This book addresses the concepts and interrelationship as well as clinical application of the basic philosophical elements of traditional Chinese medicine such as the yin and yang and the five elements. The author also explains physiology, pathology, etiology, diagnostic methodology, and syndrome differentiation as understood in traditional Chinese medicine through a discussion of the zang-fu (internal) organs and the channels and collaterals. All these stress the importance of holistic treatment based on an accurate diagnosis. Thus the reader can learn the methods of understanding disease from the vantage point of traditional Chinese medicine and obtain a knowledge of its basic theories.
The basic theories of traditional Chinese medicine describe the physiology and pathology of the human body, disease etiology, diagnosis, and differentiation of symptom-complexes. This includes the theories of yin-yang, five elements, zang-fu, channels-collaterals, qi, blood, body fluid, methods of diagnosis, and differentiation of symptom-complexes.
Traditional Chinese medicine has two outstanding features, its holistic point of view, and its application of treatment according to the differentiation of symptom-complexes. According to these traditional viewpoints, the zang-fu organs are the core of the human body as an organic entity in which tissues and sense organs are connected through a network of channels and collaterals. The functional physiological activities of te zang-fu organs are dissimilar, but they work in coordination. The organs and their tissues are organically related. Pathologically, a dysfunction of the zang-fu organs may be reflected on the body surface through the channels and their collaterals. At the same time, diseases of body surface tissues may also affect their related zang or fu organs. Affected zang or fu organs may also influence each other through internal connection. Traditional Chinese medical treatment consists of regulating the functions of the zang-fu organs in order to correct pathological changes. With acupuncture, treatment is accomplished by stimulating certain areas of the external body. Not only is the human body an organic whole, but it is also a unified entity within nature, so changes in the natural environment may directly or indirectly affect it. For example, changes of the four seasons, and the alternation of day and night may change the functional condition of the human body, while various geographical environments can influence differences in body constitution, and so on. There factors must be considered when diagnosis and treatment are given.
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