The Art of Translation in Chinese Medicine: Embracing the Beauty of Multiple Truths
In the world of Chinese medicine, translation is never as simple as swapping one word for another. Each term, each concept, carries layers of meaning that often resist direct translation into English. Yet it is precisely in this complexity that Chinese medicine offers us a profound gift: the invitation to let more than one thing be true.
Take the word Qi (氣), for example. Often translated as “energy” or “vital life force,” Qi is not quite either of those—and yet it’s both. It can describe the invisible currents of vitality that animate our bodies, the dynamic interactions of nature, or the subtle communication between organ systems. In Western biomedical language, we might talk about circulation, nerve signaling, or metabolic function, but none of these fully capture the poetic, living quality of Qi.
Similarly, the Spleen in Chinese medicine is not the same as the spleen in Western anatomy. It is a functional system that governs digestion, nutrient transformation, and even thought and focus (known as the Yi). When we translate the Spleen purely as a physical organ, we lose the richness of its meaning. But when we hold both truths—the biomedical organ and the energetic system—we gain a more complete picture of human health.
This is where the beauty of translation emerges. By sitting in the space between languages and systems, we are invited to expand our understanding rather than narrow it. Chinese medicine teaches us that healing is not always about choosing one framework over another, but about allowing multiple perspectives to coexist.
In the clinic, this approach opens doors. A patient might come in with fatigue and bloating. Western labs show no abnormalities, yet Chinese medicine reveals Spleen Qi deficiency—a pattern that explains the symptoms and guides treatment with acupuncture, herbs, and lifestyle support. Both truths can exist side by side: the body is medically “normal,” and it is also asking for nourishment and balance.
Why This Matters for Modern Healing
The difficulty of translation reminds us to slow down and listen—to our bodies, to nature, and to the wisdom that transcends a single language. Chinese medicine thrives in this space of nuance. It encourages us to ask:
Can we hold the poetic and the clinical together?
Can we let the unseen be as valid as the measurable?
Can two truths coexist without canceling each other out?
As practitioners and patients alike, when we embrace the beauty of translation, we open ourselves to a more holistic form of healing—one that honors both science and spirit, both tradition and innovation.
At Moon River Clinic, we work in this space every day. Our treatments are grounded in the wisdom of Chinese medicine, where the language of the body, mind, and spirit are all heard. In this way, translation is not a barrier but a bridge—one that allows multiple truths to guide you toward greater harmony and well-being.
