Today, traditional Chinese medicine is practiced in
From the Chinese point of view, traditional Chinese medicine is on an equal footing with Western medicine; in fact, many Chinese value traditional Chinese medicine over Western medicine. The reason is that many diseases and ailments that cannot be cured by Western medicine can be treated by traditional Chinese medicine successfully. It is fact that many patients experience instant relief of pain when treated with Chinese acupuncture, which cannot be achieved by Western medicine. In addition, traditional Chinese medicine has proven superior to Western medicine in the treatment of skin, liver and kidneys diseases, as well as much other disease.
There are a number of basic differences between the two distinct types of medicine. Western medicine focuses more on the treatment of symptoms, whereas traditional Chinese medicine focuses more on causes. Western medicine is more useful for first aid and surgery, while traditional Chinese medicine is more useful in treating skin and internal diseases and chronic cases in particular. Many remedies in Western medicine are based upon the results of experiments with animals which may not be effective with the human body. But remedies in traditional Chinese medicine are based upon successful experiences in clinical practice, which are more reliable. Most Western chemical drugs are strong and tend to produce serious side effects. Chinese herbs, acupuncture and food cures are less drastic, can be longer-lasting in effects and, when used the right way, generally do not produce side effects.