Traditional Chinese Medicine: What You Need to Know

Overview

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a system of health care that has been practiced for thousands of years. It encompasses a variety of practices, including acupuncture, tai chi, and the use of herbal products.

Key Points

General Understanding

• TCM uses psychological and physical approaches to health, including:
  • Acupuncture: Involves stimulating specific points on the body using thin needles.
  • Tai Chi: Combines movement, balance, and breathing techniques.
  • Herbal Products: Various herbs used for medicinal purposes.

Effectiveness

• Acupuncture:

  • May release natural painkillers in the body and stimulate brain areas involved in pain.
  • Effective for chronic pain (e.g., low-back, neck, knee pain, carpal tunnel syndrome).
  • May reduce the frequency of tension and migraine headaches.

• Tai Chi:

  • Improves balance and stability, particularly in older adults and those with Parkinson's disease.
  • Helps with pain management in conditions like osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia.
  • Enhances quality of life and mood, especially in heart failure patients.

• Herbal Products:

  • Studied for use in conditions like stroke, heart disease, mental disorders, and respiratory diseases.
  • Mixed results due to the poor quality of some studies.

Safety Concerns

• Herbal Products:

  • Risk of contamination with toxic compounds, heavy metals, and undeclared substances.
  • Possibility of misidentification of herbs leading to serious complications.

• Acupuncture:

  • Generally safe with few complications; however, improper techniques can lead to serious adverse effects such as infections and organ puncture.

• Tai Chi:

  • Safe practice with minimal risk of serious injury. Minor aches and pains possible.

Current Research

• The NCCIH supports research into TCM's effectiveness in treating conditions such as fibromyalgia, joint pain from cancer treatment, and cardiac rehabilitation.

Considerations

• Discuss TCM practices with healthcare providers before starting.
• Do not replace conventional medical treatment with TCM.
• Ensure TCM practitioners are properly certified and trained.
• Special caution is advised for pregnant or nursing women and children using TCM.

Resources for More Information

• NCCIH Clearinghouse: Offers information on complementary and integrative health approaches.
• Know the Science: Tools and materials for understanding scientific research basics.
• PubMed: Database for scientific and medical journal articles.
• Cochrane Database: Summarizes results of clinical trials on healthcare interventions.
• NIH Clinical Trials: Information on clinical trials and participation.

Key References

• Various studies and reviews on TCM's effectiveness and safety, including works on acupuncture, tai chi, and herbal products.

Acknowledgements

• Contributions from NCCIH professionals acknowledged for updates.

This publication is intended for informational purposes and should not substitute for medical advice from healthcare providers.