Week 8: TCM strengthens the Immune system

Whether being used as an adjunct to support allopathic medical treatments, as in the case of HIV and Cancer, or as the primary modality for treating a given syndrome; one of the hallmarks of Traditional Chinese Medicine is it’s ability to support the immune system, and it's self-healing mechanism.

When working with a client who is experiencing TCM for the first time, I explain how the treatment (be it bodywork, tuning forks or needles) will support the body’s own innate healing capabilities as embodied in their immune system. Using the metaphor of a garden hose filled with water, I explain how the meridians create an energetic circuit in the body through which energy flows.

Similarly, these meridians may get blockages at certain points (due to a variety of reasons) which have the effect of creating too much energy in certain areas and too little in others, much like a kink in the garden hose would create too much water pressure on one side and not enough on the other. Once such a blockage is removed by the treatment, the energy is allowed to flow equally throughout the body’s extremities as well as the internal organs. This now balanced flow of energy has the effect of supporting the body’s own self-healing mechanism, so it can function optimally and return the individual to their natural state of balance and health.

In addition, Qi Gong and Tai Chi practices also have “repeatedly demonstrated a role in strengthening the immune system, fighting fatigue and introducing a sense of well-being” to the individual through their continued practice over time. Also, the well-developed and extensive use of herbal medicine has been used for millennia as a major component of TCM. These herbs can be used as an effective support for various systems in the body, as well as medicinal treatments for various syndromes and imbalances, which have the same ultimate effect as the other components of TCM. Used together acupuncture, herbs and movement practices create a effective and successful 3-pronged approach to supporting the overall health and wellness of an individual, as proved time and again throughout their long history of use.