The Yin and Yang of Oriental Medicine

When you seek the healing care of a practitioner of Oriental Medicine, you tap into a knowledge base that has been helping mankind for at least 5000 years. Even so, in many areas - such as here in the Triad - there is much confusion surrounding this ancient yet popular health care system. This article is designed to define the basic terminology used to describe Oriental Medicine (OM).

Qi: The concept of Qi is based on the ancient Chinese initial understanding of natural phenomena. That is the most basic substance of which the world is comprised. In Oriental medicine one refers to the human body and maintaining its life activities, the other refers to the physiological functions of organs and meridian networks. Qi flows along this network and is accessible at particular areas in the body known as acupuncture points. Qi is the essential force that the practitioner of Oriental Medicine manipulates by stimulating the meridians and points. In the West we have no word that reflects the true meaning of Qi. Thus, we often see Qi translated as "energy."

Yin and Yang: Yin and yang are complementary yet opposite forces that together create integrity within a system. Everything contains these two forces, including the human body. Yin represents the cooler or resting aspect and yang represents the warmer or active aspect. If one becomes greater in quality or quantity than the other, mental and physical symptoms arise. A practitioner of Oriental Medicine constantly seeks to nurture the balance between yin and yang to maintain optimum health.

Acupuncture: For the practitioners of Oriental Medicine, acupuncture is a means to prevent and treat disease by reconciling the balance between yin and yang. Very thin sterile, disposable needles are inserted into acupuncture points and lightly manipulated to produce the desired effect. The points used are chosen based on the patient's presentation, which the practitioner has assessed through the Oriental diagnosis (described further in the article). Acupuncture typically produces no pain or only mild temporary discomfort. Most patients find acupuncture to be deeply relaxing.

Moxibustion: The use of moxibustion (or "moxa") involves the burning of dried mugwort near an acupuncture point to both warm the point and stimulate Qi in that area. Moxa may be waved inches over a point until warmth is felt; it may be placed on the needle or another herb or it may be placed directly on the skin until it is warm. Moxa is used according to the individual presentation.

Chinese Herbology: This is the professional use of plant, mineral, and animal/insect material in order to harmonize yin and yang within the person to bring about his or her health. These materials may or may not come from Asia or be of plant origin. Chinese herbs are prescribed in "formulas" similar to recipes in which multiple herbs are combined in order to most effectively address a particular patient's condition. These may be cooked as a decoction and drank as a tea, taken as a powder, pill or extract. Because Chinese medicinals are prescribed based on a patient's pattern differentiation rather than on a particular symptom or disease, it is important to see a Chinese herbologist for a formula that fits one's unique presentation.

Qi Gong: The cultivation of one's own Qi or the professional cultivation of another's Qi in order to enhance, maintain or restore health and promote longevity. This is a highly skilled exercise which also incorporates breath work and stilling the mind.

Tuina; Oriental Bodywork: This is another professional bodywork technique similar to massage used to restore/maintain health through the balance of yin and yang. There are practitioners who specialize in pediatric tuina.

Oriental Nutrition Therapy: Essentially, food therapy is the recommendation of certain foods in order to bring about that yin-yang balance so important to health. Of particular note is the recognition that food has Qi and that any substance not containing Qi is not really food. This would include most processed foods that are unfortunately over-represented in the American diet.

Oriental Medicine: This is a professional system that has developed over many centuries in the East and is now taught in special colleges and universities all around the globe. Not only are practitioners trained in the techniques described above, but just as importantly they learn a high art of pattern differentiation: or how the patient came to be diseased in the first place. Through specialized palpatory techniques such as pulse assessment, specialized inspection (including tongue assessment), distinctive questioning skills, and examination, they develop a description of the patient's state of health and disease. These skills are collectively known as Oriental Diagnosis. In essence, the diagnosis describes the relative balance of yin and yang within the patient. Oriental diagnosis is very different from the diagnostic methods of most medical professionals, and utilizes a language that seems very strange to Western ears. Nevertheless, this language allows the practitioner to correctly implement acupuncture, Chinese herbology, Oriental nutrition, etc. in a treatment plan.

Just what do all those letters after a practitioner's name mean? Practitioners attend colleges or universities for a minimum of three years and earn a Masters of Acupuncture (M.Ac), Masters of Arts (MA), or a Masters of Science in Oriental Medicine (MSOM). Most recently programs awarding Doctoral Degrees in Oriental Medicine (PhDOM) have been established. Certain states in the U.S. grant the practitioner the privilege to be a primary care provider (and hence the right to call themselves Doctor of OM - DOM or OMD.) Most states (including North Carolina ) grant practitioners of Oriental Medicine a license to practice acupuncture and hence we often see L.Ac. displayed after the practitioner's name. Dipl. Ac and Dipl. CH indicate national tests that ensure competency in acupuncture and Chinese herbology.

The following practitioners are professionally trained to provide Oriental Medicine to the Greensboro community: Diane & Tracy Peck: East Gate Acupuncture Center , 336.370-4399. Michele Salinas: Carolina Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine Center , 336-235-2730. Heather McIver: Stillpoint Acupuncture, 336-510-2029. Fang Mu: Mu Chinese Acupuncture and Herbs, 336-643-8838.