Often, Western medicine intervenes only after crises arise, whereas Chinese medicine anticipates problems by sustaining our interior harmony. By correcting depletion and stagnation at earlier stages, greater problems are avoided in the future.

Sometimes, Western medicine has little to offer for nagging chronic conditions that Chinese medicine can help. One is not a substitute for the other. They are often complementary. Whereas Western medicine may heroically rescue us from acute life threatening illness, Chinese medicine can protect and preserve our day to day health.

In modern China, TCM is taught and practiced alongside Western medicine. All of the major hospitals have Western and traditional Chinese departments, Patients are often referred from one department to the other. Thus, Chinese patients are able to receive the best that each system has to offer, with combined Chinese herbal and Western drug therapy in serious cases. This has proven to be an extremely successful approach. Remarkable results have been achieved in such areas as cancer care, recovery from stroke, arthritis, skin diseases, heart disease, chronic degenerative diseases, post operative care, etc.

At Chi Wellness Longwood Clinic we strive to integrate the most effective TCM therapies with conventional healthcare, providing you with the best values from both medical systems.

Western drugs often control symptoms, but do not alter the disease process (antibiotics eliminate bacteria but do not improve a person's resistance to infection; diuretics rid excess fluid without improving kidney function). Chinese herbs treat the root cause of the underlying condition, as defined by traditional diagnosis, and rarely cause unwanted side effects.

Herbs assist the Organ Networks in the performance of their tasks. Particular herbs enhance the capacity of the Heart, to propel the blood and soothe the mind; the Spleen, to manage digestion and fluid equilibrium; the Lungs, to handle respiration and the body's defenses; the Liver, to maintain emotional resilience and supple limbs; and the Kidneys, to sustain sexual and regenerative power. Some herbal formulas address ailments such as colds, allergies, inflammation or cramps with dramatic and immediate results. Others fortify the body's reserves over time.

Formulas are available in a variety of forms: raw herbs to be boiled into tea, bottled liquid extracts, ground herbs packaged in pills and powders. In China, herbs, more like foods than drugs, can supplement our diet and fortify our constitution as well as prevent or cure ailments. Sometimes, long-term use of herbs is desirable, whereas extended use of pharmaceuticals would not be healthy.

Throughout five thousand years of history, Chinese physicians have discovered how to reduce the toxicity of raw herbs and enhance their therapeutic effects through processing and combining multiple herbs in a formula. This makes Chinese herbs much more potent than other herbs. In contrast, most other herbal medicines use a single herb or only a few herbs. Generally speaking, Chinese herbs work more slowly than chemical drugs.