Growing popularity of Chinese medicine
Patients are finding traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) can be effective for a variety of conditions, including pain relief and fertility treatment with Chinese herbs:
““Drugs are often Band-Aids that treat symptoms but not the underlying cause - with eczema, for instance, you can be given cortisone to reduce inflammation but it doesn’t address the cause. TCM on the other hand can help by strengthening the immune system and digestive function.”
Few Western-trained doctors refer patients to a TCM practitioner, though one doctor now refers children with eczema to Scott for pediatric massage - an alternative to acupuncture for children who are afraid of needles.
The barriers to more doctors referring patients for TCM include lack of registration - only Victoria has a registration system for its practitioners - and lack of evidence for its benefits.
Still, Xue says, it is the subject of increasing study and there’s some evidence that acupuncture helps treat headaches, period pain, back pain and chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. Studies suggest it may improve IVF’s success, though it’s unclear why.
“It may increase blood flow to the uterus,” says Dr Caroline Smith, who has conducted a study of acupuncture and IVF through the University of Adelaide. “It needs more research, but we know acupuncture does no harm and may increase women’s chances of success.”
As for Chinese herbal medicine, its acceptance lags behind acupuncture, which now attracts a Medicare rebate provided it’s done by a medical doctor trained in acupuncture.?
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