Hey, have I given you enough time to digest and 'absorb' the Yin Yang fundamentals? These fundamentals are very, very important throughout the Traditional Chinese Medicine applications. The Fundamentals RULE throughout TCM practice worldwide. It's just like any fundamentals lay in any structure, without which, the structure will collapse in no time. There are a lot more which I'm going to write about in TCM theory and you would be able to digest them bit by bit just like the stages of baby growth discussed in the previous blogs.
Physiological Characteristics
Today, I'm going to continue where I have left out on the Physiological Characteristic development of the child in the context of the TCM fundamentals. There are many ancient classical medical schools of thought advocating this topic in their specific fields. However, only the most appropriate aces are then picked and categorised into these 2 main groups:
- The Vibrant and Rapid Development
- Delicate Organs in the Unfilled Shape
Based on these 2 benchmarks, another 2 relevant theories are formed, namely:
- Pure Yang Theory
- Juvenile Yin and Juvenile Yang Theory
The choice of these 2 words was enough to make them a metaphor to the rapid growth and development of childhood. We will look at it from the bodily growth perspective point of view:
From 0 to 3 years old
These ancient physicians have observed this dynamic changes of every child possessing this vibrant and rapid development characteristic. So much so they had established the Pure Yang Theory to umbrella this special phenomenon.
A diagram showing the Lung and the Air Sacs
Delicate Organs in Unfilled Shape
Take a break and pat yourself for well done. In TCM fundamentals, when we refer to Delicate Organs, there are only 5 Yang organs and 6 Yin organs. That's it. The Pericardium is taken out but I would write on how The Pericardium correlates with the Triple Burner in acupuncture treatment in my blogs later.
It would take at least one to two blogs to complete the explanations on these 2 organs, mainly the Pericardium and the Triple Burner.
Ok, I'm going back to our topic again. The 'Shape' consists of Body Structure, Fluid and 'Gasification' function(much like industry gasification). And 'Unfilled' refers to the physiological function that needed to be fortified. The observation was done on the child's Unfilled Shape by the ancient physician which formed the fundamentals of Juvenile Yin and Juvenile Yang theory.
From the Neonate to Childhood stage
- The upper body is longer than the lower
- Generally, Anterior Fontanelle will be closed by 18 months
- Hair thin and yellowish
- Perspire easily during sleep(pores not closed because the overall physiological process is not fortified as yet)
A diagram showing the Heart
I hope you can 'absorb' some ideas on the above discussion. The classification and terminology of both theories are straight forward and super, super easy.
***Reference:
( Emperor's Interior Sutra is available on sales better known as the esoteric scripture of the yellow emperor in Amazon, it's just a different way of naming the book cover)
Best of all,
Xiong