Modalities Of Chinese Medicine

Chinese medicine uses a number of modalities or therapies for both prevention and treatment of disease. There are two main categories of treatment modalities: herbal and manual treatment. Many medicinal herbs are usually used in combination. Manual therapies are applied under special situations or are used to supplement herbal treatment. Examples of manual therapies include acupuncture, cupping, moxibustion, tuina (massage) and exercise. All of these may be used as forms of treatment and as ways of preventing illnesses and achieving better health. Regardless of the type of therapy used, they are all guided by the fundamental theories of Chinese medicine. All forms of treatment are used to help the body return to its natural state of harmony of Yin and Yang. This chapter will provide a brief description of the various forms of therapies used in Chinese medicine. Further reading is recommended for readers who would like to know more about the individual therapies.