Chinese Medicine Theory - the foundations

I am frequently explaining Chinese medicine theory in clinic, to help patients understand their treatments. Understanding the basics of Chinese medicine theory is the starting place to understanding Chinese medicine as a lifestyle, which is something I am really passionate about.

Read on to learn a little about some of the fundamental ideas of Traditional Chinese Medicine 

Yin and Yang Theory

At the root of Chinese medicine is Yin and Yang theory. This theory is essentially the idea of balance and homeostasis. Total balance of Yin and Yang would leave the body in perfect health. 

Yin and Yang can be seen as sorts of metaphors.

Yin is the dark, calm and quiet. It is dense, substantial; it is form.

Yang is light, active, loud. It is insubstantial; it is function.

So within the body and within health Yin is blood, it is the main organs, it is the more material side of our bodies. It is also responsible for the cooling of our bodies. Yang is energy, movement, growth and responsible for warming.

Yin and Yang can be both in excess and deficiency causing different symptoms within the body. They are mutually dependent on one another too.

The job of your acupuncturist in the most simplified way, is to identify how Yin or Yang is out of balance and then treat accordingly. 

Organ Theory

Perhaps the next layer of theory, in the way I work anyway, is Organ Theory. 

In Chinese Medicine, there are 12 primary organs, such as the Heart, Liver, Stomach etc. Each of these organs have functions. Some of these functions relate to the physical actions of these organs, whilst some are relating to the organs energetic properties. 

Note: the organs in reference to Chinese Medicine are capitalised, to distinguish then from just their physical form and the energetic organs we are discussing as a part of Chinese Medicine.

For Example:

Heart Functions

Governs the blood vessels and the blood

Controls sweating

Shows in the tongue

Manifests in complexion

Houses the Shen (spirit)

By understanding the functions of the Organs, your acupuncturist is able to decipher which organs are out of balance based on your signs and symptoms.

Organ and Yin and Yang Theory

The next layer is combining both Organ Theory and Yin and Yang theory, so thinking about whether it is the Yin or Yang aspect of the organs functions that is out of balance.

For example:

If you were presenting with very cold hands, this could be related to the Heart, as the heart governs blood and the vessels and is therefore responsible for the circulation of blood. It is a Yang action to move blood and to warm. Therefore cold hands could be an indication of a Heart Yang Deficiency. This diagnosis does not necessarily indicated any issues with the heart itself, rather the energetic qualities of the Heart.

A stand alone symptom is never enough to diagnose in Chinese Medicine. This medicine is all about looking at the whole person and piecing together all the evidence. I think figuring out my diagnosis is one of my favourite parts of my job. In complex cases you can send a long time trying to create a neat, succinct diagnosis.

Ben and Biao 

The other very important concept at the root of Chinese Medicine Theory is Ben and Biao. This translates to Root and Branch.

The idea of Ben and Biao is to understand the root cause of disease. This means acupuncturists are working to resolve underlying imbalances, as opposed to just treating the manifesting symptoms. To be able to properly understand the Ben and Biao, the practitioner must understand the relationships between the Organs.

For Example:

The Heart and Kidney have a metal relationship of warming and cooling. The Heart is the fire, Kidney the water. Both depend on each other to keep a balance of temperature within the body.

I believe, the idea of Ben and Biao is part of what makes acupuncture and Chinese Medicine so powerful. We are never looking superficially to just manage a symptom but instead aiming to dig a little deeper for long term health.

I often have patients ask me how they can learn more about Chinese Medicine and I often recommend the book “Chinese Medicine - the web that has no weaver” by Ted Kaptchuk.

This book is quite heavy, but very well introduces the ideas around Chinese medicine. The other way is chatting to me. I am always happy to chat all things Chinese medicine. In fact sometimes I have to stop myself from jabbering on for far too long. So if you’re in clinic and you have any questions, ask away.