How to Treat Diseases Through Chinese Medicine

With its gentler, natural treatments offering lower costs and fewer side effects than prescription drugs, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is being seen as an increasingly desirable alternative to conventional Western medicine. With primary and supplementary treatments for common ailments like colds and the flu to serious diseases like breast cancer, proponents believe that Chinese medicine can help you make your way down the road to recovery. TCM is an ancient discipline that relies on herbs, acupuncture, massage and exercise to treat you. Follow these steps to find out how it does.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Computer with Internet access

Get a Diagnosis

1. Visit your regular physician. Get authoritative answers about the cause of the symptom(s) you want to treat through Chinese medicine.

2. Talk to a qualified practitioner of Chinese medicine. Costs are comparable to a visit to your regular doctor. Your practitioner will be able to expertly explain the different treatment options for the disease you want to treat.

3. Educate yourself. Understand the fundamental principles behind traditional Chinese medicine and how diseases are treated through their use. Begin your education at Dr. Shen's Web site (see Resources below).

Get Traditional Chinese Treatment

4. Know your options. Acute conditions are more likely to be treated using acupuncture, while chronic or serious long-term conditions are likely to use Chinese herbal treatments as a supplement to regular medical care.

5. Learn about Chinese herbs and dietary treatments. Study the ancient theory of the Five Elements. With it, practitioners use herbs and dietary treatments to reintroduce balance to your body and heal your disease at its root cause, rather than simply mask your symptoms.

6. Understand how acupuncture opens your body's primary energy channels, or what TCM calls meridians. Disease is treated through the reintroduction of vital energy that's blocked or impeded in their Meridian pathways.

7. Ask your traditional Chinese medicine practitioner questions. Know the potential benefits and risks. Make sure you have a thorough understanding of treatment techniques you're considering before beginning treatment.

Tips & Warnings

• Shop around for a Chinese medicine practitioner the same way you would for anything else. Pricing, while generally affordable, can vary considerably from practitioner to practitioner.
• Consult a doctor immediately if you have symptoms of an acute illness, like traces of blood in your urine, fainting or severe stomach pain. Never self-diagnose or self-treat symptoms.
• Before you start any alternative medical technique, be aware that many have not been scientifically evaluated. Often, only limited information is available about their safety and effectiveness. Each state and each discipline has its own rules about how alternative medicine practitioners can be professionally licensed. If you decide to visit one, choose one licensed by a recognized national organization. Consult your primary health care provider about your decision first. Keep your doctor informed about the alternative medical technique you undertake.

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