Traditional healing systems and the ethos of science

Tensions in the toolbox—the meaning of western acupuncture for New Zealand physiotherapists

“…Quah (2003) describes the main pillars "forming the cosmology of traditional Chinese medicine as: yin-yang, the Five Elements, and qi" (p.2002). These 'pillars' comprise the basis of traditional Chinese medicinal diagnosis and treatment.…”

“…Simply put, qi is the lifeblood to the traditional Chinese medicinal concept of human health. Qi is believed to be an innate energy that flows through the body in a network of postulated channels called meridians, which are either parallel to or mixed with the circulation of blood (Quah, 2003). Qi is balanced through its yin and yang, a binary opposition of interdependent aspects, akin to hot & cold and black & white (Lewith & Lewith, 1983) (Birch & Kaptchuk, 1999;Lewith & Lewith, 1983 (Kaptchuk, 2002) and Tui na [Chinese manipulative therapy] (Wikipedia, 2005c).…”

“…In 1954 the Communist regime, that had dismissed acupuncture as not being congruent with the 'scientific' principles of Marxism (Mole, 1992), decided that acupuncture was a part of the medical legacy left from the motherland and its practice was incorporated once again into the Chinese health care system (Mole, 1992). The need to provide an inexpensive system of health care for all Chinese people meant that a simplified and systemised way had to be developed, alongside conventional biomedicine (Mole, 1992;Quah, 2003;Wood, 1993). The political climate of the 1950s also meant that the theories of Chinese medicine were adjusted to be more in keeping with the 'spirit of the age'.…”

“…The political climate of the 1950s also meant that the theories of Chinese medicine were adjusted to be more in keeping with the 'spirit of the age'. A demand created by the state was that "traditional Chinese medicine must be fostered as an icon of Chinese culture" (Quah, 2003(Quah, , p.1998.…”

“…The Chinese Governments health policy shifted in the 1990s from traditional Chinese medicine precepts towards Western biomedicine (Quah, 2003). However because of the dual training of many biomedical practitioners in both paradigms, traditional Chinese medicine continues to be used in conjunction with 'Western' biomedicine for patients.…”