Medical+Therapy+JR

Medical Therapy in East Asia Jane Ryu June 8 2011 Asian Studies D

Introduction

Therapy in East Asia is a large part of society not just in the medical field but also in the religious field. The different types of therapy are known to help the flow of the 'chi', or body energy and strengthen the body, or immune system. Most of these practices are not proven to heal but are proven to allow relaxation and calm the soul and mind of patients. In my project, I will be comparing three East Asian countries: China, Japan, and Korea. All three of these countries have many overlapping factors, and most practices have originated from China but they have evolved independently and have become separately recognized practices in contemporary society.

China __Herbal Medicine__

Chinese herbal medicine dates back all the way to 5000 years ago, the herbal medicine present today is much more simplified but focuses on the same things: restoration of the balanace of energy, body, and spirit. Chinese formulas consists of usually 3 to 4 different types of herbs. In contemporary society, the formulas are presented in pills or powders. However, the traditional way is still used: decoction. A Decoction is a "concentrated form of tea." The herbs are boiled in water for about an hour at specific temperatures and consumed throughout the day.

Nowadays, they are presented through powder, reducing the need to boil the actual herb but instead mix the different powders to make a quicker formula. There are more than 2,200 different herbs used to formulate these oriental medicine. Some examples of herbs are astragalus, gingo, ginseng, green tea, and eleuthero.

The practitioner may often start out with an inspection to detect imbalances in the body. It is not focused to a specific part of the body but generally everywhere. The practitioner will do this in order to find the perfect formula for the patient.

Chinese Herbal Medicine is said to be divided into tastes. Each are for either cold or hot disorders. For an example one with spicy taste is used to allow circulation of the blood. Sweet is said to be used for toning and improving the body, strengthening the body systems.

__Acupuncture__

Acupuncture is based on the concept of body "Qi", the flow of energy. It is initially diagnosed through traditional means and pressure points are applied to those meridians.

This practice uses needles to apply pressure. The needles are usually made of stainless steel wire. Needles differ in size and diameter of the end depending on where it must be applied. The ones near the facial and ear areas are shorter compared to those in the more "fleshy" areas.

Acupuncture is known to relieve pain and stress, it is also known to cure bacterial infections, and increase fertility. Many say that the needle is to painful to endure and has too many side effects, such as stroke and puncture of the heart membrane. Despite this fact, there are hundreds and hundreds of Chinese medicine practiced around the world and increasing in the United States.

__Foot Massage__
< Pressure point for the kidney.

Foot Massage is acupressure applied to the feet, it uses the principles of reflexology,also related to the hands and the ears. It is known that the toes are directly related to the sinus. Most foot massages begin with a hot tub with an aromatic scent. The massage is then quick and sharp movements from the therapist.The chart to the right are the different pressure points for each relative body part.

Japan

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//“Shiatsu massage – is a method of healing, where finger and hand pressure is used to create pressure on// //the meridian system// //points of the body, in order to rehabilitate the natural powers of the body, which results to both preventative and healing and improve your health”//.===== Shiatsu, commonly known as "anma" in Japan and "accupressure" in the western text, is a type of therapy commonly used in Japan. It uses the finger and hands in rolling motions and the knowledge of human anatomy to pressure those spots of the most pain in the body. It is based around the fact that the one must allow the "chi" or the body power to flow.

It has been known to be founded by Tokujiro Namikoshi, at the age of 7, cured his mother using his hands and fingers. He later pursued studies in this area and ultimately developed a theory based on this.

Like any other type of oriental therapy, to become a shiatsupractar, one must pass a test and have a minimum of 2200 hours of practice.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QfzP0_OJDKc < Watch from 0:16, a short guide on shiatsu massage and pressure points to relieve sinus headaches. It is one that you could do on your own :)

__Kampo Medicine__
Kampo medicine is the adaptation of the old Chinese oriental medicine to suit Japan. Kampo medicine is based around the idea that herbal medicine should be customized for the individual. It is different for anyone, as each needs are different.

Kampo is the simplified version of 365 different formulas from the original thousands and thousands the Chinese had found. Of the 365 different formulas, there were 120 joyaku (those formulas designed for increased vitality), 120 chuyaku, and 125 shimoyaku (treatment for serious ailments). However, these formulas have been further simplified because of the lack of supply of herbs and plants.

Kampo is diagnosed through a complex process that involves the abdominal. It is divided into a four step process: Inspection, Audi-olfactory examination, inquiry, and palpation. To your right is a description of what you need to look for during the Inspection phase of diagnose. After this abdominal Inspection is completed a formula is made to suit the personal needs of the patient.

Korea __Traditional Korean Medicine__ Traditional Korean Medicine has its basis on herbology, or the usage of herbs to cure the body.

Many of the formulas used also uses mushroom medicine. The most notable one has the scientific name, Phellinus linteus, or song-gen (상황버섯) found on may trees. In contemporary society, it is known to prevent Uterine Cervical Cancer.

Traditional Korean Medicine was first introduced to Korea during the Silla Dynasty. It was imported from the long 4000 year history from China. It is used to apply to injuries and wounds as well as drunken as a hot liquid on a daily basis to restore strength and balance to the body.

In contemporary society, many take this medicine to strengthen the body, allow height growth, increased fertility, and many other beliefs. Usually the liquid form has a bitter and sour taste and a very strong odor, but people still drink it as the better good for their body.

__Moxibustion (뜸질)__ Moxibustion is usually referred to the burning of moxa, or mugwort herb (쑥) - an herb commonly found in Korea. Sometimes they will be indirectly used with acupuncture to apply but most times mugwort is applied in a cone shape on pressure points and burned in order to allow the circulation of blood.

In Jejudo, South Korea, there is a specific form of moxibustion used not using mugwort but instead sand. Sand is placed on the back of the patient and burned to warm the pressure points. Moxibustion is also believed to help fetuses in breech position to turn into normal position - head first. A short demonstration of Moxibustion with needles. Watch from 0:22: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFWFAws-r3A&feature=related

Tongue Diagnosis Something you can diagnose on your own :)

Conclusion

The three East Asian countries - China, Japan, and Korea - overlap immensely in their oriental medicine. Each has its specialties and have evolved separately but fundamentally they are the same and are based around the same principles. 한의학(Korea) 중의학 (China) and 한방의학 (Japan:Kampo) are the Korean names for Therapeutical Medicine in the three countries.The practices described above are not only limited to three countries either - they have been introduced in India, Mongolia, and other East Asian countries to develop their own specialties as well. However, all have their roots in the deep history of China.

Herbal Medicine is found in all three countries - Hanyak (한약) in Korea and Kampo in Japan - they have slightly different forms and have simplified in different ways but the fundamental herbs that are used and the principles are similar. Moxibustion is found in all three countries - in Korea they are shaped into cones and directly burned, in China it is common to apply acupuncture needles with mugwort. Acupuncture is found in different forms in the three countries - in China it is the direct needle. In Japan, Shitasu which is finger pressure without the use of needles. Zoku Shin Do is also prominent in Japan. In Korea it is called YakChim(약침) and also practiced in hospitals called HanEuiWon (한의원). In all three countries it is based around the ideology of reflexolgy, the use of western anatomy to identify pressure points. Critiques say that China has slightly blander needles than Japan but in reality they are doing the same thing.

Works Cited

Scott, Matthew. "Chinese Foot Massage Techniques." Therapeutic Excercises. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Jun 2011. .

"The Shitasu Society." Canadian Shitasu Society. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Jun 2011. .

Stuart-Leach, Hannah. "Massages of the World in Seoul." The Korea Herald. Herald Media, 18 MAR 2011. Web. 11 Jun 2011. .

"Shitasu Japanese Massage." Shitasu Massage Guide. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Jun 2011. .

Powdarly, Kyle. "Traditional East Asian Medicine." Traditional East Asian Medicine. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Jun 2011. .

"Kampo Virtual Class." Center for Kampo Medicine. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Jun 2011. .

Altomonte, Carmen. "Kampo." N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Jun 2011. .

"Chinese Herbal Medicine." N.p., 28 NOV 2008. Web. 11 Jun 2011. .

Suvow, Scott. "Acupuncture Philosophy." Chinese Acupuncture. N.p., 1998. Web. 11 Jun 2011. <http://www.acupuncturecare.com/basic.htm>.

"네이버 백과사전." N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Jun 2011. <http://100.naver.com/100.nhn?docid=186363>.

Tanaka, Tim. "What is Moxibustion? ." AcupunctureTreatment.com. The Pacific Wellness Institute, n.d. Web. 11 Jun 2011. <http://www.acupuncture-treatment.com/moxibustion.html>.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kampo_medicine http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acupuncture http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traditional_Korean_medicine http://ko.wikipedia.org/wiki/%ED%95%9C%EC%9D%98%ED%95%99

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 40px;">Pictures http://www.topshiatsumassage.com/japanese-shiatsu http://www.chinese-holistic-health-exercises.com/foot-massage-techniques.html http://breakthestresscycle.com/ http://www.acupuncturenotts.co.uk/phdi/p1.nsf/supppages/1884?opendocument∂=2 http://100.naver.com/100.nhn?docid=186363 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acupuncture http://www.michellewu.com/

=Asian Studies Final Project Self-Evaluation=

1. What did you contribute specifically to your project? I contributed my time and effort............ I looked through many sources and studies that Westerns as well as Koreans made for oriental medicine and put together a wiki, or blog to convey the information I had found.

2. How successful do you think you conveyed your research to your audience? If I had put more effort into it I think I could have made a video and used a more technology based research presentation to the audience. It could have allowed the audience to engage more fully in my presentation.

3. What would have made your presentation more successful? As I said in Number 2, a more high technology based presentation would have engaged the audience more fully. 4. How successful do you think your technology-based materials were in conveying your research? I used a couple of videos to demonstrate the painfulness, but also the relaxive sensation that could be felt through these practices.

5. What would have made your technology-based materials more successful? Through this project I actually made a blog about the three East Asian countries if I could have had a more direct presentation, using my own creations it may have further engaged the audience.

What did you learn from this project? Submit any other comments after this question. I always thought that all oriental medicine was Chinese but many of them, although having origins in China, has developed in its own specific way. I also learned what westerners through about oriental medicine.