TCM's Healing Power in Shanghai
A musician from Costa Rica never expected his first experience with acupuncture to take place in a Shanghai hospital. However, there he was, unlocking the ancient secrets of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), a journey that would change his perspective on healthcare.
He had been accustomed to Western medicine, where the focus is often on alleviating symptoms quickly. “Usually when we feel bad, we just find a way to release the pain or the uncomfortable sensation as soon as possible,” he said. However, he soon learned that TCM focuses on “rebalancing” the body, addressing not just the symptoms but also the root cause of health issues.
He was not alone in his exploration of TCM. Another expat living in Shanghai, who had been familiar with TCM for years, joined the journey at Longhua Hospital. Having lived in the city for over a decade, this individual had previously tried TCM and was eager to deepen his understanding. “It's holistic,” he said. “It’s treating the whole body, not just looking at one symptom.”
He also highlighted how TCM places an emphasis on preventing diseases rather than waiting for them to appear. “You’re not waiting for a problem to occur, but you’re preventing the problem from becoming more serious in the first place,” he noted.
This preventative philosophy is at the core of TCM, explained a vice chief physician at Longhua Hospital. "It can simply be understood as 'pushing disease-causing factors out of the body,'" he said. The physician emphasized that TCM’s ancient principles remain relevant today and can complement Western medicine, creating a more comprehensive healthcare approach.
Longhua Hospital, established in 1960, is a leader in TCM and renowned for its expertise in acupuncture, tuina therapy, pain management, and the integration of Chinese and Western medical practices. Here, the two expats not only experienced acupuncture and tuina therapy firsthand but also gained a deeper understanding of the philosophy behind TCM, particularly the concepts of yin and yang.
The second expat, who had firsthand experience with TCM, noted its effectiveness in relieving muscular pain. “Hospitals like Longhua combine Chinese medicine and Western medicine to create a more effective approach that can deal with a variety of disease-causing factors that might be ignored,” he said.
The impact of TCM, however, goes beyond healthcare. It represents a cornerstone of traditional Chinese culture. The physician, who has practiced abroad, is confident that TCM has great potential for global adoption. “Human beings share a common goal: to be healthier and live better lives,” he said. “On this basis, we can speak in a way and language that foreign patients can understand. When presented effectively, many are happy to embrace TCM.”
Longhua Hospital is committed to spreading TCM’s global reach. The hospital’s director revealed that it sends medical teams to various countries and provides training to overseas students. She hopes that visitors like the expats will share their newfound knowledge of TCM, inviting others to experience its benefits.
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