According to Medicine News, the main philosophy behind Chinese medicine has come from Confucianism and Taoism (White). These two belief systems were created as a result of the prolonged Warring States (481-221 B.C.); it is said that the greatest advances in medicine occur during war and strife (White). Confucianism comes from the teachings of Confucius (551-479 B.C.) (White). These teachings revolve around the interlinkages of the twelve primary organ systems of the body (White). These complex patterns are based on the five elements- wood, fire, metal, earth and water (White). When these elements are in harmony, the body is healthy, and when they are not, disease is represented (White). The Five Element theory is responsible for the cycling
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Everything is connected and what is good for one is good for all (Smith). What harms one, harms all (Smith). Tying the physical and mental beings together, it is believed that what is bad for the heart is bad for the body (Smith). Man is so intertwined with nature that they cannot be separated, and, when it come to medicine, “man assists, but nature heals” (Smith). Western medicine takes a structural approach, while traditional Chinese medicine uses a functional approach (Smith). The functional approach focuses on how health consists of the interactions of energies and forces within and outside the body (Smith). Examples of external forces are the environment, pathogenic forces and the climate; examples of internal forces are emotional, mental and spiritual aspects and genetic backgrounds (Smith). Well-being is about balance between these internal and external forces (Smith). “Health is seen as the ability of an organism to respond appropriately to a wide variety of challenges in a way that ensures maintaining equilibrium and balance” (Smith). Disharmony in this system can be caused by imbalance, and, if not taken care of, can lead to disease (Smith). The goal of TCM is to maintain balance and help any individual to overcome physical challenges and restore balance
Everything is connected and what is good for one is good for all (Smith). What harms one, harms all (Smith). Tying the physical and mental beings together, it is believed that what is bad for the heart is bad for the body (Smith). Man is so intertwined with nature that they cannot be separated, and, when it come to medicine, “man assists, but nature heals” (Smith). Western medicine takes a structural approach, while traditional Chinese medicine uses a functional approach (Smith). The functional approach focuses on how health consists of the interactions of energies and forces within and outside the body (Smith). Examples of external forces are the environment, pathogenic forces and the climate; examples of internal forces are emotional, mental and spiritual aspects and genetic backgrounds (Smith). Well-being is about balance between these internal and external forces (Smith). “Health is seen as the ability of an organism to respond appropriately to a wide variety of challenges in a way that ensures maintaining equilibrium and balance” (Smith). Disharmony in this system can be caused by imbalance, and, if not taken care of, can lead to disease (Smith). The goal of TCM is to maintain balance and help any individual to overcome physical challenges and restore balance