Eastern Approach to Therapy

Dr. Thomas Ruprecht: In modern Western disease teaching, different diseases are distinguished as a matter of priority. Here, patients with a particular disease receive the same medicine. In Chinese medicine, on the other hand, two patients suffering from the same disease from a Western point of view are treated differently by the doctor if their disharmony patterns differ. In the same way, two patients with different diseases but identical disharmony patterns may receive the same treatment.

Question: can you briefly describe the main treatment methods of traditional Chinese medicine?

Dr. Thomas Ruprecht: In traditional Chinese medicine, a distinction is made between internal and external therapy. External therapy involves acting mechanically or thermally on specific points or regions of the body surface to restore balance. These therapeutic methods include, for example, acupuncture, which, after all, is now also covered by health insurance companies in Germany, at least for chronic back and knee joint pain.

Question: and what procedures are used in internal therapy?

Dr. Thomas Ruprecht: The most important and most diverse healing method of internal therapy is Chinese herbal medicine. Mostly herbal, but also mineral and animal substances are individually composed for the individual patient. These medicines are cooked and usually drunk as tea throughout the day. Some preparations are also available as finished medicines concentrated in drop form or dried as powder. The effect of some herbal medicines has now been proven in clinical studies – for example, that valerian relaxes or garlic can help lower blood pressure. However, natural medicines also have side effects. These can be mainly due to the fact that – unlike most chemically produced medicines – they contain many different active ingredients in quantities that are not clearly defined. And even a herbal medicine, incorrectly dosed or prepared, can have unpleasant or even dangerous consequences. Therefore, it is essential to follow the dosage prescribed by a doctor and to read the package insert carefully. So-called dietetics also plays an important role in TCM. However, this has nothing to do with a fixed diet or counting calories. From the Chinese point of view, there is no clear distinction between medicines and foods. For the Chinese, foods are mild therapeutics. Everything edible has a so-called Qi force, which tells how and where the food affects the person. Thus, food can affect a disturbance of qi in the human organism and disrupt or restore harmony in the body.

Question: In conclusion: How do you see TCM in relation to Western conventional medicine?

Dr. Thomas Ruprecht: In medicine, there is rarely only one method of dealing with a disease, treating it and getting well. And more and more people in this country are turning to natural healing methods such as traditional Chinese medicine. Some people lose a critical eye in the face of holistic healing promises. Orthodox medicine can save lives with operations, supply the body with missing substances, cure diseases – and is therefore indispensable and elementarily important. In parallel, naturopathic, gentle methods such as traditional Chinese medicine can also help. For example, they play an important role in prevention, as they can strengthen the immune system and bring body, mind and soul into harmony. From my point of view, both can complement each other in many ways for the benefit of the patient. Serious naturopathic offers see themselves as a supplement, not as a substitute for a visit to the doctor. And as before, at the beginning of any treatment should always be a thorough conventional medical diagnosis, because in severe diseases or emergencies complementary healing methods often reach their limits.

Tips for finding a therapist

Dr. Thomas Ruprecht advises to make sure that the therapist is…

  • Can credibly prove his qualification, for example, by an additional designation such as “naturopathy” or “homeopathy” or other diplomas.
  • Asks for a diagnosis already made or makes one himself.
  • Medically prescribed (orthodox) medication is taken into account.
  • Conducts a comprehensive diagnostic interview and performs a thorough physical examination.
  • Explains in detail the diagnosis and possible treatments.
  • Risks and costs openly represents.
  • Willingly responds to critical questions.
  • Does not promise a quick and perfect cure for chronic diseases.
  • Does not require that all other therapies must be discontinued.