The recognition of traditional Chinese medicine is a complex issue. No one can say that it is worthless, but it is true that it is no longer applicable today, at least in the face of modern medicine.
Who recognizes traditional chinese medicine?
The latest edition of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, ICD, may include traditional medicine as a chapter.
This is good news for long-time advocates of Chinese medicine, but some scientific experts have come out against it.
According to CNN, the WHO wants to codify traditional medicine in the ICD on the grounds that it affects tens of thousands of people and is widespread worldwide.
It took the WHO more than a decade to get various representatives from Asian countries to condense thousands of years of traditional medical knowledge into a classification system. the ICD documents thousands of diseases and diagnostic methods, and has a significant impact on medical research methods and health insurance coverage.
The World Health Organization has pointed out that the diagnostic record of traditional medicine is quite small and that the ICD can be used to link practical experience with international guidelines and standardized research and development.
However, they emphasize that this is not an endorsement of the scientific validity or efficacy of the treatment.
Should I believe in TCM?
The effectiveness of TCM has so far only been scientifically proven in a few areas. This is especially true for acupuncture.
Buy Chinese medicines only from reputable sources, e.g. from pharmacies or from European cultivation. These products are tested for harmful substances. Products with unclear origin (e.g. the Internet), on the other hand, may be contaminated.
For neurological complaints, back pain and chronic inflammatory joint pain, TCM treatment is even covered by some health insurance companies.
Does Chinese medicine work?
The short answer is that TCM may work.
In those days when there was no internet or telephone, the Chinese made Chinese medicine what it is today through observation, summary, and constant revision.
Although we don’t think TCM is that prudent, it has been revised and adapted over time (like Wikipedia) to be at least a “preliminary reference”.
But then came the next step.
Chinese medicine has summarized a lot of “correlations” that are not 100% reliable treatments.
It can even have very serious side effects.
So the final answer is: Chinese medicine will probably work, but it will also bring a lot of side effects.
