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The Influence Of Taoism In The Development Of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Since the dawn of Chinese culture, Chinese Medicine and the Tao have been intimately intertwined. Shamanic healers called the Wu were the very first healing practitioners and they were usually women.
Their gifts helped them to perform exorcism rites and when needed, went into trance states to formulate healing rituals and ceremonies. It was believed that the exorcism practices of burning aromatic woods and incense and shaking spears formed the earliest basis for moxibustion and acupuncture therapy. The Wu are believed to be the precursors of today’s Taoist healers. The rituals and methods of the Wu were practiced for more than a thousand years, while Taoist philosophy, as depicted by Lao Tsu and the Tao Te Ching, developed as a school of thought not until 400 BCE. The offshoot of these traditions was carried into the traditional systems, and in the healing and ritual practices of the Taoist monks or Tao shih. These monks used visualization-meditation and even song and dance to diagnose and address illnesses. They dynamically invoked these states to discern the spiritual entities that may be at the root of an illness. They combined herbal medicine and hands on energetic healing with exorcism rites to treat the person as a whole.
In the Taoist philosophical system, the importance of Nature and adhering closely to its laws as a basis model for the perfect life has obviously been integrated into Winter Park Chinese Medicine. The periodicity of the circulation of Chi and the importance of being in harmony with the seasons are all examples of this. Some parts of the Nei Ching also expose a Taoist influence alluding to a life desired by those in antiquity who were able to live past a hundred years without any loss to their mental or physical mental capacities. When the Yellow Emperor asked his teacher Po, what made these people live such a long and healthy life, his teacher replied;
“The people of antiquity comprehended the Tao. They lived their lives based on the principles of yin and yang. They acted and consumed moderately, they did not waste their strength to unseemly behavior. Therefore, they were able to preserve their strength and lived their years in health and mirth.”
Taoist healers played a major role in the establishment of Chinese Pharmacopeia. The quest for magical pills and elixirs that could bestow immortality on the user gave impetus for experimentation on a broad variety of animal, plant, and mineral products. The mercuric-cinnabar, Reishi mushroom, and Ginseng radix were all thought to possess supernatural qualities that could enhance health and prolong longevity. The Chinese emperor Chin Zhi Wang was alleged to have sent ships to the islands of Japan to find a magical mushroom that could bestow immortality on the user. He sent a second expedition when no one returned from the first. When the second expedition also did not come back, it was assumed that the explorers failed to find the mushroom and fearing the wrath of the Emperor, decided to settle in Japan were they contributed greatly to the development of Japan.
The influence of Taoism can also be clearly seen in the development of Qi Gong, a form of Chinese exercise therapy. Qi gong originated from ancient Taoist breathing postures and techniques which strove to preserve and purify the body. Hua To, an ancient and famous Chinese healer invented a technique called the “Play of the Five Animals” which is based on his observations of animals and their distinctive characteristics. This technique is still practiced today and is one the most ancient Qi Gong practices designed to improve health and treat health problems.
Today’s Qi Gong techniques are widely used in the West and China to maintain and balance Chi circulation through the collaterals and channels. The application of the external discharge of Chi from practitioner to patient is also becoming well known and more and more popular by the day.
Most of the systems of Qi Gong systems that are used these days can be traced back to millennium-old Taoist traditions and the quest for immortality. The practice later on, integrated Chinese medical practices into healing system performed by the Taoist priests. According to Share Lew, graduate of the Yellow Dragon Monastery in Canton and Taoist Master, herbal medicine, tuina, and moxibustion plus the application of external discharge of Qi Gong energy are all components of the healing techniques that were taught in several monasteries and temples. As part of their basic training, Taoist Monks had to learn these techniques and principles. This allowed them to serve better the individuals which comprised the lay members of the temples in the cities.
While the principle of the Tao was accepted by all of the schools in China, the impact of Taoist philosophy was a very huge factor in the evolution of Chinese Medicine. By establishing a connection to the relationships of human beings to the theories of natural law, Chinese Medicine took on a style and flavor that solidified its place in the realm of holistic medicine in the 21st century.
Uses Of Moxibustion Therapy
A form of heat therapy in Orlando, moxibustion involves burning of pieces of dried plant near or on specific areas of the skin. Moxibustion means moxa (mugwort plant) and bustion (burning). Thus moxibustion means the burning of moxa plant. Artemesia Vulgaris (Mugwort) is a common weed that can be found all around the world. For hundreds of years, it has been used for medicinal purposes in some countries especially in countries of East Asia where it is a very important procedure in treating a wide variety of diseases and ailments. Oftentimes, Chinese medicine practitioners combine moxibustion therapy with acupuncture.
The Aroma Emanating from Moxibustion Therapy
Moxa is chosen for its powerful healing abilities since the heat from dried moxa goes through deeper into the skin whilst providing the skin with gentle comforting heat. Moxibustion treats a small area of the body which helps enhance blood and energy (chi) flow along the meridians (energy channels) generating a change in temperature on different areas of the skin that, in turn, facilitates a flow. A significant rise in white blood cell count has been seen in regions of the body where moxibustion is administered.
How Moxibustion Therapy Is Done
Moxibustion can be used in a variety of ways. One way it’s done is through a process called direct moxibustion. In the method, the practitioner places a small piece of moxa on acupuncture points (acupoints) and directly burns it on the skin. Because this procedure may cause small burns, it’s only used in serious ailments and conditions. The practitioner may sometimes put salt, garlic, a piece of ginger or some other herbs between the burning moxa and the skin to protect the skin and enhance the impact of the treatment. In another technique called the warming needle technique, the practitioner will burn a small piece of moxa stick that’s attached to the topmost tip of an acupuncture needle. This procedure enables the heat to go deeper into the acupoints along the needle.
In the indirect moxibustion technique, the practitioner lights a piece of moxa stick and holds it very near the acupoints carefully avoiding the flame to burn the skin. He may move slowly the stick over the acupoints to give the heat the opportunity to go deep into the acupoints.
Uses of Moxibustion Therapy
Moxibustion can be used for a wide range number of conditions. Its most common usage is for the alleviation of symptoms caused by weak circulation and low energy. A lot of patients say that moxibustion feels like a gentle but profound warm feeling that deeply relaxes them. This is an experience that can never be felt with other superficial heating technique.
The most ideal use of moxibustion therapy is for treatment of “cold dampness pattern” that results in joint pain and ache like arthritis. Many aching and painful joint conditions get exacerbated under cold or humid climate. Because of moxibustion therapy’s warm nature, it is reputed to help tonify the yang energy of a person and treat such illnesses as spontaneous sweating, cold feet and hands, chronic fatigue syndrome, and low energy. It can also treat a lot of gynecological problems and in breech conditions, where it rectifies the position of the unborn baby. It also an ideal treatment for flu and cold; it’s more like getting a flu shot, except that it works regardless of the virus strain since it strengthens immunity.
Spokane Chinese medicine practitioners frequently combine moxibustion with acupuncture to boost and circulation to energize patients suffering from low energy. Give us a call to find out if moxibustion can help treat your condition.
Simple Qigong Exercises For Pain And Headache
Chigong, Chikung, or Qigong, are all the same activity and are all pronounced chee gung. It is a Chinese exercise and health system that goes back 4000 years into the past.
In the most primitive forms of Qigong, practitioners would teach laborers basic rudimentary exercises to help them better deal with their difficult lives. Later on, Qigong became an indispensable component of Chinese medicine in Winter Park. Herbal medicine and acupuncture are the two other components of Chinese medicine. A regular part of Chinese medicine practice is in using Qigong to manage headaches.
The Qigong practiced today is composed of three activities, visualization, movement, and breathing. Qigong was divided up into various schools in the early part of last century. These include Martial Arts Qigong developed to enhance stamina and power, Exercise Qigong with activities to strengthen and to improve flexibility and mobility and to strengthen the muscles and medical Qigong that comes with specific exercises for treatment of specific illnesses.
Medical Qigong was developed to alleviate and/or prevent headaches via gentle relaxing movements and special breathing techniques.
Since most headaches are due to muscle tension and stress, it is quite easy to alleviate the pain and even simpler to prevent the headache from occurring again.
Qigong is similar to Tai Chi, and if you’ve ever seen how this practice (Qigong) is done, you will have an idea of the fluid and slow movements of Tai Chi.
Method One – Lying down
Make sure your shoulders and neck are comfortable while lying flat on your back. Shut your eyes and count ten slow long breaths. Visualize the word relax on each breath. With each breath feel yourself relaxing more and more. Visualize your shoulder and neck muscles becoming as soft as gelatin and that you’re sinking lower and lower into your bed.
If you want to lie down, make sure you use a pillow to support your neck. This is a good idea when you already have a headache
Method Two – Sitting
Sit comfortably in a soft chair and repeat the same relaxing and breathing as when lying down. If your headache gets worse when you lie down, try sitting. Sitting can also be a good idea when you’re already suffering from a headache.
Method Three – Headache Prevention
While standing, keep your feet shoulder width apart. Inhale through your nose up to the count of three, and exhale out your nose again on the count of three. Begin moving your shoulders, arms, and feet slowly in a comfortable manner.
This exercise is known as spontaneous Qigong and needs no additional instruction apart from the fact that you move in order to identify soreness in your muscle. You then repeat gently the movement slowly once you locate the area of the sore muscles. This is designed to locate the muscles in your back, shoulders and neck, which because they’re tight are partly responsible for the headaches you’re feeling, and then relax and move them whilst breathing deeply into the muscles. Again visualize your muscles softening.
Natural Methods For Treating Anxiety And Panic Attacks
A panic attack is a frightening experience. It often begins with an unexpected, unexplainable feeling of fear, and then intensifies, adding other symptoms along the way, such as feelings of suffocation or choking, , dizziness, chest pain, losing control, lightheadedness, or that you’re having a heart attack or going crazy. Prescription medication treatments are commonly used in addressing anxiety disorders (panic attacks and anxiety attacks are the same thing), but a lot of these drugs can generate symptoms and many of them are addictive; worse, the attacks come back when these drugs are withdrawn. Fortunately, several natural treatments for anxiety disorders are available that are used by psychologists and psychiatrists alike and are sometimes used (and sometimes not) as an adjunct to pharmaceutical drugs to help treat to anxiety disorders.
Methods that are frequently used to control the signs of a panic attack include: deep breathing techniques, avoiding caffeine, and eating a healthier diet. As a stimulant, caffeine can make you irritable, edgy, and anxious. Avoidance of it and consuming highly nutritious meals can help you sleep and feel better. To avoid hyperventilation, performing certain breathing exercises can help calm you down during panic attacks. They are effective ways that can help you control panic attacks, although they still only treat the symptoms and not the source of the condition itself.
A therapy known as “Tapping” works in treating anxieties by bearing pressure to acupoints and tapping then these points in a certain way to free the bad chi (negative energy) generated by negative thoughts. This therapeutic technique is used by some therapists since they believe it works really well and faster than other natural therapies.
In the treatment of panic attacks, hypnosis was recognized by the AMA (American Medical Association) as a valid form of treatment more than 50 years ago. This type of natural therapy can substantially relieve panic attacks but unfortunately cannot cure anxiety disorders.
Interestingly, laughter is considered a natural treatment for panic attacks. Humor removes the adverse emotions related to panic attacks by decreasing the levels of stress hormone in your body. Humor visualization methods make the patient imagine and remember a period when the patient was laughing uncontrollably. He again imagines this memory when he feels the coming of a panic attack. If this memory can make him laugh, it can help stop his anxious feelings and panic attack.
Desensitization is a gradual process that can make victims of panic disorder resistant to situations and things they are afraid of that can set off a panic attack. It has proven to be effective in stopping anxiety disorder and its symptoms. Psychologists or psychiatrists place the patient in a location or situation that usually triggers panic attacks or fear for just a few minutes. The patient is often accompanied by a person he trusts. The support person often accompanies the patient just the first time. The amount of time increases each time the patient repeats the experience, until he can eventually deal with it on his own, without experiencing a panic attack. This technique has proven to work very well for phobias and other anxiety-related conditions.
But the most successful and widely used known natural treatment for panic attacks and anxiety disorders by far is CBT or Cognitive Behavior Therapy. This therapy makes use of tools such as in vivo methods techniques and cognitive restructuring to treat and sometimes totally cure panic attacks and anxiety disorders. Cognitive restructuring instructs the patient on how to modify his thinking in response to panic symptoms. “In real life,” (In vivo), exposure to places and things that sets off a fear reaction makes people learn to face their fears. This technique is quite similar to desensitization therapy. In vivo and cognitive restructuring combined can help treat panic attacks and change the way they behave and think in fearful situations. Professionals admit that CBT may not work for all people but for those who do, it has provided some relief from their panic attacks.
Ling’s Acupuncture, Inc.
120 Gatlin Ave
Orlando, FL 32806-6908
(407) 851-2533
http://www.lingsacupuncture.com