Struttura Teorica: Metodi Di Diagnostico di TCM ed CCM

Caro (Italian word meaning 'Dear') Family and Friends,

The focus of this entry is to specifically delineate some of the foundational principles for Traditional and Classical Chinese Medicine in hopes that you can better follow our discussion as it progress during the year.

To better understand how CCM differs from Western medicine, you must first understand the foundational concept of Qi (pronounced CH-EE) and how Qi relates to health. Second in this post will be an excerpt taken from a book that discusses the Theorectical Framework behind the diagnostic methods of TCM and CCM (Struttura Teorica: Metodi Di Diagnostico di TCM ed CCM).

Naturally, I don't want to impinge on copyright laws and fall victim to plagiarism, so you will find the proper citations for this information at the bottom of the post, to which each excerpt will make reference.

On a less sagely note, we've been flooded with three weeks of rain here in Napoli--more rain than has been reported in a long, long time (according to our Barn friends). So, we've had plenty of time to read and get the house in good order, and make good progress on the climbing gym that Jenny and I have been building in the back yard. When the rain finally stops, which hopefully will be soon, we'll take pictures of the house and gym, and then post them on the site.

Important note: Any grammar, spelling or typing errors in the body of written prose below is probably due to my loose fingers on the keyboard and not due to the sloppy thinking of the author. =)

QUOTE
VITAL SUBSTANCES: QI, BLOOD, SHEN, AND BODY FLUIDS
TCM views physiological processes as the interaction among various vital substances. The quality and quantity of these vital substances, and their ability to smoothly interact and reinforce one another, provide the mechanism for balance within the body. These substances demonstrate varying degrees of materiality, from the most substantial--Blood--to the most rarified--Shen--, or Spirit. At the foundation of all of the vital substances, however, is the presence of Qi.

QI
The concept of Qi is perhaps the most difficult of the vital substances to grasp, but also perhaps the most interesting because of its multidimensional nature. We have spoken of its ubiquitousness, of its vital role in the physiological process, maintenance, and development of the human form, and of its more subtle nature in relation to the activity of our mind, emotions, and Spirit. Qi is an enigma, for it is both a noun and a verb, just as light may be described as a particle and a wave. Qi is both the process of unfolding and that which [is] unfolding. Life is the proliferation of Qi, death its dissolution.
Unraveling the mystery of Chinese medicine is the art of understanding the myriad functions of interactions of Qi. Qi is an invisible, fluid force, a dynamic entity weaving the diverse and carried patterns through the fabric of our being. The foundation of our health rests on the harmonious integration and balance that Qi provides. Qi dances in our hearts and allows us the full range of our emotions. It stimulates and powers our minds to give us the ability to reason and dream. It integrates the functions of our bodies, which themselves are the material manifestations of this enlivening force. The famous physician Zhang Zai (1020-1077) stated, "If Qi condenses, its visibility becomes effective and physical form appears."
Within the context of TCM, Qi has a number of primary forms and functions that change according to the environment and circumstances that surround it. Qi is the force propelling the blood through the arteries and veins, yet is the very quality of that blood itself. It is the air that enters our lungs as we breathe, yet is the energy the lungs use to inhale and exhale as well as the lung tissue itself. This may appear paradoxical when viewed strictly from the perspective of anatomy and physiology, but when viewed from the perspective of the vital energy that facilitates those physiological processes, it brings new life and depth to them.
END QUOTE
(Excerpt from VOICES OF QI, pps. 21-22)

QUOTE
DIAGNOSTIC METHODS: LOOKING, LISTENING/SMELLING, ASKING AND TOUCHING
The practitioner of TCM uses many of the same diagnostic methods that traditional western medicine uses. Many of the approaches, however, differ greatly, most notably observation of the tongue and pulse taking. Like western physicians, TCM practitioners must be receptive and have keenly developed diagnostic skills in order to discern the subtle nuances of disharmony that the client presents. TCM looks beyond isolated signs and symptoms by viewing the individual as a dynamically integrated whole. Presenting signs and symptoms weave together into patterns or syndromes that create an energetic profile of the patient. Patience is another potent quality a skilled TCM practitioner exhibits. A still and receptive mind fosters the intuitive process that allows for a deeply empathetic understanding of the patient's Qi.
Traditionally, there are Four Methods, or Examinations, that the practitioner uses to gather information for diagnosis and treatment. These Four Examinations are Looking, Listening/Smelling, Asking, and Touching. Each method has many levels of application and uses a different sense for gathering information and interpreting the Qi of the patient.
END QUOTE
(Excerpt from VOICES OF QI, pps. 42)

WORKS CITED
1. VOICES OF QI: An introductory guide to Traditional Chinese Medicine, Alex Holland, M.Ac., L.Ac.; North Atlantic Books, 1999.

Hope these excerpts help you develop a better understand of what Jenny and I mean when we start talking about TCM and CCM. Also, if you’d like to learn a bit more about the programs we’re looking into, here is the school’s name and website: National College of Natural Medicine.
http://www.ncnm.edu/academics-at-ncnm/classical-chinese-medicine-programs.php

Kindest Regards to All!
Nate