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What Is Oriental Medicine

What is Oriental Medicine - Oriental medicine has been practiced for more than 2,500 years and includes acupuncture, herbal medicine, moxibustion, Oriental massage and Oriental nutrition.

Oriental medicine is practiced in China, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, India, Tibet and Vietnam. Oriental medicine has spread to Europe, North and South America and even Africa.

Other aspects of Oriental Medicine
- Electroacupuncture - the use of fine microcurrent technology
- Diet, Lifestyle and Nutritional Counseling
- Cupping - glass or bamboo cup as a suction device to stimulate blood circulation
- Tai Chi - a form of physical exercise
- Qi Gong - a form of breathing exercise
- Various forms of therapeutic massage
- Meditation

Chinese Medicine - In parts of Asia where there are large Chinese population, Oriental medicine is also commonly known and referred to as Chinese medicine. One of the major ways in which Chinese medicine determines how one's health is relies on the laws of the universe. This essentially means that any trained person in Chinese medicine will turn towards nature and the characteristics that are in this environment to determine why one may be unhealthy. One of the ways that these determinations are made is through the five elements.

The Five Elements of Oriental Medicine - The five elements consist of water, wood, fire, earth and metal. When looking at these elements, there are certain attributes that are analyzed. In turn, the analysis that is made will also determine how it is related to various organs. Not only did these five elements determine the relation of the elements to organs, but went on to include things such as how emotions corresponded with these various elements.

The idea of the five elements is to see how everything is interconnected to each other through the universe. Chinese medicine determines that every man is a reflection of what is in the universe, meaning that each individual can be analyzed in direct co-relation to the elements of the universe.

Take for instance if someone is having trouble with their heart or small intestine. According to Chinese medicine, this would directly relate to Fire, meaning that it would be linked with the qualities of summer and the energy of heat. The result of the heart or intestine trouble would be that the sense organ of the tongue would first be affected. The emotion associated with this would be either joy or shock. The heart and the small intestine will also trigger bitter taste that someone will respond to.

Benefits of Oriental Medicine - Oriental Medicine is cited as an effective system of healthcare by the National Institute of Health and the World Health Organization. Both acupuncture and Oriental Medicine have become a serious alternative or complement to conventional pain management and medical treatment. Oriental medicine emphasizes a holistic approach that treats the whole body.Along with herbal therapy, nutrition, exercise and massage, they are the key tools to wellness.

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