[Catalyst 2017]

east
joins west
the rise of integrative medicine
Jeanie Kim
An ancient practice developed thousands of
years ago and still used by millions of people
all over the world, Traditional Chinese Medicine
(TCM) has undoubtedly played a role in the field
of medicine. But just what is TCM? Is it effective?
And can it ever be integrated with Western
medicine?
The techniques of TCM stem from the beliefs
upon which it was founded. The theory of the
yin and yang balance holds that all things in the
universe are composed of a balance between
the forces of yin and yang. While yin is generally
associated with objects that are dark, still, and
cold, yang is associated with items that are
bright, warm, and in motion. 1 In TCM, illness
is believed to be a result of an imbalance of
yin or yang in the body. For instance, when yin
does not cool yang, yang rises and headaches,
flushing, sore eyes, and sore throats result.
When yang does not warm yin, poor circulation
of blood, lethargy, pallor, and cold limbs result.
TCM aims to determine the nature of the
disharmony and correct it through a variety of
approaches. As the balance is restored in the
body, so is the health. 2
Another fundamental concept of TCM is the
idea of qi, which is the energy or vital force
responsible for controlling the functions of the
human mind and body. Qi flows through the
body through 12 meridians, or channels, that
correspond to the 12 major organ systems, and
8 extra meridians that are all interconnected
with the major channels. Just like an imbalance
between yin and yang, disruption to the flow
causes disease, and correction of the flow
restores the body to balance. 2 In TCM, disease
is not viewed as something that a patient has.
Rather, it is something that the patient is.
There is no isolated entity called “disease,” but
only a whole person whose body functions
may be balanced or imbalanced, harmonious
or disharmonious. 3 Thus, TCM practitioners
aim to increase or decrease qi in the body to
create a healthy yin-yang balance through
various techniques such as acupuncture, herbal
medicine, nutrition, and mind/body exercise (tai
chi, yoga). Eastern treatments are dismissed by
some as superfluous to the recovery process
and even harmful if used in place of more
conventional treatments. However, evidence
exists indicating Eastern treatments can be very
effective parts of recovery plans.
The most common TCM treatments are
acupuncture, which involves inserting
needles at precise meridian points, and
herbal medicine, which refers to using plant
products (seeds, berries, roots, leaves,
bark, or flowers) for medicinal purposes.
Acupuncture seeks to improve the body’s
functions by stimulating specific anatomic
sites—commonly referred to as acupuncture
points, or acupoints. It releases the blocked qi
in the body, which may be causing pain, lack
of function, or illness. Although the effects
of acupuncture are still being researched,
results from several studies suggest that it
can stimulate function in the body and induce
its natural healing response through various
physiological systems. 4 According to the WHO
(World Health Organization), acupuncture
is effective for treating 28 conditions, while
limited but probable evidence suggests it
may have an effective value for many more.
Acupuncture seems to have gained the
most clinical acceptance as a pain reduction
therapy. Research from an international team
of experts pooled the results of 29 studies
on chronic pain involving nearly 18,000
participants—some had acupuncture, some
had “sham” acupuncture, and some did not
have acupuncture at all. Overall, the study
found acupuncture treatments to be superior
to both a lack of acupuncture treatment
and sham acupuncture treatments for the
reduction of chronic pain, suggesting that such
treatments are a reasonable option for afflicted
patients. 5 According to a study carried out at
the Technical University of Munich, people
with tension headaches and/or migraines
may find acupuncture to be very effective in
alleviating their symptoms. 6 Another study at
24 | CATALYST