Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with tcm

China Study

the cuban — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 11:51:17 -0800

Studying Traditional Chinese Medicine in China. I'm looking into studying TCM in Shanghai and wondered if anyone had recommendations or experiences they'd like to share.

I intend on a long stay there, so anything beyond short 'taster' courses is what i'm looking for. Of course, any info on them is most welcome too.

Qi gong, health and western medicine

MetaMonkey — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 08:40:12 -0800

I’ve been reading a bit about qi gong and its applications to healthy living, but am finding it hard to find information that goes beyond anecdotes. I’d like to know if the claims of qi gong (and similar internal practices) have been tested, and if the claimed mechanisms have any common ground with western medicine. I’d like to be clear that I’m not asking if qi exists, but if the benefits of qi practices have been tested, and what (if anything) western medicine makes of it all, and of the explanations from traditional Chinese medicine.

Some specific questions:

- Is there evidence that diaphragmatic breathing is inherently healthier?
- Are the notions of massaging/strengthening the organs supported by western science? Similarly, for claims of improving fluid flow, energising the lymph system, strengthening nerves (etc)
- Is there evidence that internal practises may substitute for ‘normal’ exercise (running around and so on)?

I don't necessarily expect all the answers, but any leads (books, essays, papers..) would be welcomed. Perhaps this is something that demands a fuller appreciation of the relation between TCM and western medicine?

Detoxifying Foot Wrap?

mu~ha~ha~ha~har — Mon, 02 Apr 2007 18:28:52 -0800

Detoxifying Foot Wrap? It's like that patch I guess but that's not it. From memory, a friends' ex mixed up a concoction like a paste wrapped the soles of their feet in it with cotton strips and then saran wrap. The next morning the paste from his was an awful brown but hers was just black. The expression on her face while telling me this has me convinced of it's powers. Fairly sure it's a TCM thing. The elusive detoxifying foot wrap. No I do not wish to come to your day $pa. I would much rather stay home, sit in a bean bag and marvel at my icky feet thank you. At best somebody will have a recipe and at worst a new goose. I hope it doesn't turn out to be something truely dreadful...

Using acupuncture to treat recurring miscarriages?

discokitty — Wed, 13 Dec 2006 09:34:20 -0800

Last week, I had my second early miscarriage. In addition to a battery of tests I'm trying to convince my ob/gyn to give me, I'm also considering treatment with acupuncture. I'm 34 and am healthy, as far as I know. Noone in my family has had fertility problems, and I've been able to get pregnant easily (one month of trying with my first pregnancy, second month trying with my second pregnancy). Staying pregnant seems to be more of an issue.

Has anyone here used acupuncture to treat recurring miscarriages? If so, was it successful? I've found some promising articles around, but I'm more looking for some personal experiences (yours, or someone you know). I'm feeling down about everything and I guess I'm looking for a little hope here.

What are the film clips shown before the start of every TCM movie?

La Gata — Fri, 13 Oct 2006 17:30:21 -0800

What are the film clips that Turner Classic Movies shows before the beginning of every movie? There is a film clip that TCM runs before the beginning of every movie. In the clip the camera very slowly pans up a building, and you can hear a guitar very slowly being plucked. Does anyone know what movie this clip comes from?

Before TCM started using this clip (if I remember correctly), they ran a black and white clip which first showed what looked like an apartment building, and then a train going by. Does anyone know this film clip as well?