Traditional Chinese medicine has gained popularity in recent years. It offers a range of mental and physical health benefits for many people. Learning about using traditional Chinese medicine to address specific health concerns and improve health can help you make informed decisions. The idea behind traditional Chinese medicine is balance, harmony, and energy. With many things to know about traditional Chinese medicine, this article looks at five important aspects of these ancient therapies.
1. They are Safe When Performed by an Experienced Practitioner
Traditional Chinese medicine is a safe treatment for preventive and chronic diseases. It has undergone ridiculous testing and research showing its effectiveness in reducing pain and inflammation. Some studies have suggested that traditional Chinese medicine treatment options can also improve fertility.
However, the safety of these medicines depends on who administers them. Look for an experienced Chinese medicine practitioner with the skills and experience to administer the medicine. Some experts recommend using Chinese herbs for 2 to 3 months to enjoy their benefits. The Food and Drug Administration deems acupuncture safe for general use by licensed, registered, and certified practitioners in the US. Experts believe TCM is safe if you go to someone who knows what they are doing. Tai Chi and acupuncture are examples of such practices.
2. It Connects Medicine and Nature
The principle of traditional Chinese medicine is the byproduct of spiritual and natural practices. The ancient practitioners used actual observation of the invisible world, including the energetic functions of the body’s organs, to arrive at traditional Chinese medicine principles. They also linked the body’s functions and connections to the five major elements of the planet: fire, earth, metal, water, and wood. Even today, the principle of yin and yang is one of the fundamental principles of quantum mechanics.
Most Chinese medicine practitioners seek to correct imbalances in the body. Traditional Chinese medicine considers geographical location, time of day, age, genetics, and the condition of your body when looking at your health issue.
Traditional Chinese medicine can restore the body’s balance and harmony between the natural processing forces of yin and yang. The belief is that life energy runs throughout your body. TCM treatments often focus on promoting and maintaining the flow of energy.
3. It can Improve the Quality of Life
People are using TCM to treat various conditions, from carpal tunnel syndrome to lowering stress. It is a great treatment choice if you want to prevent illness, treat side effects from drugs, and deal with different symptoms with no clear cause.
Some traditional Chinese medicine practices like acupuncture and Tai Chi can improve certain conditions. Acupuncture is a technique whereby practitioners stimulate specific body parts by inserting thin needles through the skin. It stimulates the release of the body’s natural painkillers and affects areas in the brain that process pain.
The practitioners use various psychological and physical approaches and herbal products to address health problems. Studies have shown that practicing tai chi can improve balance and stability in older people and those with Parkinson’s disease. It can also reduce pain from knee osteoarthritis and help cope with fibromyalgia and back pain.
You can use TCM approaches alongside western medicine to improve the body’s flexibility and balance. It aids in the recovery process after injury and reduces the body’s stress response.
4. It is Old
Traditional Chinese medicine practices are ancient. It is an ancient and natural form of healing that recognizes the inseparable relationship between body, mind, and spirit. The practices have a long history, starting from the early Zhou Dynasty of China or even earlier. For example, the earliest medical writing on herbs was discovered in the classics of change and poetry.
Therefore, traditional Chinese medicine has preceded modern medicine for thousands of years. China has one of the oldest medical systems that remain relevant in modern times. It has since evolved as a system of medical practice based on empirical knowledge, theories, and concepts that are yet to be mapped by scientific equivalents.
Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners believe you were born with a natural self-healing ability. Each body structure is an integral and necessary part of the whole, along with your mind, emotions, and spirit. For example, acupuncture and Chinese herbal remedies date back at least 2,200 years ago
5. It is an Exciting Path of Study
Some traditional Chinese medicine practices, such as acupuncture and tai chi, have been the subject of many clinical studies and scientific reviews. While most of the research is focused on acupuncture, researchers have also conducted studies on tui, moxibustion, and Qigong.
Little research is done on the whole system of TCM, and researchers are focusing on a single type of treatment and how it can be applied from a conventional medical perspective. The two most important studies in acupuncture research reflect the real-world use of acupuncture. These research protocols increasingly match clinical practice, allowing patients to choose patient-specific acupuncture point combinations.
Clinical trials are also comparing traditional Chinese medicine with standard biomedical treatments. For example, they compare acupuncture to ultrasound therapy when treating rotator cuff impingement. The continuing research on traditional Chinese medicine will help inform physicians’ decisions and help patients make treatment choices. While the practices have not been studied similarly to western medicine, more research is being done on acupuncture and herbs.
Bottom Line
Experts increasingly realize the value of traditional Chinese medicine. A growing body of solid evidence suggests their safety and effectiveness in treating many conditions. More importantly, Chinese Medicine can offer more in preventing illnesses, optimizing health, and enhancing well-being. It can promote quality of life and improve mood for people with heart failure.