Whole Medical System — Traditional Chinese Medicine

Chinese Medicine is based on the philosophy of the Tao which is separated into yin and yang. Yin and yang serve as a pair of opposites each needing the other to exist. Yin is considered “the dark side of the mountain,” night, cold and stillness, and yang is considered “the light side of the mountain,” day, heat, and movement. The foundation of Chinese Medicine is to keep this yin and yang, both of which we all embody, in perfect balance.

Chinese Medicine has its roots in a 5,000-year-old book called The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Medicine. A discussion of what the Chinese call “qi” (pronounced chi) is the basis of all health. Where there is a smooth flow of qi, there is no pain. Qi can be translated into the western concept of energy.

There is a flow of this energy in what are called meridians or pathways. Each pathway has its own quality and is related to an organ. The organs in Chinese Medicine, although sharing the same names, do not have the same functions. For instance, the function of the Spleen, from a conventional medicine perspective, stores blood, produces red blood cells, and helps regulate iron in the body. From a Chinese Medicine perspective, it helps transform food into qi and regulates the accumulation of water or edema in body. The regulation of digestion and elimination, therefore, can be enhanced by accessing the meridian and the organ by pressure of the thumb and finger on specific points to balance what is called Spleen qi.

Potential Application for Children with Cancer

There are 12 organ systems in the body: Lung, Large Intestine, Stomach, Spleen, Heart, Small Intestine, Bladder, Kidney, Pericardium, Triple Heater*, Gall Bladder and Liver. Each has its own unique ability to balance the body’s yin and yang. When treating the side effects of cancer and its medication treatments, the meridian and organs involved are first defined.

*Although Triple Heater does not correspond to any named organ, some theories suggest it has its correlation with the connective tissue of the body.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Chinese herbal medicine, acupuncture, acupressure, movement therapy and moxibustion (a therapy utilizing the mugwort herb) are the components of Chinese Medicine. These modalities may help minimize side-effects and help accelerate the body’s healing response.

How does the Integrative Therapies Program’s nutrition service work in the hospital and outpatient clinic?

The Integrative Therapies Program’s licensed acupuncturists are available Monday thru Thursday, 10am-3pm, to meet with patients and their families to discuss inquiries into Chinese Medicine.

Last updated: October 13, 2009