How does traditional Chinese medicine work?

[carlingnugent]

I'm trying to figure out how I feel about TCM, but this video didn't help me at all. WTF does it mean to have too much inside underneath darkness FFS?

[mmeds11]

I give you tiger penis soup.  It make your penis verly big! Like 3 inches!

[lyue1996]

@mmeds11 Hahahaa! Funny one! But actually asian penis sizes are almost the same as Europeans and Americans. (But still asian penis size is a bit smaller). Did you know that when a white persons penis in erection is ling and soft, while asian penis in erection are thick and hard?

Just saying .... xD

[tkitpoon]

This is good , I'm impress by it. Traditional Chinese Medicine takes time in healing with no side effect, unlike western medication antibiotic it do have side effect.

[xFuJai]

China for the win..!

[xFuJai]

China for the win..

[tttVN]

It really bugs me that ppl like to ridicule any form of thinking (meaning TCM) just because it is different from the belief system they have been exposed to. Differences of opinions just means we have to listen. For all those who ridicule TCM, I ask that you try to understand it first. I can see from your comments, that you have only been exposed to other Westerner's opinion of it, or that you only understand it on the surface, and have been exposed to a very tiny and biased opinion of it.

[tttVN]

Please, if you talk so much about scientific-research, follow your own advice and go do your own research before putting a 5,000+ year old medicine system down. And I can understand why some Westerner's are opposed to the use of TCM; they don't really understand it!! And fear/ignorance causes these kinds of senseless bashing.

[tttVN]

Before the advancement of modern Western medicine, was "traditional" Western medicine not seen as witchcraft? How old is the scientific/evidence-based medicine system been around for? Probably from around the 1600's when Leeuwenhoek's "amazing" discovery! And what was not even the start of modern mainsteam medicine, but just the starting point for lab work.

[tttVN]

Any system of medicine will have its benefits and downfalls, as well as supporters and critics. But, just because you don't understand it does not mean its wrong! It always gets me when SOME ppl (despite of race) from the West think that their system for anything is superior to everyone else's and that they are know-it-alls.

[tttVN]

In every generation in my family (that we are able to trace); there was at least 1 tcm doctor, who has done wonders for their patients through medicine as well as humanitarian work for the poor. Unlike modern Industrialized thinking; many ppl in the world choose medicine to help others (like my grandfather) and not to make money. He would even give out free services and medications; and although our family was not rich, we were not dirt poor either!! That is what a meaningful life is about!!

[hkpho0ey]

Of course as we know TCM was only heavily pushed by Mao due to the absence of any proper medicine. Isn't it about time that TCM gets treated the same testing as western medicine? We are after all talking about peoples lives here.

[watch123456]

Oh what bullshit.

Chinese medicine is the greatest fraud.

How can it work from a scientific point of view?

The concept of Chinese medicine is based on a lie in that the universe is made of qi (chi).

[ClementsTom]

@watch123456 Exactly. It's time we put paid to the myth that Chinese medicine is the acceptable face of alternative medicine. It's a huge, money-making scam based on superstition as opposed to fact.

[SugarKatie]

Interestingly enough, those who dimiss TCM asBS are usually the ones who have never actually tried it. they feel superior for bashing TCM whose efficacy can not always be proven by scientific methods. My personal experience with TCM has been largely positive. It not only controlled my overactive thyroid, but made me look healthier with better complexion. That aside, the placebo effect of such therapy can be hugely beneficial as well, as evidence shows. So don't knock it until you try it.

[ClementsTom]

@SugarKatie I tried it for my ME (a real debilitating illness which nothing can cure) and it did nothing to help me, except make me feel a little relaxed after each session. It's a big money-making scam as far as I see it. Double-blind tests show it is only really effective in treating lower-back pain, using both "fake" or placebo acupuncture and "real" acupuncture.

[SugarKatie]

@ClementsTom you disapprove of TCM because it doesn't work for you, fine. but you can't speak for others and say it's a scam. i see no harm in placebo effect if it can help the patients heal. Everyone knows psychological well being is crucial in the recovery process. Also, TCM didn't work for you probably because you consulted a bad doctor. It takes a lot of trial and error to find a good doc, both in western medicine and TCM.

[ClementsTom]

@SugarKatie So it's perfectly justified for these practitioners to charge exorbitant fees to desperate people? How much money do I have to spend to find a "good" doctor? There's only so much money I can spend before I realise this is actually a load of bullshit! Placebo effect only works with people with minor ailments, not with people who are actually quite ill.

[SugarKatie]

@ClementsTom why direct your anger at TCM practitioners? western medicine doctors, especially "specialists" charge exorbitant fees too. (I've seen my share of so-called specialists) I am sorry that you find TCM a load of BS. but I don't blame you, since TCM is not as well accepted and practiced where you live. You tend to find better TCM practitioners in Chinese communities, e.g. in HOng Kong

[MrNthDegree]

@ClementsTom:

In addition, how justified is it that pharmaceutical companies prevent the legitimate testing of natural substances in curing ailments, simply to protect profits?

One example is the use of cannabis to cure some forms of cancer (most notably skin cancer using hemp oil topically) and relieve symptoms of MS; which is denied by pharmaceutical companies due to the inability to isolate single components which have the effect and patent modified chemical isolations.

[MrNthDegree]

@ClementsTom:

Double-blind tests have recently all come into question as placebo in many tests was never documented. In the US for instance, there is no requirement to document what placebo is (The US consumes 80% of all pharmaceuticals, despite only being 5% of the population).

It has been found that in many cases a claimed inert placebo has not been truly inert (e.g. giving diabetics sugar pills).

Those claiming double-blind is a way of proving efficacy may be wrong in their assumption

[balsant]

Just look at the end effect. Forget needing to find an explanation that fits within our current limited understanding of science. Look at pill-poping westerners. are they healthy when they are old? No, they are like the walking dead. Now look at old Chinese people, they look healthy don't they? No walkers, prescriptions or costly medical supplies needed! And what is with this need to find a scientific explanation? I can show you some "science" from 50 years ago that is not true today lol...

[ClementsTom]

@balsant That's just prejudice. Elderly Westerners are healthier and living longer than ever due to science. I think life expectancy is governed by lifestyle and diet which is far less health-giving in the West, NOT due to the benefits of an unfoundead medical practice. Are you telling me that if you had cancer or a malignant growth you'd go straight to a Chinese doctor instead of a Western one?

[balsant]

@ClementsTom Yes, Actually I would. But that is only because of my direct personal experience and because of the level of proficiency of the practitioners in my area. I would first consult the Chinese medicine specialist to get an idea of the situation and from there decide if chemotherapy could be avoided. If chemotherapy was needed then the TCM would be the primary method of repairing the long term damage to the body that would result from using western therapies and medications.

[SugarKatie]

@balsant actually not every chinese believes in TCM (I live in Hong Kong), But TCM is gaining more and more recognition. Some even advocate combining western medicine and TCM to treat illnesses. It looks promising. you're right, once I tried TCM, I couldn't pop a pill again without trepidation. I don't want these chemicals and their side effects to ruin my body

[Karensufkino]

Then, i went to look for chinese doctor. She touched my pulse, asked me to show her my tongue and ask for any symptoms that i was experiencing, and then prescribed some TCM. I boiled it and took it for two times. At that night, my fever and short of breath were fixed. Sounds like unbelievable. But I do believe that, there must be something very special and useful inside these TCM.

[Karensufkino]

I had fever and short of breath yesterday after taking some prescribed medicines. I thought i might had side-effects. Going to hospital, having a long consultation, doing EKG and X-ray, the doctor says my body is well-functioning and insists that my symptoms are not coming from the prescription, and he doesn't know why i would have these symptoms. So, the story ends by telling me to go back home and it will be ok tomorrow. But when i go back home, my fever raised from 99 to 101F.

[TheHasselBoff]

i had a cold a couple years ago and my doctor told me to take decongestants and stuff with paracetamol in, it simply cures the symptom not the root of the problem. I went to a chinese doctor the same day, he gave me this awful tasting tea, and I felt great, all he did was check my tongue and my pulse. I also had a problem with acne a few years ago, same thing again, chinese over western medicine any day of the week!

[babystinky]

there is something to this, we don't understand so much.

[rawrchoo]

Too bad the link doesn't work.

There is a lot of stupid arguing on this thread. What's the point? You aren't proving or disproving anything by calling people stupid. If you want people to believe, you need to provide facts, it's that simple. I agree with plankton that both Western and Chinese medicines have "flaws and advantages". I don't know about Chinese medicine, but Western medicine has a lot to do with the doctor as to treating the symptoms or the real cause.

[rawrchoo]

People need to learn to question their doctors and to LISTEN to their bodies. We really do know our bodies.

[kanayumikumo]

not knowing what tcm is about and statin that it has "flaws" =/ tcm is very deep my friend. if you dont like it why do people even bother looking for tcm on youtube? by the way guys, this video sucks. the dr didnt even bother looking at the patient...big mistake.

[Frances3654]

tcm  is pseudoscience

[plankton4202]

All medicine is a practice; medicine is not a science in the strictest sense because, when applied to biological organisms, medicine has numerous different effects that may be explained by science. Science helps define what happens in all cases, or at least, in most cases. TCM and Western Medicine both have their flaws and advantages.

[Frances3654]

eeerrrrrrrr!!!!!!

tcm has way more flaws, like its based a lot more on feeling (chi). which has no scientific basis. they rely on words like "life energy"

while western medicine is based a lot on modern chemistry, a real deal science

[airrick16]

traditional chinese medicine is silly. Why would you eat tiger penis and crushed black rhino horn to get an erection? There are only 1000 tigers and 1,000,000,000 chinese people

[seemarrr]

you need to learn

i thought to tell you something...but obviously, even i tell u, you can not understand

[imbrd]

Ice is worst possible treatment for any swelling, disease, or pain as it stagnate blood & qi makin it almost impossible to ever cure the problem. if spread to bone, that wen see so calld 'arthritis' nd posible problems with blood. yet w/ all this 1000s year knowledge, they continue throwin around ice-paks like goodies- not to mention they always keep thos stupid hospitals frigid cold- u tell me if they are truly helpin people- this is only surface of probs w/ overly ignorant west

[imbrd]

it cant ever comprehend the nature of life nd its elements nor organs. however chin med has found classification of balance of life in 5 main elements each of which's character reflects organ behavior. ie, west for so many years hav nvr understood the hazard of being exposed 'cold & wet'- ovr time, as the cold wetness penetrates into skin, & the blood thn bone, disease tends arise & dvlop on internal organs.

West w/ all its 'fancy tech' still dont understand "ICE IS FOR DEAD PEOPLE!"

[imbrd]

the ideas of tcm- actually ancient chin med, is the understanding of elements nd thus holistic balance of individual & peoples. west med can only see 1 or 2 tiny physical parts nd som late manifestation of disease- never any holistic understanding(heart dr only see som disease of heart-not understand nature of heart, bone dr only see som skeleton structure of bone nvr comprehnd nature of bone). b/c capitalistic west can only endavour to see whatever is on the periodic charts- nothing mor,

[imbrd]

well 2 everyone out there doubtful or resistant of chinese med. & strongly supporting the hoax of 'west med', i would point out that west med has absolutely no clue of how to truly analyze living beings. if u think about it, the whole of so-called 'modern med' is 3 thing: drugs, surgery, nd fancy machines- all that kills people. drugs are NOT medicine it is astoundin how everyon can confuse the 2 as medicine cures whilst drugs only suppres w/ numerous side-effect result of artificial nature.

[mskilj]

TCM is amazing. The study of nature and our place in it fascinates me and makes me want to learn more about it. Thanks for the post!

[TopGunMan]

You guys need to be waaayyy more open minded. I, personally, might think its bullshit, but this documentary of sorts is not claiming its real. All its claiming to do is describe chinese medicine. Although i did come here to flame some religious nuts, i did not find any in this movie so moving on...

[justaguy230]

Just because something is 1000s of years old doesn't mean it has no use. Take for example the wheel....nothing compares to its simple ingenuity yet it proves to be an extremely effective tool. Western scientists have already proven the effective nature of accupunture, along with many other herbs in common use. That is why in some medical schools they offer a course in accupuncture and herbal medicine to be aware of their effects and of any contraindications with western medication.

[urantivirus]

...

[urantivirus]

FirstScience? I don't think so. This in no way can be classified as science. I can't believe they still use methods that are 1000's of years old. Just because the methods are ancient. This in no way means it right. I hate when people use words like science improperly just to make it sound right.

[seemarrr]

u just showed how stupid you are...

and no respect to others

[urantivirus]

lol

your comments will do so much more for you then my comment would have ever done to me.

[seemarrr]

first, you totally wrong!stupid!

chinese medicine started just 1000!! much further than that !

this useless comments is wasting space!

Chinese medicine can cure many cancels which the west medicine never can!

west medicine is a greedy industry like you !

[urantivirus]

I assume from your horrible english you are chinese? And chinese medicine is much cheaper. That is most likely why it is used. Western medicine has a high success rate. Which is probably more then you can say for your placebos.

[seemarrr]

i assume from your stupid confidence mind you are white? my english is much better than your chinese! you can not say another Asia language,can you? do not tell me you can speak some european language as they are same root language. and i know white like to buy expensive rubbish, even is rubbish! high success rate?! where from?!! show me!!! is it only works on some disease created by western doctors?!!

[urantivirus]

lol you're a joke.

But yes, your English is way better then my Chinese. I only speak English.

[seemarrr]

i can see that from your narrow mind and stupid questions .... is not necessary to answer that as i knew the answer!

stupid is not terrible, the terrible is u dont know how stupid you are!!!

[urantivirus]

Does calling me stupid some how make you feel smart? If it does. Good for you. But it doesn't make it true in any way. I can tell just from talking to you and the language you use(not referring to your bad english), that you are not what I'd call a smart person. I may not be the smartest person in the world. But I am intelligent and logical. Far greater then you.

[seemarrr]

because i am the first one tell you truth!

u think yourself intelligent and logical??? even does not know how Chinese medicine works and call urself that?!!

u always say something which without any support points or documents! that is part of ur stupid, you lock urself into a jar and think you are intelligent- as in ur eyes, can never see whats intelligent, the ants never know how tall human is, because the ants never lookup. do i need to explain whats the ants mean in this paragraph?

[urantivirus]

You describe yourself perfectly! If only you could see that.

[yoshii88]

That's what I thought too before. Western Medicine has a high success rate. I was very hesitant on trying Chinese Traditional Medicine but it turned out that it improved many of my issues that Western Medicine was never able to, nor even a little. Very impressing.

[phudlow]

@yoshii88 placebo effect

[hogo1]

@yoshii88

your are only one person, your claims are not proven because they happened to you,

large cohort, double blind test must be conducted to conclude if these medicines do work, which they probably do not

[seemarrr]

i mean- chinese medicine started far before just 1000,many time of that!!