The Medicalization of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Western Medicine

"Medicalization" can be described as a process by which non-medical problems become defined and treated as medical problems [1]. Medicalization of Traditional Chinese Medicine is the process of legitimizing ancient practices and having them become accepted as part of Western medical practice [2]. Traditional Chinese medicine practices such as herbal detox teas, oil-pulling, and schisandra berry are now common in modern Western society. However, many of these traditional medical practices are seen as trendy and are used as a status symbol rather than for their healing tendencies. These health fads have not been legitimized by Western medical practitioners and are therefore not considered "medical treatment". There are also some cases where Tradition Chinese Medicine has been medicalized in Western medicine practices. The American Journal of Medicine has conducted studies on Moxibustion and its effectiveness in turning around breech babies. By using standardized Western research processes to study the effectiveness of moxibustion, this traditional practice has now become part of Western medicine, and therefore, medicalized.

History of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Traditional Chinese medicine is the third oldest medicine practice in history, after Egyptian and Babylonian medicine and is still widely used in Asian and across the globe [3] The beginning of traditional Chinese medicine dates back to far before writing was invented in the Shang Dynasty in 1766 BC. The medical writings at that time reflect on practices over two thousand years old, with acupuncture being traced back to the Stone Age. Traditional Chinese medicine was primarily contained until the political and economic opening of China in 1972 when it spread to Western and European countries [4]. Traditional Chinese medicine does not have one single methodology but is made up of hundreds of generations practitioners knowledge and experience. Currently, traditional Chinese medicine accounts for 20-30% of health care in China [5]

Medicalization Process

Medicalization is the examination of human problems and asks whether these problems are 'real' medical issues [6]. This question can also be asked in terms of treatment. Is this treatment a 'real' medical treatment? The medicalization process includes medical and scientific research that aims to legitimize a treatment. This research aims to find concrete evidence supporting the medical legitimacy of a treatment. This process is not written out in any medical journal but it is more of an attitude held by Western medical professionals and practitioners. Generally, a practice becomes medicalized when it is recognized in a reputable medical journal such as the American Journal of Medicine.

Traditional Chinese Medicine in Western Society

Moxibustion

Moxibustion is a traditional Chinese medicine technique that comprises of the burning of mugwort(Artemesia vulfaris), an herb, to facilitate healing by strengthening the blood stimulating the flow of qi [7]. In indirect moxibustion, the end of the moxa stick, is lit and held close to the treatment area until this area turns red. In traditional Chinese medicine, this practice is used for patients who have a cold or stagnant condition as it is believed that moxa expels cold and warms the meridians which leads to smoother flow of blood and qi [8].

Medicalization of Moxibustion

Moxibustion is one of the traditional Chinese Medicine practices that had been legitimized, and therefor medicalized, by Western medicine. Moxibustion has been successfully used to turn around breech babies prior to childbirth. The 1998 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that moxibustion was effective in normalizing baby positions in 75% of women suffering from breech presentations. Moxibustion has also been proven to reduce post-operative pain by relaxing tight muscles and softening scar tissue [9].

Herbal Detox Teas

Herbal teas are used in Traditional Chinese medicine for a variety of treatments and remedies for issues such as intestinal issues, high cholesterol, kidney stones, ulcers, and weight loss [10]. Specifically, detox teas have become very popular in Western society. Nicknamed "teatox's", these detox teas promise weight loss and increased energy levels. Although these "teatox's" have not been legitimized by Western medicine, these products are often endorsed by celebrities (see http://www.skinnymint.com) and are backed by massive ad campaigns that aim to legitimize the product. Herbal detox teas used in Western society have roots in Traditional Chinese Medicine but have been taken out of context and unacculturated by profit-driven companies with little to no knowledge of Traditional Chinese Medicine and the traditional uses of herbal detox teas.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture Acupuncture is a technique of insertion and manipulation of fine needles in specific points on the body to achieve therapeutic purposes. Acupuncture is an important part of traditional Chinese medicine and has been used in China for over 4000 years [11]. Acupuncture was highly challenged by Western medicine until around the 1950s where it was vigorously studied by Western medical professionals and eventually integrated into the system [12].

Traditional Chinese Medicine as a Western Culture Fad

Traditional Chinese Medicine practices such herbal detox teas, oil-pulling, and schisandra berry have yet to be proven by the Western medical world to be legitimate medical treatments or remedies. Nonetheless, these "health" products are widely available for purchase and are very popular among health conscious individuals. The users of these products and practices believe in the effectiveness even though Western medicine has not proved this.

Conclusion

The intersection between traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine offers a valuable opportunity to integrate the two practices that allows for the expansion of treatment options. This integration requires Western medical professionals to be properly trained in areas of traditional Chinese medicine and would allow Western medicine to build upon and potentially improve traditional methods with the use of technology and Western medical testing and treatment practices. In this process, it is important to recognize the history behind traditional Chinese medicine and build upon this rather than replace the traditional ways.

References

Chiu, Jen-Hwey. “How Does Moxibustion Possibly Work?” Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 19(584), 2013.

Chon, T. Y., & Lee, M. C. "Acupuncture". Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 88(10), 1141-1143. 2013.

Conrad, Peter. "The Medicalization of Society : On the Transformation of Human Conditions into Treatable Disorders", Johns Hopkins University Press, 2008.

Guittier, Marie-Julia, et al. "Moxibustion for Breech Version". Obstetrics & Gynecology. 114(5):1034-1040, November 2009.

Lui, Tang, Ma. "Traditional Chinese Medicine". The Lancet. 372(9654): 6-12, December 2008.

Moxibustion. Acupuncture Today. Retrieved from http://www.acupuncturetoday.com/abc/moxibustion.php.