TherapiesNet.com - Medical Systems

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)

thadmin — Sun, 19 Feb 2006 22:42:52 -0600

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) , also known simply as Chinese medicine , is the name commonly given to a range of traditional medical practices , used in China , that have developed over the course of several thousand years of history.

It is also regarded as an instance of oriental medicine, a term which may include other traditional Asian medical systems such as Japanese, Korean, Tibetan, and Mongolian medicine.

Chinese medicine principally employs a method of analysis and synthesis, inquiring on a macro-level into the internal systems of the human body and their mutual relationships with the internal and external environment in an attempt to gain an understanding of the fundamental laws which govern the functioning of the human organism. This understanding is then applied to the treatment and prevention of disease, and to the maintenanceof health.

TCM is rooted in a unique, comprehensive and systematic theoretical structure and its treatments derive directly from this structure. Treatments include a sophisticated herbal medicine, Acupuncture, Qi Gong, Diet, Exercise and Tui Na (massage).

In the West, TCM is often considered alternative medicine; however, in mainland China and Taiwan, TCM is widely considered to be an integral part of the health care system.

Naturopathy

thadmin — Sun, 19 Feb 2006 21:54:32 -0600

Therapy Guide

Naturopathy is a "Medical System" that is based on a philosophy that distinguishes it from current , "mainstream" or "orthodox" , biomedical medical practice.

In Australia there does not appear to be a singular definition of the philosophies that underlie naturopathic practice, but essential to most is the belief in the Healing Power of Nature

All living systems have an inherent ability to establish, maintain, and restore health. The role of the Naturopath is thus to recognise and remove barriers to the healing process. In order to do this a Naturopath will:

Medical Systems

thadmin — Fri, 17 Feb 2006 07:13:23 -0600

Introduction

Medical Systems

Naturopaths and Chinese Medicine practitioners often get asked "what can you treat?" The same question would not normally be asked of a Western Medical doctor. Why, because they unconsciously understand that Western Medicine is a "medical system" , they expect it to treat all conditions. However they may not know that Naturopathy and Chinese Medicine are also "medical systems", that is to say they are broad systems that include diagnostic and treatment protocols for all types of human disease conditions. A more relevant question is , how well can they treat a particular health problem? Western Medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine and Naturopathy are three of a number of medical systems. Many other medical systems exist, often indigenous to a particular culture. Some examples of these systems include Ayurveda, Kempo, Native American Medicine, Traditional Hawaiian Medicine, Unani, Latin American folk systems and Australian Aboriginal medicine.