Traditional medicine regards the human body
as a reflection of the rhythms and cycles of nature.
The human body maintains its homeostasis
in response to changes of time from day and
night, high tide and low tide and the four
seasons. Both the earth and the human body
maintain their environments in a certain range
of condition utilizing water as a medium of heat
exchange. For example, water excretion takes
place in the human body in three forms such as
sweat, urine and vomit/stool by organs originating
from ectoderm, mesoderm and endoderm
respectively; which is the basic principle of traditional medical treatment. Energy consumption
and accummulation is also connected with water
retention and excretion. In Western medicine,
this can be explained by balance of the autonomic
nerve system, immune system and endocrine
system. Imbalance of lifestyle and emotions
such as anger, and so on, can lead to muscle
tone imbalance resulting in distortion of
skeletal structure which may affect the nervous
system. Subtle functional discomfort can be felt
as a result. Distortion of vertebrae and pelvis
axis can be detected on plain X-ray.
 

 Acupuncture and other techniques of
manipulation of cervical vertebrae and pelvis
can reduce distortion of skeletal framework.
In this connection, traditional medicine's
biggest interest has been health and longevity
through a balanced lifestyle. It points out that
improper diet, irregular life and physical
exhaustion due to improper lifestyle are the
potential causes of premature aging. To cope
with this state called Jinkyo or lack of qi, or
energy, by the kidney is characteristic of aging.
Traditional medicine emphasizes that
correcting lifestyle and recovering life in
accordance with nature is necessary for healthy
aging. Besides lifestyle modification, the use
of hachimijinkigan (combination of herbs) may
help correct symptoms caused by aging such
as weakened lower limbs, and diminished
function of sensory organs like eyes and ears.
The qi of the kidney corresponds with the
endocrine organs of hypothalamus, pituitary
and adreno-genital glands. In conclusion, it is
possible to integrate both traditional medicine
and conventional medicine by understanding
the water-heat exchange balance of the human
body and correcting bone structure of
vertebrae and pelvic axis.