Western and Eastern Medicine Compared

A look at the similarities and differences between Western and Eastern medicine. Or biomedicine, traditional medicine, modern and ancient medicine.

This article looks at:
Two perspectives offering complimentary approaches
Microscopic and macroscopic perspectives
A quick definition of qi
A quick definition of yin and yang
A quick definition of spirit or “shen”
Scientific research versus the test of time

November 30, 2009  Tags: ,   Posted in: Theory  No Comments

@algancao – On Speaking Chinese in English

My favorite line from a current TV commercial “He can speak French… in Russian.” http://bit.ly/e5W3i Sat Aug 01 15:25:29

But what of the MD who speaks Western medicine with Chinese medicine terms? http://bit.ly/4EBbA

Are an MD’s Western medicine (WM) descriptions of essence (jing) deficiency as the cause of cancer valid from Chinese medicine (CM) logic?

The author of “Acupuncture and the Cancer Patient” describes Kidney essence as governing reproduction, growth, and development. I agree.

September 9, 2009  Tags: , , , ,   Posted in: Tweetz  No Comments

@algancao – On Meditation for Pain

Meditation is challenging to the mind in that it requires one to focus on something boring. Ultimately the mind gives up and just shuts up. Fri Jul 24 15:29:29

What remains with stilled mind the Taoists call the “host”, while the verbal part is the “guest”. We ARE the host, the brain is the guest.

From the perspective of the host mind, sensations of the body (thoughts too) can be seen as something transitory, happening to someone else.

In meditation, pain can be perceived as happening to the body, but not to you. You feel it, but it is like it isn’t your problem.

September 9, 2009  Tags: , ,   Posted in: Tweetz  No Comments

@algancao – On Metaphorical Medicine

@bweapons One insight provided by alt.med is looking at the body (and everything else) differently, provided it is clinically relevant. Thu Jul 23 14:35:14

Docs say that “damp” or the external “evil qi” terms we use are bogus colorful speech. No reality to these perceptions at all.

We can choose to perceive the body at gross or molecular levels. Ultimately, our scientific perceptions are as questionable as CM ideas.

Looking under microscopes of increasing magnification, the lines between the discrete individual and the non-self environment are blurred.

September 9, 2009  Tags: , , ,   Posted in: Tweetz  No Comments

@algancao – On Chinese Medicine Education

@acupunisher “Inner traditions” and many psycho-spiritual approaches seem like practitioner projection and excessive mental gyrations to me.
Sat Jul 11 15:28:01

@bweapons Chinese medicine is based on a different metaphysic than biomedicine, but both evolve through creativity and peer review.

Scientism is the metaphysic that only science can know truth. This leaves out the observer, (s)he who subjectively experiences whatever.

Perhaps Chinese medicine favors subjective “quality of life” over changes in lab data. We spend lots of time trying to prove via lab data.

September 9, 2009  Tags: , , ,   Posted in: Tweetz  No Comments

@algancao – On Chinese Medicine Diagnosis

@acupunisher Diagnosis is knowing what signs and symptoms to include, and knowing which S&S to exclude. Fri Jul 10 05:47:16

@acupunisher Can’t include all symptoms. When shen-disturbed patient complains of aliens controlling mind, gotta know when to say when.

@acupunisher Color of aliens helpful information? Not sure, but I do agree re:patient’s reaction to them. I take same approach with dreams.

@acupunisher My point is sometimes you gotta ignore signs. To which of the 5 diagnostic colors do you attribute “plaid” as an example.

September 9, 2009  Tags: , , ,   Posted in: Tweetz  No Comments

@algancao – On Chinese Medicine for Oral Health

@bweapons Chinese medicine connects dental health to Kidney functions (along with all the bones in the body, bone marrow, and brain marrow.) Tue Jul 07 15:57:17

Bad breath? Biomedicine says kill infection in gums. Chinese med. says fix the Stomach. Rx Coptis for “stomach fire” is also antibiotic.

Bitter taste in mouth? Chinese medicine says it’s heat in an internal organ. Could be Liver, arises with anger. Or Stomach with heartburn.

Sores on the tongue? Chinese medicine says put out the fire in the Heart. Can arise with bladder infections and passionate emotions.

September 9, 2009  Tags: , , , ,   Posted in: Tweetz  No Comments

@algancao – On Cupping

@Baridegi “cupping” is the traditional Asian medicine technique that utilizes vacuum cups placed on the body. Sun Jul 05 23:45:14

Asian medicine cupping leaves behind superficial round bruises that I like to call ‘crop circles’.

Cupping is popular in Russia, it turns out. A traditional remedy there too. They call it “bankas” or “jars”.

They have a saying, probably derived from Yiddish: ” you don’t know bankas” which means you are ignorant. http://bit.ly/L0beV

September 9, 2009  Tags: , , , , ,   Posted in: Tweetz  No Comments

@algancao – On Endangered Species and Woo-Woo Medicine

@vichzp Chinese medicine doesn’t cause rhino and tiger extinction, but greed and poachers do. Same with elephants, bears, etc. Sun Jul 05 14:30:23

@amyalkon Chinese medicine Injectable herbs are used in Chinese ERs. CM there and woo woo here are not the same. http://bit.ly/10llP4

@robertsongames2 Rhino horn not for impotence in TCM. Lowers fever. Poaching is GREED & MONEY not health. TCM uses water buffalo horn now.

Others point out that poachers are nothing without a marketplace. Agreed. [Sigh] My sphere of influence limited. No magic wand to wave to stop this.

September 9, 2009  Tags: , ,   Posted in: Tweetz  No Comments

@algancao – On Korean vs. Chinese Medicine

@Baridegi Koreans no like “Chinese med” as a term, so they proposed “Oriental Med.” which has stuck, many orgs rep OM instead of CM. Tue Jun 23 16:27:30

@Baridegi Kr. Med shares much with CM. 4 constitutions in Kr = 5 phases, 6 channels, 4 levels used in China.

@Baridegi Koreans whom I’ve seen practicing use 4 constitutions, but also other styles eg. 5 phases. We all use yin/yang, etc.

@Baridegi You can push and shove 4 const into greek methods, but bruises ensue. We all try to do that, but with only varying success.

@Baridegi Not as much difference between the two, but clearly some regional traditions.

September 9, 2009  Tags: , ,   Posted in: Tweetz  No Comments