Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has evolved over thousands of years. TCM practitioners use various psychological and/or physical approaches (such as acupuncture and tai chi) as well as herbal products to address health problems.
Chinese medicine and Chinese philosophy strongly promote the idea of balance. Achieving and maintaining balance is the goal of life. Imbalance gives rise to symptoms and disease. Rectifying the imbalance alleviates the symptoms. Many western medicine suppress symptoms but do nothing to address the cause. Chinese medicine treats both the root and branch of disease. It is a holistic approach to healing; understanding the patient in relation to his or her environment, not apart from it.
Chinese Medicine incorporates acupuncture, herbology, lifestyle counseling, and other traditional modalities to help patients achieve balance. Over the past 4,000 years, Asian physicians have mapped the flow of energy in the body. They call the energy “Qi” (pronounced chee) and found it flows around the body in vessels; similar to blood; with one channel leading into the next and so on. When the Qi is flowing in harmony, the body is naturally in a state of good health: the organ systems function well, sleep is restful, moods are stable, the body is resistant to disease, and it recovers quickly from injury. For a variety of reasons, however, the flow of Qi can become obstructed, throwing the whole system out of balance.
What the Science Says About the Effectiveness of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a technique in which practitioners stimulate specific points on the body, usually by inserting thin needles through the skin. Studies suggest that acupuncture stimulates the release of the body’s natural painkillers and affects areas in the brain involved in processing pain; however, some trials suggest that real acupuncture and sham acupuncture are equally effective, indicating a placebo effect. Results from a number of studies, however, suggest real acupuncture may help ease types of pain that are often chronic, such as low-back pain, neck pain, osteoarthritis/knee pain, and carpal tunnel syndrome. It also may help reduce the frequency of tension headaches and prevent migraine headaches. For more information, see NCCIH’s acupuncture fact sheet.
Tai Chi
Tai chi combines certain postures, gentle movements, mental focus, breathing, and relaxation. Research findings suggest that practicing tai chi may improve balance and stability in older people and those with Parkinson’s disease, reduce pain from knee osteoarthritis, help people cope with fibromyalgia and back pain, and promote quality of life and improve mood in people with heart failure. For more information, see NCCIH’s tai chi fact sheet.
Chinese Herbal Products
Chinese herbal products have been studied for many medical problems, including stroke, heart disease, mental disorders, and respiratory diseases (such as bronchitis and the common cold), and a national survey showed that about one in five Americans use them. Because many studies have been of poor quality, no firm conclusions can be made about their effectiveness. For more information about specific herbs, see NCCIH’s Herbs at a Glance webpage. You can find additional information on botanical (plant) dietary supplements on the Office of Dietary Supplements website.
Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health
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