Chinese Medicine
Take a walk into a county hospital. Set against a backdrop of busy doctors and anxious patients are echoes of EKG machines, medical talk of conditions, prescriptions, and diagnoses, and the sounds of friction emerging from shock paddles as doctors try to save a life. In Chinese medicine, however, this isn't a familiar scene. Although both western and Chinese medicine propose the general idea of helping the sick, Chinese medicine takes a different approach. As western medicine bases itself on biology and laboratory experiments, Chinese medicine is rooted in tradition. It is based on the idea of harmony, and through medicine, bodily harmony is restored. They are many facets of Chinese medicine that essentially promote this idea, such as the five elements, yin and yang, the channels, acupuncture, herbs, and Tai Qi. It is through these principles of Chinese medicine that have sustained its existence for many centuries. According to the Chinese, nature was created by five elements: 1) fire, 2) earth, 3) metal, 4) water, and 5) wood. These five elements interact with each other, thus, creating a generating circle: In this circle, wood helps fire to burn. As fire burns, it
Tai Qi is an exercise system used to keep the body healthy. Qi is the vital energy within the human body. The Tai qi method is used to help harness the qi, in order to maintain a balance, so that one will not get ill. Jiang explained that strong qi means a healthy body. But too strong or too little of qi would result in disease. The exercise combines slow, graceful movements with calm, regular breathing (Parry). This method has been in existence for many centuries now, and it has showed any signs of stopping, as Tai Qi has become a new-age trend in the United States. Acupuncture is a form of Chinese medicine that utilizes needles directly on an aching point in the human body. The needles are inserted into that point to mobilize the individual's qi, moisture, and blood (Beinfold and Korngold). By doing so, the muscles, nerves, and organs will function correctly. These points are located "in small depressions in the skin called 'men' or 'gates' where the channels come closest to the surface" (Beinfold and Korngold). With acupuncture, the Chinese believe that the "gates of the body are opened and closed to adjust circulation in the channels and expel noxious influences from them" (Beinfold and Korngold). Just as in ancient times, when the cities were protected by walls, "gates were opened to receive sustenance and closed to keep harm away" (Beinfold and Korngold). During acupuncture, needles are kept between 20-40 minutes, causing a relaxation period and an elevation of spirit period (Beinfold and Korngold). This method mainly treats the disorder of qi, moisture, and blood in the body. Both forms of medicine-western and Chinese-propose good things for any patient. Both forms are in existence to help. However, in a century grounded in technological advances, it is overwhelming to know that nature and ancient philosophy still plays a significant role in other peoples' lives. That is what Chinese medicine is all about. We live in a society where disease runs rampant among every age of the human race, thus it is necessary to educate ourselves of medicinal knowledge to rid us of any disease. Fire destroys metal, as it burns it and metal dissolves. Metal creates dust-creating earth. Earth, then, helps metal to The Yin and Yang are two major philosophies rooted in Chinese medicine. This philosophy "holds that all things have two opposite aspects, yin and yang, which are both opposite and at the same time interdependent" (Lewith). Yin represents the female, the earth, the moon, while yang represents the male, the heaven, and the sun. They can transfer each other, as well-yin becomes yang,
Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1804
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)
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