TCM theory is complex but a simple crystallization could be illness and/or ill-ease result from disordered Qi. TCM seeks to rebalance the disordered Qi. Qi is the ‘vital energy’, ‘motive force’ responsible for all the functioning of the body and mind. Modern theories have suggested Qi is energy of “both nutritive and cellular-organisational characteristics” (1).

The famous Yin Yang symbol denotes different types of Qi in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Brief History
TCM classical medical texts date back to approximately the 2nd century, detailing diagnosis and treatment of disease and the system has been in use ever since. In 1949, the Chinese government declared it part of the national healthcare strategy. The practice became standardised through the opening of large TCM medical universities during the 1950s. Today TCM accounts for a third of all of all outpatient hospital visits in China, some 1.3 billion per year. 49.7% of doctors in health care clinics practice TCM, with 32.3% practising both orthodox medicine and TCM (2). In China, TCM students train as part of hospital teams and are refered to as TCM doctors once qualfiied, typically traiing for a minum of 5 to 7 years.

Charts of acupuncture points

In the West, although TCM had been practiced previously, interest truly flourished in the 1970’s, due to the enthusiasm of the American President Richard Nixon. A programme encouraged China’s TCM doctors to share their knowledge with their American counterparts. TCM has become increasingly established in Western cultures and is taught as an undergraduate medicine degree in some British universities. Training at university level in the UK typicaly lasts 3 to 4 years at undergraduate level and 1 to 2 yeras at masters level, with a further 1 to 2 years for doctorate level studies.  The World Health Organisation recognises TCM acupuncture for treatment of many diseases and many UK GPs now refer patients routinely to TCM practitioners (3).

Photo credits: Yin yang http://www.sxc.hu/profile/personalfx

References:
1. Gerber, R. (2001). Vibrational  Medicine. Vermont: Bear & Co.
2. Xu, J. & Yang, Y. (2009). ‘Traditional Chinese medicine in the Chinese health care system’. Health Policy. 90, p.133-139.
3. Technology Assessment Collaboration (WMHTAC). (2006). ‘Acupuncture. Mapping the evidence base and use of acupuncture. within the NHS’. [online] Available from: www.euro.who.int/HEN/HTResults?language=English&HTParentPage=47541&HTCode=acupuncture

DISCLAIMER: NO information here is intended to be taken as medical advice – or used as a substitute for professional medical advice. Any person with any health concerns is advised instead to consult their doctor. In the case of persons seeking therapy using Traditional Chinese Medicine, this information cannot be taken as medical advice and persons are advised instead to consult a suitably qualified professional practitioner.

Whilst just like modern orthodox doctors have their own styles of running clinics, in the West, practitioners often follow the working style outlined here.

The First Visit: TCM practitioners usually conduct a full health consultation, involving basic questions, looking at the patient’s tongue and feeling their pulse.  They then use one or more methods to address the diagnosis by trying to beneficially influence the condition of the body’s vital energy, the Qi. This can include acupuncture, cupping, moxibustion, electro-acupuncture, herbal medicine, dietary therapy, tui na massage and Qi gong exercise. Generally, practitioners use couches like massage tables to make their patients comfy, although some may use chairs if treating patients in a group setting or if the patient finds it too painful to climb onto a couch, as in a pain condition.

Typical couch type used in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Acupuncture uses insertion of extremely thin sterile needles into areas of the body. It is common for the lower limbs and arms to be needled. The needles stay in place for a short time, during which the practitioner may fractionally move them, to ‘stimulate’ the Qi response. They are then removed for disposal (most needles are single-use only).  In comparison to a regular hospital needle, they may be up to 32 x smaller diameter. Electro-acupuncture uses special machines with connectors which attach to needles to provide low level electrical stimulation, instead of manual stimulation. Ear acupuncture uses points on the exterior par of the ear and may be combined with body acupuncture poitns or sometimes used alone.

Acupuncture treatment

Cupping uses spherical glass ‘cups’, with a hole at one end, heated quickly to create a vacuum and placed onto the skin. Be aware cupping can leave some round shaped pink, red or purply cupping marks on the skin which fade in a few days – but they can look quite alarming if you haven’t been warned before hand. If you were plannign to wear a backless dress for example, as Gwyneth Paltrow famously did for a red-carpet occassion, it is strongly reccomneded you inform the practitioner if they propose cupping as you will end up with the temporary marks that Gywneth was famously photographed with all over her back.

Moxibustion uses mugwort herb, often in a tightly packed roll like a ‘cigar’, which is burnt to gently release moxa vapours over affected areas. A traditional method is placing loose moxa, which has a texture a little like cotton wool, onto the end of acupuncture needles and burning it there. Some practitioners also use moxa ‘boxes’ which hold the burning moxa but allow for the vapours to be released towards the affected area.

Chinese herbs can be made into a tea

Herbal Medicine uses herbs from the TCM ‘Materia Medica’, comprehensive documented herbs which have been observed over centuries to have therapeutic effects. Herbs are often combined and taken as pills, powders to which a little hot water is added for drinking, or most traditionally as decoctions, meaning boiled with water to make a ‘soup’ to drink.

TCM also uses dietary therapy

Dietary therapy advises which foods are beneficial for each individual patient according to their condition and utilises the same theoretical approach as herbal prescription.

Qi Gong uses gentle exercises to rebalance the body’s Qi. Many people practise Qi gong to maintain good health, and to enhance artistic abilities.

Tui Na is translated as a massage therapy but involves diagnosis using TCM theory and specific massage movements with the condition.

Chinese tea photo credit http://www.sxc.hu/profile/whizzy Vegetables http://www.sxc.hu/profile/TouTouke

DISCLAIMER: NO information here is intended to be taken as medical advice – or used as a substitute for professional medical advice. Any person with any health concerns is advised instead to consult their doctor. In the case of persons seeking therapy using Traditional Chinese Medicine, this information cannot be taken as medical advice and persons are advised instead to consult a suitably qualified professional practitioner.