In brief: Traditional Chinese medicine is not one single treatment. Acupuncture, movement, dietary systems and herbal products should be assessed separately.
Methods compared
| Method | Interpretation |
|---|---|
| Acupuncture | Studied for some pain conditions |
| Tai chi/qigong | Generally well tolerated movement |
| Herbs | Mixed evidence and interaction risk |
| Diagnostic systems | Not equivalent to Western diagnosis |
NCCIH notes contamination, wrong herbs and undeclared drugs in some TCM herbal products.[1]
FAQ
Is TCM scientifically proven?
Not as a whole.
Does acupuncture always work?
No.
Are Chinese herbs automatically safe?
No.
Can TCM replace medical diagnosis?
No.
Conclusion
TCM should not be evaluated as one package. Each method needs its own benefit-risk assessment.
