Jonathan Clogstoun-Willmott - Chinese Medicine
BSc LicAc BAc DipAc(China) MBAcC MABP DipCHM LCH MCH PCH MBTER RSAPH

Traditional Chinese Medicine

What is called 'Traditional Chinese Medicine' (TCM) is an elegant, coherent and complete system of medicine capable of explaining and treating diseases of great complexity. In its modern form it draws on many rich strands of human observation and history, some of them at least 4,000 years old.These include :-

Superstition
Chinese Astrology
Shamanic influences
Folk cures
Foreign influences
Scholarly work over thousands of years
Qi Gong, Tai ji and Martial Art practices
Philosophical leanings such as Daoism and Confucianism
China's system of canals
Modern work on the classical traditional theory
Observation, practice, experiment, and thought

The main forms of modern TCM can be traced back 2,500 years: in particular, the concept of Yin and Yang, which forms the basic idea behind I Ching - the Book of Change. From Yin and Yang comes a belief that health requires a constant adaptation to circumstances, and that illness is the consequence of an inability to change. From this comes the idea of a free-flowing energy of life Qi (pronounced Tchee!) which is in living people but cannot (as yet!) be pinpointed in the laboratory. Qi requires a living body to manifest itself, and a means to form and nourish that body: Xue (Chway) or 'Blood'.

From the interaction of these four ideas, Yin, Yang, Qi and Xue comes much of our understanding of health according to TCM.

The other main influence on modern TCM is the Theory of Five 'Elements', which probably took shape 2,300 years ago in an attempt to understand life in a way that was distinctly non-Shamanistic. The Five Elements take account of the seasons of the years, the phases of the moon, the stages of life, and the relation common experience has to these, including food, emotion, odour, and various activities and interactions within the body.

Of course, many modern treatment methods were used and experimented with much, much earlier than 2,500 years ago. Why they worked - the theory behind them - has evolved over time.

What is now TCM is an enormously rich resource, with literally thousands of years of experience, as refined by the intense thought, analysis and practice of some of the most intelligent human beings there have ever been. This is a tradition which speaks directly to modern man and his health just as it has for thousands of years.

It is used throughout the world, and many modern hospitals now include therapies based upon it in their treatment of modern disease. It is not a panacea: modern medicine has its place, but for many of the ills of modern man, TCM - which lacks the awful side effects of so many drugs and treatments - is hardly equalled by any other system of medicine, both in its understanding and in its treatment of disease.

Furthermore, the ideas and theories of TCM have been the basis for other traditional medicines in South-East Asia (Japan and Korea) and for treatments such as Shiatsu from Japan, Reiki, and Applied Kinesiology. Many people practise Tai Qi and Qi Gong which are rooted in TCM, and its roots inform other disciplines such as Martial Arts, Kung-Fu, Tai Kwando etc.

Case Studies

1. Cathy, 45, Housewife
Complaints Recurring neck pain for a few years
Diagnosis and Theory Head movement is severely limited and compensatory movement of body is required when turning round.
Treatment and Prognosis Neck pain of this kind is usually caused by Cervical Spondylopathy, or trauma, or strain, or stiff neck, which results in the blockage of the normal flowing of Qi along the relevant channels. Such blockages of Qi constitute the reasons for most pains in the body. Acupuncture with filiform needles with even movements, and a few manipulations during the 30 minutes that the needle were retained: this enhanced the stimulation of the channels for a quick return of the Qi flow.
Pain and movement significantly improved after the first acupuncture treatment. Cathy had fully recovered after a series of treatment lasting 3 weeks.

2. Johan, 55, Diplomat
Complaints Acute back pain for some days due to a sports injury
Diagnosis and Theory Unable to turn or bend the body as a result of sudden blockage of Qi flow.
Treatment and Prognosis Acupuncture with filiform needles by reducing method, and a few manipulations during the 30 minutes needle retainment.
Immediate alleviation observed after the first treatment, and completely recovered after 2 following treatments.

3. Jane, 35, Sales Representative
Complaints Insomnia and overweight
Diagnosis and Theory Being overweight, from the perspectives of Traditional Chinese Medicine, is caused by a deficiency of Spleen qi, which results in the accumulation of dampness and phlegm in the interior. Deficiency of Spleen may also, together with deficiency of Heart, cause insomnia. This diagnosis was further evidenced by a pale tongue with a thin white coating, and a thready weak pulse. Such conditions are commonly seen among those with a high work load and/or stress in life.
Treatment and Prognosis Herbal drink to reinforce the Heart and Spleen, nourish Blood and calm the mind. Acupuncture with filiform needles by reinforcing method, and a few manipulations with 30 minutes needle retainment. Progressive improvement recorded in the first 2 weeks. Follow-ups at reduced interval and adjustments in herbs prescribed for further improvement and maintenance.

4. Amber, 28, PA
Complaints Excessive menstruation and dysmenorrhoea
Diagnosis and Theory The purplish dark tongue and the thready and uneven pulses revealed that the symptoms of the patient are mainly caused by the stagnation of Qi, which results in Blood stasis as a direct cause of the pain and excessive menstruation.
Treatment and Prognosis Herbal drink to promote the Blood circulation to remove the Blood stasis. Acupuncture with filiform needles by even method. Recovered after treatment of 2 weeks.

5. Chris, 37, Chef
Complaints Sciatica for 2 months: dependant on painkillers for some relief but unable to work
Diagnosis and Theory Sciatica can be categorised as Bi Syndrome in TCM theory, resulting from obstruction of Qi and Blood. In this patient, it relates to his long and continuing standing position at work.
Treatment and Prognosis Herbal drink to remove the wind and dampness from the channels and collaterals. Acupuncture with filiform needles by reducing method. Pain relieved largely after 2 weeks without any further use of painkiller. Back to work after a month.

6. Peter, 57, Manager
Complaints Sequellae of a stroke (cerebral haemorrhage) 20 days earlier.
Diagnosis and Theory Hemiplegia, numbness, deviation of mouth and eyes, stiff tongue, etc. Greasy coating of the tongue and stringy and smooth pulse. This condition is diagnosed as Channels and Collaterals being attacked by windstroke.
Treatment and Prognosis Acupuncture to dispel the wind to promote the flow of Qi and Blood in the channels. Symptoms improved after treatment for one week with acupuncture, and recovered completely in one month.

7. Ian, 7, Pupil
Complaints Common 'cold': body temperature at 38º C
Diagnosis and Theory It is diagnosed as Wind-cold type common cold on basis of the symptoms such as nasal obstruction and discharge, cough and fever, and the superficial and tense pulses.
Treatment and Prognosis Acupressure and guasha to eliminate the wind and disperse the cold from the body. In one hour after the treatment the body temperature returned to normal , and he recovered.