|| MESSAGE FROM THE DOCTOR || LINKS || CONTACT DR. LI ||
|| MESSAGE FROM THE DOCTOR || LINKS || CONTACT DR. LI ||
by Ann-si Li, DVM, OMD
Veterinary Acupuncturist
Berkeley, California
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TCM is one of the oldest
forms of healing known. Today, more and more Western doctors and scientists agree that
these alternative kinds of treatments do work. There has been an increasing awareness
of the usefulness of acupuncture in treating many medical conditions.
The entire basis of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) is based upon five main theories which constitute together a group of philosophical ideas which began to evolve from the Zhou Dynasty (1050 - 221 B.C.). These theories are commonly referred to by the following names:
In the practice of TCVM, one or all all of these theories are applied in treating a
particular disease or condition. The principals of these above theories are also a
strong influence on many other aspects of Chinese culture, including Traditional Chinese
Medicine, astrology, geology, and agriculture.
The following discussion is only a very brief introduction to Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, and I hope that it will give you somewhat of an idea of the concepts and words that are often heard in relation to this are of alternative or complementary medicine. |
The basic principal of
this theory is that the Yin and Yang are constantly interacting and reacting with
each other in such a way as to achieve a balance. But what is Yin and what is Yang?
They represent that which is opposite of any thing or phenomenon. For example, a person
is either male (yang) or female (yin), or a hill may be sunny (yang) or shady (yin).
According to this theory, everything in the universe can be classified as either
predominantly yin or yang. Application of this theory to TCVM involves diagnosing the
conditions of the diseases into either yin or yang.
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This is again another
philosophical theory of antiquity. In this theory, Wu = 5 and Xing = movement and change.
Everything according to this theory can be classified into one of the 5 Elements (Wood,
Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water). Then according to this theory, these Five Elements each
possess certain properties. It is then the interaction and inter-relationships of these
elements that constitutes the Five Elements Theory. Application of this theory to TCVM
again is used quite extensively in diagnosis and also in treatment.
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The words Zang-Fu refer
to the internal organs of the body. The internal organs of the body are divided into the
Zang Organs and the Fu Organs. In TCVM, there is a lot of attention given to the
relationship between the internal organs and the external organs, or outward
manifestations of the internal organs. Therefore according to this theory, when the
internal organs are not functioning well, there will be outward changes in the body that
can be seen and noted. These outward changes are then used for diagnosis and treatment.
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The vital substances in
the body are extremely important for maintaining life. In this theory, there are four
main Vital Substances: Qi, Blood, Essence, and Body Fluids. Each of these Substances
has its own origin and action, and each interacts with the organs and meridians in such
a way as to continue to promote the balanced normal state of the patient. Therefore, in
TCVM we look to see if these Vital Substances are in adequate supply, are nourishing the
body of our patient properly, and are interacting with all the organs in the normal
manner.
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This theory is on of the
most important parts of TCVM. It is mainly the Meridian Theory that is applied in the
treatment of acupuncture on our patients. According to this theory, there are energy
pathway flows in the body, and when these energy pathways are not in balance, disease
and illness results. These energy pathways intersect at certain points (acupuncture
points), come to the surface of the body at certain points (more acupuncture points),
and also pass deep into the internal organs of the body. Often the Meridian name is
given according to where the internal pathway passes.
There are twelve regular fixed pathways, that run on both sides of the body, and two additional pathways that run up and down the midline of the body, so that makes a total of 14 Meridians. The word Jing-luo equals channels and collaterals. In actual fact there are the 14 Meridians, plus 8 extra channels, 15 collaterals, 12 divergent channels, 12 muscle regions, and 12 cutaneous (skin) regions! |
Reference: Yu, Chuan DVM,
PhD ~ Traditional Chinese Veterinary Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Agriculture
Press, Beijing, 1995 |
|| MESSAGE FROM THE DOCTOR || LINKS || CONTACT DR. LI ||
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