What Is Traditional Chinese Medicine?
Traditional Chinese Medicine is a type of holistic, natural health care system that dates back at least 2,000 years to the year 200 B.C. TCM is “holistic” and “natural” because it stimulates the body’s own healing mechanisms and takes into account all aspects of a patient’s life, rather than just several obvious signs or symptoms. TCM practitioners view the body as a complex network of interconnected parts (part of a larger concept known as Qi), rather than separate systems or organs.
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, Traditional Chinese Medicine treatments aim to correct imbalances in the body and primarily work in three major ways:
Addressing a patient’s external factors and environment
Helping patients relate to their internal emotions in a healthier way, including managing stress
Improving someone’s lifestyle factors, including diet and exercise routine
Organs that are especially focused on during TCM treatments include the kidneys, heart, spleen, liver, lung, gallbladder, small intestine and large intestine. Depending on the specific type, the benefits of TCM therapies range considerably. Some of the health problems most commonly treated with Traditional Chinese Medicine therapies include:
Chronic pain
Arthritis
Fatigue
Infertility
Liver disease
Headaches
Indigestion
Hormonal imbalances
High blood pressure
PMS or menopause symptoms
Cancer recovery or chemotherapy
Different Traditional Chinese Medicine therapies include:
Acupuncture: Helps lower pain, improve hormonal balance and combat stress
Cupping therapy: Used for pain management, improving immunity and helping with digestion
Herbal medicine: Used to control inflammation, fight free radical damage and boost liver function
Nutrition: For preventing deficiencies, boosting energy and improving detoxification
Exercise: Including Qi gong or tai chi for flexibility, strength and concentration
Massage: Soft tissue manipulation for improving blood flow, one of which is called tui na
Moxibustion: Burning an herb near the skin