中医学以阴阳五行作为理论基础，将人体看成是气、形、神的统一体，通过“望闻问切”四诊合参的方法，探求病因、病性、病位，分析病机及人体内五脏六腑、经络关节、气血津液的变化，判断邪正消长，进而得出病名，归纳出证型，以辨证论治原则，制定“汗、吐、下、和、温、清、补、消”等治法，使用中药、针灸、推拿、按摩、拔罐、气功、食疗、艾灸等多种治疗手段，使人体达到阴阳调和而康复。

最常用的是: 针灸, 中草药, 其它实践包括饮食和按摩。

春秋战国中医理论已经基本形成，出现了解剖和医学分科，已经采用“四诊”，治疗法有砭石、针刺、汤药、艾灸、导引、布气、祝由等。《黄帝内经》，它是中国传统医学四大经典著作之一，也是中国医学宝库中成书最早的一部医学典籍。同时是研究人的生理学、病理学、诊断学、治疗原则和药物学的医学巨著。在理论上建立了中医学上的阴阳五行学说、脉象学说、藏象学说、 经络学说、病因学说、病机学说、病症、诊法、论治及养生学说、运气学说等学说，后来的中医学和养生学开始用阴阳五行解释人体生理，出现了“医工”、金针、铜钥匙等。是指以中国汉族创造的传统医学为主的医学，是研究人体生理、病理以及疾病的诊断和防治等的一门学科。

What Is Traditional Chinese Medicine?

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has evolved over thousands of years. TCM practitioners use various psychological and/or physical approaches (such as acupuncture and tai chi) as well as herbal products to address health problems.

What the Science Says About the Effectiveness of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a technique in which practitioners stimulate specific points on the body, usually by inserting thin needles through the skin. Studies suggest that acupuncture stimulates the release of the body’s natural painkillers and affects areas in the brain involved in processing pain; suggest real acupuncture may help ease types of pain that are often chronic, such as low-back pain, neck pain, osteoarthritis/knee pain, and carpal tunnel syndrome. It also may help reduce the frequency of tension headaches and prevent migraine headaches.

Tui Na (Chinese Massage)

Tuina massage is an ancient form of massage that focuses on balancing a person’s energy. Practitioners use various techniques, including kneading, pressing, rolling, and stretching.

Huang Di Nei Jing, a famous ancient Chinese medical text from between the 1st century B.C.E. and the 1st century C.E., is the first known document to define tuina massage. It contains records describing the use of massage techniques to treat certain diseases.

However, archaeologists have found evidence of tuina massage dating back to about 2700 B.C.E.

The practice includes a range of massage and manipulation techniques. During the session, a practitioner may use their hands and arms to massage, knead, press, and stretch the body.

Tai Chi

Tai chi combines certain postures, gentle movements, mental focus, breathing, and relaxation. Research findings suggest that practicing tai chi may improve balance and stability in older people and those with Parkinson’s disease, reduce pain from knee osteoarthritis, help people cope with fibromyalgia and back pain, and promote quality of life and improve mood in people with heart failure.

Chinese Herbal Products

Chinese herbal products have been studied for many medical problems, including stroke, heart disease, mental disorders, and respiratory diseases (such as bronchitis and the common cold).