What Is Traditional Chinese Medicine?

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a holistic medical system practiced for thousands of years throughout China and other parts of East Asia. It is based on the belief that the body’s vital energy, called “Qi,” flows through channels in the body to keep an individual’s emotional, mental, spiritual, and physical health in constant balance. The use of TCM aims to balance the body between two forces, yin and yang. Yin is characterized by negative and cold energy, whereas yang is characterized by positive and warm energy. Although both forces exist opposite of each other, they are interconnected and complementary to Qi. If there is a disruption or imbalance in the flow of Qi, the individual will experience illness or chronic disease. 

Since traditional Chinese medicine is a medical system, it consists of various therapeutic practices. These practices include but are not limited to Chinese herbal medicine, acupuncture, cupping, qigong, and tai chi. Each of these practices aims to restore the balance of Qi in the body to promote health and well-being. 

Acupuncture involves inserting thin needles in any of the over 2,000 identified points in the body to improve the flow of Qi, which should relieve discomfort. Practices such as qigong and tai chi focus on poses, breathing patterns, and movement to reduce the amount of qi stuck or stagnant in the body’s channels. Another method of removing stagnated qi is cupping, which uses small cups to achieve a suction effect on the skin, resulting in the breaking of blood vessels to stimulate healing. 

Chinese herbal medicine uses specific herbs in the form of capsules, granules, tea, powder, liquid extracts, or combined into a formula. Some formulas are traditional and have been used for thousands of years. In contrast, others are customized based on the individual’s unique needs. The focus of using Chinese herbal medicine is not to treat disease but to address individual signs and symptoms of the imbalance in the body to optimize health and well-being. Individuals interested in being treated with Chinese herbal medicine are encouraged to talk with their physician first and, if approved, have a formal consultation with a licensed herbalist who is board-certified in traditional Chinese herbal medicine. 

Sources

“Complementary and Alternative Medicine”. National Cancer Institute. https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/cam

“What Is Traditional Chinese Medicine?” Cleveland Clinic. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/chinese-medicine 

“Acupuncture”. Johns Hopkins Medicine. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/acupuncture 

“An Introduction to Qigong”. Cleveland Clinic. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/what-are-the-health-benefits-of-qigong 

“Slow and Steady: The Health Benefits of Tai Chi”. Cleveland Clinic. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/the-health-benefits-of-tai-chi 

“Cupping Therapy”. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/16554-cupping 

“What You Should Know About Chinese Herbs”. Cleveland Clinic. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/what-you-should-know-about-chinese-herbs