Even though most of us have heard of TCM before, it may be difficult to get a firm grasp of what this ancient practice involves, and whether it can support our health and wellness, especially as it uses a completely different approach from Western medicine.
Many of us might know people who have tried traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) before, with half of them singing its praises and the other half claiming that TCM is nothing more than people being gullible.
Phrases like, “Why are you always having headaches? You should go and see my TCM guy, he’s very good!” or “Your immune system is not so good, TCM can help with that” are common, and so are dire warnings about TCM going wrong.
So what is the truth?
Even though most of us have heard of TCM before, it may be difficult to get a firm grasp of what this ancient practice involves, and whether it can support our health and wellness, especially as it uses a completely different approach from Western medicine.
To help, International Medical University (IMU) Centre For Complementary & Alternative Medicine senior lecturer and senior Chinese medicine practitioner Dr Ong Siew Siew offers some thoughts for those who are considering TCM for the first time:
Always look for a registered TCM practitioner
TCM is a legitimate practice that is recognised in Malaysia by the Health Ministry.
With the requirements of the Traditional and Complementary Medicine (T&CM) Act 2016 [Act 775] being put into place, the local TCM industry is undergoing an important transition towards greater uniformity and credibility.
From March 2024, all licensed TCM practitioners will be registered with the T&CM Council and issued an Annual Practising Certificate (APC).
This will make it easy for the public to verify the authenticity of a TCM practitioner.
TCM uses different principles from Western medicine
Based on TCM principles, every person has a unique body constitution pattern, signifying the intricate equilibrium of opposing elements.
All these elements must coexist harmoniously for a person to be in good health, explains Dr Ong.
TCM aims to restore this equilibrium when a person in unwell and regulate the body’s dynamic energy, which can be influenced by various factors such as diet, stress, chronic illnesses and more.
Based on these principles, TCM practitioners can help to manage many ailments.
For example, TCM can help to relieve chronic pain, support the immune system and improve sleep quality, among others.
Just like Western medicine, some TCM practitioners specialise in certain areas of the body, such as the heart, lungs, digestion or the reproductive system.
“In TCM, our philosophy centres on achieving balance among various elements.
“Therefore, two patients with a similar ailment may receive different therapies because each of them presents a unique imbalance that requires rectification,” says Dr Ong.
As the treatment evolves and the patient’s constitution undergoes changes, the prescription and treatment may require modification.
Therefore, it is highly advisable to maintain continuity of treatment with the same practitioner, who can closely monitor your progress.
This approach markedly differs from Western medicine, which typically focuses on diagnosing and treating specific diseases by targeting the affected organ or body part.
However, TCM and conventional medication can go hand-in-hand, as long as both healthcare practitioners are well-informed.
Patients need to note though that any oral medications from the two disciplines must be taken at least four hours apart to minimise the risk of interactions.
In contrast, the likelihood of interactions for external treatments like acupuncture, cupping or moxibustion, is minimal.
There is nothing mystical or religious about TCM
Many people of different backgrounds seek help from TCM practitioners.
For your first visit, it will be similar to any other medical appointment – the practitioner will take note of your medical history and perform some diagnostic techniques to check the body’s constitution.
It can be helpful to bring along medical records such as blood test results and any imaging like CT scans or X-rays to provide more background information.
You can also list out your medications and supplements, and discuss your daily routine and lifestyle.
All this information will help the practitioner understand more about you and your needs, so that an effective treatment plan can be formulated.
The TCM practitioner will assess your condition using TCM diagnostic principles and utilise a personalised combination of treatment methods.
These are all grounded in scientific and non-spiritual principles to address any imbalances in the body.
By and large, TCM employs four primary treatment methods: acupuncture, cupping therapy, moxibustion (burning of moxa herb or mugwort) and herbal prescriptions.
The results of TCM treatment will take time
Just like Western medicine, treatment will vary according to the specific condition or ailment that needs to be addressed.
Simple ailments may only need one or two sessions, while those with chronic conditions would need more time.
In addition, every person has a different constitution, lifestyle and habits.
As a result, even if a patient sees improvement in just one session, an existing pattern or situation in a person’s lifestyle may cause the problem to recur.
Therefore, it is normal for a practitioner to ask you to come back for a few sessions, explains Dr Ong.
At the end of the day, she notes that both TCM and Western medicine have different strengths and principles.
In addition to seeing a certified practitioner at a registered clinic, she advises patients to exercise proper judgement so that they feel comfortable and confident with the care they receive.
“Malaysia is currently undergoing a transition phase, shifting from self-regulation to statutory regulation, which includes regulatory-bound TCM education, training and medical record-keeping.
“This transition aims to enhance the code of professionalism and raise the standards of care in TCM, ultimately, leading to improved patient safety and outcomes,” she says.
via thestar
Original article by admin, if reproduced, please cite the source as: https://www.tcmha.com/tcmnews/4-things-to-know-before-trying-traditional-chinese-medicine-tcm.html
相关推荐
-
The 1st Int’l Forum on Digital Credit and Technology to enhance International Quality practice of TCM
The 1st Int’l Forum on Digital Credit and Technology to enhance International Quality practice of TCM & the 2021 Annual Meeting of the Kampo Pharmaceutical Research Center of the China-Japan Medical Science and Technology Exchange Association was held simultaneously in multiple venues via video link on Dec. 28. Representatives from governments, industry, research, academy and international organizations of China’s mainland, Macao, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia and other countries and regions, focused on the discussion of guiding the in-depth integration of digital technology with the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) industry, advancing digitalization…
-
Chinese doctors train Cameroonian medical personnel in traditional medicine
The 21st batch of the China medical team in Cameroon on Wednesday organized a day-long lecture about Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for medical personnel at the Gynaeco-Obstetric and Paediatric Hospital in the capital, Yaounde. About 50 nurses and doctors turned up for the lecture given by two TCM experts. “It (acupuncture lecture) has never happened before in our country. So we want to begin with it and hope that we can go further. This bilateral collaboration with the government of China is very good and we are really getting the…
-
Study Finds Traditional Chinese Medicine Is As Effective as Drugs in Treating a Certain Type of Infection
A clinical trial demonstrates that Yupingfeng, a traditional Chinese medicine, is as effective as allopathic drugs at treating children with recurrent respiratory tract infections.
-
Singapore’s traditional Chinese medicine clinics see rise in patients with serious pandemic side effects
Unlike Hong Kong, Singapore does not use TCM to treat Covid-19. But people are nevertheless seeking out practitioners to help manage their well-being.Issues include domestic abuse, anxiety, posture problems and even erectile dysfunction, which one practitioner attributes to more sex – and cycling
-
China to improve traditional Chinese medicine workforce
By 2025, all urban community health centers and rural township health clinics ought to have their own TCM division and personnel, so that residents can enjoy convenient access to TCM services, noted the document.
-
Economic Watch: Traditional Chinese medicine bolsters rural development in Yunnan
KUNMING, March 22 (Xinhua) — From laboratories to farmland, Yang Shaobing has helped those in remote areas in southwest China find a new cash cow by planting traditional Chinese medicinal herbs. Yang, a 37-year-old researcher with the Yunnan Provincial Academy of Agricultural Sciences, arrived in the Dulongjiang Township in Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province, in 2016 to aid locals in poverty alleviation. Dulongjiang is home to the Dulong people, an ethnic minority group that long endured poverty and poor access to the outside world. In Dulongjiang, Yang guided the…
-
Education and communication required to eliminate misunderstanding against traditional Chinese medicine
Since the 1960s, TCM, especially acupuncture has spread widely to various parts of the world.
-
Traditional Chinese medicine treatment by grandma leaves baby girl in hospital with serious injuries to her face
A grandmother has used traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to treat her 10-month-old granddaughter’s cough and caused serious injury to the infant in the process. The baby girl’s forehead festered and she was sent to Hunan Children’s Hospital in Changsha, capital of Hunan, central China, after her grandma applied a TCM treatment called gua sha to the child’s face, news website rednet.cn reported. With over 2,000 years history in China, gua sha is a practice in which people use a tool, such as a comb, spoon or a coin, to scrape…
-
Top scientist suggests plan on traditional Chinese medicine development to avoid external blockade at two sessions
Citing a lesson from the Iraq war in which the full embargo launched by the US seriously hurt ordinary people’s lives in Iraq, a deputy to the National People’s Congress suggests China formulate a scientific plan on its traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) development and encourage other disciplines, such as biological information technologies, artificial technologies, chemical and material sciences, to better integrate with TCM development to prevent a scenario where the country’s medical field would be “chocked from the neck” one day. “When the US launched a war against Iraq and…
-
Ontario of Canada decides to deregulate Chinese medicine
Ontario plans to stop regulating traditional Chinese medicine practitioners and acupuncturists, saying it would allow more people to work in the field, but people in the profession say they oppose the move and weren’t consulted. Contained in recently tabled labour legislation is a section that would wind up the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of Ontario, the profession’s regulatory body that was established in 2013. A spokeswoman for Health Minister Christine Elliott said the proposed legislation would see oversight transition to the Health and Supportive Care Providers…
