Question

3. Identify the treatment options of TCM and be able to distinguish differences in the treatment principles between conventional medicine and TCM?

Answer 1

Traditional Chinese Medicine ( TCM) was formed nearly two thousand years ago. It was later developed as the years passed by. TCM differentiates the body by its functions and yet focus on holistic approach to the medical illness. Treatment to disease is based on increasing the resistance of body against the disease. It also uses various natural methods to improve the health condition . TCM handles both human Physiology and pathology following old chinese methods .

Five elements theory in TCM includes wood, fire, earth, metal, and water divides human body into five systems. The movement and interchange in this five elements are noted down to find out the pathology of disease.

Zheng is the key word used in TCM . It is an outcome after analysing the disease signs and symptoms. Treatment is based on this Zheng analysis which has been used since two thousand years. If combined with modern medicine, the treatment can be further effective.

TCM uses different therapeutic methods like boxing, acupuncture in treatment. There is minimal side effects because it uses natural methods.

Conventional medicine :

When compared with TCM, conventional method of treatment is modern method of medicine which is widely accepted and used. It has scientific rationale behind the treatment procedure and uses drugs which are manufactured using chemicals . Example in cancer cure chemotherapy is used where the chemicals are used and in radiation where ionising radiation is used in treatment. It does not focus on more natural methods when compared to TCM. The treatment is quick when compared to TCM but the side effects are greater when compared to TCM.