Major Medical Treatments: Traditional Chinese Medicine

What is Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)?
TCM is an ancient healing method based on the idea that the body has a life force or vital energy called "qi" ("chi"). The Chinese mapped out paths in the body that conduct qi. More than 2,000 points on the body can help—or block—the movement of qi.

In TCM, qi is the key to health. Disease is treated by looking at the qi of the whole body, not just the parts that suffer from disease. Treating a disease means restoring normal qi.

TCM uses three methods to bring qi into balance:

• Chinese herbs
• Acupuncture
• Qigong (or chi kung) — a form of body movement that improves energy flow

Often, all three methods are used.

Caution: Some Chinese herbs have caused kidney failure. Many Chinese herbs are roots, and roots from a safe plant can look just like roots from a toxic plant. Even herbs used the right way can build up in your body to toxic levels if your kidneys are not working well. We at Kidney School do not recommend that you use Chinese herbs.