Abstract
This article treats the relationship between the Westerners and Chinese medicine. Firstly, the purpose is to comprehend how young Westerners have come to practice Chinese medicine in their lives and, secondly, to learn the eventual consequences of that practice on their lives and attitudes towards this medicine.
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Qi means breathe or air in Chinese and is a fundamental concept of traditional Chinese culture. Qi is believed to be part of every living thing that exists, as a kind of “life force” or spiritual energy. Theories of traditional Chinese medicine assert that the body has natural patterns of qi that circulate in channels called meridians in English. Symptoms of various illnesses are often believed to be the product of disrupted, blocked or unbalanced qi movement through the body’s meridians, as well as deficiencies or imbalances of qi in the various organs.
Yin represents the passive principle in nature exhibited as darkness, cold, and wetness. On a human level, yin symbolizes femininity and inertia. Also, yin represents the realm of the dead.
Yang represents the active principle in nature exhibited by light, heat, and dryness. On a human level, yang represents masculinity and the positive side of our emotions. Also, yang represents the realm of the living.
Tui na massage takes its name from two Chinese words that mean “lift and press.” It requires the controlled use of very deep but constantly moving pressure, repeated hundreds of times. Tui na is used to treat a wide variety of conditions that would require a team of physiotherapists, chiropractors, and physicians specializing in sports medicine to treat in the West. One Chinese medical book lists over 140 conditions that can be treated with Tui na, including disorders of the internal organs as well as sprains, pulled muscles, arthritis, and sciatica, a pain in the lower back and back of the thighs.
Lipovetsky, G, L’ère du vide : Essais sur l’individualisme contemporain, Gallimard, 1993.
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Korbe, M. Chinese medicine in an occidental perspective. Asia Europe J 6, 355–358 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10308-007-0137-z
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10308-007-0137-z