Classical and traditional Eastern medicine is an umbrella term for the original medicine practices of Unani medicine, Ayurvedic medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), as well as the traditional medicine of Japan, Korea, Persia, Thailand, Tibet, Vietnam and more.
“Tension is who you think you should be. Relaxation is who you are.”
– Chinese Proverb
The principles upon which classical and traditional Eastern medicine is based include:
- Following a harmonious, holistic lifestyle
- Adopting a ‘prevention rather than cure’ approach
- Maintaining balance in all aspects of life
- Fostering an unrestricted flow of energy in the body
- Healing the whole person - body, mind and soul
It goes without saying that natural medicine in the East and West share similar philosophies and practice similar approaches. The study of nature, life, and the essence is universal. It’s not possible to squeeze our understanding and practice of natural medicine into strict geographic values. Whoever loves nature, listens to her wisdom, and follows her ways, recognises the answers lie everywhere she exists. People use terms and definitions based on their specific culture, life philosophy and language, to interpret this wisdom.
The concepts of Qi, Prana, life force and vital energy, as well as Yin and Yang, the Tridoshas and Five Elements are shared by the classical and traditional medicine practices of the East and West. Natural medicine in the East has developed and specialised in the treatment of the body’s energetic network to a sophisticated degree, as evident in the Indian acupuncture tradition, known as Suchi Karma, as well as the Chinese tradition which drew its knowledge from Buddhism as it spread out of India.
Typical traditional Eastern medicine practices include:
- Breathing (Pranayama, Tummo)
- Cupping (dry and wet)
- Diagnostics (tongue, pulse)
- Meridian (acupuncture, acupressure, Mamma, Gua Sha, Siravedhana)
- Herbal medicine (Kampo, Chinese, Thuốc Nam, Thai)
- Martial arts (Wing Chun, Taiji, Yiquan)
- Manual therapy (Tui Na, Amatsu, Shiatsu, Thai massage)
- Meditation
- Energy (Qigong, Yoga)
- Nutrition (Five elements, tastes, hot/cold, Yin/Yang, Doshas)
Posted by Jasmin on Dec 21, 2016