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The healing power of Chinese medicine (TCM)

Far Eastern therapy is becoming increasingly popular. Rightly so: she looks at the whole person

Photo: Sean Prior, fotolia
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  1. Acupuncture: needles in a nutshell
  2. Herbs: pharmacy from nature
  3. Qigong: Dynamic relaxation
  4. Tuina: Harmony through pressure massage

At that time, in ancient China, doctors were paid to keep their patients healthy. If someone became ill, there was no more money for the practitioner. This example shows how different the principles of Eastern and Western medicine are. In this country one sometimes has the feeling that the doctor's office is a kind of repair workshop. In contrast, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) experts focus not only on disease symptoms, but also on the whole person, their feelings, and their circumstances. Because according to TCM, the human being is healthy only when body, soul and spirit are in balance. Each therapy begins with a detailed discussion with the patient and the examination of the face, pulse and tongue. It shows how the patient's "qi" is ordered - energy that flows through the body on invisible pathways ("meridians"). Locating and eliminating Qi is the task of TCM.

Acupuncture: needles in a nutshell

Probably the best known way to regulate the flow of energy is to pierce thin metal or silver needles into certain parts of the body. There are around 400 such acupuncture points. They are arranged on the meridians. The piercing of the needles affects the flow of qi and thus the organ associated with that point. A number of scientific studies have shown that acupuncture actually works. There are, among other things, evidence of the prevention of migraine attacks and the anti-pain effect of rheumatism in the knee.

Herbs: pharmacy from nature

Herbal therapy is even more important to TCM doctors than needles. In China, they work with around 600 different medicinal plants. After all, TCM experts use 200 of them. They mix them according to millennia-old recipes . Unlike in Western medicine, the preparation is tailored to the patient. Often a tea consists of six to twelve different herbs, seeds and roots. The effectiveness of this green pharmacy is undisputed even among Western physicians. However, the doctor needs a lot of experience for that. Without the appropriate expertise, the symptoms of Chinese herbal medicine may even get worse.

Qigong: Dynamic relaxation

With qigong, the patient can influence his own qi by means of slow, flowing movements. Particularly important is the calm breathing in the combination of gymnastics and inner retreat. From the Western point of view, the most salutary thing about qigong is the relaxation effect.

Tuina: Harmony through pressure massage

Originally developed as a well-being massage almost 5, 000 years ago, Tuina is today the supplement to acupuncture in TCM. When kneading and pressing, the masseur also stimulates selected points on the meridians. With it he solves among other things blockages in the energy flow. Tuina is not only suitable for back and joint problems, but can also dissipate headaches and help to restful sleep. Also when massaging the craftsmanship of the treating is important. Anyone interested in TCM should therefore contact a specialist clinic. There you can be sure that the doctors master their craft.

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