On 27 November 2019, Confucius Institute and the Centre for Traditional Chinese Medicine held an open day event on Traditional Chinese Medicine and Culture.
The teachers and students of Confucius Institute, and two acupuncturists from the Centre for Traditional Chinese Medicine attended the event. The lectures were given by six visiting students from Department of Translation & Interpreting Studies, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. The students shared their knowledge about traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).
As a representative feature of Chinese culture, TCM is a medical science that was developed in the daily life of the people in their fight against diseases over thousands of years. TCM has created unique views on life, on fitness and on the prevention and treatment of diseases. It represents a combination of natural sciences and humanities, embracing profound philosophical ideas of the Chinese nation.
The students introduced the basic characteristics of TCM, including holism, syndrome differentiation and treatment, preventative treatment and four diagnostic methods. Yin-yang theory and Meridian theory, two significant theories that permeate all aspects of traditional Chinese medicine, were also discussed.
Main TCM therapies were also mentioned, including acupuncture, cupping, tuina (Chinese therapeutic massage), Chinese medicine, etc. The talks also focused on the application of TCM in daily life, including the relationship between five colours of food and the five organs of the human body, and Baduanjin, a classic exercise in TCM. The speakers suggested that people should have a balanced and rainbow diet in their daily life and that regular exercise is necessary to boost health.
At the end of the activity, all participants received a coupon for one free treatment from the Centre for TCM, enabling them to have the opportunity to experience TCM therapies.