Therapeutic Use of Occupation Based on the Theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to explore and analyze the occupation activities applied in the historic Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) from commentary books and to compare them with modern occupational therapy. As the result, 80 cases were found from classic references authored by doctors in successive generations. These cases were firstly classified by history era, activity, area and disease, with considering both the theories of Traditional Chinese Medicine and occupational therapy. These cases are also classified by mental health, physical disabilities, developmental disabilities, gerontology and healthy person. 22 kinds of activities including gardening, music, reading and calligraphy were used. In addition, they can also be classified to self-care, productivity, leisure and others. These cases can be interpreted by both the Traditional Chinese Medicine and the modern occupational therapy. TCM considers that humans live amidst the universe and our vital activities are inevitably influenced by the natural laws of material movement. All activities of the human body have formed close patterns with nature. In occupational therapy, treatment is selected according to individual values, interests, habit, and the role.