Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) |

Traditional Chinese Medicine includes a number of key components such as:

The theory of Yin-Yang — two opposing but complementary forces
Qi energy or vital energy that circulates in the body
Five elements including fire, earth, metal, water and earth

Practitioners use these concepts to construct individualized treatments that may consist of:

Herbal medicines
Acupuncture
Qi Gong

Read the Introduction to TCM from the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of British Columbia for a good explanation of the concepts and treatment modalities.

Read If You Are Thinking About Using TCM from the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

TCM practitioners are not currently regulated in Ontario. To learn more about TCM in Ontario, read the For Public page on the Transitional Council of the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of Ontario web site.

Read A Brief History of Qigong by Yang, Jwing-Ming at Acupuncture.Com.

For information about acupuncture including the conditions or diseases for which it is done and the benefits and risks, read Acupuncture from the Mayo Clinic or About Acupuncture from the Acupuncture Foundation of Canada Institute.

For a list of acupuncturists and their qualifications in the Greater Toronto Area go to The Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture Association of Canada site.

Check out the Library's recent books about Traditional Chinese Medicine including qi gong and acupuncture for more information. To see which branch has a copy of the book and to place a hold, click on the title or cover link: