Traditional Chinese Medicine

Chinese Medicine **

Chinese Medicine is an ancient tradition which many believe may help improve overall wellbeing.

Overview

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is a system of medical care that developed in China over thousands of years. It looks at the interaction between mind, body and environment, and aims to prevent and cure illness and disease.

Approval score:

We gave this an approval score of 2 stars, meaning that we currently need more evidence to determine overall clinical benefit.  However, there is some evidence to support its use for the management of some symptoms and for overall wellbeing.

How does this work?

TCM uses a combination of various practices that may include:

·      Herbal remedies (traditional Chinese medicines)

·      Acupuncture or acupressure

·      Moxibustion (burning moxa – a cone or stick of dried herb)

·      Massage therapy

·      Feng shui

·      Breathing and movement exercises called qi gong (pronounced chee goong)

·      Movement exercises called tai chi (pronounced tie chee)

·      Diet

What are the benefits?

TCM practitioners say that TCM can help to:

·      Prevent and heal illness

·      Enhance your immune system

·      Improve your creativity

·      Improve your ability to enjoy life and work in general

What is the evidence?

There is no evidence to suggest that TCM can treat or prevent cancer.  As it is a complex system, it is very difficult for western doctors to test whether it works. It is even more difficult to test TCM using randomised clinical trials, and compare the results to conventional medicine. As TCM is tailored to the patient, it can't be tested by giving a group of patients the same medicine for a certain amount of time.  However, you can look at the evidence for acupuncture, herbal medicine and massage (links) which are components of TCM and outlined in our complementary therapies section.

For more information on TCM visit Cancer Research UK.

Who should be careful?

Some Chinese herbal medicines are safe but others can have serious and dangerous side effects. Some herbal medicines may interact with treatments from your doctor, including cancer drugs or radiotherapy. Or they may affect the way drugs are broken down by your body, or the way drugs are carried around your body.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) regulates the registration of herbal products in the UK. You can find information on its website about

• The safety of Chinese herbal medicines including what you need to know as a consumer
• Using herbal medicines safely

How to incorporate Chinese Medicine into your plan

It’s really important to find someone who is properly trained and qualified to treat you.  Visit Cancer Research UK for more advice on useful organisations to contact.

Once you have found an appropriately trained practitioner, book an introductory session.  The cost is likely to be between £30 and £70 an hour.  However, your local hospice, GP or hospital may have advice relating to acupuncture in particular.

Setting goals and monitoring your progress

Set yourself a small goal to have an initial appointment.  Record your progress in your personal PlanBe diary.

Summary

·      Traditional Chinese Medicine may help improve your overall sense of wellbeing. Some believe it may help prevent or heal illness, although there is currently no evidence for this.

·      It is important to find a qualified practitioner if you decide to try TCM.

·      Record your progress in your PlanBe diary.

Resources

·      Visit Cancer Research UK for more advice on useful organisations to contact.

·      Your local hospice, GP or hospital may have advice relating to acupuncture in particular.