Traditional Chinese medicine is a variety of medical practices originating in China that developed over several thousand years. These practices include theories, diagnosis and treatments and are not based on the typical ideas and facts that you would see in every day doctor's offices.

The philosophy of Chinese medicine is based on the mental and physical bodies being in tune with the spiritual being. Energy, known as Qi, is allowed to move through the body unrestricted when all three of these are aligned. If you are looking for your own method to using Chinese medicine, you can take several approaches.

Chinese medicine consists of eight different methods that are used for healing and, depending on a person's Qi, each of these methods can be used simultaneously with others. None of these methods are invasive, unlike Western medicine, and have very low side effects. A combination of these can be tried to find the ones that work best for you.

1. Chinese Herbal Medicine

2. Acupuncture and Moxibustion

3. Die-da or Tieh Ta

4. Chinese Food Therapy

5. Tui-na - massage therapy

6. Qigong and related breathing and meditation exercise

7. Physical exercise such as T'ai Chi Ch'uan and other Chinese Martial Arts

8. Mental health therapy such as Feng Shui

Several of the methods that are used in Chinese medicine are self-administered and you can research what is needed and find the required solution or you. Meditation, Qigong, exercise and changing your diet to balance out nutrition in a different form are common methods that can be used by anyone in order to smooth the progress of healing. Practicing exercises as an ancient form to move energy is also common and are used as a self-administered method.

The second category of practices are the types of healing that are administered by a practitioner who has studied Chinese Medicine. If you still are having problems healing, you can use these in order to get the proper alignment. Of these Acupuncture is probably the most common and well known type of curing that is done with the help of someone who is trained in the healing methods. There are also herbal medicine remedies that are used along with moxibustion. Moxibustion is the burning of herbs, instead of using them as a remedy, and is often associated with aromatherapy. Cupping, which is close to the practice of acupuncture or massage is also a widespread method that is done in order to get your Qi moving in the right direction again.

Chinese medicine is an alternative and holistic approach to helping no matter what form of healing therapy you feel that you need. Discovering the right type of Chinese medicine is an easy place to start as an alternative to going to the doctor if you are aspiring towards better energy levels or feeling ill.