Good health could be maintained through an understanding of the natural movement of qi, in particular through the zangfu (organ systems) and jingluo (meridians) and then using pressure, needles, herbs or exercises to restore this movement. The body was viewed as a microcosm of the universe and as such could be affected by the same influences of heat, dryness, damp, cold and wind. The core theories which underpin Chinese medicine were in place by the 1 st - 2 nd centuries BC these included the concepts of qi (vital energy), wu xing (5 phases) and yin yang. Thus the Chinese never developed a detailed knowledge of physical anatomy, but instead focused on understanding how different parts of the physical and energetic body relate to one another and affect each other and how the individual relates to the environment and nature as a whole. They call this energy qi (chi) and its movement explains the patterns and rhythms of life, for example the changing seasons, the growth from foetus to child to adult to death and so on.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |