Traditional Chinese Medicine is a discipline dealing with human physiology and pathology, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of diseases. TCM has a specific, integrated system of theory with a history of several thousands of years rich in clinical experience. As an important constituent of the Chinese cultural treasure-house, TCM summed up the experience of the Chinese people in their long struggle against diseases evolving into a peculiar system of medical theory through long-term clinical practice under the influence and direction of ancient simple materialism and dialectics. As a result, it has contributed much to the promotion of health and prosperity of the Chinese nation and the further development of medical sciences all over the world as well.

      Theoretical System of TCM   The theoretical system of TCM consists of the doctrines on yin-yang and the five elements, phase of Zang-Fu organs(viscera), meridians, pathogenesis syndrome, techniques of diagnosis, therapeutic principles, health preserving, and five elements' motion and six natural factors. It is a theoretical system much influenced by ancient materialism and dialectics, with the doctrine on yin-yang and the concept of holism as its guiding principles, the physiology and pathology of the Zang-Fu organs and meridians as its bases, and treatment by differentiation of syndromes (Bianzheng-Lunzhi) as its diagnostic and therapeutic features.

      Characteristics of TCM   TCM is characterized mainly by its interpretation of physiological functions and pathological changes of the human body, and its specific diagnostic techniques and therapeutic principles. For instance, TCM regards the body as an integral whole closely interconnected by Zang-Fu organs, meridians and collaterals and maintaining close link with the outer world. It also stresses the important role played by both endogenous pathogenic factors (i. e. seven abnormal emotions ) and exogenous pathogenic factors (i. e. six exogenous pathogens) in the development of diseases. In the recognition of diseases, TCM has four diagnostic techniques as its principal method, eight principles as its guideline, and differentiation of syndromes by the theory of Zang-Fu organs, six meridians, Wei Qi Ying Xue and triple-jiao as its basic contents. In the combat against diseases, TCM attaches great importance to prevention and "preventive treatment of diseases" and has put forward the principles of "treatment determined by the essence of diseases" and treatment in accordante with the physique of an individual, seasonal and local conditions, etc. In short, the above characteristics can be summarized as: (1) the holistic concept, and (2) treatment by differentiation of syndromes.

     1. The holistic concept   It refers to a general view of the human body as an integral whole and the interrelationship between man and nature. The human body is composed of a variety of tissues and organs, each performing a particular function, which is itself a component part of the life activities of the whole body. The human body is an integral whole in that its constituent parts are inseparable in structure, connected with and conditioned by one another in physiology, and interact on one another in pathology. Man's close connection with nature is manifested by the fact that man lives in nature which provides conditions indispensable to man's survival and whose changes may influence the human body directly or indirectly, thereby causing its corresponding responses.

     2. Treatment by Syndrome Differentiation (Bianzheng-Lunzhi)    Differentiation means comprehensive analysis, while syndrome refers to symptoms and signs. Syndrome is not a mere combination of symptoms, but a pathological generalization of a disease in a certain stage, including location of the lesion, etiology and nature of the disease, and the relation between the vital qi and pathogens. Treatment by differentiation of syndromes is the selection of treatment based on the clinical data collected by the four diagnostic techniques and the patient's symptoms and signs detected, analyzed and summarized in order to identify the etiology, nature and location of the lesion, and the relation between the vital qi and pathogens, thus establishing a diagnosis.

    Treatment by syndrome differentiation is the fundamental principle of TCM in recognizing and treating diseases, and also its universal method in studying and handling diseases.

     Treating the Same Disease with Different Therapies   A disease in different stages may manifest itself by different syndromes and, therefore, be treated with different therapies.For instance, measles in its various stages is treated differently. That is to say, in the early stage, when the appearance of the skin eruption is delayed and incomplete, the principle of promoting eruption must be applied; in its middle stage, when the lung-heat is its main syndrome, the practice of clearing away the lung-heat is indicated; and in its late stage, when lingering heat impairs "Yin" in the lungs and stomach, the method of nourishing "Yin" to Clear away the lung-heat has to be adopted.

      Treating Different Diseases with the Same Therapy   The same therapy can be employed :to treat different diseases manifesting themselves by the same syndrome. For example, both prolapse of rectum due to protracted illness and uterine prolapse can be treated by the therapy of elevating the spleen-qi if the two ailments manifest themselves by sinking of Qi of the middle-jiao.