Chinese Medicine: an Overview

Chinese medicine sometimes referred to as TCMtreatment method, some of the many holistic
(Traditional Chinese Medicine) or CCM (Classicalmedicines that he might offer include Chinese herbal
Chinese Medicine) has a rich history dating back tomedicine, acupuncture, holistic nutrition advice,
thousands of years B.C. Based on the philosophies ofmoxibustion, cupping, Tuina (Chinese medical
the Tao and classical Chinese beliefs, these twomassage), Qigong, or Tai Chi, among others. Some
variations of Chinese medicine differ from each otherspecialized practitioners may administer
in that CCM strictly adheres to roots of the ancientauriculotherapy (ear acupuncture) as a health
Chinese medicine; and TCM is a more accepted formtreatment.
of alternative medicine that has become moreLicensed Chinese medicine practitioners today have
"Westernized" in conjunction with modern terms.acquired a great deal of education and training. While
Broadly taught throughout China, TCM is also offeredthere are many acupuncture and Oriental medicine
through a number of Chinese medicine orschools in North America and abroad, no two
acupuncture schools in North America as well.curriculums are the same. However, prospective
Teaching holistic principles that demonstrate how allstudents in the United States have the option to
things are connected (mind, spirit, and body); futureenroll in a variety of Oriental medicine programs
Chinese medicine practitioners learn how to prescribeincluding Master of Science in Traditional Oriental
herbal prescriptions relative to the patient. The beliefMedicine (MSTOM), Doctor of Acupuncture and
is to treat the "whole person," not the disease.Oriental Medicine (DAOM), or Bachelors or Masters in
Chinese medicine aims to balance the yin (water andTraditional Oriental medicine and acupuncture, among
earth) and yang (fire and air) of the body's life forceothers.
(Chi or Qi); and is a highly evolved medicine in that itIf you (or someone you know) are interested in
approaches healthcare on the foundation of thefinding educational programs in Traditional Chinese
meridian system (energy channels of the body).Medicine, let professional training within fast-growing
Unlike conventional medicine in the West, Chineseindustries like massotherapy, cosmetology,
medicine places an emphasis on the body's elements,acupuncture, oriental medicine, Reiki, and others get
and their interrelation with the body's individualyou started! Explore Chinese medicine programs near
systems.you.
If you visit a Chinese medicine practitioner, you willChinese Medicine: An Overview
discover an entirely different form of diagnostics. In© Copyright 2008
addition to observing a patient's face, these holisticThe CollegeBound Network
health practitioners perform a pulse diagnosisAll Rights Reserved
(palpation of the radial artery pulse), body palpation,NOTICE: Article(s) may be republished free of charge
and other unique non-invasive diagnostic measures.to relevant websites, as long as Copyright and
Once a Chinese medicine practitioner has formulatedAuthor Resource Box are included; and ALL
his observations, and has come to a conclusiveHyperlinks REMAIN intact and active.