Chinese Medicine

Written by Dr. Kerry Watson

What is Classical Chinese Medicine (CCM)?

Classical Chinese Medicine (CCM) is the “original-holistic” system of medicine that is in accord with the classical traditions of Chinese philosophy, arts and sciences. CCM is an applied art/science of the Daoist–Buddhist (Chán/Zen) tradition.

CCM is a coherent, unique and holistic way of looking at health and disease that developed over thousands of years in China and provides a unique form of healthcare and medical intervention. It can be used as an alternative, an adjunct or a complement to biomedicine and other health care disciplines. CCM is grounded in the Chinese medical classical texts and taught and practiced within the holistic Chinese philosophical paradigm that produced all the traditional Chinese arts and sciences.

CCM provides an energetic systems-based description of the person, where the physical, emotional, sociological, psychological and spiritual aspects are seen as interrelated, interdependent, interconnected and inseparable.

The concept of health in CCM is based on energetic balance (yin/yang) resulting from harmony of all systems, all functions, and all relationships internal and external.

The CCM diagnostic system is based on this energetic understanding, where diagnoses are described in terms of “Patterns of Disharmony” as distinct from organic pathologies. Patterns of Disharmony are energetic descriptions of the unique ways in which a person is losing their ability to maintain dynamic homeostasis (harmony between yin & yang).

CCM treatments focus on the resolution of these “Patterns of Disharmony” by assisting the person to regain the ability to maintain dynamic homeostasis.

As Patterns of Disharmony are resolved by a course of CCM treatment, organic (biological), emotional and psychological disorders are often also resolved as the person returns to dynamic homeostasis.

Please note: As CCM is a holistic system of healthcare, it activates our inherent healing processes. Obstacles to healing, be they biological, emotional or psychological, will be addressed as a result of therapy, which may result in therapeutic changes at those levels.