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Expert in health science, Zhu Huiming: Deputy Chief Physician of the Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine at the First Hospital of Jilin University / Vice Chairman and Secretary-General of the Clinical Professional Committee of the Acupuncture Society of Jilin Province.
What effective methods does Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offer for improving complications and sequelae of COVID-19?
After contracting COVID-19, sequelae include not only fatigue but also respiratory symptoms, neurological symptoms, and mental health issues. The most common respiratory symptoms include chest tightness, shortness of breath, wheezing, and even difficulty breathing, along with decreased lung function.
Traditional Chinese Medicine can effectively treat COVID-19, preventing mild and moderate cases from progressing to severe illness, shortening the time for virus clearance, and improving clinical outcomes for mild and moderate cases. This is recognized by the World Health Organization.
Leading figure in TCM, Academician Zhang Boli, stated that patients in the recovery phase who repeatedly test negative for nucleic acid and show absorption of lung inflammation on imaging should be discharged. However, patients still experience symptoms such as chest tightness, shortness of breath, and fatigue, and subsequent treatment should rely on TCM intervention.From a TCM perspective, at this stage, the pathogenic factors have been expelled, but the body’s righteous qi has not yet recovered. In cases where the pathogenic factors are gone but the righteous qi is deficient, TCM should be used to support the righteous qi, allowing it to gradually recover.
Many people do not understand what it means to strengthen the righteous qi and expel pathogens?
The body’s immune function, or immunity, is referred to as righteous qi in TCM. The Huangdi Neijing (Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Medicine) states that when righteous qi is present, pathogens cannot invade; a well-functioning immune system prevents external pathogenic factors from intruding.
The Huangdi Neijing also states, “Wherever pathogens gather, there must be a deficiency of qi.” A defect in immunity is like a fence with holes, allowing pathogens to invade the body.
To strengthen the righteous qi and expel pathogens means to support the body’s ability to resist disease. This can be achieved through medications that bolster the righteous qi or through other methods. TCM is just one of many ways to strengthen the righteous qi; other methods include moxibustion, cupping, gua sha, massage, and acupuncture. Strengthening the righteous qi and expelling pathogens involves driving out the pathogenic factors that have invaded the body, thereby reducing or eliminating their toxic effects.
What methods does TCM use to strengthen the righteous qi and expel pathogens?
TCM employs various methods to expel pathogens, such as sweating methods, vomiting methods, purging methods, clearing methods, and resolving methods, all of which belong to the category of expelling pathogens.
If the pathogenic factors have just invaded the body and are at the superficial level, sweating can be induced to expel the virus along with sweat, known as the sweating method or dispersing method, commonly used for treating colds. If the pathogenic factors have passed through the stomach to the intestines, purging methods are used to expel them from the body.There are many clearing methods; clearing heat medications fall under this category, including those that clear heat and drain fire, clear heat and detoxify, clear heat and cool the blood, and clear heat and resolve dampness, as well as clearing empty heat, etc.
If the righteous qi is insufficient and the pathogenic qi is strong, strengthening the righteous qi and expelling pathogens is necessary. For example, cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy are expelling pathogens; however, if they are anemic and have low white blood cell counts, this indicates a deficiency of righteous qi, making them unable to tolerate chemotherapy. In this case, methods to strengthen the righteous qi and expel pathogens are needed, first correcting anemia and raising white blood cell counts before proceeding with chemotherapy.
However, if the pathogenic qi has retreated but the righteous qi is also damaged, the focus should be on strengthening the righteous qi. For instance, after recovering from COVID-19, if symptoms such as fatigue, night sweats, dry cough, and poor sleep persist, with normal viral load and no infectiousness, we refer to this as a case of righteous qi deficiency with the pathogenic qi having been expelled; thus, the emphasis should be on strengthening the righteous qi.
What tips does TCM offer for enhancing the body’s resistance and preventing common respiratory diseases in spring?
Common respiratory diseases during the Spring Festival include upper respiratory infections and influenza, with flu symptoms being more severe and highly contagious.
If upper respiratory infections are not well controlled, they can progress to lower respiratory infections, acute bronchitis, or even pneumonia within 3-5 days. Additionally, the spring climate is variable, with significant temperature differences between morning and evening, which can easily trigger relapses of chronic diseases, such as acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis, worsening of emphysema, and pulmonary heart disease.
[Prevention]
In terms of diet, it is recommended to consume fresh scallions and garlic in spring, as both are warming and dispersing foods that align with the concept of spring’s revival and promote the rise of yang qi in the body.
Moreover, it is commonly said that one should “keep warm in spring and cool in autumn,” so do not rush to reduce clothing; adjustments should be made according to changes in the weather.
[Health Maintenance]
Methods such as meridian massage, acupoint massage, meridian manipulation, acupuncture, cupping, and gua sha can be employed. For example, massaging the Fengchi point, located at the depression below the midpoint of the line connecting the earlobe and the midline of the head, can be done in a clockwise and then counterclockwise manner, 30-50 times each, 2-3 times a day. The palm can also be used to strike the area.
The Hegu point, commonly known as the “Tiger’s Mouth,” can be massaged alternately with both hands; the Yingxiang point, located beside the nostrils, can be pressed and rubbed, including massaging the sides of the nostrils and the bridge of the nose, which can effectively alleviate symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, and sneezing, improving respiratory function.
What misconceptions do the public have about TCM health maintenance?
TCM health maintenance is a scientifically reasonable lifestyle that includes regular sleep patterns, ensuring adequate sleep, having regular meals with a variety of protein sources, and minimizing salt and oil intake. It also emphasizes maintaining stable emotions and a cheerful disposition.
Many people think that seeing a TCM practitioner is just about pulse diagnosis. In reality, TCM diagnosis involves the four diagnostic methods: observation, listening, inquiry, and palpation, all of which precede pulse diagnosis. TCM believes that those who can discern through observation are considered wise, as exemplified by Bian Que’s diagnosis of Duke Huan of Qi; those who can discern through listening are considered holy, and this all comes before pulse diagnosis, so it is essential to learn to communicate and interact with the doctor.
TCM views individuals as organic wholes, focusing on the person who is ill rather than just the disease itself. If a part of the body is diseased, simply removing that part is not the solution. TCM considers the overall impact on the individual, including lifespan and quality of life; sometimes, the disease and the person must coexist.
For the people of Huaxia, if TCM is merely regarded as a medical tool, it is somewhat narrow-minded. TCM is a culture that is deeply embedded in the lifestyle of every Huaxia person. To achieve good health and longevity, one must first change their lifestyle; the purpose of TCM treatment is to correct imbalances.
Source: Learning Power