Traditional Chinese Medicine: Cupping Therapy

Hydrotherapy is therapy using water. This can be hot, cold warm or even ice. The temperature of the water effects the therapeutic properties of the treatment, for example, hot or warm water is more relaxing, stimulating the immune system and reducing stress. Cold water is used to treat burns and smooth muscle pains and soreness. Steam is used along with herbs and oils to sooth respiratory problems and treat mild illness (colds). Movements in open water (swimming pools) are used to treat issues such as arthritis and is used in rehabilitation.

The Web That Has No Weaver: Understanding Chinese Medicine by Ted J. Kaptchuk is a non-fiction book describing the philosophy of traditional Chinese medicine and how it compares to Western medicine. This book does not focus on a specific time period or regions where Chinese medicine is practiced. Rather, it centers on the logic behind Chinese medicine. After studying Chinese medicine in Macao, Ted Kaptchuk returned to America and realized that he could not abandon what he learned just because it was different from Western medicine. Chinese medicine is over two thousand years old and textbooks have dated back to the Han dynasty (202 B.C.E.-220 C.E). These texts will continue to adapt, just as traditions adapt over time. Chinese medicine is still

The alternative medicine of Korean culture is called, Korean Oriental medicine (KOM). “It refers to the medicine native to Korea developed over a period of nearly two thousand years after being grafted with traditional Chinese medicine. It had been called traditional Korean medicine (TKM) since 1986 until recently. Before that, it was simply referred to as traditional Oriental medicine” (Republic of Korea, 2012). Chinese medicine was first introduced to Korea, during the Three Kingdoms period (57 B.C. – 668). It was followed by Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392) and the Joseon Dynasty (1392 – 1910) and developed its own unique nature as Korean Oriental Medicine. This traditional medicine perceives human body as a small universe and is based on the concept of “yin” and “yang”. According to this concept, it sees every object in the universe in two opposing forces, “such as the sun and moon, summer and winter, north and south, and male and female. It studies o-haeng, or the five phases or elements comprising the universe: geum (metal and rock), mok (wood), su (water), hwa (fire), and to (earth). It also studies the process of yuk-gi, or the Six Atmospheric Influences, in the realm of natural science, which are pung (wind), han (cold), yeol (heat), hwa (fire), seup (humidity), and jo (dryness). Western medicine focuses on the human body’s internal organs and is based on anatomy and cytology. It tends to find the cause of illness

The Hmong’s in addition to shamanism also believe in herbal treatment and dermal therapy such as massage, acupuncture, pinching, coin rubbing etc. (Fadiman, 1997, p.73). This alternative medicine is part of the

and how doctors know what they know? Have you asked yourself where medicine all started? Never thought about it much since being out of high school. In modern times we have science based medicine. But this is the current mode of treating illnesses. In many ways ancient medicine and techniques have been used ever since the ancient times. There are many religions that brought forth the same procedures and would attribute illnesses to witchcraft, demons, celestial influence, or the will of the gods. The history has been traced by particular treatments in Ladakh, India which has a Tibetan Buddhist culture and religion and the Greek religious god Asclepius who was the Divine Healer or miracle working physician;

Often, Asian Americans will first utilize CAM prior to seeking professional medical care out of convenience. The most common CAM used across various Asian ethnic groups including the Chinese and Japanese medicine is the use of herbs. The Chinese believe that “herbal medication regulate the natural balance of the body and restore health” (QUOTE NEWSLETTER/new source). The specific herbs used vary among the ethnic groups and may come in many different forms of use. The use of herbal medicine is not always reported to healthcare professionals which can be hazardous to one’s health if a medication is prescribed with serious drug-herbal interactions (Mehta, Phillips, Davis & McCarthy, 2007, p. 5). The accurate reporting of herbal medicine use can prevent these sometimes life-threatening interactions. Many Asian communities use a CAM known as cupping in which cups typically made of horn, bamboo or glass cups are suctioned to a person’s skin. It is believed to improve energy and blood flow. Cupping is used to treat various conditions including respiratory illnesses, indigestions problems and skin conditions (QUOTE online). Traditional Vietnamese medicine (TVM) focuses on nourishing the blood and energy as key to maintaining good health (QUOTE). TVM also utilize herbal medicine as well as acupuncture. Acupuncture is becoming widely

It was not until the late 18th century when western medicine came into existence. Although ancient and herbal medicine are old they are still practiced among various communities in different parts of the world. For example, the Hmong in Laos and Vietnam practice herbal medicine and shamanism. When the Hmong

Vietnamese will often combine traditional healing techniques such as steaming, coining, and cupping with western medicine to promote health restoration (Kemp & Rasbridge, 2014). Hai explains that her parents view on health restoration is somewhat different then her own beliefs. Her parents see western medicine as useful for treatment to relieve symptoms of illness, but believe that illness is “cured” with the relief of symptoms. Hai states that she will often find that her parents will readjust dosage of medication or discontinue them when symptoms subside. She contributes this to their belief that oral medications can affect the bodies balance and therefore use of these medications should be minimal. Hai works in health care and has a knowledge of the usefulness of prescribed medications, however attempts to treatment are first made through holistic means and medications are used as a last resort (T. Hai, personal communication August 17, 2015).

Whether eastern-based medicine or western medicine, there is a multitude of so-called healing modalities. A plethora of industries is available to get their share of the huge financial pie. The pharmaceutical industry is one of the

They were given special legal privileges and were officially supported by the Yuan government. Kublai Khan even set up the Imperial Academy of Medicine to manage the education of new doctors and medical treatises. Healers were divided into two groups, non-Mongol physicians called otachi and Mongolian shamans. Otachi were characterized for their use of herbal remedies, while Mongol shamans were noted for their spiritual cures. During the Yuan period advances in medicine were made and the practice of Chinese medicine spread throughout the empire. Healers were even brought along on military campaigns as they expanded, techniques such as moxibustion, pulse diagnosis, acupuncture, and herbal mixtures and remedies spread westward. Wei Yilin, a physician that lived 1277-1347, invented a method for reducing dislocations under anesthesia. One Mongol physician named Hu Shihui wrote about how important a healthy diet is. Western medicine was also practiced but it was frowned upon by Chinese physicians because it contradicted the yin-yang and wuxing philosophy upon which traditional chinese medicine

medical schools; and, (c) is not generally reimbursable by health insurance providers” (qtd. in Jarvis). This definition includes natural cures and herbs, whole medical systems such as Indian Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine, mind-body practices such as meditation and hypnosis, healing and energy medicine such as qigong, and practices such as acupuncture and massage (Baker 746).

Indian medicine might be nowhere a science, but there are grounds in comparing it in that respect with European medicine of the same period, which were still under the sway of the doctrine of signatures and Galenic humors. The concepts of humors--that is, "specific bodily fluids essential to the physiological functioning of an organism"-- originated at a very early stage of Greek medicine. The reason why this little bit of

Next one is referred as French vigorous acupuncture therapy. This is typically used by experienced acupuncturists. Different meridian patterns are emphasized here particularly the primary energy channels.

What it does: Ok so this treatment isn't totally out there, but the after-effects do look pretty bizarre.

One important aspect of Chinese culture is Traditional Chinese Medicine, also known as TCM. Chinese medicine has been around for quite awhile, and is still around today. In the United States, we see it as acupuncture and massage. TCM is still widely popular in its home country where it is still practiced as it was a few centuries ago. Chinese medicine is evolving to our modern day times, but it is keeping close ties to its roots. Chinese medicine is also becoming more affluent in different parts of the globe. It is a major part of Chinese history and culture, and the people who participate in it do so with great respect. With Chinese medicine, there is great history, procedures, risks, and how it lives in the modern world.