Traditional Chinese Medicine
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a holistic approach to healthcare. With a long and illustrious history of using acupuncture, cupping, herbs, and tuina massage to successfully treat a wide range of symptoms and disorders, most notably pain, anxiety, stress, and infertility. Acupuncturists at Optimal Health Collective typically use acupuncture, cupping, and massage in treatment plans for patients, and they have considerable expertise in Traditional Chinese Medicine.
It is a common misconception however that acupuncture involves needles and is difficult or painful. Although needles are oftentimes used in acupuncture, there are needleless options available for those anxious about them. Since the needles are hair-thin and placed carefully, the procedure will be almost painless and barely perceptible. You’ll notice that you’re feeling wonderful after treatment (Not sure this is true all the time? CUT?).
For more than 2,000 years, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been used to identify, cure, and prevent diseases. TCM is a comprehensive medical system, with a foundation rooted in the concept of yin and yang. This concept expresses opposing forces that are inclusive of earth and heaven, winter and summer, and happiness and grief. You feel calm and invigorated when yin and yang are balanced and in alignment. However, when yin and yang are out of harmony, you feel the opposite and your health ultimately suffers.
The life force or energy is known as qi, which is pronounced “chee”. is another idea practitioners hold (CUT). Qi must be balanced and flowing freely for yin and yang to be in harmony and for the body to be healthy. Illness results from qi flow obstruction and either too little or too much qi in one of the body’s energy lines, known as meridians.
The main objective of TCM therapy is to balance yin and yang by encouraging qi to flow naturally. In a fascinating comparison frequently used to explain its existence, qi is likened to the wind in a sail;. However, we cannot directly see the wind. We are aware of its presence as it fills the sail.
How does TCM work?
Disease is said to have three leading causes: there are external or environmental elements, our internal emotions, and lifestyle variables: such as eating. These three causes of disease disrupt and change the natural flow of qi and generate an imbalance of yin and yang. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) however encourages the body’s biological healing processes through its therapeutic modalities. TCM uses the following techniques:
- acupressure and acupuncture
- Moxibustion, or the close burning of a plant,
- herbal remedies
- Nutrition
- Exercises like tai chi and qi gong, which mixes movement and meditation, also known as tui na in Chinese.
What the Science Says About Traditional Chinese Medicine’s Efficacy
- Acupuncture
Acupuncturists can treat many health issues by placing tiny needles through the skin to stimulate particular places on the body. Studies reveal that acupuncture affects brain regions involved in processing pain and increases the release of the body’s natural analgesics. Nevertheless, other experiments suggest that genuine and sham acupuncture are equally beneficial, as they indicate a placebo effect. However, the findings of several studies suggest that natural acupuncture can relieve several persistent pain forms, including but not limited to low back pain, neck pain, osteoarthritis/knee pain, and carpal tunnel syndrome. Additionally, it can lessen tension headache frequency and shield against migraines.
- Tai Chi
Tai chi is a kind of exercise that incorporates specific postures, soft motions, mental focus, breathing, and relaxation. According to research, learning and practising tai chi may enhance balance and stability in elderly and Parkinson’s patients, lessen knee osteoarthritis pain, aid in managing fibromyalgia and back pain, and enhance the quality of life and mood in heart failure patients.
- Chinese Herbal Products
A nationwide survey found that almost one in five Canadians use Chinese herbal remedies, all of which have been examined for various medical conditions, including stroke, heart disease, mental disorders, and respiratory ailments (such as bronchitis and the common cold). However, since many studies have been of low quality, it is impossible to draw strong conclusions about their efficacy, this shows a need for further research to be done in this area.
What the Science Says About the Safety of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Studies and reports on the herbal compounds used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) have shown several safety concerns, such as:
- It has been discovered that some Chinese herbal products contain undeclared plant or animal material, drugs (such as the blood thinner warfarin and the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug diclofenac), heavy metals (such as arsenic, lead, and cadmium), pesticides or compounds known as sulfites, which can cause asthma or severe allergic reactions, or incorrect herbs, some of which have led to organ damage.
- There have been very few acupuncture-related problems recorded. However, issues have arisen due to using non-sterile needles and poor therapy administration. Acupuncture can have significant adverse effects when administered incorrectly, including infections, pierced organs, compressed lungs, and damage to the central nervous system.
- Both tai chi and a related activity known as qigong seem to be risk-free routines. Although tai chi is unlikely to cause a catastrophic injury, it might cause mild aches and pains. Before commencing tai chi, qigong, or any other fitness regimen, pregnant women should see their doctors.
Although these safety concerns seem daunting they can be eradicated by having an experienced, well trained professional that can properly prescribe, diagnose, and treat diseases with TCM. Therefore it is extremely important to see a licensed acupuncturist, a naturopathic doctor, and or a practitioner that is properly trained and accredited in TCM.