In TCM, there are two main pathologies – obstruction (不通则痛) and malnourishment (不荣则痛)
Pain due to obstruction (不通则痛) is due to qi stagnation and blood stasis in our meridians, as a result of pathogenic forces and/or external factors.
Pain due to malnourishment (不荣则痛) is due to internal organs or various body parts not getting enough nutrition, or due to chronic disease. Pathogenic factors can also impair the nutritional pathways of the body, leading to malnourishment as well.
In Singapore, the main TCM pathological forces to cause pain are cold 寒and dampness湿. The others, fire, wind, summer-heat and dryness, can also result in pain but are less observed in an average person.
Respiratory disease is commonplace in Singapore, referring to diseases which affects the lungs and respiratory tract of our body. The most commonly encountered would be the flu or cold, both caused by different viruses, and are usually seasonal. Their symptoms are varied, with most affecting the respiratory tract, while some can manifest in the form of body aches, diarrhoea or fatigue.
Cough is one of the most commonly encountered symptoms. It can manifest as a symptom of a disease, for example in the case of flu or asthma, or can be a disease on its own.
In TCM, some of the commonly encountered respiratory diseases in Singapore would be the common cold or flu, cough, asthma (in remission stage) and bronchitis. This article would share more about how TCM views some respiratory diseases, and how we can better manage them.