When the body is in balance between Yin and Yang health is predominant. When the Yin and Yang are imbalanced, diseases occurs. Health is an expression of balance, Oriental medicine views disease as physical expressions of an imbalance within the body. Oriental Medicine Physicians look at the symptoms. along with other diagnostic methods, to identify patterns of disharmony. Each of the body organ systems must be in balance within itself as well as within its relationship to the other organ systems.
There are cardinal signs of imbalance related to each organ as well as cardinal signs of multi-organ disharmonies. For example, many of us suffer from extreme fatigue after eating. Some of us have this symptom so badly that we must fall asleep after we eat. This is a symptom which Oriental Medicine views as related to the Spleen. (The Spleen is not the organ recognized by the same name in Western Medical terms, it is however, a term indicating the entire function of the digestive system. It is more closely related to the anatomical pancreas, small intestine, and large intestine.) If the Spleen is out of balance, it can easily affect the Lungs, this may result in phlegm accumulation producing a stuffy sensation in the chest, nasal congestion, and shortness of breath. Allergies or asthma could also come about as a result, for example. Do you know anyone who suffers with asthma? Did you notice that most asthma sufferers have skin problems such as eczema? In Oriental Medicine, the skin is related to the Lung system, so it is logical that eczema would occur with those suffering from asthma. By being able to recognize the cardinal symptoms of single organs and organ relationships, Acupuncture and Herbal treatments are able to get to the root of the problem instead of placing a band-aid over the symptoms. Using acupuncture, herbs, and other modalities, the physician seeks to restore balance. When the body is balanced health is restored.
Within this complex system, there is incredible simplicity–balance in the human body. This is why Acupuncture and Chinese Herbology are so effective. How many of us suffer from feelings of un-wellness which can not be substantiated by laboratory test results? How many of us are aware that something is wrong, or even have specific complaints despite inconclusive test findings? Many of us suffer through long periods of our lives unnecessarily with such “sub clinical symptoms” and are told that there is nothing wrong. Although modern Acupuncturists may use lab work as additional diagnostic tools, Oriental Medicine determines your level of health through the examination of the normal and abnormal organ system functions in your body, by the examination of your pulse and tongue through a complex diagnostic process, by viewing the outside of the body as a window into the internal organs and by recognizing a two-way connection between the body and the mind. The laboratory which provides us with the most significant information is the human body itself. It usually tells us everything we need to know. We just need to know how to listen.
About the author: ChineseHerbalAdviser
