Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) originated thousands of years ago. Dating back over 3,000 years to 1000 BC in the Shang Dynasty, it has a long, rich history of development and it has been examined, tested, manipulated, and modified throughout its long use. TCM views the body as an organic whole, with the relationship between the individual and nature as an integral unit. As an organic whole, the different parts of the body are inseparable in structure. The organs are related physiologically and are influenced pathologically (Bing & Hongcai, 2010). Employed by a quarter of the world’s population, it is one of the “oldest literate, professional, continuously practiced medicine in the world” (Bright, 2002, p. 261). Consider the following evidence and observations about TCM (Bing & Hongcai, 2010; Cassidy, 2002; Ergil, 2015):
- Archeological digs reveal acupuncture needles, and unearthed bones show inscriptions of medical conditions.
- Huang Di’s book, The Yellow Emperor’s Inner Classic (Huang Di Nei Jing), dates to the third century BC but contains much older material, including listings and discussion on the principles of yin and yang, the five phases, and the effects of the seasons on the human body, as well as the therapeutic value of acupuncture, moxibustion, and more than 100 extracts from herbal, mineral, and animal sources.
- Many of the postures of Qigong (a TCM practice similar to yoga) were developed from observations of animal behavior. The movements of wild geese, for example, form the basis of Dayan Qigong, which relates these movements to acupuncture points and the energy flow in the body.
- Many shamanic practices, especially those of ancient Asia, are believed to be at the foundation of TCM.
Many healthcare practitioners are familiar with the Western scientific view of medicine and unfamiliar with TCM, even though it has been practiced for several thousand years (Ergil, 2015). While TCM may seem exotic and unusual, it is based on a profound philosophy and a rich tradition of empirical study (Williams, 2003). Today this medicine is so popular and easily available that some call it mainstream (Cassidy, 2002; National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health [NCCIH], 2013a).
Because we tend to make sense of the world from our individual viewpoints, we may often make intellectual errors when dealing with medical systems that have been developed in other cultures. To avoid errors, healthcare providers and other caregivers must understand the medical systems embedded in their own and other cultures.