An Introduction to Traditional Chinese Medicine

Interested in getting a little Eastern perspective on your health? Chinese medicine has been in use a lot longer than our Western allopathic approach: it’s been used to treat and prevent illnesses for nearly a millennia. If you’re a questioning skeptic or interested in trying something new, read on to learn a bit more about traditional Chinese medicine and how it might fit into your health and wellness routine.

The Basics

You’ve seen that little white and black symbol and heard the terms “ying” and “yang.” The belief in these two opposing forces in your body and life are the basis of Chinese medicine. Ying and yang are like fall and spring, strength and weakness, spicy and mild, and Chinese medicine is based on keeping the opposing forces at balance in your body. When you’ve got the right amount of both, you’ll feel great and ready to attack your day, out of whack and you’ll feel sick and depressed.

In order to balance ying and yang, Chinese medical practitioners must make sure that your qi (pronounced “chee”), a sort of life force, is able to flow freely throughout your body. If the qi is blocked from flowing freely, or if it’s not getting to a certain part of your body, you will feel sick.

Balancing Ying and Yang

There are several different approaches used in traditional Chinese medicine. Some of the most popular and common are acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine.

Acupuncture

In acupuncture, the qi is redirected using the specific placement of small needles into the skin. During your first visit to an acupuncturist, he or she may look at your tongue, wrists, posture, and the color of your skin, in order to get an idea of what is affecting your health.

After the acupuncturist has chosen an approach, you will lie down on an exam table, where needles will slowly be worked into your skin. Some people report the needles feeling “warm” or “tingly,” while some people don’t feel them at all. You will lie with the needles in for up to an hour, during which time you are instructed to breath deeply and relax.

The Science Behind It

So how does it work? While it’s difficult to tell how exactly acupuncture affects the body and the brain, there are a few theories behind it. One study suggested that the needling process increases the pain threshold, possibly explaining why acupuncture can relieve pain over the long term. Another theory says that the needles stimulate nerve endings, which then transmit signals to the central nervous system.

What Can I Use it For?

According to the National Institutes of Health and the World Health Organization, here is a partial list of ailments that can be helped by acupuncture:

  • Alcoholism
  • Asthma
  • Bronchitis
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Polycystic ovarian syndrome
  • Low back pain
  • Sinusitis
  • Urinary problems

Chinese Herbs

While some studies indicate that components in traditional herbal mixtures may alleviate disease, health professionals still warn against ingesting any of these mixtures. Why? They are not well regulated, and some have been shown to contain harmful compounds. If you do decide to treat yourself with an herbal mixture, be sure that you are working with a qualified Chinese medical practitioner, and that you are aware of every substance in the herbal mixture.

Sources:

Traditional Chinese Medicine. (2011) University of Maryland Medical Center.

Acupuncture. (2011) University of Maryland Medical Center.

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