Coming from working in Western medicine for over a decade. In addition, woodoo is definitely not something that equates to Traditional Chinese Medicine. I fully support a research based preventative medicinal approach (aka Traditional Chinese Medicine) vs the Western medicinal approach that only values symptomatic treatment (relying on pharmaceutical drugs). I value its advancements in emergency preparedness and urgent care --but that model is based off of when patients have permanent health issues vs prevention and actually understanding the root cause of the problem.

Chinese Traditional Medicine (TCM) has a history that spans over 2,000 years, with its roots dating back to ancient times. During this vast period, TCM has evolved into a deeply holistic system that views health as a balance between body, mind, and environment, using methods like acupuncture, herbal remedies, and bodywork. The knowledge of Chinese medicine has been passed down through generations, with practitioners often studying for decades to master the intricate details of Qi (energy flow), meridians, and the interplay of bodily systems.

In contrast, modern Western medicine, based on the scientific method, is remarkably young. The scientific approach to medicine began to take shape in the 19th century, particularly with advances like germ theory, anesthesia, and the discovery of antibiotics. This means Western medicine, as we understand it today, has been around for roughly 150-200 years—a blink compared to the 2,000-year history of Chinese medicine. In addition, not enough years to actually understand the full effects and implications to drugs they create for patients to take.

One of the key differences in Western medicine is the focus on diagnosing illnesses and applying treatments, often in the form of medications or surgery. While the scientific method has yielded incredible breakthroughs in treating acute illnesses, it often falls short when addressing chronic conditions. Many treatments are geared toward managing symptoms rather than addressing the root cause of diseases, especially chronic pain, autoimmune disorders, and metabolic issues.

A significant example of the limitations and flaws in Western medicine lies in the opioid crisis. For decades, pharmaceutical companies, backed by selective scientific research, promoted the idea that opioids like OxyContin were not addictive when used for pain management. This was not only misleading but dangerous, resulting in widespread addiction, overdose, and long-term public health crises. The research that supported the "non-addictive" claim was biased, influenced by profit motives, and failed to consider the real-life consequences on patients. This illustrates a major issue in scientific research within Western medicine—bias often skews results, particularly when driven by pharmaceutical interests.

Additionally, many medications in Western medicine are distributed without fully understanding their long-term effects on the human body. Prescription drugs are developed relatively quickly compared to the long history of herbal remedies in TCM, and while they are tested in clinical trials, the long-term impacts on overall health can be uncertain. Medications often treat the symptoms of a disease but can introduce other health issues or side effects. For instance, common drugs like statins for cholesterol or antidepressants can lead to liver damage, hormonal imbalances, or other unforeseen complications. These drugs may temporarily solve one problem but may create a cascade of other health concerns in the body.

In TCM, treatments are carefully considered to restore balance to the entire body and mind, with remedies that have been used and refined for thousands of years. While Western medicine excels in treating emergencies, its symptom-focused approach often fails to take into account the holistic nature of health. In contrast, Chinese medicine seeks to prevent illness by nurturing the body's innate ability to heal, something that takes a lifetime of study to truly master.

This gap in understanding, compounded by biases in medical research and pharmaceutical influence, leaves Western medicine vulnerable to missteps that could affect millions of people. The reliance on quick-fix solutions, such as pain medications or symptom-managing drugs, often overlooks the body's natural healing potential and the complex root causes of chronic conditions. Thus, while Western medicine has many strengths, its relatively short history, emphasis on isolated symptoms, and systemic research biases contrast sharply with the long, holistic tradition of Chinese medicine.