Is Traditional Chinese Medicine a Replacement for Modern Medicine?
I studied traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) as part of my mandatory courses at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (CCNM). Among all the disciplines, CCNM gives Chinese medicine a special place. In Ontario, anyone with an ND (Naturopathic Doctor) license is knowledgeable about Chinese medicine, while in BC, it requires separate certification for NDs. I have a respectful attitude towards Chinese medicine and use it in my practice when I find it appropriate and effective as a treatment method. However, it is never my first-line therapy. Yes, an acupuncture session may be cheaper than a visit to an ND, but you would need at least six sessions to see any noticeable effect. I rarely use TCM due to the significant increase in treatment costs. If I can achieve results faster and, therefore, more cost-effectively, I opt for other alternative treatment approaches. However, if I am asked to use TCM for treatment, I never refuse. This usually applies to pain syndromes.