The Five Pillars of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Traditional Chinese Medicine is not a single therapy but a system of five interconnected practices: **Acupuncture (针灸)** — Fine needles inserted at specific points along meridians to regulate the flow of Qi. Used for pain, stress, digestive issues, and more. Backed by a growing body of clinical research. **Herbal Medicine (中药)** — Formulas combining plant, mineral, and animal substances. Prescribed based on pattern diagnosis rather than disease label. A single condition may be treated with different formulas depending on the individual constitution. **Tui Na (推拿)** — Chinese therapeutic massage. Uses rhythmic compression, joint mobilisation, and acupressure to address musculoskeletal and internal conditions. **Qigong (气功)** — Meditative movement practice combining breath, posture, and intention to cultivate and balance Qi. The internal complement to Tai Chi. **Dietary Therapy (食疗)** — Food as medicine. Every food has a thermal nature (warming, cooling, neutral) and flavour (sour, bitter, sweet, pungent, salty) that affects specific organs. Seasonal and constitutional eating is central to TCM prevention. These five pillars are designed to work together. A TCM practitioner may recommend all five simultaneously, tailored to the individual.