Healing That Stands the Test of Time
Studying Chinese medicine is like learning a new language. At first, everything seems foreign, but as you learn the principles and foundations this medicine is based on, it all starts to come together. You are not only learning new ideas and concepts; you also change your perception of health and how to work with it.
When I made the decision to go back to school for Chinese medicine, I chose a school located in Tucson, AZ which is about 100 miles south of where our home was. It is a four-year masters/doctorate program with classes in the morning and clinic in the afternoon. It is a commitment, but one I was willing to make. Health had always been my passion and I was ready to dive in.
During my study of Chinese Medicine, I began to understand how everything in life is related and connected in some way. Linking the seasons, weather, emotions, color and sound are some of the concepts that the Chinese medicine integrates. Diet, herbs and basic exercises are all part of the medicine. Chinese medicine taught me about relationships and how life operates in harmony with the world.
One of the important aspects of Chinese medicine is that the foundations and principles have been tested over time and change very little. Acupuncture has been practiced for over 2,500 years, and different sources suggest that it can as old as 5,000 years. Chinese herbal medicine has also been documented for at least 2,500 years. It is an ancient medicine, that has stood the test of time. The program has not changed much since I attended school.
Having said this, while working in this field, you quickly learn that the more you know, you find how little you actually know. The human being is very complex and there are always new and different ways we are impacted. How we interact and maintain health with the world will be a study that will never complete itself.
To be working in a field of medicine has been a life-long desire, and it has not disappointed me. I am grateful for the insights and the foundation that Chinese medicine offers.
Featured image: by Antonika Chanel on Unsplash
A comprehensive and stunning guide that includes 130 of the most useful healing herbs, we love Jennie Harding’s paperback book, “Herbs: A Color Guide to Herbs and Herbal Healing”
This is one of many useful guidebooks for working with herbs! Herbs play such an incredible part in our lives. The ones that grow in your area are adapted to the climate that you live, thus supporting you.