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HOLISTIC HEALTH The Health Benefits of Traditional Chinese Medicine TCM Practitioners Adjust Imbalances to Achieve Better Health By Cathy Wong Medically reviewed by Arno Kroner, DAOM, LAc Updated on July 11, 2020 Print Holistic Health More in Holistic Health Herbal Medicine Supplements Aromatherapy & Essential Oils Massage Therapy Traditional Chinese medicine is a healing approach that originated in China thousands of years ago. Often referred to as "TCM," practitioners use herbs, diet, acupuncture, cupping, and qigong to prevent or treat health problems. Although it is still practiced in many of China's medical facilities alongside modern medicine, in the United States, traditional Chinese medicine is considered a form of alternative medicine. Dried Chinese herbs Heather Weston / The Image Bank / Getty Images Health Benefits Traditional Chinese medicine is used to address the following conditions: Allergies1 Anxiety Arthritis (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis) Back pain Depression2 Diabetes Eczema, hives, acne, psoriasis, and other skin conditions Fertility High blood pressure Insomnia3 Menopause symptoms Obesity Parkinson's disease Although standard treatment in modern medicine is based on the diagnosis, in TCM, the treatment would depend on diagnosing the imbalance. For example, a person with insomnia may have difficulty sleeping because of an imbalance such as a kidney yin deficiency, liver yang rising, or blood deficiency. The Unique Approach Rooted in a philosophy known as Taoism, traditional Chinese medicine is based on the theory that all of the body's organs mutually support each other. Therefore, in order to be healthy, an individual's organs (and their functions) must be in balance. This balance is attained, in part, by harmonizing yin and yang, two opposing but complementary energies thought to affect all life.4 Another theory in traditional Chinese medicine is that vital energy (called "qi" or "chi") flows throughout the body via certain pathways (or "meridians"). According to this theory, disease and other emotional, mental, and physical health problems develop when the flow of qi is blocked, weak, or excessive. Restoring the flow of qi is considered essential to balancing the yin and yang and, in turn, achieving wellness. What to Expect During a typical appointment, a TCM practitioner would assess your overall health by taking a health history, doing a tongue assessment, pulse assessment, and a physical exam. The exam would identify any Imbalances or qi blockages. If the practitioner identifies an imbalance in one of TCM's organ systems, it doesn't necessarily mean that the person has a physical disease in that organ. The liver, for instance, helps to regulate the smooth flow of qi. If a person has liver qi stagnation, the energy is said to be blocked, resulting in irritability, anger, or depression, a bitter taste in the mouth, indigestion, and a pulse that practitioners describe as "wiry". A kidney yin deficiency, on the other hand, is associated with a dry mouth, night sweats, tinnitus, and forgetfulness.5 The tongue has little or no tongue coating. Practitioners describe the pulse as "floating". Treatment Methods There are many different therapeutic methods used in traditional Chinese medicine, the most popular being acupuncture. Since traditional Chinese medicine emphasizes individualized treatment, healing methods vary widely from patient to patient. These methods often include: Acupuncture: Though acupuncture's roots lie in TCM, it is used as a western treatment for a variety of health concerns. Acupressure: Finger pressure is applied over acupuncture points and meridians. Cupping therapy Diet and nutrition: Foods are thought to have warming/cooling properties and are said to have specific healing properties. Herbal medicine: Herbs and herbal tea may be suggested. Moxibustion: A practice that involves burning an herb near the skin to warm the area over acupuncture points. Tuina: a type of bodywork that combines massage and acupressure. Exercises such as tai chi and qi gong TCM Herbs Rather than prescribing specific herbs, practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine typically combine a number of different herbs in formulas selected depending on the patient's individual needs. These formulas may be given as teas, capsules, tinctures, or powders. Herbs commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine include: Astragalus Ginkgo biloba Red yeast rice Cinnamon Ginger Ginseng Gotu kola Yu Xing Cao While consumers face risks when purchasing any dietary supplement (such as contamination with other substances) due to a lack of regulation, these risks may be of greater magnitude with herbal products that have been manufactured abroad, particularly those containing a variety of herbs. A Word From Verywell For some people, TCM may provide a unique perspective into lifestyle factors that may influence your health. There have been few high-quality clinical trials showing that TCM can treat disease, so it's important not to self-treat or use it in place of standard care. If you're considering trying traditional Chinese medicine, seek a qualified practitioner and consult your doctor to weigh the pros and cons of the therapy and discuss whether it's appropriate for you. Was this page helpful? Article Sources