Can Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Really Help?

By Owen Liao, PhD, LAc

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) originated in ancient China and has evolved over thousands of years. TCM practitioners use a variety of techniques and herbs to treat a wide range of medical conditions.

Herbal remedies and acupuncture are the treatments most commonly used by TCM practitioners. Other TCM practices include cupping, Chinese massage, mind-body therapies such as Qi Gong and Tai Chi, dietary therapy and moxibustion, which uses the heat from burning the herb moxa on or near the skin at an acupuncture point to stimulate the flow of energy and restore health.

According to a survey conducted as part of the 2007 National Health Interview Survey, approximately 38% of U.S. adults use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). The trend is increasing every year.

This interest is driven by a combination of factors including recognition of potential benefits of TCM; curiosity of treatments outside of the traditional Western medical model; an increasing commitment to holistic and non-invasive care and increasing evidence of the interaction between psychological factors and outcomes of disease treatment.

The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (a division of NIH) currently funds studies on a variety of CAM treatments. These studies aim to build evidence that will support the safety and effectiveness of CAM.

Studies have focused on the use and effectiveness of acupuncture, natural products, such as herbs and other dietary supplements, massage, and meditation, to name a few. Examples of diseases and conditions for which CAM therapies are studied include cancer, cardiovascular disease, neurological disorders, and osteoarthritis.

Some of these studies involve partnerships with other components of NIH and institutions outside the Federal Government are conducting studies as well.

TCM may treat the following conditions