Simplifed TCM (Out of my archives)
A Simplified Explanation of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is based on pattern differentiation. To arrive at a diagnosis the practitioner uses questions, palpation and pulse diagnosis to discriminate which pattern is primary in the patient’s complaint. Once the pattern has been identified the treatment protocol is easily determined. Pattern discrimination can be done by any one of ten separate distinct models, commonly used in conjunction. One common differentiation is called “Eight Principle Differentiation.” In this model patterns can be divided into eight basic groups; four of which are excess, deficiency, heat, or cold. Then each of these primary patterns will also be a blend of the remaining three. It is accepted as a statement of fact in TCM that if there is excess there must also be an underlying deficiency.
It is also paramount for the purposes of any discussion to remember that when I refer to an organ I am referring to the “Chinese energetic complex” associated with that organ, I am not referring to the Western bio-medical physical organ. I will capitalize the Chinese energetic complex (Kidney) to differentiate from the Western bio-medical physical organ (kidney). While there is always a degree of overlap it is important to not presume that the Chinese energetic complex is even similar to the Western bio-medical organ.
One of the main differences when compared to “Western” allopathic medicine is how one “disease” can be from many different patterns, and one pattern can manifest as many different “diseases.”
As examples the experience of insomnia can be caused from eight distinctly different TCM patterns. Further investigation reveals four of these are classified as excess and four are classified as deficient. For each of these eight different patterns the treatment is different than the others.
Alternatively the TCM pattern of “blood deficiency” can create at least six separate patterns ranging from dysmenorhea to constipation, from headaches to mental-emotional problems.
Because TCM uses pattern differentiation to determine the underlying cause of the “disease” manifestation there is a language barrier when it comes to discussing disease and treatments with allopathic doctors. While TCM does not use the same language to discuss a specific disease we do have the ability to treat the disease. This barrier in communication is not just a Chinese to English language barrier, this is an entirely different paradigm of how one looks at the entire universe, humanity and the human body.
To begin with, in “Western” medical science a phenomenon must be measurable, and quantifiable, in “Chinese” medical science this is not always the situation. To discuss the “life-force” known as qi one has to set aside the concept of a phenomenon having to be measurable or quantifiable. Even in TCM qi would not be “measurable” or quantifiable; however we do discuss qi in terms of excess or deficiency and in terms of blockage or stagnation.
In order to develop an integrative approach to treating our patients I feel it will be advantageous to rely on our own strengths and diagnosis; yet be open to and not pre-judge a differing opinion. As an example if a patient is diagnosed as having diabetes complicated with diabetic nephrosis a TCM diagnosis might be “Spleen Qi Vacuity” complicated with “Kidney Qi Vacuity and Blood Stasis.” While both of these diagnoses may be technically correct, depending on the presenting signs and symptoms, the practitioners may not be able to communicate with one another about the diagnosis and or treatment protocol. My understanding of this is that as long as both practitioners are open to and respectful of the others abilities we can work with the two paradigms of treatment. Because TCM is a very non-invasive, subtle medicine it has the ability to blend in with allopathic medicine.
posted by Michael Clifford, L. Ac. | 8:19 PM
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