Part 1 of 2
Chinese medicine dates back approximately 3000 years and has established an immense depth of knowledge in medical science, theory, diagnostic methods, prescriptions and cures. Without modern diagnostics or even surgery, practitioners of Chinese medicine were able to develop this complex system from observing humans through their own senses in relation to the setting they lived in-nature. The medicine describes the body in terms of yin and yang, basic substance, layers or levels of the body and in relation to elements found in nature such as wood and water.
Yin and Yang
The Physiology of Chinese medicine holds that the human body's life is the result of the balance of yin and yang. Yin is the inner and negative principles, and yang, outer and positive. The key reason why there is sickness is because the two aspects lose their harmony. Seen from the recovery mechanism of organs, yang functions to protect from outer harm, and yin is the inner base to store and provide energy for its counterpart.(1)
Basic Substance
Doctors of traditional Chinese medicine believe that vital energy-energetic particles, state of blood, and body fluid are the essential substances that compose together to form the human body, and the basis for internal organs to process. They are channeled along a network within the body as their channels. On the physical side, vital energy serving to promote and warm belongs to the properties of yang, and blood and body fluid to moisten possesses the properties of yin.(1)
The Three Levels
The Chinese Medicine organ network
is comprised of 12 organs, all functioning together, yet with individual
characteristics. These organs have associated channels, which are paths through
which the life-energy or “qi” flows. There are also five groups of tissues or
substances such as blood, muscle and skin supporting the body in its
physiologic needs. This intertwined, dynamic system
functions in our body to maintain health and wellness, yet when out of balance is at risk of disease development.
Video link to a discussion about the Twelve Organ Networks of Chinese Medicine:
Level One-the most superficial in the body.
The 12 meridians are listed below in the order of energy flow through the body. The time next to the organ is the corresponding time in which the organ displays its most influential energy during the day. (2)
Lungs
|
3 AM to 5 AM
|
Large Intestine
|
5 AM to 7 AM
|
Stomach
|
7 AM to 9 AM
|
Spleen
|
9 AM to 11 AM
|
Heart
|
11 AM to 1 PM
|
Small Intestine
|
1 PM to 3 PM
|
Bladder
|
3 PM to 5 PM
|
Kidney
|
5 PM to 7 PM
|
Pericardium
|
7 PM to 9 PM
|
Triple Warmer
|
9 PM to 11 PM
|
Gall Bladder
|
11 PM to 1 AM
|
Liver
|
1 AM to 3 AM
|
Chinese medicine believes there is a distribution network for the fundamental substances of qi, blood and body fluids throughout the body. (These fundamental substances are different from the common western understandings of these terms, and their concepts are important for maintaining health using Chinese medicine.) This distribution network called the Meridian System looks like a giant web, linking different areas of our body together. Its pathways make up a comprehensive yet complex body map that supplies vital energy to every part of the body. Philosophically, the Meridian System explains how we live, and why we become sick. (3)
Level Two-the substance thought to be in between the layers.
The 5 Groups of Tissues
Blood
Qi/Essence
Soft Tissue and Fluid
Skin/Skin hair
Bones, Joints, Cartilage, Muscles, Tendons,
Head Hair
Blood, qi, essence and fluid are considered the vital substances in Chinese Medicine. All life comes from these and must be preserved for life to sustain. Much like Western Medicine, if blood and body fluids are lost in excess, vital organs are unable to maintain their function. The heart and brain, for example, would lack oxygen in order to sustain their cellular functions. Much the same in Chinese medicine, without these vital substances, the 12 organs suffer from lack of nourishment to maintain their function.
The other tissue groups are comprised of structural tissue, mainly connective tissue, that maintains physical structure in the body and runs between the organs and carries the vital substances to cells in the organs and tissues. For example, the blood vessels are included in this group of tissues which transport the blood to the vital organs and other tissues.
For further reading on Qi and Essence refer to Dr. Eisen and Dr. Chen's article on Qi and Chinese Medicine for a more in depth description.
Level Three-the deepest layer in the body.
The 12 Organs-divided into either yin or yang.
Yin organs: Lung, Spleen, Heart, Liver,
Kidney
· Solid and deeper organs
·
Involved in regulation, manufacturing and
storage of fundamental substances such as blood and essence.
Yang organs: Large Intestine, Stomach, Small
Intestine, Pericardium, Triple Warmer, Bladder, Gallbladder
·
Hollow and superficial organs
·
Function of receiving, separating, distributing
and excreting
The 12 organs form a complex interrelated network with many connections that truly embody how we are one whole system. Chinese medicine does not diagnose a disorder based on one organ dysfunction. Rather it looks at this system as a whole unit functioning interdependently, one organ relying on the other to generate or assist in controlling its function. For example the Heart generates Spleen function which relies on the heart coursing blood through the body. If the heart is deficient in its action, the spleen cannot perform its function of transforming qi and blood. The system can slowly weaken creating disease in the body if all the organs are not optimally functioning.
To learn more about the 12 organs, their specific functions and relationships in the body see the following link:
http://www.assemblixinc.com/ZangFu/ZangFu.html
Part 2 of this article will further explain principles of diagnosis and treatment.
References
1. http://www.travelchinaguide.com/intro/medicine.htm
2. http://www.sacredlotus.com/acupuncture/channel_theory.cfm
3. http://www.shen-nong.com/eng/principles/whatmeridian.html
Images courtesy of http://www.soundsourcery.com/tjm/images/FiveElement.gif
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/exhibition/chinesemedicine/images/yin_yang.jpg
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