Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is based on the belief that problems with energy flow in the body cause disease. TCM uses a variety of herbal remedies and other procedures such as acupuncture and massage to restore the flow of energy in the body.
History
TCM is a whole medical system. Whole medical systems are traditional healing systems that have evolved over time in different cultures and parts of the world. TCM originated in China and has been used to diagnose and treat disease for over 3000 years.
Use and claims
Various practices used in TCM are believed to restore the flow of qi (pronounced chee). TCM has been used to treat a broad range of illnesses and health problems, including cancer and cancer-related symptoms, and to improve overall health and well-being.
How it is given
TCM practitioners believe that to be healthy, the body's two life forces, called yin and yang, must be in balance.
- Yin and yang are opposite but complementary forces that work together.
- Yin is associated with qualities such as cold, rest and tranquility.
- Yang is associated with qualities such as heat, stimulation, movement and activity.
Health problems and illness result when there is an imbalance of yin and yang. This imbalance leads to a blockage in the flow of qi, the vital energy or life force that flows through the body. Qi is said to affect a person’s spiritual, emotional, mental and physical health.
The TCM practitioner assesses a person by:
- observing the tongue, facial colour and general appearance
- listening to breathing and coughing
- smelling the breath and other excretions
- touching and pressing certain parts of the body, including traditional pulse assessment
- asking questions about health
To restore the flow of qi and bring the body back into harmony, TCM practitioners typically use:
- Chinese herbal remedies
- The Chinese Materia Medica is a reference book on medicinal substances used in Chinese herbal medicine.
- There are hundreds of herbs that may be used in TCM.
- TCM practitioners often use combinations of herbs instead of a single herb.
- The remedies come in various forms, such as pills, powders, extracts and teas.
- acupuncture and moxibustion
- Acupuncture uses very thin needles inserted through the skin at certain points on the body.
- Moxibustion involves burning an herb at the end of an acupuncture needle, placed directly on the skin or held close to the skin.
- massage
- Massage involves pressing or rubbing muscles and other soft tissues of the body, mainly using the hands and fingers.
- Massage can be focused on specific acupuncture points.
- dietary changes
- therapeutic exercise such as qigong and tai chi
- Qigong (pronounced chee gung) mainly involves meditation, breathing exercises and slow, focused physical movements to accumulate and store energy in the body.
- Tai chi (pronounced ty chee) is an ancient Chinese martial art that is part of qigong. It also combines slow body movements, meditation and breathing exercises to improve health and well-being.
Although TCM practitioners may use herbs or acupuncture alone to treat illness, they often use them together and may combine them with other TCM methods.
Summary of the evidence
TCM may use a combination of different therapies, so it is difficult to study it as a whole system. Some individual therapies such as acupuncture have been studied. TCM methods are becoming areas of scientific study for researchers as TCM becomes integrated into Western medicine. Most of the research on TCM has been from China.
A few Chinese herbal medicines have been studied as additional treatments to conventional cancer treatment and to relieve cancer-related symptoms. As yet, there is no clear evidence whether Chinese herbal medicines are effective.
Potential side effects and risks
Each TCM method has the potential to cause problems, although qigong and tai chi are generally considered safe because they use slow, deliberate movements. Some Chinese herbal remedies may interact with prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs or other herbs, which could be dangerous. Always tell the doctor, pharmacist and TCM practitioner about any medications, herbal remedies and herbs being taken.
Acupuncture and massage may not be recommended in certain situations, and it is important to check with your doctor before having these treatments. For example:
- Sterile needles need to be used for acupuncture treatments. This is especially important for people with cancer because some cancer treatments can weaken the body's immune system and increase their risk of infection.
- It may not be safe for people with cancer that has spread to the bone (bone metastasis) or some people with osteoporosis to have deep massage.
It is important to have TCM treatments done by a trained, qualified practitioner. Currently, TCM is regulated in only a few Canadian provinces.