Traditional Chinese Medicine
I received my first introduction to Traditional Chinese Medicine, many years ago, during a trip to China.
As a tourist, you are not free to travel wherever you want to go in that country. We were on a strictly organised and supervised tour. Included was a visit to a Chinese hospital. It was interesting but very much part of the tour guides’ propaganda program.
We were “invited” to watch a short documentary on the benefits of traditional Chinese medicine.
There were about 80 of us, half American and half British. We arrived in two coaches. The tour guide in my coach was also a teacher, Wong supplemented his low income by working on the tourist coaches, and in selling works of calligraphy. His son, Shuchang, helped on the tour buses.
After watching the obligatory documentary, we were all told to stand to await the arrival of five professors, experts in the field of traditional Chinese medicine. They filed in, much like western university academics during degree ceremonies. But instead of colourful academic dress, they wore white clinical gowns. Nevertheless, it was very impressive. As, of course, they intended.
The professors said they would demonstrate the benefits of Chinese acupuncture, the “cupping” technique, Tui Na Massage, the “cupping technique”, the Chinese herbs that they recommend, and analysis of a patient’s tongue. These experts asked for five volunteers from the audience to come up to the stage to help them demonstrate the benefits of their science. There would be no charge. There was a rush from the assembled group. The first five were accepted and told to lay down on the beds positioned on stage. Everyone was watching eagerly and listening to the professors explaining their techniques.
We got to know Wong’s family very well
The writing of Chinese characters is an art form which Wong had become interested in as a hobby.
He soon became a master of the art.
Wong knew how to combine his visual art with his interpretation of the meaning.
We visited their home several times during our holiday.
They were a lovely family.
I remember Shuchang referring to my son, who was of the same age but not on the tour, as “the friend I have not yet met”.
He spoke excellent English and his job was to ensure tourists did not wander off on their own.
Because Shuchang had to keep them “rounded up” like sheep, the tour operators gave him the nickname “Collie”.
The giving of nick names is common in both China and Thailand.
Later, during our vacation, we visited the Great Wall of China.
Shuchang was again instructed to keep the tourists under observation.
He was in his “collie” role again.
We got chatting and he told us that it was the first time he had been allowed out of the area in which he lived.
It’s almost unbelievable to think how the Chinese government control the lives of ordinary people.
Our tour of China certainly showed us how the cultures and lifestyles of other nationalities can influence how much control a country can have over its people.
Back at the Hospital
After watching the obligatory documentary, we were all told to stand to await the arrival of five professors, experts in the field of traditional Chinese medicine. They filed in, much like western university academics during degree ceremonies. But instead of colourful academic dress, they wore white clinical gowns. Nevertheless, it was very impressive. As, of course, they intended.
The professors said they would demonstrate the benefits of Chinese acupuncture, the “cupping” technique, Tui Na Massage, the “cupping technique”, the Chinese herbs that they recommend, and analysis of a patient’s tongue. These experts asked for five volunteers from the audience to come up to the stage to help them demonstrate the benefits of their science. There would be no charge. There was a rush from the assembled group. The first five were accepted and told to lay down on the beds positioned on stage. Everyone was watching eagerly and listening to the professors explaining their techniques.They started with ACUPUNCTURE. Acupuncture involves inserting needles into the skin at particular points, depending on what part of the body the practitioners are dealing with. Although usually it is the chest, acupuncture can also be used on the scalp of one’s head, the feet, and the face. The professors emphasised the need for patients to have regular acupuncture sessions and suggested weekly visits to their local doctor. For this demonstration, they would spend just a few minutes.
In Traditional Chinese Massage, there are as many as 2,000 acupuncture points on the body that are connected by 12 main meridians. These meridians, we were told, conduct energy, or “Qi,” from the surface of the skin to the body’s internal organs.
Acupuncture is believed to keep the balance between Yin and Yang in correct proportions. It enables the normal flow of “Qi” throughout the body, restoring health to both mind and body.
TUI NA MASSAGE (a combination of massage, and acupressure), has been used in China for centuries. The patient remains clothed and the doctor asks a series of questions and begins treatment. Though beneficial, the massage can be a little painful. Practitioners may use herbal compresses, ointments, and heat to enhance these techniques. Tui na is best suited for treating chronic pain and musculoskeletal conditions.
CUPPING consists of placing several glass “cups” on the body. TCM practitioners warm the cups using a flame which is then placed inside the cup to remove all the oxygen. The doctor then places the cup against the skin. The air in the cup cools, creates lower pressure inside the cup, allowing the cup to stick to the skin. Fleshy sites on the body, such as the back and stomach, are the preferred sites for treatment. Scraping, or “Gua Sha,” is a procedure that uses pieces of smooth jade, bone, animal tusks, horns, or smooth stones to scrape along the skin to release obstruction and toxins that are trapped at the surface of the skin. The scraping is done until red spots then bruising cover the treatment area.
The materials commonly used in HERBOLOGY are leaves, roots, stems, flowers, and seeds of plants such as cinnamon bark, ginger, ginseng, licorice, and rhubarb. Ginseng is the most broadly used substance for the broadest set of treatments. The herbs are mixed and given to the patient in tea, other liquid, tablet, or powder. Despite there being no scientific proof that Herbology works, many patients believe in its effectiveness.
Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners use 5 basic methods of diagnosis in their assessments: looking, listening, smelling, asking, and touching. While the diagnosis focuses on the patient’s physical appearance and behavior, the TONGUE is also examined.
His analysis of the tongue includes its size, shape, tension, colour, and coating.
The diagram shows the parts of the tongue which correspond to our internal organs.
The tongue has various features that indicate various bodily functions:
Tongue body color: indicates the state of blood, organs, and Qi.
Tongue body shape: reflects the state of blood and Qi, and indicates excess or deficiency.
Tongue body features (teeth marks may indicate that the tongue rests against the teeth. This is often a sign of a digestive disorder or may indicate heat or inflammation in the blood.
Tongue body moisture: reveals the state of fluids in the body.
Tongue coating: indicates the state of organs, especially the stomach.
Tongue coat thickness may indicate an imbalance in digestion, or may be associated with allergic disorders and autoimmune diseases.
Tongue body cracks could be a sign of a yeast infection or a biotin deficiency.
Tongue coat root may indicate impairment of organs if it is not attached to the tongue’s surface.
Often patients are instructed not to brush their tongue prior to an appointment so they do not render the findings obscure.
The End of the Demonstration by the 5 Professors
The demonstration had lasted about 20 minutes. When the volunteers started to go back to their seats, the organisers, sitting in the front row, started clapping. They stood up and motioned to the audience to clap and stand as the professors left the hall.
As we walked back to the buses, I looked down a soi and saw those same 5 professors, now in shirtsleeves and ordinary garb, puffing away at cigarettes and imbibing the local brew. Whether they really were qualified in Traditional Chinese Medicine, we will never know. But the theatre to which everyone had been exposed was now seen for what it actually was!
Hong Kong survey on Traditional Chinese Medicine
Some background to the survey. It is valid because it was conducted scientifically.
T.C.M. has been practiced in China for over 2000 years. Both Western medicine and T.C.M. are widely available in Hong Kong. Before the return of sovereignty to China in 1997, the British Hong Kong Government adopted a non-interventionist approach towards the practice of Chinese medicine in Hong Kong. Any adults of Chinese descent were allowed to be registered to practice any form of Chinese medicines. But, its development received very little government attention. And certainly no support. Western medicine was the only form recognised and supported. Hong Kong Medical College was established to provide Western medical training in Hong Kong over 100 years ago.
Throughout the twentieth century, Western medical health developed and flourished in Hong Kong. By 1999, there were over 9000 doctors registered in Hong Kong serving a population of almost 7 million. While most of the hospital care is provided in the public hospital system, over 80% of primary care is provided by 3000 private general practitioners. The Government’s general outpatient clinics and other registered practitioners, including exponents of Traditional Chinese Medicine CM, provide the other 20% of primary care. T.C.M. practitioners are widely available in Hong Kong, but they were, until very recently, only required to obtain a business registration. There was no assessment of qualifications or training. Standards can still vary. The clinics are often attached to a herbal medicinal shop and their charges are often no more than US$2–3.
The majority of the population who have a Chinese origin think of the traditional medical concepts, rather than Western medical principles. The Chinese consider both traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine to have strengths and weaknesses. They choose between Chinese and Western medicine depending on their illness.
Both Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western medicine are used concurrently by many people in Hong Kong.
Complementary medicine is gaining popularity in the Western world too. In other societies, for example, China and India, traditional medical practices have been widely used by the local people for hundreds of years. The trend of international migration in recent decades means that medical practitioners in the Western countries are quite likely to see patients of different ethnic origins, who are also quite likely to be using traditional therapies of their countries of origin.
The food we eat has attracted much research interest. Koo pointed out that proper selection, timing and preparation of food were the most important in dealing with the prevention and treatment of many common symptoms and illnesses.
Not every ill person consults a health care professional. Lau pointed out that, for most patients, it is often a superstition or a feeling of hypochondria that bring them to the doctor’s clinic.
Here are some Comments from Hong Kong Patients
“Herb medicines are better than Western medicines. They are good for coughs, if a person can stand the taste.
“Herb medicines cure diseases more slowly. Though more slowly, Chinese medicines are better at curing diseases completely.
“Chinese medicine is used only as an “alternative” when Western medication fails, or when you are so desperate to try anything. It is efficient in dealing with the side effects of Western medicines.
“After I have taken Western medicines, I will see a Chinese doctor to clear the bitterness in my mouth. Chinese medicine is considered to be milder and does not have as strong side effects as Western medicine.
“When we cough, we make “gut beng” and “woo dau” and drink as a herbal tea. If it doesn’t work, we will go to a Western doctor.
“Chinese medicine does have some specific weaknesses. It is less convenient than Western medicine because we have to boil the herbs to make the medicine. We have to see the Chinese doctor many times before the disease is cured. Herbal medicine often has a bitter taste. On taking Chinese medicine, we have to avoid certain food. The medicine is often slow to act. That may worsen the disease. For example, the flu virus may go to other parts of the body, causing more serious diseases or death.
“If you have a sore hand, it takes a long time to cure it with Chinese medicine.
“The disease won’t be cured by one dose only. We have to take several doses. On the other hand, Western medicine is considered to have some certain strengths. It is more convenient than herbal teas because there is no need to boil the herbs. It produces faster recovery: we can even choose injections to hasten the recovery.
“If I do not get well after I have consulted the Western doctor, I will see the Chinese doctor. It takes time to cure the disease by Chinese medication. Chinese medication is better at clearing the cause of the illness. For Western doctors, the emphasis is on giving immediate relief but not looking at the real cause of the illness.
“Western medicine is also considered better for certain illnesses, for example, tuberculosis, because injection is available.
“Western medicine does have side effects, such as bitterness in the mouth, sputum, weakness, and the “wind”.
“Western doctors prescribe too many pills. That’s not good for the body.
A Chinese Medical Clinic in Chiangmai, Thailand.
The above photo is of Pumrapee, taken in March 2023. She qualified as a practitioner in traditional Chinese medicine in a prestigious Bangkok university and then spent some 6 years in China, improving her knowledge and developing her expertise further.
Although a Thai citizen, her features suggest her family originated from China. She speaks two Chinese dialects and is fluent in English. The photo below appears to be Pumrapee while she was in China.
Sun Simiao, who lived during the time of the Tang dynasty, was called the King of Medicine, for his significant contributions to Chinese medicine and the care he extended to his patients.
