TCM Acupuncture vs Western Medicine | What is acupuncture good for
TCM a.k.a. Traditional Chinese Medicine, which is an ancient wisdom. Acupuncture and herbs are two major modalities of the Traditional Chinese Medicine. Western medicine is also referred as Current medicine, which heavily relies on the current development of physics, biochemistry etc. TCM and Western medicine can have similar results on many conditions. But they have their own respective advantages as well. When to see a TCM acupuncturist? When do you take TCM herbs for better result? When do you see Western medicine? Here are some clues.
- Insomnia: first choice TCM
Most insomnia is a functional disorder. TCM diagnoses it in terms of Qi, Blood, yin and yang and leads to better result. Upon regular treatments, acupuncture and/or herbs can help regulate Qi, blood, yin and yang to reach a state of better balance and better sleep. Western medicine prescribes sedatives to aid sleep, which often result in drug dependence. It should be used only short term.
- Migraine: TCM Acupuncture
First of all, use Western medicine's high technology to exclude any organic lesion and find the exact cause for migraine. If the migraine can't be fully explained, see TCM acupuncturists for regulation.
- Cold: Both
Cold is a tricky one. A lot of times, if you're overall healthy, you don't need to see a doctor for cold. Acupuncture can help release symptoms such as running nose, stuffed nose, coughing, achy neck etc. Most cold is caused by virus infection, sometimes with bacteria infection too. TCM herbs can help both infections; Western medication is very strong in dealing with specific bacteria. If experiencing constant severe high fever, coughing, bad headache, first obtain blood work, chest X-ray to determine the cause. They can help doctors choose right medication.
- Neck shoulder pain: TCM Acupuncture
Acupuncture is the first choice for stiff neck, neck and shoulder soreness. In need of manual adjustment, be careful to choose very skilled practitioners, such as chiropractors, Chinese Tuina specialists, because of the risks involved in this area.
- Lumbar disc herniation: Both
In most cases, acupuncture together with herbs work well. Western medicine has advantage in surgeries.
- Facial paralysis: TCM Acupuncture
By now Western medicine does not have good result in this area. Acupuncture provides reliable treatment facilitating recovery from facial paralysis.
- Cardiovascular diseases (HBP, heart diseases, stroke, cerebral infarction etc): both
Western medicine is reliable in regulating blood pressure, improving obstructed veins. In case of emergency, go to emergency room in western hospitals. However, acupuncture is proven to be very effective in after-stroke recovery and improving body functions.
- Eye problems: Mainly Western medicine
Western medicine has more advantages in examination, surgical-correction and ophthalmic preparation; TCM is great in alleviating symptoms such as dry eyes, painful swollen eyes etc.
- Oral diseases: Mainly Western medicine
Oral department of Western medicine is well equipped and has obvious advantage in surgical-correction and treatment. In case of dental ulcer, painful swollen gum etc, TCM is a good choice.
- Indigestion: first choice TCM
Based on organ differentiation, TCM regulates spleen and stomach using herbs and/or acupuncture with less side effect and holistic result.
- Constipation: first choice TCM
Western medication can be used to alleviate emergency. Long term use may result in drug dependency. See TCM herbalists and/or acupuncturists for systematic regulation and treat the root cause of constipation.
- Infertility: depends
Locate the exact cause of infertility. Western medicine is good in treating obvious organic lesions such as fallopian tube jam; TCM acupuncture and/or herbs are better in regulating functional infertility without definite organic find-out.
- Primary dysmenorrhea: TCM
TCM systematic differentiation and treatment on the root cause has better long term result.
- Acne: both
Western medication acts fast in anti-inflammation and controlling oil secretion. But due to the obvious side-effects, Western medication should not be used long term. TCM regulates whole-body balance and the result is slower and long-lasting. Therefore combination of Western medication and TCM herbs is a good choice.
- Tumour: first choice Western medicine
Western medicine has obvious advantage in surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. However their toxic and side effects have positive correlation with their treatment effect. After receiving Western medicine treatment, TCM herbs and/or acupuncture is helpful in alleviating symptoms, reducing toxic and side effects, improving patients' life quality.
For specific conditions and concerns, please consult doctors and licensed health practitioners.
本文节译自《啥病看中医，啥病看西医？让你一目了然，不再走错门》，广州弘康，2017-05-15，版权归原作者所有。
