Eastern medicine, better known as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has had a huge impact on modern, Western medicine for many years. Alternative therapies that Americans practice on a regular basis often are derived from TCM. Their popularity comes and goes, usually depending on how people feel they are getting treated with modern medicine.
It's likely you've had a brush with eastern medicine at some point, even if you didn't actually know what it is. If you've looked at massage oils, taking herbs to treat an illness, or even practiced yoga at the gym, you've dabbled in TCM.
A Whole Way Of Healing
Where many people see western medicine as something that just masks what is wrong with you, and they see the doctors as simply pill pushers, eastern medicine is believe to treat the mind, body and soul, and get down to the actual cause of an illness and gets rid of its effect on the body.
Whatever you believe about modern medicine, many doctors are now happy to integrate Chinese medicine into their own treatments. This is referred to, generally, as complimentary medicine, because they compliment one another.
Obviously this shows that TCM is having a big influence on the medicine in America. Another way it is influential is that for some people it opens up a more natural, and affordable way into healing.
Herbal Medicine And Aromatherapy
Herbal medicine and aromatherapy are derived from western medicine, and while many believe these treatments are completely safe there are still precautions that should be taken. Some herbs should only be used externally and can be poisonous if taken internally. This is why it's important to research, talk to an herbalist and check with your doctor before trying herbal therapy.
Aromatherapy uses your nose for healing. Many people find relief from chronic headaches through aromatherapy, without the side effects of medications. However, don't stop taking prescribed medications until you talk to your doctor.
Aromatherapy and herbal therapy both use herbs. Aromatherapy can also be combined with massage therapy. In fact, each and every one of the therapies that come from the western culture can be blended with one another in your healing process.
Massage, Reiki, Acupuncture And The Like
Massage therapy, meditation, Reiki, acupuncture and acupressure, are all derived from western medicine and all can do great things for healing the body and the mind, and even helping you relax. Even yoga is a therapy from the west, and also helps heal.
One way that these therapies help you save is that some of them can be comfortably done from right in your own home, like yoga and meditation. You can even invest in massage therapy tables for your own home and learn how to do massages, or maybe get a discount when your therapist doesn't need to lug their table into your home.
Whether you want to learn and become a practitioner yourself, or you simply enjoy healing that heals without medications and surgeries, you can benefit from the alternative therapies that have grown from western culture and continue to become increasingly popular in the United States.
How Does It Work, Really?
Why TCM is considered superior to modern medicine is because of numerous facts. TCM concentrates on the whole body and it allows for real listening. Not just listening to the person taking about what issues they are having, but listening to the body itself.
Not only will there be more of a focus on the disease itself, rather than just masking symptoms, there is also a focus on wellness and preventative medicine. You eat healthy foods because that creates a healthy body. You practice relaxation techniques because they help battle stress which leads to illness.
Now that more doctors are accepting TCM, it just makes sense that people start to integrate these therapies more into their lives and on a more regular basis. Start taking a weekly yoga class, schedule a monthly massage, try acupuncture to cure headaches and help you lose weight, and go visit the health food store for some healthy and helpful herbs.
Written by Jane Brown
