Chinese Medicine-an Alternative Medicine For The Modern World

By Author: John Philips
Total Articles: 6
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For thousands of years Chinese medicine, although considered as alternative medicine in the Western world, has been the primary medical system in China. More and more people in the Western world are turning to Chinese medicine attracted by the natural healing rather than modern medicines' reliance on synthetically produced drugs.

Whilst Chinese medicine is thought to date back for 5,000 years the origins are far from clear. The first recorded history is thought to date back over 2,000 years with the first written document concerning Chinese medicine thought to be Hung-Di Nei-Jing(Cannon of Internal Medicine). Attributed to the Yellow Emperor there is, however, confusion over the dates and authors and is still the subject of much debate.

Herbal medicine and acupuncture, the procedures of Chinese medicine that most people are familiar with, are the primary branches with other methods such as food therapy, qi gong and massage play a secondary role. Restoring harmony and regaining balance to the system rather than treat the disease or illness is the main aim of Chinese medicine.

The principle cause of any illness ...
... is lack of harmony. The philosophy of Chinese medicine is the restoration of the body's harmony and balance and this holistic view of medicine maintains that a well-balanced person is resistant to most everyday illness and disease. Modern medicine on the other hand treats bacteria and viruses directly by the use antibiotics and vaccines.

The relationship between Chinese medicine and Western medicine is still problematic even though more and more medical schools are including classes on alternative medicine in their programmes. Older Western physicians are far more probable than their Chinese counterparts to view Chinese medicine with misgiving.

This is not to say that the techniques are of no value in the West. In fact, drug companies have acknowledged the value of traditional medicines and teams of scientists in many parts of the world are employed to accumulate knowledge from traditional medical practitioners. Additionally, as part of their inpatient and health programmes hospital and clinics are now offering T'ai Chi Ch'uan or qigong are being included in their classes.

Not even conceived as alternative medicine by over three quarters of the world's population, Chinese medicine excels in the areas of prevention of physical and emotional illnesses. For thousands of years it has been seen as form of non-invasive, therapeutic and risk free treatment.

Many people, who have lost confidence in modern medicine and synthetic drugs, are reassessing their views towards alternative medicine and finding satisfaction in Chinese medicine. Significantly an increasing percentage of the population are now depending on Chinese medicine to maintain good health.