Herbal medicine and acupuncture, the procedures of Chinese medicine that most people are familiar with, are the primary branches with other methods such as food therapy, qi gong and massage playing a secondary role. Rather than treating the disease the aim of Chinese medicine is to restore harmony and regain balance to the system.

The main reason for any illness or disease is lack of harmony. A well-balanced body can resist most everyday illness and disease and this is the philosophy of Chinese medicine, whereas modern medicine treats bacteria and viruses directly by the use of antibiotics or vaccines.

While more and more medical schools are including classes on alternative medicine in their syllabuses, the relationship between Chinese medicine and Western medicine is still contentious. Modern medical practitioners in China are far more likely to have a favourable view of Chinese medicine than older Western doctors.

Even though, the techniques are now valued in the west. Alternative medicine has been recognised by drug companies and the value it can give to the world of modern medicine and are employing scientists to gather information from around the world from traditional Chinese medical practitioners. Inpatient and health programme classes of hospitals and clinics are now including T'ai Chi Ch'uan or qigong.

Not even conceived as alternative medicine by over three quarters of the world's population, Chinese medicine excels in the areas of prevention of physical and emotional illnesses. For thousands of years it has been seen as form of non-invasive, therapeutic and risk free treatment.

Many people, who have lost confidence in modern medicine and synthetic drugs, are reassessing their views towards alternative medicine and finding satisfaction in Chinese medicine. Significantly an increasing percentage of the population are now depending on Chinese medicine to maintain good health.