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Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
Overview
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is an ancient system of medicine that uses various treatments like acupuncture, acupressure, tai chi, qi gong, and herbs.
At the time that TCM was developed over 2000 years ago, there was no scientific concept of disease or medications in terms that can be related to our modern understanding of medicine. Therefore, the principles of TCM were formed based more on philosophy than on science. TCM still plays an important role in the healthcare system in China today and has also become popular in many Western countries.
TCM uses a wide variety of methods to diagnose and treat many different medical conditions. The evidence supporting its use varies for each treatment and condition.
TCM uses many herbs and combinations of herbs. But some of these herbs can be misidentified, which can lead to the accidental use of possibly poisonous plants. In several cases, TCM herbal products have also been found to contain high levels of heavy metals including lead, arsenic, and mercury. Other products have been found to contain prescription medications.
At the time that TCM was developed over 2000 years ago, there was no scientific concept of disease or medications in terms that can be related to our modern understanding of medicine. Therefore, the principles of TCM were formed based more on philosophy than on science. TCM still plays an important role in the healthcare system in China today and has also become popular in many Western countries.
TCM uses a wide variety of methods to diagnose and treat many different medical conditions. The evidence supporting its use varies for each treatment and condition.
TCM uses many herbs and combinations of herbs. But some of these herbs can be misidentified, which can lead to the accidental use of possibly poisonous plants. In several cases, TCM herbal products have also been found to contain high levels of heavy metals including lead, arsenic, and mercury. Other products have been found to contain prescription medications.
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