or dorsolateral surface of the trunk and limbs. They carry yang energy and protect the body from pathogenic factors. Yin channels flow on the anterior or anteromedial surface of the trunk and limbs.

the body and head

Yang channels either end or begin on the head. Acupuncture points on the head can be used to raise yang energy . when Yang energy is not cooled by yin, it may rise to the head, causing signs such as red face and eyes. the head is easily affected by yang pathogens such as heat and wind. the chest and abdomen (yin) areas are more easily affected by yin pathogens such as cold and dampness. Interior and exterior

The exterior of the body such as the skin and muscles is more yang. The exterior protects body from attack by external pathogenic influences such as cold, wind, etc.

The classics state: “yang is on the outside and protects yin”.

below the waist and above the waist

Below waist – closer to earth (yin).
Above, closer to heaven (yang).
Upper part more affected by yang pathogens, i.e. wind.
Lower part more affected by yn pathogens, i.e. cold damp.

The anterior/medial and posterior/lateral surface of the limbs

Yin channels flow on anterior-medial aspect of trunk/limbs.
Yang channels flow on posterior-lateral aspect of trunk/limbs.

Structure and function

Structure = something substantial, i.e. Matter (yin)

fFnction = something insubstantial, action, energy (yang)

All parts of the body have a structure (a physical form), and a function (their activity) however, all is relative. Even within the yang category of function, there are yin functions (i.e. storage, conservation) and yang functions, i.e. transformation, transportation, digestion, excretion.

Within the yin category of form there are yin forms (“solid”) and yang forms (“hollow”)

The blood, body fluids, and Qi

Qi is energy, more yang.
Blood = denser and more material (therefore yin).
But note that “xue” (blood) not exactly like our concept of blood. more like “thicker” form of Qi.

Note: There are several types of Qi. Each is relatively more Yin or Yang.

Ancestral QI (more yin, more slow moving. moves in long slow cycles).
Ying Qi (more yang than ancestral Qi, moves with blood with which it is closely related). Yin is more Yin than Wei Qi.
Wei Qi the most yang form of Qi. circulates in the exterior in the daytime to protect us from pathogenic influences, and regulates opening/closing of pores.

conservation/store (yin) and transformation/change (yang)

yin organs store blood, body fluids, essence, etc.
yang organs constantly transform, transport and excrete the products of digestion.

Solid and hollow organs (zang fu)

Yin organs are “solid”: constantly active, involved in production and storage of the body’s vital substances (Qi blood, body fluids, essence)
Yang organs are “hollow”: receive and circulate but do not store, involved in digestion, transformation, excretion.sore throats, nosebleeds, irritability, manic behavior.

Yang does not warm and activate Yin (cold limbs, hypo-activity, poor circulation of blood, pale face, low energy. actual symptoms depend on specific pathologies, which organ involved, etc.

Yin and Yang in pathology

Clinical signs and symptoms can be interpreted via Yin-Yang theory. When Yin Yang are in dynamic balance and relating harmoniously, there are no symptoms to observe. When Yin and Yang are out of balance, they become separated.

For example:

a.) Yin does not cool and nourish yang so yang rises (headaches, red face, sore eyes, sore throats, nosebleeds, irritability, manic behavior.

b.) Yang does not warm and activate Yin (cold limbs, hypo-activity, poor circulation of blood, pale face, low energy. actual symptoms depend on specific pathologies, which organ involved, etc.