Chinese Medicine: What Is It?

Chinese Medicine is an integrated system of health care involving the modalities of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. It most succinctly can be explained as a form of energetic medicine. It includes a system of diagnosis which identifies the underlying energetic imbalances responsible for causing an illness. In Theory, the aim of the treatment is to then bring these energetic irregularities back into a state of balance. Once this is achieved, good health is said to be restored.

Acupuncture is in effect a regulator of energy. It involves the insertion of fine stainless steel needles into specific locations on the body. Energy is said to flow throughout the body via a continuous loop system using pathways called meridians. Along each of the meridians are specific locations, which when stimulated, regulates the energy in a specific manner.

Chinese herbal medicine is also an energetic medicine. This distinguishes it from other traditions of herbal medicine. Each of the herbs in Chinese medicine is used for its specific energetic properties. These properties carry out an energetic function, which when used skilfully, is said to restore the body back into a state of balance. Unlike acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine is not a regulator of energy. This means if it is used incorrectly, it can cause an imbalance. Great care therefore needs to be taken to ensure prescriptions are skilfully customised to treat each patient correctly and to avoid any unwanted side effects.