Traditional Chinese Medicine – Does it really help?

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is the art of healing that was established in China 2000 years ago. Buddhism, Taoism and also Confucianism have influenced TCM through their ways of thinking. Traditional Chinese medicine can be seen as the eastern counterpart to western orthodox medicine.

TCM sees the whole organism as a functioning unit. Furthermore, the prevention of diseases is of particular importance. The theory of traditional Chinese medicine is based on the so-called 5 pillars: Acupuncture and moxibustion, drug therapy, nutrition therapy, Qi Gong and manual therapy according to Tuina.

The teaching of Yin and Yang also plays a major role in TCM. A disease, for example, is described as an imbalance between Yin and Yang, which has a negative effect on the dynamic interaction between the two units and disturbs the organism in its functioning. By using methods from the individual areas of the 5 pillars, one tries to restore this balance through treatment.

Therapy of TCM

The therapy of TCM is performed by a specially trained therapist, who can be a doctor or alternative practitioner. Often other interested people can also participate in the training. In Germany, however, the practice of the activity is reserved for the above-mentioned professional groups.

The aim of the therapy is always to maintain the balance of the organism. This is done by allowing the flow of energy of the human being (his Qi) to flow freely and to live as an individual in harmony with his environment. For this purpose, a precise diagnosis according to traditional Chinese medicine is first carried out.

The diagnosis consists of seeing (tongue, eyes, skin, etc. ), hearing (medical history, voice, previous illnesses, etc.) and feeling (heat, cold, tension, pulse).

On the one hand, the balance of Yin and Yang can be disturbed. On the other hand there is, besides flowing energy, Qi, there is also Xue, which is connected to Qi and in the West tends to be equated with blood. If a congestion of energy or a blockage of the energy flow is detected, further targeted action is taken.

Individual symptoms can be assigned to certain functional circles, which do not necessarily correspond to the contexts of Western orthodox medicine. Through treatment methods such as acupuncture, drug therapy, Qi Gong, nutrition therapy or Tuina, the blockages can be released and the energetic balance can be restored. In principle, all diseases can be treated with TCM. In the West, this form of therapy is gaining more and more importance, but is usually still accompanied by orthodox medicine, at least for serious illnesses. In Far Eastern countries, all complaints from mental illnesses to illnesses of the internal organs or the musculoskeletal system to anaesthesia during operations are treated with TCM.