TCM is a recognized form of medicine and has made various global milestones in the past decades – from being the basis for malaria treatments<\/a> to aiding in cancer treatments<\/a>. Some Western doctors will often use some practices in their care, and this is especially true for physiotherapists and naturopaths.<\/p>\n Further Reading: Where To Buy Medicine In Hong Kong<\/a><\/p>\n While various treatments in TCM have made their way into western medical practices, there are four key principles<\/a> that separate TCM\u2019s philosophy from its western counterpart. These principles are:<\/p>\n Acupuncture, bone setting, cupping therapy, qigong, and herbal medicine are some of the common types of TCM. While there are many different practices in TCM, these are the common ones found in Hong Kong.<\/p>\n Acupuncture<\/a> has long been a key component of Chinese medicine and involves inserting hair-thin needles into the body in strategic locations based on different ailments or medical concerns being experienced by the patient.<\/p>\n According to the Mayo Clinic<\/a>, \u201cTraditional Chinese medicine explains acupuncture as a technique for balancing the flow of energy or life force \u2014 known as qi or chi (CHEE) \u2014 believed to flow through pathways (meridians) in your body. By inserting needles into specific points along these meridians, acupuncture practitioners believe that your energy flow will re-balance.\u201d<\/p>\n In Hong Kong, practitioners will often use acupuncture to alleviate symptoms, including:<\/p>\n Many physiotherapists will use acupuncture to help promote muscle recovery or pain relief.<\/p>\n Bone setting is the manipulation of joints, tendons, and ligaments to rectify the misaligned parts of the skeletal system. It forms the basis for the development of modern chiropractic and osteopathy.<\/p>\n Through manipulating fractured bones, ruptured sinew, and muscles, bonesetters are able to treat bone fractures, concussions, sprains, soft tissue problems, and even joint dislocations.<\/p>\n The treatment can also be used to treat other symptoms that modern chiropractic or osteopathy do not primarily target, such as stomach ache, dizziness, and menstrual pain.<\/p>\n Keep in mind that some bone setting manipulations are not as gentle as western physiotherapy and can be very painful, especially if it\u2019s your first time!<\/p>\n As with other forms of TCM, Cupping is not a \u201cnew\u201d practice, in fact, it has been around in some form or another since at least 1,550 BC where it was described in a medical text from Egypt. These days, the practice has evolved into two major methods used by most practitioners:<\/p>\n Regardless of which type you receive, you will usually be left with large red circles where the cups were placed. What type you get will be determined by the practitioner and your current symptoms. Some of the most common symptoms cupping is used to treat include:<\/p>\n While Western medicine practitioners generally believe that cupping will not usually cure ailments by itself, it is often used in conjunction with other forms of TCM to alleviate symptoms or even promote healing.<\/p>\n One of the main differences between TCM and Western medicine is that it doesn\u2019t just focus on healing what ails you, but also on the mind and spirit. Qigong (Chee-Gong), meaning cultivating energy, is a perfect embodiment of this idea. According to the NQA<\/a>, \u201cQigong practices can be classified as martial, medical, or spiritual\u201d and can be used for health maintenance, healing, and increasing vitality.<\/p>\n When practicing Qigong, you will notice that there are three key elements you focus on: posture, breathing, and mental focus. Together, each movement revolves around your Qi or life force, and can help bring a more holistic element to your healing.<\/p>\n In Hong Kong, many people practice Qigong to achieve the following benefits:<\/p>\n For most people in Hong Kong, the herbal store is the first place to go when one is feeling sick, especially with a cold or similar maladies.<\/p>\n These stores sell a wide variety of herbs for an equally wide variety of illnesses and are usually staffed by knowledgeable and accredited Chinese Herbal Medicine professionals.<\/p>\n Being in line with TCM principles, herbal medicines are often not used to treat particular symptoms. Instead, they are used to treat the whole body by improving body-wide functions, such as blood circulation and the immune system.<\/p>\n Currently, there are over 8,000 TCM practitioners in Hong Kong. You can find an updated list of all registered Chinese medicine practitioners in Hong Kong on the Chinese Medicine Council\u2019s website<\/a>.<\/p>\n For public Chinese Medicine clinics<\/strong>, you can search through the list of Chinese Medicine Clinics cum Training and Research Centres<\/a>, which provide quota-based Government subsidized services to eligible persons.<\/p>\n For private Chinese Medicine practitioners<\/strong>, you can refer to the list of registered Chinese medicine practitioners<\/a>, or go to private hospitals with TCM services, such as Gleneagles Hospital<\/a>, St. Teresa\u2019s Hospital<\/a>, and Hong Kong Baptist Hospital<\/a>.<\/p>\n As TCM is a governed industry in Hong Kong, all TCM practitioners must be approved by the government and meet set standards as defined and governed by the Chinese Medicine Ordinance<\/a>.<\/p>\n While a one-off consultation generally costs between HKD $120 and HKD $300 in most areas of Hong Kong, an all-inclusive Chinese medicine program (for example, consultation + acupuncture treatment + herbs prescriptions) in a high-end clinic can set you back anywhere from HKD $1,100 to HKD $2,000.<\/p>\n Chinese Medicine Clinics cum Training and Research Centres is another option for more affordable TCM treatment. For general consultation (including prescribed Chinese Medicine products for no more than 5 days), treatment-related acupuncture, bone setting, and Tui Na, each item costs only HKD $120 for every attendance.<\/p>\n Due to its increasing popularity in the city, many health insurance providers have started to implement insurance coverage benefits for traditional Chinese medicine<\/a> in some plans.<\/p>\n The key thing to be aware of is that plans that do cover TCM may not cover all forms of TCM<\/strong>. For example, one plan will cover acupuncture and herbal medicine, but won\u2019t cover visits to Qigong practitioners, while another plan may only cover acupuncture.<\/p>\n Beyond that, plans often have a limit to the number of visits they will cover or the cost for each treatment. It would be beneficial to read the coverage documentation that came with your plan before you seek out any care from a Chinese medicine practitioner.<\/p>\n If you are looking for a new health insurance plan and will be visiting a TCM practitioner this year, visit our plans page<\/a> to learn more about our plans and book a meeting.<\/p>\n![\"General](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.pacificprime.hk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/WP-Banner-revamp-final-20221207_5.-General-final.jpg?resize=700%2C303&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n\nIs TCM a Recognized Form of Medicine?<\/h2>\n
Four Key Principles of TCM<\/h2>\n
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Five Common Types of TCM<\/h2>\n
Acupuncture<\/h3>\n
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Bone setting<\/h3>\n
Cupping therapy<\/h3>\n
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Qigong<\/h3>\n
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Herbal Medicine<\/h3>\n
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<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n\nHow to Choose a Chinese Medicine Practitioner in Hong Kong<\/h2>\n
How Much Does TCM Treatment Cost?<\/h2>\n
Does Health Insurance Cover TCM?<\/h2>\n
Need Help In Finding The Right Insurance Plan? Let Pacific Prime Help You!<\/h2>\n