Traditional Chinese Medicine (中医, zhōng yī), or TCM, has been practiced in China since ancient times. TCM focuses on restoring the balance of yin and yang in the body and integrates the five elements into its practices.
Traditional Chinese Medicine is influenced by Daoism. Diagnosis is based on the Four Diagnoses: observation, olfaction, interrogation, and pulse-taking. TCM often includes taking herbs and medicines made of animal products and minerals. The Compendium of Materia Medica, written by Li Shizhen, a physician in the Ming Dynasty, lists 1,892 medicinal herbs and 11,096 prescriptions.
Introduction to TCM
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TCM is gaining popularity around the world and more and more doctors are looking for ways to combine Chinese and Western medicine.
Acupuncture
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Acupuncture (針刺, zhēn cì): TCM practitioner places needles along the meridians of the body that control the flow of qi.
- All About Acupuncture
- Introduction to Acupuncture
- What's It Like to Get Acupuncture?
- Video: Acupuncture Treatment
- Share Your Acupuncture Experience
- Forum: Submit Your Acupuncture Questions
Acupressure: a form of acupuncture that does not use needles.
Cupping
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Cupping (拔罐, báguàn): glass cups are heated before being attached via suction directly on a person’s back. Suction is created to drain excess fluids and toxins, loosen adhesions, lift connective tissue, and bring blood flow to stagnant muscles and skin.
Guā Shā
Guā Shā (刮痧): scraping of the back to help drain excess fluids and toxins and help eliminate colds and fevers.
Moxibustion
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Moxibustion: the application of heat from the burning of a small bundle of tightly bound herbs, or moxa, to targeted acupoints.
Shamanism
Shamanism: Shamans, or spiritual healers, perform rituals to heal the mind, body, and spirit.
Tuī Ná
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Tuī Ná (推拿): Massage similar to acupressure in which a person is fully clothed and the practitioner uses thumb presses and rubbing to ease muscle aches and pain.