Traditional Chinese medicine

Traditional Chinese medicine (also known as TCM, simplified Chinese: 中医; traditional Chinese: 中醫; pinyin: zhōngyī) is considered a Complementary or Alternative Medical system in most of the world. It includes a range of traditional medical practices originating in China that has developed over several thousand years. The English term "TCM" was created in the 1950s by the PRC to promote the export of Chinese medicine; there is no equivalent phrase in Chinese. In fact, TCM is a modern compilation of traditional Chinese medicine. TCM practices include theories, diagnosis and treatments such as herbal medicine, acupuncture and massage; often Qigong is also strongly affiliated with TCM. TCM is a form of so-called Oriental medicine, which includes other traditional East Asian medical systems such as traditional Japanese and Korean medicine.
TCM theory asserts that processes of the human body are interrelated and in constant interaction with the environment. TCM practitioners believe signs of disharmony help them to understand, treat and prevent illness and disease.
In the West, traditional Chinese medicine is considered a form of complementary and alternative medicine.[1] TCM theory is based on a number of philosophical frameworks including the theory of Yin-yang, the Five Elements, the human body Meridian system, Zang Fu organ theory, and others. Diagnosis and treatment are conducted with reference to these concepts. TCM does not operate within the contemporary scientific paradigm, but some practitioners make efforts to bring practices into a biomedical and evidence-based medicine framework