Constructive Realism in Chinese Medicine

This book shows how to establish an integrative medicine by the example of a possible cooperation between Classical Chinese Medicine (CCM) and Western Medicine (WM). In the beginning we need to be aware of fundamental differences in the conceptualization and the respective self-understanding of the medical doing. WM follows the Newtonian concept of science, using Aristotelian logics and descriptive methodology. CCM on the other hand uses highly elaborated metaphorics and constructive self-understanding. Therefore, an integrative cooperation between CCM and WM appears to be reduced to addition. But – this book elaborates how constructivism – especially in the form of Constructive Realism (CR) – can build a bridge between WM and CCM: The concept of micro-worlds offers a way of cooperation between CCM and WM as contradicting systems. Strangification, the central hermeneutical methodology of CR, enriches medical terminology. It unites what often excludes one another: manifoldness and exactness. Besides this general outcome, the book offers very interesting specific results of research: • A new way of treatment for cancer • How acupuncture can be used to treat sleep disorders • The effectiveness of acupuncture and herbal remedies for the treatment of migraine • A digression to the treatment of Qi pain in Korean acupuncture and moxibustion Five contributions to other aspects and dimensions of Constructive Realism complete the book.