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Traditional Eastern Medicine
Traditional eastern medicine has a recorded history that dates back five thousand years in history. The roots of traditional medicine began sometime during the prehistoric ages. Natural human instincts are the foundation for traditional medical techniques. The human instinct to injury is to simply rub the affected area. If pain persists, then one may push on the affected area to try and eliminate the pain. This instinctive action became the foundation for acupressure. If the pain elevated further, then natural human instinct was to utilize objects to push and massage injured areas. These elemental objects consisted of stone, wood and later evolved into the use of objects made from animal bone, fish bone or thorns. This became the foundation for acupuncture. If pain still remained, then the injured area would be punctured to release blood and pressure. This natural technique became the foundation for cupping and phlebotomy. Chronic conditions would often be treated with heated objects such as rocks warmed by the sun. If it was winter, ice would also be used on the injured area in combination with heat. This natural treatment became the foundation for moxibustion. Manipulation of the immune system through diet and the health maintenance through nutrition became the foundation for herbology.
Acupuncture Needle
Herbal Medicine
Acupressure developed into the use of fingers, elbows, tools and modern manipulation techniques. Acupuncture developed into the use of sharp stainless steel objects such as various lengths of needles. Cupping techniques developed into the use of disposable cups to draw out blood after the injured area is punctured. Moxibustion developed into the use of heat packs, cold packs and even ultrasonic heat therapies. Modern herbology developed into the use of as many as four hundred and eighty different kinds of herbs. These herbs are prescribed in accordance with individual needs and are supplied in the form of pills, capsules, powders and teas to alleviate illness and promote health.
Traditional eastern medicine promotes the body’s natural healing abilities and shares the same root as traditional martial arts. That root is the development of health and the development of Ki. Remember that “Ki” translates to “Life Force” or “Vital Energy”. Ki is the energy of all living things, the living force of the Universe. In traditional medicine and traditional martial arts, Ki denotes the essential substance of the body that maintains vital activities. Proper circulation of the body’s internal energy, Ki, defines good health. Improper circulation of Ki in traditional eastern medicine is considered a pathological disorder. If this energy flow is disrupted, then seeds of illness will appear. Balance of mind and body develop good Ki. Good Ki is then developed and maintained through the practice of traditional martial arts and if necessary, corrected by eastern medicine.
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