Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)

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The traditional health system evolved in China through history   

Introduction

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) originated in ancient China,  is rooted in the ancient philosophy of Taoism and dates back more than 5,000 years. Today, TCM is practiced side by side with Western medicine in many of China's hospitals and clinics. TCM practitioners use herbs, acupuncture, moxibustion, massage, cupping and other methods to treat a wide range of conditions. Scientific   evidence of its effectiveness is, for the most part, limited.   Acupuncture has the largest body of evidence and is considered safe if   practiced correctly. Some Chinese herbal remedies may be safe, but   others may not be.




Underlying Concepts

Underlying the practice of TCM is a unique view of the world and the   human body that is different from Western medicine concepts. This view   is based on the ancient Chinese perception of humans as microcosms of   the larger, surrounding universe—interconnected with nature and subject   to its forces. The human body is regarded as an organic entity in which   the various organs, tissues, and other parts have distinct functions but   are all interdependent. In this view, health and disease relate to   balance of the functions.

The theoretical framework of TCM has a number of key components:
 

• Yin-yang theory—the concept of two opposing, yet complementary, forces that shape the world and all life—is central to TCM.
• In the TCM view, a vital energy or life force called qi circulates in the body through a system of pathways called meridians. Health is an ongoing process of maintaining balance and harmony in the circulation of qi.
• The TCM approach uses eight principles to analyze   symptoms and categorize conditions: cold/heat, interior/exterior,   excess/deficiency, and yin/yang (the chief principles). TCM also uses   the theory of five elements—fire, earth, metal, water,   and wood—to explain how the body works; these elements correspond to   particular organs and tissues in the body.

These concepts are documented in the Huang Di Nei Jing (Inner Canon of the Yellow Emperor), the classic Chinese medicine text.
Treatment TCM emphasizes individualized treatment.

Practitioners traditionally used four methods to evaluate a patient's condition:

• observing (especially the tongue)
• hearing/smelling
• asking/interviewing
• touching/palpating (especially the pulse)

TCM practitioners use a variety of therapies in an effort to promote health and treat disease. The most commonly used are Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture.
 

• Chinese herbal medicine. The Chinese materia medica (a pharmacological reference book used by TCM practitioners) contains hundreds of medicinal substances—primarily plants, but also some minerals and animal products—classified by their perceived action in the body. Different parts of plants such as the leaves, roots, stems, flowers, and seeds are used. Usually, herbs are combined in formulas and given as teas, capsules, tinctures, or powders.
• Acupuncture. By stimulating specific points on the   body, most often by inserting thin metal needles through the skin,   practitioners seek to remove blockages in the flow of qi.

Other TCM therapies include moxibustion (burning moxa—a cone or stick of dried herb, usually mugwort—on or near the skin, sometimes in conjunction with acupuncture); cupping (applying a heated cup to the skin to create a slight suction); Chinese massage; mind-body therapies such as qi gong and tai chi; and dietary therapy.

Status of TCM Research

In spite of the widespread use of TCM in China and its use in the West, scientific evidence of its effectiveness is, for the most part, limited. TCM's complexity and underlying conceptual foundations present challenges for researchers seeking evidence on whether and how it works.   Most research has focused on specific modalities, primarily acupuncture and Chinese herbal remedies.

Acupuncture research has produced a large body of scientific evidence. Studies suggest that it may be useful for a number of different conditions, but additional research is still needed.

Chinese herbal medicine has also been studied for a wide range of conditions. Most of the research has been done in China. Although there is evidence that herbs may be effective for some conditions,

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