TCM History

TCM a History 

      There is evidence that Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is 5,000 years old. The first Acupuncture needles found were stone, and dated to this period. Over 2,500 years ago Huang Di, 'The Yellow Emperor', the first Emperor to consolidate all of China, decreed that all information be written down about medicine. The result was extensive texts, the Huang Di Nei Jing, or ' Yellow Emperor's Classics'. These texts are still used for the basics of TCM today.  Written in the old Chinese characters, the original and less stylized form of modern characters, scholars of these ancient texts must master the old style of written language, to study the original works. 

      After the Huang Di Nei Jing was compiled, the Yellow Emperor sent envoys to surrounding  countries to share the knowledge. Japanese and Korean style Acupuncture resulted, and Reki, the Japanese version of Qi Gong. It is interesting to note that Egyptian, Indian, Arabic, and Greek medicine got their start right around the same time the envoys were sent out, and these texts shared. Some of the medical techniques, of these cultures are very similar to TCM, suggesting TCM influence. 

      What was different from culture to culture was spiritual beliefs. While Egyptian, Indian, Arabic, and Greek medicine allowed for surgeries, the Chinese believed that marring the body, in such a way, would interfere with a person's afterlife, the worst fate there was, for an individual, as well as their ancestors and descendants. Ancestor worship, was prevalent in China, until the Communists gained power. The belief was that the ancestors could intercede with the gods, much like Saints, in the Catholic Church. Except ancestors could be petty and vindictive if not properly pacified. Surgeries, it was believed, could anger the ancestors, and leave descendants without necessary access to the gods.     

      Consequently, TCM focused on observation, and finding ways to balance the body without using invasive means. The result was elaborate methods, using many techniques, including pulse and tongue diagnosis, observation, Acupuncture, herbs, massage, cupping, moxa bustion, food, diet, to name a few, to restore health. That is over 5,000 years of medicine. Talk about time tested!

                                                                  Health & Happiness,

                                                                          Nancy Burton, L.Ac.

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