Zhong Yi or Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a three thousand year old medical system that is based on an ancient Chinese philosophy. When the human body is kept in a harmonious balance, health and well being are naturally maintained. Chinese classical texts refer to the superior physician who prevents disease, thus emphasizing the importance of health maintenance.
Qi, pronounced "Chee," the energetic life force, flows through the human body, providing it with life and vitality. Energetic imbalances, in the form of symptomatic disease, occur when the natural harmony of the body's Qi is disrupted. Keeping the body in balance by receiving medical "tune-ups" is key to maintaining health. When disease does occur, the body loses its natural energetic alignment, or flow. TCM restores flow, allowing the body to return to its naturally harmonious nature.
The Five Elements in Chinese theory reflect the elements of nature's domain:
Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water These share a direct relationship to the body's internal organs including liver/gallbladder, heart/small intestine, spleen/stomach, lungs/large intestine, and kidney/bladder. Genetics, diet, environment, climatic conditions, as well as human emotions have an effect upon the body's well-being and its ability to function in a healthy, free-flowing fashion.