Of all the many alternative medical traditions available to patients today, traditional Chinese medicine (sometimes called TCM) is one of the most popular, but also one of the most misunderstood. This ancient tradition of health and healing has a lot to offer, though many people are unaware of what makes it so special.

The History of Traditional Chinese Medicine

The tradition of Chinese medicine is understood to reach back over two thousand years and is attested to in some of China\’s oldest written records. Evidence suggesting the practice of acupuncture is nearly as old and herbal combinations have been prescribed for most of the history of TCM. Two essential books, Treatise on Cold Damage and Yellow Emperor\’s Inner Canon did much to establish the tradition that has endured to this day.

The Characteristics of Chinese Medicine

There are a number of features that make TCM different from other forms of medicine. Traditional Chinese medicine is arguably less concerned with human anatomical structure and the behavior of disease-causing bacteria and viruses. Instead, TCM stresses the primary importance of bodily functions – respiration, digestion, circulation of the blood, sexual function, temperature regulation, and so forth. Traditional Chinese medicine seeks to create harmony among all the functions of the human body in order to achieve longevity and lifelong vitality and health.

The body, its organs, and its functions are conceptualized as having qualities of the five elements, namely earth, wood, water, metal, and fire. All parts of the body are further connected by a number of subtle energy currents. Certain types of these currents were mapped out by TCM practitioners long ago and form the basis for the practice of acupuncture, acupressure, and moxibustion.

Traditional Chinese Medical Treatments

So, what kind of treatment could you expect if you go to a TCM practitioner? The treatments, remedies, and therapies recommended will vary according to your particular health concern. A cold or case of the flu might be treated with a carefully constructed herbal tea. Temporary conditions, such as headaches, menstrual pain, allergies, or sprained ankles may be treated with a combination of therapies that could include herbal teas, compresses, poultices, and massage.

A TCM practitioner can diagnose ailments through inquiry about the frequency and quality of bodily functions, feeling the pulse, listening to the body, smelling the body, and a close inspection of the face and tongue. Each part of the diagnostic procedure relies on a thorough understanding of the many intricate facets of the TCM model of the human body. Someone who is skilled at diagnosing a person through TCM will have many years of experience.

Traditional Chinese Medicine in the Modern World

Though TCM remains an alternative form of medical practice in the west, in China it has been people\’s primary form of care for thousands of years. Even as China gains ever-increasing numbers of doctors training in Western medical traditions, traditional Chinese medicine enjoys enduring popularity.

Today, you don\’t need to travel to China to experience the benefits of Chinese medicine. As people around the world come to appreciate the rich healing tradition of China, demand for TCM treatments has greatly increased. It\’s now possible to find a number of well-written books at affordable prices. Herbal remedies shipped straight from China can be ordered online or purchased at Asian markets. Truly, traditional Chinese medicine has something for everyone.

Lawrence Reaves writes for Solstice Medicine Company, an online provider of traditional Chinese medicine that helps with illnesses such as allergies and the common cold. For more information about traditional Chinese medicine visit this site.

Lawrence Reaves writes for Solstice Medicine Company, an online provider of traditional Chinese medicine that helps with illnesses such as allergies and the common cold. For more information about traditional Chinese medicine visit http://www.solsticemed.com/

Author Bio: Lawrence Reaves writes for Solstice Medicine Company, an online provider of traditional Chinese medicine that helps with illnesses such as allergies and the common cold. For more information about traditional Chinese medicine visit this site.

Category: Medicines and Remedies
Keywords: alternative medicine, medicine, chinese medicine, traditional chinese medicine, herbal medicine