The basis of TCM or Traditional Chinese Medicine is Qi or Chi. TCM is a holistic healing system that includes Qigong, massage, herbal therapy, and acupuncture in West Orange. Qigong, historically, is one of the foundations of Classical Chinese Medicine and is both the father and mother of the later branches of Chinese medicine. Qigong movements depicted in drawings found in Chinese tombs are 3500 years old at least, with other references dating as far back as 5000 years or more. Qigong is considered the grandparent of a lot of eastern energy-based healing methods including deep organ massage (chi nei tsang), massage, meridian therapy (tui na), acupressure, and acupuncture. It most likely nurtured the development of Ba Gua Chuan, Tai Chi Chuan, and other internal martial arts, as well as the various derivative Korean/Japanese healing therapies such as Do-in, shiatsu, and the innumerable martial spinoffs of Judo, Aikido, etc. Some researchers have theorized that Qigong even reached India where it became part of the collection of sacred temple dance training and yoga. Qigong therefore, is what ancient Chinese medicine is based on!
The Han Dynasty and the Yellow Emperor
Qigong’s most ancient written document as a healing technique is found in the Huang Di Neijing Suwen or the Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Medicine, recorded on 240 B.C. during the Han Dynasty. It explains that classical Chinese medicine is a semi-religious system that heavily depended on a small number of ancient texts and ancient doctrines that espouse a philosophy of harmony and balance between the environment and human beings. It depicts the natural basic principles that result in good health, signifying that all mysteries of the world depress, subdue, tonify, or stimulate one’s natural life force, and that human beings are the children of the universe and are therefore subject to its laws:
“People practiced the Way of Life or the Tao in the past. They were aware of the principle of balance and of yin and yang signified by the changes of the energies of the universe. People systematically developed practices such as Qigong (Dao-in), which is an exercise that combined breathing, massaging, stretching, and meditation to help harmonize and maintain themselves with the universe and to bring about the flow of energy.
“At regular times, they consumed a balanced diet, woke up and retired at regular hours, avoided overstressing their minds and bodies, and abstained from overindulgence of all kinds. They maintained health and well-being of mind and body; therefore, it is no surprise that these people lived over a hundred years.”
“Well-being and health can only be attained by nourishing one’s self preventively, adapting to the changing of the seasonal and yearly macrocosmic influences, maintaining harmonious balance between yin and yang, establishing the constant flow of blood and chi, guarding against the waste of energy, and remaining centered in mind, body, and spirit. “This is the way to a happy and long life.”