China Seminar | 14 October 2010

Traditional Chinese Medicine: An Introduction to Theory, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Christina Kapothanasis

Nathan Tseng

With a history of over 2,000 years, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a unique system of diagnosis and cure. Since ancient times, TCM has been widely used in China by everyone, from commoners to high officials. The TCM approach is fundamentally different from that of Western medicine. Ms. Kapothanasis and Mr. Tseng will give an introduction on how TCM practitioners diagnose patients through tongue and pulse examination and a detailed taking of history. They will also offer a simple view into the thought processes behind the approach, and give a short acupuncture demonstration while explaining the difference between TCM and Western theory.

Ms. Kapothanasis and Mr. Tseng both graduated from Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, a 5-year program completely conducted in Mandarin. Subsequently, they interned for two years with prominent TCM doctors in Shanghai and Taiwan respectively. As Licensed Acupuncturists in the state of Hawaii, they hold Diplomates of Oriental Medicine through the NCCAOM (National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine) and serve on the board of directors of the Hawaii Oriental Medicine and Acupuncture Association, with Ms. Kapothanasis as the Executive Director. Both are fluent in Mandarin.