Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is an ancient, comprehensive, complex, and holistic system of health and wellness. Although Chinese medical texts date back to around 300 BC, key aspects of TCM emerged as early as the Zhou Dynasty in 1000 BC. While Western medicine focuses on disease, and looking at the different body systems that cause disease, TCM, takes an approach, based on balance, harmony, and energy. TCM also may provide perspective into lifestyle factors that influence your health.
Most people recognize TCM as a three-pronged approach: acupuncture, Tai Chi/Qigong, and herbs. Let’s look briefly at these before we look at the treatment methods included in TCM.
Acupuncture - The goal of acupuncture is to promote and restore the balance of energy. There are a wide range of benefits from treating emotional disorders, digestive complaints, neurological problems, respiratory conditions, pain syndromes, as well as addiction, fatigue and overall well being. Very fine needles are placed in the skin at specific points to release the body’s natural painkillers. Very few complications from acupuncture have been reported, and those reported were the result of the use of non-sterile needles and improper delivery of treatment. This is why you need to be sure that an acupuncturist is properly trained, an licensed or certified.
Tai Chi and Qigong - These exercises consists of slow gentle movements, with a focus on relaxation, meditation, and breath with a goal of improving balance, relieving pain relief, and improving quality of life.
Herbs - Like acupuncture, herbal therapy addresses unhealthy body patterns and can restore balance and strengthen your resistance to disease. Herbs can help with colds, fatigue, sinus issues, digestive issues, insomnia, and pre-diabetes, as well as reduce the side effects of cancer treatment..It is estimated that 1 out of 5 Americans already use herbal therapy, including teas, powders, and capsules. Again, it’s a good idea to consult your doctor before you start, and always look for an herbalist who is trained, licensed and willing to work with your doctor.
Now let’s look at some of the lesser-known elements of TCM:
Cupping - Cupping is a method of acupressure which creates a vacuum on the patient’s skin to eliminate stagnant blood and lymph, in order to improve the flow of Qi. It can be performed on the back, neck, shoulders, or other musculoskeletal areas. There may be some painless bruising which can be reduced by gentle massage.
Moxibustion - Moxibustion involves burning dried mugwort near the skin on points of the body to warm meridian points, stimulate circulation, and improve smooth the flow of blood and Qi.
Nutrition - TCM practitioners will develop unique dietary recommendations for each patient, based on what his or her body needs to thrive.
If you are curious and think you might want to try TCM, start by checking with the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) for more information. NCCAOM certification or licensure is used by all states, except California, which has its own licensing examination. Unfortunately, South Dakota, Oklahoma, and Alabama, have no licensure requirements.
On your initial visit, a thorough history will be taken, and the practitioner will listen to your concerns, as well as note your demeanor, movement, voice, bodily sounds, and complexion in order to begin to identify imbalance or Qi blockages. In addition to common elements of physical examination, the practitioner will also examine your tongue, palpate and observe your skin, and examine your muscle tone. I personally found the history taking more detailed than I have experienced in Western medicine. Additionally, the appointment seemed less rushed, atmosphere less clinical and more calming, and the practitioner listened more intently. Based on his or her findings, the practitioner will prescribe whatever treatments deemed necessary to return your body to harmony and to balance your flow of Qi.
You may wonder how Western medical practitioners feel about TCM. Of course, one of their major concerns is whether TCM is safe and effective. Unfortunately, this is largely due to the lack of solid, compelling research. However, interest in TCM is increasing and many ERs and leading health care centers, including Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, and Johns Hopkins, have started to offer TCM.
One word of caution: When seeing a TCM practitioner, do not abandon treatments and medications prescribed by your Western practitioner without a discussion.
In Part II, we will look at three very important theories in TCM: Yin-Yang, Qi, and Five Elements.
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