Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is an ancient and still very vital holistic system of health and healing, based on the notion of harmony and balance, and employing the ideas of moderation and prevention.

TCM is a complete system of health care with its own unique theories of anatomy, health, and treatment. It emphasizes diet and prevention and using acupuncture, herbal medicine, massage, and exercise, and focuses on stimulating the body's natural curative powers.

TCM should not be substituted for contemporary modern trauma practice; it is most useful as an adjunct to the healing regimen. Nor is TCM the first line of treatment for bacterial infection or cancer, but may usefully complement contemporary medical treatment for those conditions.

In theory and practice, TCM is completely different from western medicine both in terms of considering how the human body works and how illness occurs and should...