THE CHINESE HEALTH MODEL

 At the heart of Chinese Medicine (CM) is the Dao or Tao, a fascinating belief system that highlights balance and harmony as the ultimate keys to living in sync with all that is. CM embraces this philosophy, emphasising that health comes from keeping the vital energies (qi) in our bodies balanced and harmonious. In the ancient CM text, the Huang Di Nei Jing, the emperor’s physician, Qi Bo, explains to the emperor why people in the past were healthier. Qi Bo shares, “In the past, people lived the Dao, the way of life, understanding the balance principle of the Yin-Yang…they stayed balanced and in harmony with the universe.”

Building on this inspiring idea, the CM health model describes itself as “the balance between individuals and nature, individuals and the universe, between environment and life circumstances, capabilities and thoughts. The balance of Yin and Yang, the balance between Qi and blood, the harmony between the five elements, the harmony between internal organs, the harmony between body and spirit, and a balance in the movement of Qi in the channels.”

As a CM practitioner, the goal is to find why an individual has moved away from balance and harmony, and to guide them back to health using a harmonious mix of three philosophical theories: the theory of Zang Fu (the organs of the body); the theory of Jing Lou (channels or meridians); and the theory of Yin Yang Wu Xing (Yin, Yang, and the five elements – Fire, Earth, Metal, Water, and Wood).

The tools, refined over centuries, also focus on balance and harmony—skilfully blending acupuncture with herbal medicine, harmonizing moxa with acupuncture, and utilising medicinal herbs and foods in meals to boost qi.

In the end, effectively using the CM health model requires a focus on balance and harmony. "Balance equals health, while imbalance leads to illness and suffering. Healing is all about bringing balance back. The role of the CM practitioner is to spot what’s out of balance, figure out why, and pick the right tools to restore harmony."

References

1.  Fromm A, Polak G. The Book of Balance Method. 2nd ed. (Heyman T, ed.). The Arazim print; 2017.

2. Unschuld PU, Tessenow H, Jinsheng Z. Huang Di Nei Jing Su Wen. Vol I and II. First. University of California Press, Ltd.; 2011.