Eastern Medicine (Traditional Chinese Medicine)

Eastern Medicine, also referred to as “Traditional Chinese Medicine” is a classification of medicine that evolved in China thousands of years ago. Also known as TCM," traditional Chinese medicine is now practiced together with Western medicine in many of China's medical facilities. In the U.S., though, traditional Chinese medicine is thought of a form of alternative medicine.

Principles in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Traditional Chinese medicine traces its roots to a philosophy known as Taoism. Traditional Chinese medicine is based on the theory that all of the organs in our body are mutually supportive of one another. In order to be healthy, your organs (and their functions) must be in balance. This balance is attained, in part, by harmonizing yin and yang, two opposing but complementary energies thought to affect all life.

An additional theory in traditional Chinese medicine is that vital energy (called "qi" or "chi") permeates your body via certain pathways (or "meridians"). According to this theory, disease and other emotional, mental, and physical health problems happen when your qi becomes blocked. Restoring the flow of ones qi is considered necessary to balancing the yin and yang and, thus, achieving wellness.

How Does Traditional Chinese Medicine Work?

There are numerous disparate therapeutic practices involved in traditional Chinese medicine. Because traditional Chinese medicine emphasizes individualized treatment, healing methods vary greatly from patient to patient. These methods often include:

• Acupuncture.
• Acupressure.
• Moxibustion (burning an herb near the skin).
• Herbal medicine.
• Nutrition.
• A type of Chinese massage known as "tui na".
• Exercises such as tai chi and qi gong.
• Herbs in Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Instead of prescribing specific herbs, practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine generally mix a number of distinctive herbs in formulas selected depending on the patient's individual needs. These formulas may be given as teas, capsules, tinctures, or powders.

Herbs commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine include: Astragalus, ginkgo biloba, red yeast rice, cinnamon, ginseng, gotu kola.

Diseases Treated in Traditional Chinese Medicine

To date, Western scientists have not extensively studied the use of traditional Chinese medicine in treatment of specific health problems. However, traditional Chinese medicine is thought to be helpful for the following conditions:

• Allergies.
• Alzheimer's disease.
• Arthritis.
• Asthma.
• Back pain.
• Chronic pain.
• Depression.
• Diabetes.
• High cholesterol.
• Insomnia.
• Irritable bowel syndrome.
• Menopausal symptoms.
• Obesity.
• Parkinson's disease

Should You Use Traditional Chinese Medicine?

If you are contemplating using traditional Chinese medicine, it is important to work with a qualified practitioner. One should not attempt to cure their own problems by utilizing traditional Chinese medicine without experience. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine recommends researching published studies on the use of traditional Chinese medicine for the health condition that interests you. You should also combine this with consulting your doctor about your use of traditional Chinese medicine.

Our Network

MedCareLink has partnered with highly skilled doctors and surgeons that practice traditional eastern medicine. These professionals work out of internationally accredited hospitals and clinics world-wide. Our aim is to help our patients seek the best traditional eastern medicine options to treat their aliments at affordable prices.

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