5,000 years of therapeutic wisdom for your health
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What is Traditional Chinese Medicine?
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is one of the oldest and most comprehensive medical systems in the world, with a documented history of over 5,000 years. Its theoretical foundations date back to the great Chinese classics, notably the Huang Di Nei Jing (Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine), written between the 3rd and 1st century BCE. TCM is based on an energetic conception of the human being: the body is a microcosm that reflects the laws of the universe, and health depends on the free circulation of vital energy (Qi) through the meridians.
The two fundamental concepts of TCM are the theory of Yin and Yang and that of the Five Elements (Wu Xing). Yin and Yang represent the two complementary and opposing forces that govern all phenomena in nature: cold and hot, rest and movement, interior and exterior. Health is a state of dynamic equilibrium between these two polarities. The Five Elements - Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water - describe the cycles of energy transformation in the body and in nature, each associated with specific organs, emotions, flavors, seasons, and colors.
TCM fundamentally differs from Western medicine in its approach: it does not treat an isolated disease but the patient as a whole. The practitioner seeks to understand each individual's energetic terrain, their constitutional imbalances, and the factors that led to illness. The same symptom may have different origins depending on the patient and require distinct treatments. Conversely, apparently different symptoms may stem from the same fundamental imbalance.
Today, TCM is recognized by the WHO, which integrated it into its International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) in 2019. Over 180 countries worldwide practice some form of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and numerous scientific studies now support certain of its practices, particularly acupuncture and pharmacopoeia.
The 5 pillars of Chinese medicine and how a consultation works
Traditional Chinese Medicine is structured around 5 complementary therapeutic pillars. Acupuncture, the best known in the West, involves stimulating precise points along meridians using fine needles to rebalance Qi circulation. Chinese pharmacopoeia, the second pillar, uses combinations of medicinal plants, minerals, and sometimes animal substances, prescribed as decoctions, powders, granules, or capsules. With over 5,000 catalogued substances and thousands of classical formulas, it is the most scientifically studied branch of TCM.
Tui Na, the third pillar, is an energetic therapeutic massage that acts on meridians and acupuncture points through pressure, friction, kneading, and joint mobilization techniques. Qi Gong (fourth pillar) combines slow, fluid movements, deep breathing, and meditation to cultivate and circulate Qi. Finally, Chinese dietetics (fifth pillar) classifies foods by their nature (cold, cool, neutral, warm, hot) and flavor (sour, bitter, sweet, pungent, salty), allowing dietary correction of imbalances.
A TCM consultation begins with a thorough diagnosis based on four examination methods: observation (complexion, tongue, eyes, morphology), auscultation and olfaction (voice, breathing, body odors), detailed questioning (symptoms, lifestyle, emotions, sleep, digestion), and palpation, notably radial pulse-taking. The practitioner identifies 6 different pulses at each wrist, corresponding to the 12 main meridians. Tongue examination - its color, shape, coating, and moisture - provides valuable information about the state of internal organs.
Based on this assessment, the practitioner establishes an energetic diagnosis (for example: Spleen Qi Deficiency, Liver Qi Stagnation, Damp-Heat in the Bladder) and proposes a treatment plan typically combining several of the 5 pillars. A typical protocol might combine weekly acupuncture sessions, a daily herbal formula, and dietary recommendations adapted to the season and the patient's constitution.
A holistic approach validated by modern science
Scientific research on Traditional Chinese Medicine has expanded considerably in recent decades. The 2015 Nobel Prize in Medicine, awarded to Chinese pharmacologist Tu Youyou, highlighted the value of Chinese pharmacopoeia: it was from sweet wormwood (Artemisia annua), used in TCM for over 2,000 years against fevers, that she isolated artemisinin, now the gold-standard malaria treatment saving millions of lives annually.
For chronic pain, a 2018 Cochrane meta-analysis confirmed acupuncture's effectiveness for lower back pain, neck pain, and knee osteoarthritis. Studies published in the Journal of Pain show that combining acupuncture and Tui Na significantly reduces fibromyalgia pain. For digestive disorders, Chinese pharmacopoeia formulas have demonstrated effectiveness in irritable bowel syndrome, with improvement rates superior to placebo treatments.
Qi Gong has been the subject of numerous clinical studies: a meta-analysis published in BMC Complementary Medicine (2020) demonstrated its beneficial effects on blood pressure reduction, improved quality of life for patients with chronic diseases, and decreased anxiety and depression. Qi Gong exercises activate the parasympathetic nervous system, reduce inflammatory markers, and improve immune function.
Chinese dietetics, often overlooked in the West, is also the subject of promising research. Studies show that adapting diet according to TCM principles (avoiding cold-natured foods in winter, favoring bitter flavors in summer) can improve digestion, strengthen the immune system, and contribute to preventing chronic metabolic diseases.
What conditions can a TCM practitioner treat?
Traditional Chinese Medicine addresses a broad spectrum of conditions. Chronic and acute pain are among the most common reasons for consultation: lower back pain, neck pain, sciatica, migraines, joint pain (osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis), neuralgias, chronic tendinitis, and fibromyalgia. The combined approach (acupuncture + Tui Na + pharmacopoeia) often yields better results than a single modality.
Digestive and metabolic disorders represent a major area of application: irritable bowel syndrome, gastritis, reflux, chronic constipation, Crohn's disease (as a complement), type 2 diabetes (as support). Gynecological disorders are also well managed: painful periods, premenstrual syndrome, fertility issues, menopause symptoms (hot flashes, insomnia, dryness). Alongside assisted reproduction, TCM helps optimize conditions before and after embryo transfers.
Emotional and psychological disorders respond well to TCM: chronic stress, anxiety, insomnia, mild to moderate depression, burnout. TCM acts on the body-mind axis by treating energy imbalances underlying emotional symptoms. Skin conditions (eczema, psoriasis, chronic acne) benefit from Chinese pharmacopoeia alongside dermatological treatments. Seasonal allergies, chronic rhinitis, and allergic asthma are also classic indications.
TCM is suitable for all age groups: pediatrics (recurrent ENT disorders, sleep issues, bedwetting), working adults (stress, pain, performance), pregnant women (nausea, pain, birth preparation), and elderly people (joint pain, memory issues, fatigue). Contraindications are rare but include surgical emergencies, acute infections requiring antibiotics, and acute-phase cancers without medical supervision. TCM does not replace emergency treatments or serious conditions requiring conventional medical monitoring.
Training and regulatory framework in France
In France, Traditional Chinese Medicine does not have a unified regulatory framework. Unlike China, where TCM practitioners are university-trained for 5 to 8 years and obtain a state diploma, training in France relies on a network of private schools with varying curricula. The most rigorous programs span 4 to 5 years (approximately 2,000 to 3,000 hours) covering theoretical foundations, supervised clinical practice, anatomy, and Western pathophysiology. Among recognized schools: Institut Chuzhen, Ming Tao school, IMTC, and Ecole Ling.
The acupuncture branch is the only one regulated: it is reserved for doctors, dentists, and midwives by the Public Health Code. Other TCM pillars (pharmacopoeia, Tui Na, Qi Gong, dietetics) are practiced by non-medical practitioners under unregulated liberal profession status. This legal vacuum raises safety and competency questions, making qualification verification all the more important.
Several professional federations work toward structuring the profession: UFPMTC (French Union of TCM Professionals), CFMTC (French Confederation of TCM), and SNP-MTC (National Union of TCM Practitioners). These organizations define training standards, codes of ethics, and continuing education programs. They advocate for regulation governing non-medical TCM practice.
On PratiConnect, we verify each TCM practitioner's qualifications: diploma from a recognized school, training hours, membership in a professional federation, valid professional insurance. For acupuncture physicians, we additionally verify registration with the Order of Physicians and RPPS number. This rigorous verification ensures patients access competent and insured practitioners.
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