Pacific College of Oriental Medicine
Class of 2001 · MSTOM · Acupuncture · San Diego, California
WHAT IS CHINESE MEDICINE & HOW DOES IT WORK? Chinese medicine is the oldest, professional, continually practiced, literate medicine in the world. This medical system’s written literature stretches back almost 2,500 years. One can say that modern Western and traditional Chinese medicines are the two dominate medical systems in the world today. Chinese medicine works by re-establishing balance and harmony within the body. This means balance between yin and yang, balance between the five phases, balance between the viscera and bowels, and balance between the qi, blood, and body fluids. This balance is re-established by supporting the body’s healthy or righteous energy and attacking the unhealthy or evil energy. IS CHINESE MEDICINE SAFE? Very. When practiced correctly by trained, qualified professional practitioners, acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine are extremely safe. In fact, when practiced correctly, they have no side effects and produce no iatrogenic or doctor-caused disease. If a patient reports side effects from a Chinese medical treatment, the practitioner modifies the treatment until there is healing without side effects. This is balance to the entire person, not just the piece or part. Side effects mean there is an imbalance which needs to be corrected.
