Description The study of internal medicine forms the basis of clinical practice in traditional Chinese medicine. This subject begins to bridge the gap between theory and practice. It enables the health professional to analyse, diagnose and treat common internal diseases with both acupuncture and herbal medicine and using a TCM approach. The focus of this subject is on the analysis of major presenting symptoms.
School Health Sciences
Discipline Traditional Chinese Medicine
Student Contribution Band HECS Band 2 10cp
Level Postgraduate Coursework Level 7 subject
Incompatible Subjects LGYA 7246 - Chinese Internal Medicine
Assumed Knowledge
Traditional Chinese Medicine 3, Acupuncture Techniques, Chinese Medicinal Formulas.
On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:
Apply an understanding of causes and pathophysiological mechanisms of common internal diseases, by demonstrating an understanding of the significance of clinical manifestations.
Apply relevant skills of inspection, auscultation and olfaction, interrogation, and palpation in order to arrive at accurate diagnoses of specific internal diseases.
Analyse symptoms and signs, and apply pattern differentiation to arrive at a TCM differential diagnosis.
Design treatment principles, and write prescriptions (acupuncture and herbs) for common diseases of internal medicine. This is inclusive of required dietary or lifestyle changes.
Analyse and critically examine practice protocols in TCM compared to orthodox management.
1. Diseases and syndromes of the Lung system (TCM)
- common Cold & influenza
- Cough (bronchitis, bronchiectasis)
- Dyspnea syndrome (asthmatic bronchitis, asthmatic emphysema)
- Lung abscess (pneumonia, pulmonary abscess)
- Lung atony (pulmonary fibrosis, atelectasis)
2. Diseases and syndromes of Spleen system (TCM)
- Hiccup (some diseases with phrenospasm)
- Vomiting (gastritis, pylorospasm)
- Dysphagia (esophagitis, cardiospasm)
- Stomach-ache (gastritis, peptic ulcer)
- Abdominal pain (intestinal spasm, dyspepsia)
- Diarrhoea (enteritis, irritable bowel syndrome)
- Dysenteric disease (dysentery, ulcerative Colitis)
- Constipation (some diseases with Constipation)
3. Diseases and syndromes of Heart system (TCM)
- chest Blockage syndrome (coronary heart disease, myocarditis)
- Palpitation (arrhythmia, cardiac decompensation)
- Insomnia (neurosis, anaemia, cerebral arteriosclerosis)
- Manic psychosis (active phase of schizophrenia, Manic phase of bipolar Disorder)
- Depressive psychosis (Depressive phase of schizophrenia, Depressive phase of bipolar Disorder)
- Depression syndrome (neurosis, major Depression)
- Epilepsy (Epilepsy)
- Syncope (fainting Due to emotional stress, vagal stimulation, A sudden change in environmental temperature or body position)
4. Review of acupuncture points, prescriptions, individual herbs and formulas relevant to the above topics.
Prescribed Texts
Peng B (2007). Traditional Chinese Internal Medicine (Chinese-English) (2nd Ed). Beijing: People's Medical Publishing House
Maclean, W., & Lyttleton, J. (2010). The Clinical Handbook of Internal Medicine, Volume 3: Qi Blood Fluid Channels. Sydney: University of Western Sydney.
Maclean, W., & Lyttleton, J. (2000). The Clinical Handbook of Internal Medicine, Volume 1: The Treatment of Disease with Traditional Chinese Medicine - Lung, Kidney, Liver, Heart. Sydney: University of Western Sydney
