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Traditional Chinese medicine is the idea that everything is interconnected in one’s body and in the universe. Through this concept, there was a development of the way in which the system could be divided. The understanding of this system is what allowed one to practice alternatives towards health and balanced energy.
The Zang-Fu theory is the concept that the functions of the different organs interact with each other. This interaction allows them to function in different ways and also balances out the health of different individuals. When one’s internal organs are completely balanced, they have reached complete health because their energy is able to flow naturally and without any blocks.
From this major concept, the internal organs are divided into various categories. The first set of categories is the Zang, which are the Yin organs. This includes the heart, liver, spleen, lungs, kidneys, and pericardium. The Fu is the Yang organs and includes the intestines, gall bladder, urinary bladder and stomach. Each of these organs will be paired together; meaning that one Yang organ corresponds to one Yin organ.
Through each of these categorizations, the organs are able to correspond and function by relating to each other. When these organs are not functioning properly together, it will be the cause of dysfunction in the body. Beyond this, it is the functioning of these organs that directly link to the way that the mind and the spirit function together. The Zang organs will be directly linked with specific emotions as well as senses. The Fu system is the opposite of this because it is linked to the hollow system and digestion.
The combination of all of the elements of the body is the major concept in the Zang Fu theory. By combining the internal organs and discovering the relationships that they have between each other, one is able to find the necessary answers to healing. Chinese medicine, through combining all of the elements is able to work towards an internal healing that leads to external functions of health.
