Learn cupping easily and comfortably

Author: Zhang Hong
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-06-01
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II. Unity between Humans and Nature
Humans live in nature, and nature provides the essential conditions for human survival. At the same time, changes in nature can directly or indirectly affect the human body, and the body responds accordingly. If the response falls within the physiological range, it is called physiological adaptation; if it exceeds this range, it is a pathological reaction. Thus, it is said: "Humans are in harmony with heaven and earth, and correspond with the sun and moon." This unity between humans and nature was called "unity between heaven and humanity" by ancient Chinese scholars.
The Impact of Seasonal Climate on the Human Body:
Spring warmth, summer heat, mid-summer dampness, autumn dryness, and winter cold represent the general patterns of climatic changes throughout the year. Under the influence of these climatic changes, living organisms exhibit corresponding adaptive variations, such as spring birth, summer growth, mid-summer transformation, autumn harvest, and winter storage. The human body also adapts accordingly. In spring and summer, Yang Qi is released, and qi and blood tend to flow toward the surface, manifesting as loose skin, open pores, and excessive sweating; whereas in autumn and winter, Yang Qi is stored, and qi and blood tend to flow inward, resulting in dense skin and increased urination. The pulse of the human body also differs: spring is wiry, summer is (), autumn is floating, and winter is deep. Many diseases also have close relationships with seasonal changes, such as common warm diseases in spring, frequent heatstroke in summer, dryness-related conditions in autumn, and frequent cold fevers in winter.
During the cycle of day and night, the human body must also adapt. Daytime is Yang, and nighttime is Yin. The human body follows this pattern: Yang Qi begins to rise in the morning, reaches its peak at noon, and then subsides at night, allowing the body to rest and recover its energy. Many diseases also have regular patterns in terms of onset and time of death. For example, studies show that the peak time of death due to the failure of the five internal organs occurs between the second half of the night and before dawn. Acute myocardial infarction is more common between the hours of 11 PM and 10 AM in spring and summer, while in autumn and winter, it often occurs between 11 AM and 9 PM. Additionally, observations indicate that human pulse, body temperature, oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide release, and hormone secretion all exhibit 24-hour rhythmic changes.
Differences in geographical regions also lead to variations in people's lifestyles and physical conditions. For instance, the Jiangnan region is often humid and hot, with people having looser pores, while the northern region is dry and cold, with people having denser pores. Therefore, each region has its own unique endemic diseases. Even the average life expectancy of people in different regions varies significantly.
It is precisely because of the inherent unity of the human body and the dialectical relationship between humans and nature—both opposing and unified—that treating diseases must be tailored to the time, place, and individual. This has become a fundamental principle in the treatment of traditional Chinese medicine. Therefore, when diagnosing patients and determining treatment plans, it is essential to analyze and consider the organic connection between the external environment and the human body, as well as the organic connection between localized pathological changes and the overall condition of the body. This is the key feature of traditional Chinese medicine—the concept of holism.