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Chinese medicine in the world. 2|The "epidemic" is on the move: an alternative therapy to the West?

2022-09-28T00:47:19.132Z


Many countries now have so-called alternative medicine. Chinese medicine and many other traditional medicines belong to this category to distinguish it from mainstream Western medicine. In recent years, traditional Chinese medicine has become a highly regarded


Many countries now have so-called alternative medicine. Chinese medicine and many other traditional medicines belong to this category to distinguish it from mainstream Western medicine.

In recent years, one of the reasons why Chinese medicine is highly regarded is that its visibility has increased, including being referred by Western medicine in some countries, "endorsed" by the World Health Organization, and it can also be seen in major international sports events.


This is the second of the thematic series on "Chinese Medicine in the World"


At the Beijing Winter Olympics in February this year, Chinese medicine diagnosis and treatment attracted athletes from all over the world. Among them, acupuncture and massage were the most popular. They all said, "Traditional Chinese medicine is a magical method to relieve pain and soothe the mind and body", which can make them relax. , with a better state to meet the game.

Today, traditional Chinese medicine is not difficult to find all over the world. Among them, acupuncture, massage, etc. not only attract many foreigners to try it, but the former is the first-line treatment for pain in many countries.

German TCM teacher Tim Vukan pointed out to the reporter of "Hong Kong 01" that local acupuncture is also very popular, and many people have tried it, especially for shoulder pain, back pain, knee pain and other pains.

He said: "Many Germans have this experience and get very good results, and these treatment costs can be covered by medical insurance." Many local Western doctors now also provide acupuncture, tuina massage and other treatments.

Acupuncture is already the first-line treatment for pain in many European and American countries.

(Getty)

In addition to this kind of external therapy, the internal medicine has not yet established a foundation. Germans generally know little about Chinese herbal medicine. Although some Chinese herbal medicine can be bought in the local pharmacy, not many people know about it.

However, Germans are more open to alternative medicine.

Tim Vukan pointed out that the local people actually already have a lot of knowledge of alternative medicine, and they do not necessarily have to go to Western medicine if they are sick.

In Europe, we are mainly Western medicine, but also have a long-standing natural medicine system based on European herbal medicine, which is still believed and adopted by many people, as well as homeopathy, flower therapy created by the British, etc.

Tim Vukan believes that Europeans like natural treatments. "They don't feel good about taking antibiotics, because they know the side effects, so we also 'walk on two legs', go to Western doctors and buy European herbal teas to drink." He added that there are also schools in Germany that teach this type of alternative therapy, and that products are also available at local pharmacies, which are still common today.

Although Germans still tend to go to Western medicine when they are sick, there are always people who may not be able to fully recover and will start to look for alternative solutions

. Therefore, when people fail to make progress in Western medicine treatment, they will also seek treatment from alternative medicines such as traditional Chinese medicine.

Giles Sadler said Australians who came to see Chinese medicine were mainly educated middle-class women.

(provided by respondents)

There is also a tradition of herbal medicine in the West, and natural medicine

Australian TCM physician Giles Sadler pointed out to reporters that many Western countries actually have herbal traditions that dominated before Western medicine became popular, and people still take Western herbal medicines today, often in combination with vitamin and mineral supplements.

"In Europe and the United States, there are more practitioners of Western natural medicine than traditional Chinese medicine practitioners, and they are often the first choice for patients' replacement therapy," he said.

He, who runs a Chinese medicine clinic in Perth, also shared that Australians who come to see Chinese medicine are mainly educated middle-class women, most of whom want to take care of their health more effectively.

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Is it easier to promote in traditional medicine countries?

Some people believe that the development of traditional Chinese medicine in the world will be more advantageous in countries with traditional medical background and history.

Tim Vukan agrees to some extent, noting: "Like Indians who grew up in Ayurveda culture, Thailand, Vietnam, Korea also have their own medicine." These countries are based on their own traditional medicine that is different from Western medicine. These alternative treatments and medicines are generally easier for local people to accept.

However, Tim Vukan added that this is not to say that only countries with these backgrounds are more willing to accept Chinese medicine.

He, who is currently engaged in online Chinese medicine teaching, pointed out that the students he teaches include people from the United States, Sweden, Norway, and Denmark, all from very modern Western countries.

Tim Vukan pointed out to reporters that alternative therapies such as traditional Chinese medicine are very common in Germany.

(Access Screenshot)

Tim Vukan also pointed out that the need to find alternative treatments has become common in the new crown epidemic, and according to the World Health Organization (WHO), people in Western countries are suffering from anxiety, depression and many other problems, and the global future may appear. a bigger crisis.

He believes that the public wants to find the prevention and treatment methods that are suitable for them, which can be applied everywhere, and this is not limited to traditional Chinese medicine, but also other alternative medicines.

It can also be seen from his sharing that Germany is exactly such a country. Some practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine believe that, in addition to places with a background in traditional medicine, the more a country accepts alternative medicine, the easier it is to promote traditional Chinese medicine.

The picture shows the growth forecast of the mainland Chinese medicine market to 2023, which shows that the outside world is optimistic about the development of the industry under the epidemic.

(Statista)

Don't make mysteries, combine with modern life

Aside from the above factors, what difficulties still exist in the development of traditional Chinese medicine in the eyes of foreigners?

Tim Vukan, who has studied Chinese medicine in the Mainland for 10 years, admitted to the reporter: "Learning Chinese medicine is very difficult for foreigners because it is not part of our culture. I learned it because of my interest. , and to understand the relevant ancient books.”

Later, he discovered that TCM must be better understood in connection with modern life, but inevitably it still takes a lot of time and energy.

The four classics of traditional Chinese medicine, Huangdi Neijing, Treatise on Febrile Diseases, Synopsis of the Golden Chamber, and Diagnosis of Warm Diseases are all important learning contents.

Tim Vukan believes that in order to effectively promote traditional Chinese medicine, we must use simple language and not make up mysteries.

(Getty)

In order to better understand Chinese medicine, Tim Vukan specially collected and translated a lot of instruction books, and also made a Chinese medicine study card, which is convenient for reviewing when taking the bus.

He also sometimes questioned whether the content of ancient books is still applicable to today's society and modern diseases, and spent a lot of time understanding concepts such as "qi", "blood", "yin and yang".

Fortunately, he also has a good understanding of Chinese Kung Fu since he was a child. He has practiced Wing Chun, Tai Chi and Qigong, so he has a certain understanding of Chinese human body theory.

He gave an example: "For example, what is qi, because I can feel the qi in my body when I practice the exercises, so I have a better understanding of the operation process of qi."

Giles Sadler, an Australian TCM physician, said: "I try to avoid using TCM terms during my treatment, otherwise I will spend hours explaining things." For example, "improve the digestive system" instead of "supplement the spleen and stomach", or say " Improve metabolism" rather than "replenish qi".

He bluntly said that although these statements are not equivalent, they are enough to tell the patient what treatment he is doing.

Tim Vukan believes that there is no fast or slow in treating patients, and there are no shortcuts.

(Getty)

Tim Vukan emphasized that he believes that Chinese and Western medicine are completely different medical systems. Although the two can be well combined, he tries not to confuse the two.

"There is no need to believe in Chinese medicine from the bottom of your heart, because it is not a religion, it is important to keep an open mind."

After 17 years of exposure to Chinese medicine, Tim Vukan believes that the most important thing for the future development of Chinese medicine is: "When we teach Chinese medicine, we must make it easy to understand, use simple language, don't make things mysterious, and don't let people think It’s the knowledge of the small circle.” Regarding the prejudice that “TCM treatment is too slow” in the market, he pointed out that Western medicine will have more obvious effects, while the effect of traditional Chinese medicine may not be fast enough, but it also rarely causes other physical problems. There are no shortcuts in the treatment of disease.”

Jingxianli revitalizes tea art Chinese medicine health hall is expected to be completed in 2027, the third year of balance of payments

Source: hk1

All news articles on 2022-09-28

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