A to Z of MS Traditional Chinese medicine
Traditional Chinese medicine belongs to a branch of medicine known as complementary and alternative medicine (CAM).
The principles of Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) are based on energy flow in the body. Advocates of TCM suggest that maintaining the natural balance of the body's energy flow can prove therapeutic in long-term conditions such as MS.
Different elements of TCM, most often including acupuncture and traditional Chinese herbs, are brought together to restore the flow of energy (qi or chi) in the body. Diet and nutrition, exercise, stress reduction and counselling, and massage therapy are also used by some TCM practitioners.
The Chinese government has shown great support for the development of traditional medicines and has invested great sums of money and confidence in state-run labs that are dedicated to the investigation of TCM and the potential they hold. There is also increasing evidence that the West is becoming more open-minded about eastern medicine and increasing numbers are turning to TCM when conventional medicines have proven ineffective.
With regards to the use of TCM in the treatment of MS, it is difficult to assess its effectiveness given the lack of published research available in English. While acupuncture is considered a relatively low risk treatment option in the treatment of MS and other conditions, the use of Chinese herbs by people with MS needs to be approached with greater caution as the effects of such substances on the immune system are not fully known.