Roots of TCM (What is TCM, Anyway?)

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has ancient roots and evolved during an era when the metaphysical beliefs of Taoism prevailed in China and therefore it was influenced by Taoist beliefs and related cultural implications.

Taoists believed that to live harmoniously, man needs to be in accord with the energetic laws of nature. They saw a strong parallel between the cycles of nature (the days and the seasons) and the life cycle of man.

They also believed that man functions as a small individual ecosystem within a large cosmic ecosystem. The Taoism symbol is the well-known Yin and Yang shapes that together form a perfect circle, a symbol of eternal harmony.

As TCM involved, it came to include acupuncture, reflexology, herbal prescriptions, dietary principles, massage, and specific exercises such as tai chi, a gentle form of martial arts sometimes called shadowboxing.

Traders, missionaries and diplomats who visited Asia, particularly during the 18th and 19th centuries, returned home with reports of these classical practices. During the 19th century, waves of Chinese immigrants to the United States and Europe brought these traditions to their new countries and Westerners began to notice their positive results.

France and Great Britain, particularly, became well-informed of traditional Chinese medicine principles as a result of their colonial excursions during this period, yet it was not until the late 1970s, when Pres. Nixon opened diplomatic and cultural relations with Communist China, that the United States medical community became exposed to TCM. In the meantime, well aware of the benefits of energy medicines, Europeans were getting reimbursed by their Social Security and health insurance for such treatments.

Far Eastern concepts of vital energy are now getting broader recognition in North America as reflected by the popularity of acupuncture, herbal medicines, therapeutic exercise such as tai chi, yoga, and the more frequent Ayurvedic treatments in spas. The spa industry's continued exploration of new therapies for wellness and skincare creates renewed possibilities for TCM to flourish in aesthetics and wellness.

Take advantage of spas and wellness clinics offering TCM therapies. The higher the demand for such time-tested and proven therapies, the greater the opportunity the American healthcare system will eventually come to embrace it.