We cannot have one without the other. They are always interchanging, transforming into one-another. They are the two polar opposites, but are one. They represent the core essence of Eastern medical philosophy.
To make things more straightforward and understandable, Yin and Yang are concepts of Eastern philosophy in which everything in the world can be compared to. We can basically categorise everything into Yin and Yang, but it needs to be in comparison to something else because you can't have one without the other. They balance each other out, which is so well represented in the Yin and Yang diagram we are quite familiar with.
This is the exact way nature works, and why it is fundamental to Eastern medicine. We are working along with nature, not against it.
Yin is the representation of a more cool, static, inward, nurturing nature, whereas Yang is the representation of a more warm, dynamic and dispersing nature. For example, men in comparison to women are Yang, and women are more Yin. The sky is bright, warm and dynamic, so Yang, and the earth is more cool and static, so Yin. The Sun compared to the Moon is Yang.
In relation to our bodies, the back of the body is more exposed to the warmth of the sun in comparison to the front, so the back is Yang, front is Yin. Our upper body is Yang, our lower body is Yin. The energy in our body is Yang because it is dynamic and promotes movement, so Yang, in comparison to our fluids, or blood, which is dense, more nourishing and nurturing.
This is so important when treating patients. Our ultimate aim is to keep the Yin and Yang in balance or equilibrium, otherwise the body becomes overactive, or underactive. Science is also aware of the importance of equilibrium in our bodies, but these aren't addressed too well in standard medical care. Many current standard treatments are aimed at masking the symptom with synthetic chemicals imitating our natural chemicals, cutting out the overgrowth, silencing the body which is need to addressing the imbalance causing the symptoms.
A patient comes into the clinic with headaches, flushed face, and restlessness. This body is more Yang (hyperactive) than it is Yin. It is out of balance. So our treatments will aim to clear the excess heat, calm the hyperactivity, and nourish the Yin of the body so that it can balance the excessive Yang.
Another patient will come in with cold hands and feet, slow digestion, fatigue. This body is more Yin (underactive) than it is Yang. So we must boost the Yang by warming the body and supporting activity of the organs.
Usually the cases presented in the real clinic are much more complicated than this, and have many layers of imbalance which needs to be addressed. This is why you may feel better after one treatment, but we recommend coming in regularly for a little while so that your body can be balanced properly and things can be maintained for longer. Our medicine is not only about making you feel better as quick as possible, but to correct the body to promote good health in the future.
Is it just me, or do you also love what Eastern medicine aims to do when healing the body? If lacking in something, nourish or boost it, if excessive in something, subdue it. If an organ is functioning more slowly than it should, give it a boost! If it is too active, slow it down! But naturally - and it's possible. Slow and steady wins the race they say.
Hope this can give you a better insight into what we do at Healing Tree.
More great posts to come!
Until then, stay Happy and Healthy!
Healing Tree x
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