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The facts
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is not a single
kind of medicine or a single way of treating illness.
Rather, it is an entire system, developed over
the course of millennia, that is founded on a
specific view of how the human body functions.
The human body, in this perspective, has a natural
energy called qi (or chi, both pronounced
"chee") that flows along pathways in
the body called meridians, and health depends
on a balance of opposing forces (yin and
yang) in the body. When the flow becomes
blocked or the forces become unbalanced, illness
results.
TCM aims through a variety of means
to restore and maintain the flow of qi and the
balance of yin and yang. It makes use of therapies
such as acupuncture, acupressure, massage, herbs,
changes to the diet, and a practice known as qi
gong, which involves exercise, breathing and
meditation.
TCM is used as complementary therapy
for a wide variety of illnesses, but there are
no definitive studies to support its effectiveness
for this.
A word of caution
Remember that herbal preparations are not regulated
or tested in accordance with the Canadian Food
and Drugs Act and may interact with prescription
medications. See the section on "Herbal medicines"
in this health feature for more information.
For more information
If you decide to seek traditional Chinese medicine
treatment, talk to your doctor first. She may
be able to recommend a suitable practitioner in
your area.
Acupuncture
The facts
Acupuncture is a specific kind of traditional
Chinese medicine. It has been practiced for over
5,000 years. It involves inserting thin needles
into the skin at key points to stimulate energy
flow. This stimulation, it is believed, helps
rebalance the yin and yang and unblock the flow
of qi. Acupressure is similar to acupuncture
but uses pressure instead of needles.
It is uncertain exactly how acupuncture
works, but it does have a well-established history.
Some theories hold that it stimulates certain
hormones or other chemicals in the body; others
attribute its effects to direct action on the
nerves.
Acupuncture is most commonly used
to treat pain and conditions where pain is a key
symptom - for example, headaches, menstrual cramps,
lower back pain, osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia.
It is also used to treat asthma and allergies,
and there have been clinical trials of acupuncture
for the treatment of anxiety and depression.
A word of caution
If you are seeking acupuncture treatment, be sure
to find a certified practitioner. Ask your doctor
to recommend a licensed acupuncturist in your
area and discuss any concerns you have about the
safety of this therapy.
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