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Although Chinese medicine is conceived as alternative medicine outside of the Far East it is still considered the primary medical system in China, and has been for thousands of years. Chinese medicine and it's non-invasive and natural healing is becoming progressively popular in the Western world as opposed to the synthetically produced drugs of modern medicine.

Said to have been practised for 5,000 years the history of Chinese medicine is anything but lucid. Considered to be 2,000 years old, Hung-Di Nei-Jing (Cannon of Internal Medicine) is thought to be the first written document concerning Chinese medicine and is attributed to the Yellow Emperor, but dates and author are still far from clear.

Herbal medicine and acupuncture, the procedures of Chinese medicine that most people are familiar with, are the primary branches with other methods such as food therapy, qi gong and massage playing a secondary role. But few know that restoring harmony and regaining balance rather than treating the disease is the aim of all traditional treatment.

The main reason for any illness or disease is lack of harmony. The philosophy of Chinese medicine is the restoration of the body's harmony and balance and this holistic view of medicine maintains that a well-balanced person is resistant to most everyday illness and disease. Modern medicine on the other hand treats bacteria and viruses directly by the use antibiotics and vaccines.

The curricula of an increasing number of medical schools are including classes on alternative medicine even while a contentious relationship still exists between Chinese medicine and modern medicine. Chinese medicine is more likely to be viewed with distrust by older Western doctors.

Even though, the techniques are of value in the west. In fact, drug companies have acknowledged the value of traditional medicines and teams of scientists in many parts of the world are employed to accumulate knowledge from traditional medical practitioners. In addition, many Western hospitals and increasing numbers of clinics now offer T'ai Chi Ch'uan or qigong classes as part of their inpatient and health programs.

Not considered as alternative medicine by over three quarters of the world's population, Chinese medicine excels in the areas of prevention of physical and emotional illnesses. For centuries it has been regarded as form of non-intrusive, remedial, risk free treatment.

Modern medicines increasing reliance on synthetic drugs have influenced many people to alter their attitude towards Chinese medicine and many are finding satisfaction in this branch of alternative medicine. Increasingly people are maintaining their health at optimum levels by having regular treatments and are applying Chinese medicine as a first option instead of a last resort.