The most remarkable characteristics of traditional health preservation theory

After thousands of years, in the long historical development process, there are three factors that deeply affect its development. First of all, China is a big cultural country with rich philosophical and humanistic thoughts. The theory of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), which came into being and grew up in this environment, is closely related to the traditional culture of China for thousands of years. Secondly, TCM health preservation belongs to TCM, and the basic ideas and theories of TCM play a fundamental guiding role in its academics; Furthermore, TCM health preservation is a practical science summed up from thousands of years' practical experience, and it is the crystallization of the wisdom of working people in past dynasties. Its development track is to summarize and sort out practical experience, sublimate theories and inductive methods, and then verify them in practice, so it develops continuously. The above three aspects determine the basic characteristics of this subject.

(A) the overall dynamics

The theory of TCM health preservation is rooted in the basic theory of TCM, and the basic characteristics of TCM are holistic view and syndrome differentiation, which is deepened into the overall dynamic characteristics in TCM health preservation. On the whole, the academic core of TCM health preservation is "correspondence between man and nature" and "unity of form and spirit", and all its epistemology, methodology and technology are centered around this core. For example, it emphasizes the coordination between man and the external environment, considers that the coordination between man's life activities and the natural and social environment is the basis of man's health preservation, emphasizes the internal transport and the overall coordination of body and mind, and expounds the inherent laws of man's birth, aging, illness, disease prevention and longevity by using the theory of yin and yang, five elements, meridian theory and Tibetan image theory, combined with the law of life development; Essence, qi and spirit are also called the three treasures of human beings, which is the focus of health care. From a dynamic point of view, TCM health preservation focuses on "balance and balance" and "differentiation of causes and nourishment", emphasizing that life is a dynamic process, health is a dynamic and stable state of life, and the influencing factors of heaven and earth on health are complex and changeable. Therefore, we must conform to the inherent laws of natural environment, social environment and life changes, so that life activities such as diet, daily life and sports can be adjusted with the changes of time and space and the climate of the four seasons.

(2) Harmony and moderation

"Harmony without difference" is another prominent feature of TCM health preservation. Regardless of theory or method, TCM health care emphasizes justice. Harmony is the most important. For example, health care runs through all aspects of food, clothing, housing and sleeping, integrates into daily life, and emphasizes overall harmony, harmony between people, people and society, and harmony between people and nature; Harmony and moderation in all aspects can ensure the peace of yin and yang, the harmony of qi and blood in the body, and good health and longevity. Diet should be moderate, rest should be moderate, manual work, housework and mental work should not be too much, and seven emotions should not be excessive, which all reflect this feature. Ge Hong, a health care expert in Jin Dynasty, also put forward the view that "health care should focus on not hurting", and the key to not hurting is to follow the changing law of nature and life process, master moderation and pay attention to harmony.

—— Excerpted from the planning textbook "TCM Health Preservation" of colleges and universities in China.