The main difference between Western medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) lies in their functional approach: Traditional Chinese Medicine focuses on regulating and supporting bodily functions, while Western medicine focuses on replacing them. Thus, one could say that Western medicine should be the primary treatment for serious bodily disorders, and TCM for functional disorders. TCM can be helpful in supporting and regulating bodily functions related to metabolism and the immune system.

It is assumed that acupuncture was already used 200 v.Chr...was fully developed. The first acupuncture needles were pieces of metal coated with verdigris. One rounded end was used to press and massage the skin's surface at various points. The pointed end was used to insert the needle under the skin. The points/pathways described at that time largely correspond to the meridians known today.

There are 12 paired main meridians – running along both sides of the body – named after the organs they supply with energy and with which they are directly related, plus one meridian each along the front and back midline of the body. The acupuncture points are located on these meridians.

According to TCM, the prerequisite for the success of acupuncture treatment is the selection of the appropriate meridians and acupuncture points using traditional Chinese diagnostics.

TCM diagnostics includes

• Facial diagnosis - the external appearance
• Tongue diagnosis – the decisive factors are shape, color, moisture, and texture.
• Pulse diagnosis is the central focus of TCM diagnostic methods.

An experienced TCM doctor uses all their senses for diagnosis. They try to determine, based on the voice and breathing, cough, and even body odor, in which functional system the imbalance might lie.

If you have read this article, you will notice that the diagnostic methods from TCM, Ayurveda and herbal medicine have many parallels.