What's the bottom line of traditional Chinese medicine?

What do we know about Chinese medicine?

The methods that make up traditional Chinese medicine (such as acupuncture, tai chi, and herbal products) have been the subject of many clinical studies and scientific reviews.

What do we know about the efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine?

Some psychological and/or physiological methods used in the practice of Chinese medicine, such as acupuncture and tai chi, may help improve quality of life and certain pain conditions. Research on Chinese herbal products used in Chinese medicine in a range of medical conditions has had mixed results.

What do we know about the safety of Chinese medicine?

Some Chinese herbal products are contaminated with toxic compounds, heavy metals, pesticides and microorganisms, which can have serious side effects. Manufacturing errors, in which one herb is mistakenly replaced with another, have also led to serious complications.

What is Chinese Medicine?

Traditional Chinese medicine has been developed for thousands of years. Chinese medicine practitioners use a variety of psychological and/or physiological methods (such as acupuncture and tai chi) as well as herbal products to address health issues.

Scientific evaluation of the curative effect of traditional Chinese medicine

Acupuncture and moxibustion

Acupuncture is a technique in which practitioners stimulate specific points on the body, usually by inserting thin needles into the skin. Studies have shown that acupuncture stimulates the release of the body's natural painkillers and affects areas of the brain involved in processing pain; However, some trials have shown that real acupuncture is just as effective as fake acupuncture, suggesting a placebo effect. However, the results of many studies suggest that real acupuncture may help relieve chronic pain, such as lower back pain, neck pain, osteoarthritis/knee pain, and carpal tunnel syndrome. It can also help reduce the frequency of tension headaches and prevent migraines. For more information, see NCCIH's Acupuncture Fact Sheet.