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The Fundamentals of Traditional Chinese Medicine

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Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been practiced in China for thousands of years, and despite numerous scientific advancements in the Western world, it’s still extremely popular today, with millions of practitioners worldwide. What is it exactly? How does it work? This article will give you all the basics of Traditional Chinese Medicine, so you can learn how to integrate this ancient practice into your life!

What is the Theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine?

Traditional Chinese Medicine has been practiced for thousands of years.

Traditional Chinese Medicine is a health care system that includes diagnosis and treatment by using a combination of different theories, approaches, practices, and products that have been used for over 3000 years. TCM views your body as an energy system which consists of physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual components. The therapy has shown evidence of efficacy in animal studies and case reports in humans. These results provide some evidence for the existence of an energy system or an unknown force or process at work beyond what can be measured by physical instruments.

Using Herbs to Heal and Restore Balance in the Body

TCM, like most other systems of healing and wellness, uses natural elements like herbs to restore balance in patients who have had their body’s vital force disrupted. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, these disruptions are referred to as imbalances. There are several different types of imbalances that a patient can develop. Examples include dampness, heat, cold, and dryness. To treat each of these conditions and others, TCM practitioners might prescribe various combinations of six tastes, foods (including supplements), herbal tonics, or acupuncture treatments. A practitioner will also take into account a patient’s unique constitution when creating an individualized treatment plan. This is one of many reasons why it is important for anyone interested in pursuing TCM to work with a licensed practitioner instead of trying to self-diagnose and self-treat at home. If you are interested in learning more about how Traditional Chinese Medicine works, contact the Inner Ocean Center for Healing specialists.

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