D
Dave
Guest
In the last century (the age of Western medicine) Western medicine developed
into a science with a very narrow focus: researching
separate clinical issues and curing the symptoms of disease. In America it
has turned into an "expensive equipment" kind of medicine that is not
affrordable by many. Human beings as physical
and psychological entities have receded into the background. Measures to
maintain health and prevent disease have not received adequate attention. As
a result, the past decade has seen a growing
interest in naturopathy, (w)holistic medicine and traditional Chinese
medicine (5000 years of practice).
Health is, according to Chinese doctors, the equilibrium of body and soul.
Unlike Western medicine, Chinese medicine does not focus primarily on the
treatment of an illness. Instead it focuses on the entire person....the
unity of body, mind and soul. Chinese medicine recognizes that illness is
only one manifestation of an imbalance that exists in the person as a whole.
The underlying philosophy of Chinese medicine is that we live between
heaven and earth, and comprise a miniature universe within ourselves. The
material of which living things are made is considered to belong to the Yin,
or the female, passive aspect of nature. On the other hand, the life
functions of living things are considered to belong to Yang, or the
masculine, active, advancing aspect of nature. Yin and Yang are not opposing
forces, they belong together. We all carry both Yin and Yang aspects within
ourselves. If Yin and Yang are in equilibrium, this leads tom overall health
and well-being. If they are out of balance, illness and disease occur.
into a science with a very narrow focus: researching
separate clinical issues and curing the symptoms of disease. In America it
has turned into an "expensive equipment" kind of medicine that is not
affrordable by many. Human beings as physical
and psychological entities have receded into the background. Measures to
maintain health and prevent disease have not received adequate attention. As
a result, the past decade has seen a growing
interest in naturopathy, (w)holistic medicine and traditional Chinese
medicine (5000 years of practice).
Health is, according to Chinese doctors, the equilibrium of body and soul.
Unlike Western medicine, Chinese medicine does not focus primarily on the
treatment of an illness. Instead it focuses on the entire person....the
unity of body, mind and soul. Chinese medicine recognizes that illness is
only one manifestation of an imbalance that exists in the person as a whole.
The underlying philosophy of Chinese medicine is that we live between
heaven and earth, and comprise a miniature universe within ourselves. The
material of which living things are made is considered to belong to the Yin,
or the female, passive aspect of nature. On the other hand, the life
functions of living things are considered to belong to Yang, or the
masculine, active, advancing aspect of nature. Yin and Yang are not opposing
forces, they belong together. We all carry both Yin and Yang aspects within
ourselves. If Yin and Yang are in equilibrium, this leads tom overall health
and well-being. If they are out of balance, illness and disease occur.