History of Science 2220 Lecture Notes - Lecture 14: Zang-Fu, Wu Xing, Tai Chi
7 Feb 2018
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Document Summary
Complementary medicine used alongside standard of care. Alternative medicine is used instead of standard of care. 2 main approaches: natural products (ex. glucosamine, sh oil/omega 3, echinacea, axseed, mind and body practices (ex. yoga, acupuncture, deep breathing, massage, 3 main doctrines: yin/yang, wu xing ( ve elements, zang fu. Chi (qi) energy is in all things. Energy that ows through the body through invisible sets of pathways called meridians. Wu xing: 5 elements: wood, re, earth, metal, water, linked to planets, directions, seasons, colours, sounds, organs. Zang fu: two types of internal organs, zang (yin) organs liver, heart, spleen, lung, kidney, fu (yang) organs gallbladder, small intestine, stomach, large intestine, bladder. Qi (chi) ows through 12 primary and secondary meridians in the body with 365 pressure points. Technique: needles are inserted into precise pressure points/acupoints, they may be manipulated, in some cases, electrical current is used, ow of qi is improved. Health bene ts: low back pain, headache.
