In TCM, a primary concept is the idea of “root and branch.” Symptoms like insomnia are considered to be the branches of a disease. The root of a disease is a dysfunction or imbalance of the fundamental substances (Chi, blood, Yin, Yang, Jing, Shen), or of the major organ systems (Lungs, Heart, Spleen, Liver, Kidneys). When a person suffers from insomnia, the two organs most often out of balance are the Heart and the Liver. Each of these two organs houses a specific aspect of the spirit. (more…)
Posts Tagged ‘spirit’
Treatment of Neurodegenerative Disorders with Acupuncture
Friday, January 4th, 2008
According to the theories of Oriental Medicine, the spirit (shen) resides within the heart and the brain. The spirit is affected by the overall mental and physical health of a person. If the spirit is damaged, both the mental and the physical functions of a person would be greatly compromised. Deterioration in mental functions may result in delirium and dementia with the decline in physical functions resembling complications of stroke. Therefore, the treatment for neurodegenerative disorders should focus on awakening up the spirit (shen), opening up the sensory orifices and stimulating the brain. (more…)
Abstaining from Too Much Worry
Thursday, August 9th, 2007Worry is one of the activities of the spirit. Everybody has something to think of or to worry about, but less worry will ease the spirit while too much anxiety will hurt the spirit and shorten life. The book Ling Shu also says, “Too much anxiety injures the spirit “The book Peng Zu She Sheng Yang Xing Lun says, “Hard and continuous worry will lead to destruction of the spirit. ”
The book Wan Shou Dan Shu says, “The heart houses the spirit, and therefore, when the heart is not disturbed, the spirit will be tranquil, but when the heart is agitated, the spirit will become exhausted. Since the spirit is the master of the limbs, a sound spirit, which can naturally be fostered through worrying less, desiring less, eliminating disturbing ideas and hence resisting all encroachment, will bring about a sound body, which in turn will bring about longevity. This is essential in health care. “The book Yang Shen Fu Yu compares the relationship between worry and spirit to the one between fire and oil. (more…)
Mental Health Care
Friday, August 3rd, 2007In TCM, great attention has always been paid to the close relationship between mental activities and health. Its established theory of “integrating spirit with body” holds that both together make up an organic unity:Â to strengthen the spirit, Â one must strengthen the body, and to strengthen the body, one must strengthen the spirit, putting stress on the guiding position of regulation of the spirit in health care.
TCM also holds that essence (Jing ç²¾), vital energy (Qi æ°”), and spirit (Shen 神), are three treasures of one’s life, granting longevity as well as resistance to diseases if they are conserved and cultivated. One can be healthy and free from illnesses only when he cultivates essence, uses Qi sparingly and takes good care of his spirit, so that he will be full of vigour with every organ performing its proper function. An imbalance of spirit, on the other hand, may result in various illnesses or even early death through exhaustion and loss of the body’s essential Qi. This is what is meant by saying that “Failure to keep a sound mind may weaken resistance and invite attackes by pathogenic factors. ” and “Those who keep a sound mind will survive, and those who don’t will die; those who gain a sound mind will live and those who don’t will perish. ” (more…)