What is Traditional Tibetan Medicine?

Traditional Tibetan Medical as alternative healing method

15/10/2014

Since traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has meanwhile also found its way into many areas of health care in Germany, and individual practices such as acupuncture play an essential role in modern medicine, medicine is rediscovering methods of Traditional Tibetan Medicine (TTM) , Although the theoretical foundations of TTM remain controversial in many areas, in particular the holistic approach is supported by many physicians.

„The TTM is around 3000 years old and has common approaches to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Indian Ayurveda“, quotes the news agency „dpa“ the first chairperson of the Academy for Traditional Tibetan Medicine in Heidelberg, Anna Grütte. Contrary to popular belief is the „TTM not a spiritual, but a medical system, which is studied in Tibet at universities.“ The basis is the theory of constitution with the basic physical properties, the so-called doshas (wind, bile and mucus). If the doshas get out of balance, the corresponding diseases are the result. Here also the mental attitude plays an essential role in the TTM, since so-called mental toxins an imbalance of the Doshas is favored.

Mucus, wind and bile types
The general practitioner and TTM user Frank Ludwig from Berlin explained to the different constitution types in Traditional Tibetan Medicine „dpa“, that roughly three types of constitution can be distinguished. The type of mucus, which tends to overweight and it is rather quiet and a little slower. The wind type with a slender figure and very attentive, creative, but also nervous and restless mind. And the bile type, which has an athletic physique and the mind is rather tense but also goal-oriented. At birth, according to assumptions of the TTM, each individual has an individual balance of the three doshas that determines his type. Disturbances of the individual Dosha balance are the cause of diseases. A holistic view of the patients is indispensable because only then can the causes for the disturbances of the balance of the body energies be determined. So it is not just a symptom like cough, but the human being as a whole, she says „dpa“ citing the chairman of the TTM Academy in Heidelberg.

Balance of body energies crucial
Disorders of dosha balance, for example, according to the TTM, can be caused by an unhealthy lifestyle with a high level of stress or a diet that does not correspond to one's own type, reports Grütte. In order to determine the causes for the disturbed balance of the body energies, the TTM is searched for a detailed discussion with the patients to determine their habits, living conditions, nutrition and other factors. The behavior of the patients or their minds also allows conclusions to be drawn regarding the particular type of constitution and the disorders of the Dosha equilibrium, according to the chairman of the TTM Academy. The general practitioner Ludwig explained to the procedure in the TTM that, for example, in a slim, very tense-looking patient who can not sleep well, feels powerless and suffering from anxiety, but at the same time five times a week doing sports, avoiding sugar, professionally successful and ambitious is to assume a wind type.

Detailed history and pulse diagnosis
After the patients' circumstances have been clarified, the so-called pulse diagnosis is used to check the energy flow in the body for possible disorders „dpa“. To do this, the therapist places three fingers on specific areas of the left and right arms to feel the pulse, with the fingers exerting stronger, sometimes weaker pressure. „It takes years to differentiate the pulse and a lot of experience to be able to read it“, the news agency quotes the physician. Experienced therapists give the pulse diagnosis, however, information about the condition of all organs. In the case of the example patient mentioned, the lifestyle led to a disproportionate weighting of the doshas wind, whereby the woman was overloaded and lost her strength in the long run. Therefore, the therapist will encourage them not to live so strictly, she says „dpa“ citing Berlin doctor. This also applies to the diet. Instead of giving up the sugar, the patient should occasionally treat herself to some chocolate. „We do not prescribe a diet, but check what suits the patient“, said the chairman of the TTM Academy in Heidelberg to the „dpa“. The prerequisite for successful treatment, however, is the willingness of patients to change their way of life and their diet.

Doubts about the effectiveness of Traditional Tibetan Medicine
In the message of the news agency „dpa“ However, critical voices are voiced that deny the effect of TTM. „It is argued that such procedures have been working for centuries“, but „there is no scientific proof, only assertions“, The news agency quotes the director of the German Cochrane Center in Freiburg, Professor Gerd Antes. The Cochrane Center is part of an international network of scientists and physicians committed to the principles of evidence-based medicine. In the absence of scientific studies on the effects of TTM, however, no evidence-based results are available so far. Thus, the doubts about the effectiveness of the procedures are quite understandable, even if Prof. Antes also argues in his remarks with unassignable numbers. „It worked with two people and 98 times the treatment has no effect, but that is not known“, quotes the „dpa“ the doctor. However, Antes does not dispute the fact that individual therapies can help some people. (Fp)