陈兆一 on Western medicine versus traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)
bodawei
January 13, 2010, 07:32 AM posted in General DiscussionA 100 year old doctor of traditional Chinese medicine (陈兆一 Chen Zhaoyi，otherwise referred to as 陈老) was recently quoted on the question of strengths & weaknesses of each approach.
The strengths of Chinese medicine are (1) disease prevention .. and the philosophy that Man is not separate from Nature; (2) treatment of chronic diseases and rare disorders; (3) unique ways of regulating the body and dealing with 'sub-health'; (4) access to physicians and low medical costs; (5) human sensibility (sic).
Ditto Western: (1) good results in the treatment of acute diseases and surgical (procedures); (2) Western medicine and modern science and technology and closely linked; (3) Western medicine is suitable for fast-paced life.
This last point reminded me of a story I read recently arguing the advantages of 'strolling'. This is something that drives Westerners crazy in China but I think that there is something in it. And apparently it is supported by doctors of Chinese medicine. The author argues that Chinese cities are designed for strolling, whereas American cities are not.
bodawei
I am disappointed that there is nothing in the Skeptic's Dictionary under S for 'strolling'.
simonpettersson
What is "strolling", exactly? I'm assuming you're not just talking about taking walks?
bodawei
当然'strolling'是走路的意思，逛街 等等。[See my original post.]
pretzellogic
January 13, 2010, 10:08 AMThis is interesting. I guess lower rates of specific diseases treated by TCM versus Western Medicine might prove something or at least start on the path of verifying the effectiveness of TCM.
bodawei
January 13, 2010, 01:46 PMI am disappointed that there is nothing in the Skeptic's Dictionary under S for 'strolling'.
simonpettersson
January 13, 2010, 02:38 PMWhat is "strolling", exactly? I'm assuming you're not just talking about taking walks?
bodawei
January 13, 2010, 03:49 PM当然'strolling'是走路的意思，逛街 等等。[See my original post.]
simonpettersson
January 13, 2010, 08:32 AMFor anyone intersted in TCM, I usually recommend the excellent Skeptic's Dictionary. Here are the articles on acupuncture and qi.