To study Chinese medicine, one must first consider which type of Chinese medicine interests them the most. Herbal healing, acupuncture, and even certain other practices are all used in Chinese medicine to reorient energy in the body and surrounding area in order to improve health. It’s usually a good idea to start studying Chinese medicine by enrolling in a class, workshop, or other instructor-led program. Travel to China, experimentation, and additional independent reading may be required for a more advanced study.
Taking a class from a local practitioner of the type of medicine in which one is interested is one of the most common ways to study Chinese medicine. Many alternative health schools, for example, offer Chinese medicine courses that are suitable for beginners, though these often require the student to enroll in the college. Individual practitioners may also offer workshops, particularly in healing arts where the patient is involved in the healing process, such as Reiki.
Some forms of Chinese medicine necessitate the use of potentially dangerous herbs or the manipulation of the body in potentially dangerous ways. These techniques are usually taught in a more formal setting. To learn this type of Chinese medicine, one must usually enroll in several courses at an alternative medicine school or travel to China to study with a master. To be safe, it’s best to start with Chinese medicine, which doesn’t involve the introduction of any substances or objects into the body.
If you want to study the philosophy of Chinese medicine rather than the practice, you can usually start on your own and seek intellectual stimulation once you’ve mastered the basics. The basics of all forms of Chinese medicine can be found on the internet and in many books, and they may even expose you to less well-known forms. One is much better prepared to interact with experts in the field if they have a broad base of knowledge from a variety of perspectives.
For many people interested in learning traditional Chinese medicine, traveling to China and learning authentic techniques is the most appealing option. This is problematic for non-Chinese speakers because, while it is possible to learn from Chinese people in China, many master healers do not speak English. It’s best to start learning both written and spoken Chinese if you want to have an authentic experience. Learning Chinese opens up a world of opportunities for study and advancement in Chinese medicine.