In Western culture, the mind is often considered a product of the brain and is a function of neural circuits, chemical messengers, and electrical impulses. But Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers a radically different perspective. In this ancient system, the mind is not a brain-based phenomenon. It lives in the Heart (心, xīn), and it is known as the shén (神).
In TCM, the brain is referred to as the "Sea of Marrow" (髓海, suǐ hǎi), nourished by Kidney Essence (精, jīng). Unlike Western anatomy, which considers the brain self-contained, TCM sees it as a reflection of systemic vitality.
In May 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) launched its ambitious Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine (TCIM) Strategy 2025–2034, a landmark policy shift aimed at elevating the role of traditional and complementary medicine (TCM) in global health systems.
In Western medicine, the organs of the body are physical structures. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the organs are more than flesh and blood. They are seen as centers of function, energy, and spirit that influence not only the body but also the mind and emotions.
In Western medicine, the pancreas is a gland located behind the stomach. In TCM, there is no separate concept of the pancreas as a distinct organ. It is integrated into the Spleen–Stomach axis, the central pair of the zàng-fǔ system responsible for digestion, transformation of nutrients, and distribution of energy.
In Western medicine, the pericardium is a thin, double-walled sac that surrounds the heart. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), however, the Pericardium (xīnbāo, also called the Heart Protector) is recognized as a distinct functional system.
In Western medicine, the bladder is a hollow muscular organ that stores urine until it is expelled from the body. Its function is purely mechanical. In TCM, the Bladder (pángguāng) has a broader meaning as part of the energetic system. It is paired with the Kidneys in the zàng-fǔ model, forming the Water element.
In Western medicine, the small intestine is a long, coiled tube responsible for digesting food and absorbing nutrients. While essential for nutrient absorption, it is rarely thought of beyond its mechanical role. In TCM, the Small Intestine (xiǎocháng) has a deeper and more nuanced meaning.
In Western medicine, the stomach is a muscular sac in the upper abdomen that mechanically and chemically breaks down food. In TCM, the Stomach (wèi) is seen not only as a physical organ but as a critical energetic center.
In Western medicine, the liver is a vital but purely physical organ. It produces bile to aid digestion, detoxifies chemicals, stores glycogen, and processes nutrients absorbed from the intestines. But in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the Liver (gān) plays a much larger role.
In Western medicine, the kidneys are two bean-shaped organs located in the lower back. Their main functions include filtering waste products from the blood, regulating fluid and electrolyte balance, and producing hormones that help control blood pressure and red blood cell production. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the Kidneys (shèn) are much more than just filters of the blood.
In Western medicine, all organs are defined as physical structures that can be seen, measured, and removed or repaired if needed. The Triple Warmer, also called San Jiao (三焦), does not exist in this framework at all.
In Western medicine, the spleen is a soft, fist-sized organ that sits just below the ribcage on the left side. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the Spleen (pí) could hardly be more important. Far from a secondary player, it is seen as the center of postnatal health.
In Western medicine, the large intestine is a well-defined anatomical structure called the colon. Its role is largely mechanical. TCM views the Large Intestine as more than a tube for waste, as it shares a deeper symbolic and functional relationship with the lungs.
In Western medicine, the lungs are seen primarily as respiratory organs—spongy, expandable structures that draw in oxygen and expel carbon dioxide. In TCM, the Lungs (fèi) are known as the “delicate organ” and hold the lofty title of “Prime Minister” of the body.
In Western medicine, the heart is understood as the central organ of the circulatory system—a muscular pump that drives blood through arteries and veins. It beats mechanically, rhythmically, and reliably, sustaining life by delivering oxygen to every cell. While its physiological importance is unquestioned, this view tends to stop at the physical and measurable.
In Western medicine, the gallbladder is a small sac located beneath the liver, primarily known for storing and releasing bile to help digest fats. But in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the Gallbladder (dǎn) holds a far more influential place.
The Chinese idiom 不乐损年，长愁养病 (bù lè sǔn nián, cháng chóu yǎng bìng) warns us that “not being joyful shortens one’s years, and constant sorrow breeds illness.
In TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine), the Zàng-Fǔ (脏腑) system refers to internal Organs, but these are functional systems, not anatomical structures. In TCM it refers to a broader set of relationships and functions.
The Chinese idiom (怒气伤肝) (Nùqì shāng gān) translates to "Anger Hharms the Liver," and it reflects a key principle of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM): emotions and physical health are deeply interconnected.
As an western student of Taijiquan or Qigong, delving deeper into the study of Chinese medicine and culture can greatly enhance your understanding and practice of these ancient arts.
Acupuncturists stimulate specific acupoints on the body to promote healing and improve overall health. However, the practice of acupuncture is not limited to just the physical aspects of the body.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has a long history of helping people stay healthy during the winter season. Here are a few ways that TCM can be used to support your health during the colder months...
Often times the Western-minded student of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has difficulty understanding fundamental concepts when they begin to learn TCM.
While all forms of meditation can provide a state of quiescence, standing meditation offers the mutual benefit of calming the spirit and augmenting qi to strengthen physical constitution. Ancient Chinese masters developed specific meditations to effectively promote the movement of qi.
The World Health Organization finally declared COVID-19 a pandemic on March 11, 2020. Commonly referred to as "corona virus," Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2, of the genus beta-coronavirus, (SARS-CoV-2), is a newly identified strain of the beta-coronavirus family. COVID-19 is the name of the disease caused by the virus, SARS-CoV-2.
The ongoing coronavirus pandemic is a startling wake-up call to the entire human race. Although advances in science have enabled us to live more comfortably and conveniently than ever before, they have also caused us to rely too much on external remedies for our health and well-being. Nowadays, we often hide behind a wall of technology and chemicals to get better.
A basic principle in traditional Chinese medicine is illustrated in the following story told by the ancient philosopher Han Feizi 韩非子 (280-233 BCE):
Perhaps you know the feeling, red, itching eyes, a runny nose, and sinus pressure. You’re sneezing, tired and really out of it. Sound familiar? That’s how I felt when seasonal allergies first hit me hard as a teenager. I was miserable and incapacitated.
Spring is the season of new growth, of expansion, of birth and creativity. In the five element cycle this is the energy of wood. Spring is the time to reclaim our creative self. To be healthy our spirit must express itself in the world. In Oriental Medicine aspects of the soul or spirit are attributed to bodily centers.
The existence of a universal life motivating energy is a basic cultural belief in China where it is called "Qi." In Japan where it is called "Ki," and in Hinduism where it is called "Prana." Curiously in the west it is largely disregarded, or generally thought to be illusory.
Congratulations! You made it through another winter! Now, the warmer temperatures and the longer hours of daylight will be an awesome relief. No more feeling like a hibernating bear cooped up inside your house you can go outside for lovely walks and appreciate the new life of spring...
Combining Western medical techniques with Traditional Chinese Medicine presents many challenges for practitioners. Working in combination mental health and pain management practice further complicates treatment choices. Many patients seeking help for psychological problems also have corresponding chronic physical ailments.
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