Chinese Traditional Medicine

What is Traditional Chinese Medicine?

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a complete medical system that has been used to diagnose, treat and prevent illnesses for more than 2,000 years. TCM is based on a belief in yin and yang, defined as opposing energies, such as earth and heaven, cold and hot, and happiness and sadness. When yin and yang are in balance, you feel relaxed and energized. If imbalanced, yin and yang can negatively affect your health.

Practitioners also believe that there is a life force or energy, known as qi (pronounced "chee"), in everybody. For yin and yang to be balanced and for the body to be healthy, qi must be balanced and flowing freely. When there is too little or too much qi in one of the body's energy pathways, called meridians, or when the flow of qi is blocked, it causes illness.