What are the external treatments of traditional Chinese medicine?

External TCM treatments mainly include acupuncture, cupping, massage, scraping and plastering, etc. These methods occupy an important position in TCM with their unique natural therapies. External TCM treatments focus on regulating the balance of yin and yang in the human body through external stimulation to achieve the purpose of curing diseases. The common point of these therapies is that they do not require oral medication, but improve local blood circulation, relax muscles and tendons, and remove wind and dampness through methods such as acupuncture, pressing, and suction.

Next, let's briefly talk about the basic concepts and effects of each method. Acupuncture uses fine needles to stimulate specific acupuncture points to promote the dredging of meridians and enhance the body's self-healing ability. Cupping uses negative pressure to rupture tiny blood vessels in the skin, thereby stimulating the circulatory system. Tuina is equivalent to a traditional Chinese massage and can effectively relieve muscle tension and fatigue. Gua Sha uses a special scraper to scrape the surface of the skin to remove moisture and toxins from the body. Patching applies specific medicines directly to the skin to act on local symptoms.

Next, let's briefly talk about the basic concepts and effects of each method. Acupuncture uses fine needles to stimulate specific acupuncture points to promote the dredging of meridians and enhance the body's self-healing ability. Cupping uses negative pressure to rupture tiny blood vessels in the skin, thereby stimulating the circulatory system. Tuina is equivalent to a traditional Chinese massage and can effectively relieve muscle tension and fatigue. Gua Sha uses a special scraper to scrape the surface of the skin to remove moisture and toxins from the body. Patching applies specific medicines directly to the skin to act on local symptoms.

In daily life, these therapies should be used with caution. For example, acupuncture and cupping should be performed by qualified professionals, and massage should be performed without excessive force to prevent muscle damage. When performing scraping or applying at home, make sure that the tools and drugs used are safe and harmless. People with sensitive skin should be especially careful to prevent allergic reactions. If you have health problems or symptoms worsen, it is recommended to seek medical attention in a timely manner and seek the advice of a professional Chinese medicine doctor.