Holistic Concept and Treatment Based on Syndrome Diagnosis
TCM emphasizes the unity of the human body and the natural environment, and believes that disease is the result of the combined effect of the internal imbalance of the human body and the changes in the external environment. In treatment, through the combination of observation, auscultation, inquiry, and palpation, the cause, nature of the disease, and individual differences are comprehensively analyzed to formulate a personalized treatment plan, which can treat both the symptoms and the root cause. 12
Yin Yang and Five Elements Theory
Yin Yang Theory: The human body is regarded as a dynamic equilibrium body of the unity of opposites of Yin and Yang, and health comes from the coordination of Yin and Yang (such as “Yin Ping Yang Mi”). Disease is the manifestation of the imbalance of Yin and Yang (such as “Yin deficiency and fire” and “Yang deficiency and cold stagnation”). 23
Five Elements Theory: The five elements of wood, fire, earth, metal, and water are used to describe the relationship between the internal organs of the human body (such as the liver belongs to wood and is responsible for dredging, and the lungs belong to metal and are responsible for descending), revealing the transmission and transformation laws of physiological and pathological diseases (such as “seeing liver disease, knowing that the liver transmits to the spleen”). 34
Treatment before illness and prevention ideas
Emphasis on preventing illness before it occurs (such as “prevention before illness”) or preventing the spread of illness (such as “preventing disease after illness”) by adjusting physical fitness and improving lifestyle, reflecting the philosophical wisdom of “preventing disease before it occurs” in traditional Chinese medicine. 56
Analogy and analogical thinking
Use natural phenomena to analogize human functions (such as “harmony between man and nature”), establish a theoretical system through induction and summary (such as matching organ functions with natural elements), and form a unique diagnosis and treatment logic. 7
These ideas permeate each other and together constitute a unique theoretical framework and practical guidance system for traditional Chinese medicine.
