Chinese Medicine, Western Medicine…What’s the Difference?

Chinese Medicine, Western Medicine…What’s the Difference?

I am often asked, ”What is the difference between Western Medicine and Chinese Medicine?” Many people today think that Western medicine has been around for a “long” time and therefore has many more advantages. In this article, I’d like to briefly talk about some of the differences. Understand that truly NEITHER one is BETTER than the other as they each have advantages and disadvantages. I think you’ll see that the bottom line is “What is the goal for your health?”

1. How did each for of “medicine” get its name? Well, what we consider to be “modern medicine” is typically called “Western medicine”. Ironically, western medicine originated in the East but, because of its science, is based in the traditionalist philosophies of European Enlightenment, it became known as Western medicine. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) originated in China, however you might be familiar with the term Oriental Medicine. This encompasses ALL forms of oriental medicine but many times also includes “holistic” medicine. Its philosophy is based on Yinyangism (the combination of Five Phases theory with Yin-Yang theory – later referred to as Daoism). TCM is also referred to as Complementary Alternative Medicine as it is a wonderful and useful compliment to western medicine.

2. Different philosophies? While western medicine provides diagnosis through lab tests and focuses on eliminating symptoms, many people feel it normally fails to address adverse effects of either the disease or “cure” on the body. Chinese medicine, on the other hand, sees the body’s overall response TO treatment and recognizes the body as one INTERCONNECTED biosystem with each system dependent upon the others.

3. Is one better than the other? As stated above, each has good and bad features. Chinese Medicine (or TCM as it is more traditionally referred to) is better in addressing the ROOT of the problem but can appear to be quite slow in results at times. Although Western medicine is MORE POWERFUL, sometimes that same power is too much and can either overwhelm the body’s response or, more often, has VERY significant side effects….many of which can almost be worse than the original issue you started with.

4. So what can TCM “treat”? It has been stated that TCM addresses everything except surgery.

5. There is a popular Chinese saying that states “Excellence is from experience.” This, I think most would agree, is a defining factor. The MORE experience, most people feel, the BETTER the knowledge/outcome should be. If THAT is your philosophy, then TCM is your go-to medical frame since TCM is based on 5,000 years of practice AND experiences. That means MILLIONS of doctors with BILLIONS of patients over THOUSANDS of WRITTEN results! Western medicine wasn’t introduced into China until about 1949. “Modern” Western medicine, as we think of it today, has only been around for about 300-400 years. That is a significant difference in practice and experience.

Lastly, I’d like to present the idea that you don’t have to choose one over the other! TCM is an AMAZING compliment to whatever treatments you are receiving from your regular Western medicine doctor. In fact, ADDING TCM to your medical care has MANY TIMES been shown to have an even GREATER outcome in the result! My challenge to you is to TRULY investigate and experience TCM for yourself. Not just one or two treatments, but many over the course of several weeks or months. I think you will be amazed and pleasantly pleased with the outcomes!

Renee Lappin, MT, Acu, HCN

– Renee is the owner of Barefoot Wisewoman Health Center in Guthrie, Oklahoma and has been in the complimentary and alternative medicine field for over 40 years. Her training and experience has made her one of the leading resources for alternative medicine in her area. She can be reached at BarefootWisewoman@gmail.com or at her office phone 405-274-9509.