Having more than 2,500-year history, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is still questioned from time to time. There are various treatments in TCM; some of the wildly-used ones are acupuncture, Chinese herbs, qigong, and tui na massage. They might sound not that familiar to you, and you may ask — do they really work? This article is aiming to give you a bit more information on Chinese Medicine and dispel the many misconceptions surrounding TCM.

Fact

Unlike western medicine, which aims to heal the illness itself; Chinese Medicine tends to improve the patient’s whole well-being and balance the body into harmony. This might be the reason why lots of sayings are challenging there’s no logic behind Chinese Medicine; or saying Chinese medicine relies more on the “placebo effect” instead of the real treatment. In fact, one of the commonly-used treatments to ease the pain: acupuncture, is explained “stimulate nerves, muscles and connective tissue.” in the western medicine’s perspective based on Mayo Clinic; whereas in Chinese medicine’s viewpoint, acupuncture is to balance the energy of your body. So- with or without logistics, it’s based on how you translate it. There are a few research findings have proved the positive effects such as Acupuncture helps relieve Symptoms of Chronic Illness and Pain, as well as facilitate the infertility and pelvic inflammatory disease. 

Common Myth and Dispelling the Misconception

Here we are listing a few misconceptions of Chinese medicine, and hopefully, it will answer your question of “does TCM/ Acupuncture” work?”

Chines herbs are not safe

In the early ’90s, there were accusations that Chinese herbs cause kidney damage and some cancers, along with ingredients found in weight loss medicine. However, does this mean that people are not suggested to take Chinese herbs? 

Chinese Herbs is under FDA (Food and Drug Administration)’s regulation in the US. However, it does make people feel unsafe to hear that Chinese herbs don’t have to get approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) before putting their products on the market. Herbs are essentially plants, which makes people associate they are natural. In some cases, the herbs might be contaminated, and this is where you should concern when you decide to look for Chines herbs as the remedies or health supplements, also when you consume them incorrectly or intake different types of Chinese herbs at the same time, this could cause a bad effect as well.

Therefore, make sure you consult with a professional before you look for taking Chinese herbs, as well as read the label on products including Chinese herbs.

Acupuncture is painful

The procedure of acupuncture is by inserting thin needles through people’s skin on specific points, and while this may sound painful, the truth is, you can barely feel when the needle is inserted, and yes- you might feel a bit sore once you have a few needles are inserted at the same time, and from personal experience, that’s the extent of the pain. And as long as you have the treatment with licensed acupuncturists, you are totally safe. With the brevity of positive effects of the treatment, (which you can read more in this article) acupuncture is a generally non painful and greatly beneficial treatment. 

TCM professionals lack training

Just like becoming a MD, people who want to become a certified TCM practitioner or acupuncturist, they have to finish three to four years of full-time postgraduate study at an accredited educational institution. After becoming a certified TCM professional, they have to finish continuing education credits based on different state requirements. Hence, there’s no doubt on your TCM treatment as long as you are making sure you are reaching out to certified TCM professionals.