Submitted by Saint Martin’s University
LACEY, Wash. – Presentations by faculty and students from the Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, as well as an exhibit of items from the university’s museum collection, promise to offer a fascinating look at Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) during a three-day exhibit July 18-20 on the Lacey campus of Saint Martin’s University.
The museum items, which include a photo-electrical human acupuncture model, have been on display throughout the world for other various exhibits before their arrival at Saint Martin’s. It is the first time the Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine is participating in an exhibit within the United States.
“We are very excited to have these items here on campus and for the surrounding community to see and learn more about them,” says Josephine Yung, vice president of International Programs and Development at Saint Martin’s, who has been working in coordination with the Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine to prepare for the three-day event.
Both universities are cosponsoring the exhibit, which is based on an eight-year history of cultural and academic collaboration between the two institutions.
Traditional Chinese Medicine dates back to the second century B.C.E., and its practices are based on a belief of interconnectedness, that the human body is part of its larger environment. TCM focuses on maintaining balance in one’s life and practices include herbal remedies, acupuncture, moxibustion, cupping, tui na therapeutic massage, dietary therapy, qi gong and tai ji.
The event is free and portions of it are open to the public. Exhibit planners are extending a welcome to a variety of people from the surrounding community who wish to attend the exhibit, including TCM practitioners, health care practitioners and senior centers. Children are also welcome to take part in an interactive demonstration that is going to be assisted by staff from the Lacey Timberland Public Library. That workshop, “TCM for Children” (ages 5-12), will be held Friday, July 19, 10 a.m.–noon, at Cebula Hall, and will include a lesson in Tai Chi exercise, the TCM view of how the human body works and what causes diseases.
Two other workshops will be offered. Practitioners of TCM are invited to attend a session on the “Integration of Western Medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine in China” on Friday, July 19, 8–9 a.m., in Cebula Hall. Presenters will examine the current trends and development of TCM, as well as the synergy between TCM and Western medicine in China. The public is invited to attend “The TCM’s Approach to Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle,” Saturday, July 20, 10–11:30 a.m., in Cebula Hall.
For more information, please e-mail TCM Exhibit.
