Foundations of Chinese Medicine: Yin-Yang Theory

Introduction:

• Presented by: Clara from AcuPro Academy
• Course Objective: Understanding the foundation of Chinese Medicine with emphasis on Yin-Yang Theory.
• Goal: Empower superior patient care and grow a successful practice.

Overview of Yin-Yang Theory:

• Significance: Most important theory in Chinese medicine, foundational for physiology, pathology, and treatment
• Symbol: Tai Ji (Supreme Ultimate) symbol, illustrating the interconnectedness and potential transformation of Yin and Yang

Characteristics of Yin and Yang:

• Opposites: Yin and Yang are relative opposites, not absolute.
  • Examples:
    • Cat (Yin) vs. Dog (Yang)
    • Fire (Yang) vs. Water (Yin)
• Behavior: Yin moves downward; Yang moves upward.
• Associations:
  • Yin: Night, dark, cold, feminine energy
  • Yang: Day, bright, warm, masculine energy

Comparative Attributes: Yin and Yang

• Chronic vs. Acute
  • Chronic: Yin
  • Acute: Yang
• Body vs. Head
  • Body (lower part): Yin
  • Head (upper part): Yang
• Introvert vs. Extrovert
  • Introvert: Yin
  • Extrovert: Yang
• Symptoms such as cold vs. hot, heavy vs. light, wet vs. dry, soft vs. hard

Transformations and Interdependence:

• Yin and Yang can transform into one another (e.g., egg to chicken cycle)
• Health conditions also change from Yin to Yang and vice versa (e.g., flu symptoms -> cold symptoms)
• People can switch between Yin and Yang characteristics throughout life stages
• Interdependence: Yin and Yang form a whole and depend on each other (e.g., day cannot exist without night)

Mutual Consumption:

• Balance: Yin and Yang maintain a relative balance
• Examples:
  • Exercise (Yang) needs rest (Yin) for balance
  • Practitioners aim to maintain homeostasis in patients

Diagnosing with Yin-Yang Theory:

• Yin Organs: Lung, Heart, Liver, Spleen, Kidney, Pericardium
• Yang Organs: Large Intestine, Small Intestine, Gallbladder, Stomach, Urinary Bladder, San Jiao (Triple Burner)
• Pathology:
  • Excess Yang: Heat syndrome
  • Excess Yin: Cold syndrome
  • Yang Deficiency: Lack of heat (feels cold)
  • Yin Deficiency: Lack of cooling (feels hot)

Symptoms Comparison:

• Yin Excess:
  • Cold, stagnation, pain, pale/bluish face, local pain relieved by warmth
• Yang Deficiency:
  • Fatigue, pale/puffy face, chronic conditions
• Yang Excess:
  • Red face, restlessness, constant heat, red tongue with yellow coat
• Yin Deficiency:
  • Anxiety, evening heat, night sweats, red tongue with cracks

Treatment Focus:

• Yin Excess: Eliminate the excess
• Yang Deficiency: Tonify/boost back to balance
• Yang Excess: Treat big heat symptoms
• Yin Deficiency: Address small heat symptoms

Conclusion:

• Additional Resources: Visit Facebook page, website (acuproacademy.com), and other courses for more on TCM
• Encouragement: Continue learning and applying these principles in practice. Keep rocking TCM!