A brief introduction to Traditional Chinese Acupuncture:
the origins of the Chinese system of medicine
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It is virtually impossible to discuss traditional acupuncture without touching on the most fundamental concepts of yin-yang and the five phases.
Eastern philosophy is based on the premise that all life occurs within the circle of nature. Nature being a unified system called the Tao (pronounced dow), with polar and complimentary aspects named Yin and Yang (pronounced yong). Nature is in constant motion, following cyclical patterns that describe the process of transformation. When the elements of nature are in balance, life is harmonic and flourishes. When the balance of polar forces is upset, disaster looms. Human beings are a microcosm of nature, the ideogram for human being is a figure rooted in the earth like a tree with outstretched hands like branches toward heaven, receiving power from above and below.
Eastern philosophy is based on the premise that all life occurs within the circle of nature. Nature being a unified system called the Tao (pronounced dow), with polar and complimentary aspects named Yin and Yang (pronounced yong). Nature is in constant motion, following cyclical patterns that describe the process of transformation. When the elements of nature are in balance, life is harmonic and flourishes. When the balance of polar forces is upset, disaster looms. Human beings are a microcosm of nature, the ideogram for human being is a figure rooted in the earth like a tree with outstretched hands like branches toward heaven, receiving power from above and below.
Sustained by the power of the earth and transformed by the power of heaven. One need not adopt the Eastern philosophy as a religion in order to understand and use the way information was organized to successfully practice Chinese medicine.
We see that the ancient Chinese principles of yin-yang had its roots in the Chinese calendar. As agriculture grew in importance the calendar became invaluable in determining the proper time of planting and harvesting. The introduction of the seasons as five phases emerges from this observation. These two principles over time were organized into a complimentary system, which was used to understand natural phenomenon, and to order the conduct of all human affairs including government, economics, medicine, and military strategy. Just as we use scientific approach to understand the world today, the principles of yin-yang and the five phases (seasons) constituted a quasi-science under which Chinese civilization operated.
The terms yin and yang may be ancient, yet the concept they embody is timeless. Yin and yang are labels that describe how things function, a philosophical construct of two opposites. It is a way of thinking, one that describes things as being part of a whole, where no one thing exists in and of itself.
Almost everything can be divided into yin and yang, but the primary dichotomies are day and night, light and dark, hard and soft, male and female, and exterior and interior. Yin and yang are simply two aspects of the same thing. The yin-yang symbol shows the natural process of continual change created by opposing forces. They create, control and transform each other.
Ancient Chinese were aware of nature, changes, of night and day and the cycles of seasons. They saw that creation moved between two extremes night and day, or yin and yang. The seasons express stages of movement from yin to yang and yang to yin. For example as summer (yang) draws to a close we may be aware that fall and winter (yin) are just around the corner, and so our body and mind, day by day, make gradual adjustments. Unfortunately most of us have blunted our instinctual awareness; and only through practices that bring us close to the cycles of Nature do we begin to hear the voice of our own nature clearly.
The ancient Chinese saw the importance of balance in nature and also in humans. They observed yin and yang in humans in the emotions and actions. This movement through time was seen as transitional phases and thus the five phases/elements were used to describe the movement of energy (yin-yang).
We see that the ancient Chinese principles of yin-yang had its roots in the Chinese calendar. As agriculture grew in importance the calendar became invaluable in determining the proper time of planting and harvesting. The introduction of the seasons as five phases emerges from this observation. These two principles over time were organized into a complimentary system, which was used to understand natural phenomenon, and to order the conduct of all human affairs including government, economics, medicine, and military strategy. Just as we use scientific approach to understand the world today, the principles of yin-yang and the five phases (seasons) constituted a quasi-science under which Chinese civilization operated.
The terms yin and yang may be ancient, yet the concept they embody is timeless. Yin and yang are labels that describe how things function, a philosophical construct of two opposites. It is a way of thinking, one that describes things as being part of a whole, where no one thing exists in and of itself.
Almost everything can be divided into yin and yang, but the primary dichotomies are day and night, light and dark, hard and soft, male and female, and exterior and interior. Yin and yang are simply two aspects of the same thing. The yin-yang symbol shows the natural process of continual change created by opposing forces. They create, control and transform each other.
Ancient Chinese were aware of nature, changes, of night and day and the cycles of seasons. They saw that creation moved between two extremes night and day, or yin and yang. The seasons express stages of movement from yin to yang and yang to yin. For example as summer (yang) draws to a close we may be aware that fall and winter (yin) are just around the corner, and so our body and mind, day by day, make gradual adjustments. Unfortunately most of us have blunted our instinctual awareness; and only through practices that bring us close to the cycles of Nature do we begin to hear the voice of our own nature clearly.
The ancient Chinese saw the importance of balance in nature and also in humans. They observed yin and yang in humans in the emotions and actions. This movement through time was seen as transitional phases and thus the five phases/elements were used to describe the movement of energy (yin-yang).
These elements or phases are thought of as descriptive labels to name categories of phenomena that resonate with each other, and not as primordial substances. The theory of Phases is a system of correspondences and patterns that subsume events and things, especially in relation to their dynamic. The five elements/phases are: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water. Each of these phases has official or organ systems associated with them. In turn each of the organ systems has a set of correspondences that are associated with them.
I will discuss the correspondences to these elements and organ systems as well as the concepts of qi (chi, or ki pronounced chee) yin, and yang at another time. However, the understanding of these concepts is by far the most important aspect in the practice of Chinese medicine in the form of acupuncture.
It is the job of the practitioner to bring the elements back in harmony within the body by using proper diagnosis and treatment via the acupuncture channels (meridians) that correspond to the official/organ systems within these elements.
In Chinese medicine, health is the ability of an organism to respond appropriately to a wide variety of challenges in a way that insures maintaining equilibrium and integrity. Disease represents the failure to adapt to challenge, a disruption of the overall equilibrium, and a rent in the fabric of the organism.
I liken my job as an acupuncturist to being a gardener, where if properly tended to the body flourishes and harvests the best possible being not only physically, but almost more importantly spiritually, having harmony within one’s environment. When one is aligned with their original nature, that of a spiritual entity inside a physical body, one need not have disharmony (represented by disease, or signs and symptoms of disease). Obviously not all illness can be put in this category, but certainly how we deal with those can be tremendously influenced by whether or not we are coming from a place of internal harmony.
In conclusion, Chinese medicine is a complicated and intricate system of medicine that serves to correct an imbalance to thus balance the whole.
“The sages follow the laws of Nature and therefore their bodies are free from strange diseases. They do not lose any of their natural functions and their spirit of life is never exhausted”. ---Inner Classic
To schedule an appointment with Allison or ask her a question, call 216.364.0152 or email appointments@chagrinvalleywellness.com
I will discuss the correspondences to these elements and organ systems as well as the concepts of qi (chi, or ki pronounced chee) yin, and yang at another time. However, the understanding of these concepts is by far the most important aspect in the practice of Chinese medicine in the form of acupuncture.
It is the job of the practitioner to bring the elements back in harmony within the body by using proper diagnosis and treatment via the acupuncture channels (meridians) that correspond to the official/organ systems within these elements.
In Chinese medicine, health is the ability of an organism to respond appropriately to a wide variety of challenges in a way that insures maintaining equilibrium and integrity. Disease represents the failure to adapt to challenge, a disruption of the overall equilibrium, and a rent in the fabric of the organism.
I liken my job as an acupuncturist to being a gardener, where if properly tended to the body flourishes and harvests the best possible being not only physically, but almost more importantly spiritually, having harmony within one’s environment. When one is aligned with their original nature, that of a spiritual entity inside a physical body, one need not have disharmony (represented by disease, or signs and symptoms of disease). Obviously not all illness can be put in this category, but certainly how we deal with those can be tremendously influenced by whether or not we are coming from a place of internal harmony.
In conclusion, Chinese medicine is a complicated and intricate system of medicine that serves to correct an imbalance to thus balance the whole.
“The sages follow the laws of Nature and therefore their bodies are free from strange diseases. They do not lose any of their natural functions and their spirit of life is never exhausted”. ---Inner Classic
To schedule an appointment with Allison or ask her a question, call 216.364.0152 or email appointments@chagrinvalleywellness.com