Health, evidence and safety
What we know, what we don't, and how to use these therapies safely and without replacing conventional medicine.
Scientific Evidence on Chinese Medicine
The scientific evidence on traditional Chinese medicine is uneven: some techniques, such as acupuncture for certain chronic pain or tai chi for balance, have some support, while for most uses it is limited or insufficient. Studying it is difficult because of the placebo effect, the difficulty of blinding treatments and the variable quality of trials.
Health and evidenceSafety in Chinese medicine
Traditional Chinese Medicine is not without risks. Acupuncture performed by trained practitioners with sterile single-use needles is low risk, but medicinal herbs can be toxic, contaminated or interact with drugs. Using it safely means choosing the practitioner carefully, informing your doctor and never abandoning a prescribed treatment.
