What To Expect With Traditional Chinese Medicine

Before you begin using Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for treating any of your ailments, we thought it is important for you to have a better understanding of this traditional healing art. This is because TCM is very different from western medicine, both conventional and alternative. This means that you might get a culture shock if you are not prepared beforehand.

If you have questions about how effective TCM is in treating ailments, then you should read our discussion on the evidence of TCM’s effectiveness. You could read, too, about the basics of TCM.

The following are what to expect during your TCM treatment.

Do not be surprised if your TCM physician speaks of the body using analogies of nature. It is probably because TCM is very much tied to Chinese philosophy, especially the Tao or the Way. [1]

One of the fundamental beliefs in Taoism (more of a philosophy rather than a religion) is that nature “has an awesome richness and complexity of processes that seem to guide everything to a wonderful balance”. Because human beings are seen as an integral part of nature, Taoists believe that human behavior should be modeled after how nature works, i.e. always in harmony [2].

At the same time, the human body is viewed as a reflection of the natural world [3], and the need for humans to live harmoniously with nature is emphasized. [2] These Taoist principles greatly influenced the development of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Subsequently, the TCM physician often thinks and speaks of the body using analogies of nature. For example, the flow of energy and fluids in the body are described as channels, rivers and seas, etc. A diagnosis may describe the body in terms of the elements, e.g. heat, cold, dampness. [3]

Some people may find such use of “symbolic” representation in TCM too mythical or fanciful for their liking. What they do not understand is that despite the poetic language used, Traditional Chinese Medicine is not a folk medicine but a comprehensive professional discipline.

In fact, this complete and complex system of medicine, backed by centuries of clinical experience, has repeatedly proven its ability to heal the sick and keep the healthy well. We are now learning through repeated clinical studies that many of TCM’s remedies, acupressure and acupuncture have scientifically provable effects and benefits [1].

The organs mentioned in TCM theories are not to be taken literally, or rather, anatomically.

Unlike western medicine which had the benefit of understanding the human anatomy through dissection, this process of cutting up dead bodies was forbidden in the Chinese society. As such, the Chinese had to rely mainly on Chinese philosophy and experimentation to build their system of medicine. [1]

Subsequently, the mention of organs (e.g. liver) and tissues (e.g. blood) in TCM theories are often more figurative than literal – the practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine are referring more to the functions of particular systems in the body, rather than the actual anatomical organs. For example, the TCM “spleen” refers more to the functions of the digestive system, rather than the anatomical spleen.

When it comes to diagnosis, the ancient practitioners of TCM did not have the benefit of understanding the detailed human anatomy, nor the technology to carry out procedures like blood tests, x-rays, endoscopy, or exploratory surgery. Instead, they had to rely on non-invasive methods when investigating patients’ conditions.

This situation led to the development of the 4-pronged process of TCM diagnosis (四诊合参) [1, 3, 4]：

- observation (望) of complexion, general demeanor, body language, tongue, etc

- listening and smelling (闻) – listening to the tone and strength of patient’s voice; smelling any body excretions, patient’s breath or body odor, etc.

- asking questions (问) about patients’ symptoms, history of the current complaint, medical history, previous and concurrent therapies received, and lifestyle (including diet, habits, living conditions, occupation), etc.

- palpitating (切) of areas of discomfort, pulse (as in pulse diagnosis), etc.

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