TCM kangtai GmbH (Wädenswil)

About Traditional Chinese Medicine Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has existed in its current form for only about 50 years. However, the origins of TCM go back much further: more than 3000 years ago, acupuncture (needle technique) and moxibustion (heat application) were already used. These healing methods evolved from Chinese folk medicine, which was still riddled with spirits and demons. There is evidence that acupuncture was not limited to China. Studies of the glacier man "Ötzi" suggest that he was treated with an early form of acupuncture as early as 5000 years ago. Written sources on TCM have been known for over 2000 years. The oldest of the writings is the Huangdi Neijing - in German: "Der Klassiker des Gelben Kaisers zur Inneren Medizin". This comprehensive work forms the basis of all other texts on TCM. The holistic approach of the ancient texts teaches us that man is integrated into a natural order: If one lives in harmony with nature and fellow human beings, one remains healthy.

The basics of TCM TCM's holistic view of health as well as disease differs significantly from Western medicine: Where Western medicine looks for changes in organs and their functions, TCM looks for disturbances in the flow of energy in the body. Depending on the disease, both views have their advantages and disadvantages. Some chronic diseases or complaints without a clear functional disorder of an organ can be treated only insufficiently with Western medicine. As a useful complement to Western medicine, TCM takes care of the harmony of body and soul.

Concepts of TCM From the point of view of TCM, the human being is suspended between heaven and earth - between Yin and Yang. The living human being is flowed through by an energy flow that the Chinese call Qi (life energy). Any disturbance of the Qi leads to diseases. Based on these fundamentals as well as centuries of observation, the five phases of transformation (metal, wood, water, fire and earth) were created, to which in turn organ systems - the functional circuits - were assigned. The following selection contains further information on the individual concepts.