Ben Cao GanG Mu - NUSS

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inside sTory 0 Another way of looking at the difference between Western Medicine and TCM is the direction magnification takes. With Western Medicine, technology is used to isolate the smallest possible particle that may be diseased – all the way down to the electrical charge of a molecule. For Chinese Medicine, through the eyes of the ‘human organism’, the big picture is perceived to be of a greater importance, not the electrical charge of a particular molecule or a cell with a leaky wall. Treatment and Diagnostic Techniques In TCM, prescriptions are usually focused on the individual, centred on the principle that every person is unique in our physical make-up. The prescription of herbal medicine is usually preceded by a diagnosis that observe symptoms. It is comprised of four methods – observe, hear, smell, touch and ask (medical history). These techniques are frequently used in conjunction with pulse-reading by TCM practitioners to comprehend the ailment and symptoms suffered by the patients. In some instances, this has led to the overall criticism that TCM is mainly based on treatments for counteracting the symptoms, without largely understanding the cause of the ailments. As a result, this hindered the acceptance of TCM in most Western societies, where understanding and distilling the science of diseases and ailments is key. The Comeback of TCM TCM however, is growing in popularity in some contemporary societies like Singapore. The main reason being, next to Western Medicine, it is increasingly considered as an ‘alternative’, or ‘complementary’ treatment by a growing number of patients turning to TCM when Western Medicine fails to treat or relieve chronic disorders. This is especially so in the turning to acupuncture in relieving chronic pain such as backache or migraines. According to a My Paper report on 2 July 2009, Terrence Ng, an engineering manager, relied less on his doctor after taking TCM classes at the Singapore College of Traditional Chinese Medicine and noticing a marked improvement in health. This ties in with the theory that TCM is both a form of healing and also a treatment that works to strengthen the body. The rise in the number of practitioners can also be attributed to a cultural backlash where the younger generations are progressively seeking to embrace their roots with the modernisation of society. The number of applicants for courses at the Singapore College of TCM has jumped from 120 in 2008 to 200 in 2009. The increase in the applicants, particularly of those not already in the industry, also accords a growing trust in the effectiveness of TCM in Singapore. TCM – Is It Really Effective? The effectiveness of TCM has always been a subject of contention. While traditionalists advocate TCM’s efficiency as an effective treatment method for various ailments, scientists claim there is no basis to the purported relieves that TCM can bring.
Indeed, where herbal medication is concerned, there are numerous factors which affects the effectiveness of the medicine. For one, the authenticity of the herb’s signature impacts the effectiveness of the treatment. Other environmental factors that the herbs are subjected to during its growth might also potentially have negative or reinforcing impact on its overall effectiveness. Despite the criticism, research in the area is not advancing sufficiently to ward off detractors because of the high costs and specialised expertise required. Of course, herbal medicine is not totally without its contribution to the medical industry. For instance, the Chinese Wormwood is now used globally to treat malaria and Chinese Ephedra has been attributed to the discovery of treatments for asthma and Hay Fever. Contrary to herbal medicines, acupuncture drew much research interest. One area where acupuncture is deemed to be convincingly effective is in the treatment of nausea and seasickness. Increasingly, there are seasick armbands available in the market that works by essentially pressing on an acupuncture point on the wrist. Scientific and anecdotal evidence have shown that this is effective in preventing nausea. A 2008 study also suggested that combining acupuncture with conventional infertility treatments such as IVF greatly improves the success rates of such medical interventions. In a recent report, The World Health Organisation has also issued favourable observations on acupuncture in the areas of “adult postoperative and chemotherapy nausea and vomiting and in postoperative dental pain”. Beyond these, however, the rest of the research results are more often than not controversial. In Edzard Ernst’s words, Professor of Complementary Medicine in the United Kingdom, “research in the area is growing but emerging clinical evidence seems to imply that acupuncture is effective for some but not all conditions.” Most chronic ailments, for example, such as back-pain, neck-pain and headache, have conflicting anecdotal evidence with acupuncture. Given the ongoing debate surrounding TCM and its continued rise in popularity, medical practitioners are cautious in using TCM as the sole treatment method. Rather, TCM is often recommended as a means to strengthen health and as a complementary form of medicine to conventional treatment. TCM – Is it Safe? Even then, patients who are contemplating to seek TCM as a treatment to should be wary of some of the potential safety issues. inside sTory 0
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Ben Cao GanG Mu - NUSS

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