What is Traditional Chinese Medicine?

Here's everything you need to know about Traditional Chinese Medicine.

By: Editorial Team | | Published: March 9, 2015 6:08 pm

Traditional Chinese Medicine, popularly known as TCM is a form of alternative medicine that focuses on Chinese herbal medicine, acupuncture, massages, breathing and exercise therapies. The history of TCM is quite interesting and is around a thousand years old. The most important characteristic of a modern TCM is that the secret of good health is always based on the maintenance of harmony and balance within all the elements of an individual.

Traditional Chinese Medicine consists of different kinds of practices. Starting with acupuncture, it goes on to moxibustion, tui na, diet therapy, tai chi, qi qong and much more. It came back into existence around 2,500 years ago and is popular till today. TCM has over ten thousand practitioners and around a million patients per year.

What techniques do the practitioners use for treatment?

The experts and practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine use numerous techniques like:

Chinese Herbal Medicine

The Chinese Materia Medica, the book used by the experts of TCM has described in detail the benefits and healing properties of thousands of medicinal substances. This consists of plants, leaves, minerals and animal products. The different segments and parts of plants such as leaves, roots, stems and flowers have been prescribed to be used due to their healing properties and are used to prepare different kinds of teas, capsules, extracts, granules and powders.

Acupuncture

When we speak of acupuncture, we are referring to a family of medicine which consists of procedures that stimulate certain points on your body to produce a beneficial effect on your health. Different kinds of techniques are used in the process. This technique has been studied carefully and consists of penetration into the skin using a very thin and solid needle. It is usually manipulated by the hands and in some cases by electrical stimulation.

Tai Chi

Tai Chi is several centuries old and is used to relax the body and mind. This technique involves making gentle and graceful movements with your hands and body to bring about mental focus and concentration. Tai Chi also teaches you how to breathe properly and relax.

Is it safe and effective?

TCM is considered safe as long as it is practiced under the supervision of a trained and experienced practitioner. In the case of acupuncture the needles used are sterile but to be administered one does need to exercise precision and care. Tai Chi and Qi Qong on the other hand are practices that treat the body and mind and are safe too.

That being said, there have been some reports that Chinese herbal products might have drugs and some substances considered toxic for the human body in them, although in trace amounts. The reports found that in some cases these herbs could have side effects and be detrimental for some people. But if used in the right way and amount these medicines can be effective sans the side effects.

A word caution: Do talk to your healthcare provider before you try any form of alternative medicine.

Photo source: Getty images

Published: March 9, 2015 6:08 pm

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