Causes of cancer in TCM are generally divided into internal and external causes. Externals causes were originally thought related to the general forces called wind, heat, damp, summer heat, dryness and fire. In modern understanding, diet, lifestyle, and chemical factors are included in the external causative group.
Internal causes in TCM can be divided into four groups:
1. Emotional imbalances, which arise from excess or inappropriate joy, anger, worry (mental stress), anxiety (panic), grief, fear and shock
2. Accumulation of toxins in the internal organs
3. Systemic imbalance of Yin and Yang
4. Deficiency of QiThe basic belief underlying TCM is that the external causes cannot cause cancer unless or until the body has weakened from internal causes. The various imbalances, called Qi stagnation, blood stasis, mucus accumulation, dampness stagnation and heat toxins, are thought to gradually allow cancer to develop over time. Because the causative factors are believed possible to treat with with lifestyle, diet and herbal treatments, this is the primary TCM strategy for prevention.Practitioners of TCM believe there is no separation between the mind and body. They look at the interaction between mind, body and environment.
Treatment may involve combination of various practices including:
– Herbal Remedies (Traditional Chinese Medicine)
– Acupuncture or Acupressure
– Moxibustion (burning moxa – a cone or stick of dried herb)
– Massage Therapy
– King Moxibustion
– Breathing and Movement exercises called Qi Gong
– Movement Exercises called Tai Chi
– Diet
