Guest guest Posted November 19, 2002 Report Share Posted November 19, 2002 , " James Ramholz " <jramholz> wrote: > > I suspect that TCM formulas are shorter simply because TCM always > reduces any complicated problem to the same few 8-Principle/Zangfu > patterns. The adage of 'one solution for many problems, many Jim You have frequently criticized TCM for " reducing " disease into a limited number of boxes that are not flexible enough to accommodate the actual presentations of our patients. However many others on this list find no limitations in TCM diagnosis, which includes SHL and wen bing and yin fire methodologies. We find we get results in all conditions despite our " limited " worldview. I do not interpret the adage you quote above as having anything to do with making single pattern textbook formulas for chronically ill patients. One can choose to read it that way. But you can also read it more loosely as I was taught. Just because many diseases may be rooted in liver qi constraint does not mean you use the same formula exactly for all cases. You might be able to start with xiao yao san in many cases, but you still have to modify it for each disease. With all due respect, I find it necessary to continually challenge positions such as this. It is my understanding that it is actually the five phases that have a long history in china of being considered a narrow, limited model of illness, especially in the realm of herbal medicine. This is not just a communist aberration. Your point of view, while compelling and deserving of merit, is marginal, not mainstream and this is not just a modern historical oddity. Newer members of this field need to have this view placed in its proper context lest it become one more straw man with which to attack poor misguided TCM. You have devoted your professional life to understanding and elaborating the five elements as a model for health and disease and your work will probably influence future adherents of this school. But it is not necessary for others to be wrong in order for you to be right. We all state things very matter of factly on this list. But your position on TCM is hardly a matter of fact, in that facts are determined by consensus. My own observation is that anyone who fully immerses themselves into a particular school of thought gets impressive results. Theory is not limited in its applications, people are limited in their creativity. For those of us who find resonance with TCM, it is a constant source of creative inspiration. In some respects, this is an argument between the scientist and the artist. A painter may not find beauty in the equations of physicists, but that does not diminish the beauty of physics for those who appreciate such. It is a hard thing to understand the mind of another temperament. Personally, I appreciate art, but the only time you'll ever catch me in a museum is because my mother or girlfriend dragged me. On the other hand, I have no doubt that art is equally important as science and society will fail without both. I suppose if I was a true renaissance man, but I digress.... :-) Chinese Herbs " Great spirits have always found violent opposition from mediocre minds " -- Albert Einstein Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 19, 2002 Report Share Posted November 19, 2002 …in that facts are determined by consensus. Did you really mean to say that? Or, consensus should be determined by facts. Otherwise, points well stated. Stephen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 19, 2002 Report Share Posted November 19, 2002 For those of us who find resonance with TCM >>TCM includes 5 phases Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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