Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Acupuncture has existed for countless years and has mostly not changed. Its fundamental tenet is that the body’s life force, or Qi, moves throughout it. Any Qi imbalance can lead to sickness and illness. The most common cause of this imbalance is said to be a change in the opposing and complementary forces that make up the Qi. Yin and yang are the names for this.
According to the ancient Chinese, humans are little representations of the surrounding cosmos, bound up with the natural world and vulnerable to its influences. Finding a balance between health and illness is a key idea. Through a customised course of care for each patient, TCM medicine seeks to restore this equilibrium.
It is stated that in order to regain balance, you must achieve harmony between your internal organs and the external elements of wood, metal, fire, and water.
You might have the following therapies to assist with your balance recovery:
- Acupuncture
- Utilizing moxibustion (the burning of herbal leaves on or near the body)
- A cupping (the use of warmed glass jars to create suction on certain points of the body)
- Massage
- herbal treatments
- Exercises involving movement and focus (such as tai chi)
The biggest amount of study has been done on acupuncture, which is a part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which is widely employed in Western medicine. Some TCM herbal treatments can be highly effective and used as pharmaceuticals, but they can also have significant drawbacks. The FDA banned the sale of dietary supplements containing ephedra and plants containing ephedra group alkaloids in 2004 due to hazards including heart attack and stroke.
Ephedra is a Chinese native herb that is used in supplements for weight loss and performance improvement. Herbal treatments prepared in accordance with TCM principles and intended for short-term rather than long-term usage are exempt from the restriction. Herbal teas, prescription drugs, and over-the-counter medicines are also excluded.
If you’re considering using TCM, a licenced practitioner is your best choice. The Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM), a legally recognised organisation, accredits TCM and acupuncture schools. Many states need graduation from an ACAOM-accredited institution before granting acupuncture licences. The National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine has accredited acupuncture, Chinese herbology, and Oriental bodywork.
TCM can be helpful when used in conjunction with conventional or allopathic treatments. But it shouldn’t be used as a replacement for them, especially for serious ailments. You should let your doctor know if you use TCM since certain herbal medicines may interact or be dangerous when taken with Western pharmaceuticals.
Acupuncture
Small needles are used by acupuncturists to activate certain body parts during this kind of alternative therapy. There may be a placebo effect when real acupuncture and sham acupuncture are both shown to be equally beneficial in some studies. However, other investigations reveal that real acupuncture and sham acupuncture are equally beneficial, indicating a placebo effect. Studies suggest that acupuncture promotes the production of the body’s natural analgesics and affects parts of the brain involved in pain processing.
However, results from certain research suggest that genuine acupuncture can help with chronic pain issues. Such carpal tunnel syndrome, osteoarthritis, neck pain, low back pain, and knee pain. Additionally, it could help to lessen tension headaches and avoid migraines.
T’ai Chi
Exercise known as tai chi involves a range of postures, soft motions, mental concentration, breathing, and relaxation. According to study, tai chi may improve balance and stability in older people and people with Parkinson’s disease. Diminish pain from osteoarthritis in the knees, help those with fibromyalgia and back pain. And improve the quality of life and mood in people with heart failure.
Herbal Products from China
One in five Americans, according to a national research, utilise Chinese herbal treatments, which have been studied for a variety of medical conditions. Including stroke, heart disease, mental illnesses, and respiratory illnesses (such as bronchitis and the common cold). No firm conclusions concerning the effectiveness of the research could be drawn since many of them were of low quality.
TCM may boost your vitality and immunity, reduce pain, reset your internal system, improve the performance of important organs, lessen stress and anxiety, encourage youthful-looking skin. And even stop the development or progression of many illnesses.
