Acupuncture & TCM Articles

Chinese Medicine-An Alternative Medicine For The Modern World
By: John Philips

For thousands of years Chinese medicine has been the primary medical system in China, but outside of the Far East it is still conceived as alternative medicine. Because Chinese medicine relies on natural healing rather than synthetically produced drugs, more and more people in the Western world are turning to this branch of medicine.

Said to have been practised for 5,000 years the history of Chinese medicine is anything but lucid. The first written document concerning Chinese medicine is thought to be Hung-Di Nei-Jing (Cannon of Internal Medicine) and is considered to date back 2,000 years. It is attributed to the Yellow Emperor although the dates and author is still the subject of much debate.

Herbal medicine and acupuncture, the procedures of Chinese medicine that most people are familiar with, are the primary branches with other methods such as food therapy, qi gong and massage playing a secondary role. Rather than treating the disease the aim of Chinese medicine is to restore harmony and regain balance to the system.

A lack of harmony is seen as the main cause of any illness. A well-balanced body can resist most everyday illness and disease and this is the philosophy of Chinese medicine, whereas modern medicine treats bacteria and viruses directly by the use of antibiotics or vaccines.

The curricula of an increasing number of medical schools are including classes on alternative medicine even though a contentious relationship still exists between Chinese medicine and modern medicine. A more subjective view of Chinese medicine is more likely amongst Chinese modern medical practitioners than their older Western counterparts.

Even though, the techniques are of value in the west. In fact, pharmaceutical companies have recognised the value of traditional medicines and teams of scientists in many parts of the world are engaged to collect knowledge from traditional Chinese medical practitioners. Furthermore, inpatient and health programme classes of hospitals and clinics are now including T'ai Chi Ch'uan or qigong.

Not even conceived as alternative medicine by over three quarters of the worlds population, Chinese medicine excels in the areas of prevention of physical and emotional illnesses. It has been developed over time as a form of non-invasive, therapeutic and risk free treatment.

Many people, who have lost confidence in modern medicine and synthetic drugs, are reassessing their views towards alternative medicine and finding satisfaction in Chinese medicine. Significantly an increasing percentage of the population are now depending on Chinese medicine to maintain good health.