During the 2016 Rio Olympics, people were surprised to see the round, purple marks on the body of the famous American swimmer Michael Phelps. What happened to him? In fact, he just visited a doctor of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and had "cupping" (拔火罐). Massage (按摩) and acupuncture (针灸) are two other important kinds of TCM. Chinese message can make you relaxed and fresh. In acupuncture, doctors put long needles (针) into the patients' hands, faces, arms… It takes away pain, though the look is funny.
TCM is an important part of Chinese culture. The earliest medical classic in China, Huangdi's Classic on Medicine, came out more than 2,000 year ago. The book is about the relationship between man and nature. In Chinese culture, yin and yang are the two parts of nature. Nature keeps balanced if yin and yang work well together. The human body needs such a balance too. TCM helps to do that. Quite specially, for some health problems, a doctor of TCM will not give you medicine. Instead, he may give you just a food plan and right ways to eat.
For example, it is common to eat on the way to school, at our desk, or in front of the TV. But TCM thinks it is wrong. Here are the correct ways: Sit down to eat. While eating, turn off the TV and get away from the work desk. Eat seasonal foods. Do not miss any of the three meals. Also, get your body moving often, just as the saying goes, "Running water is never stale."
Nowadays, traditional Chinese medicine is becoming more and more popular around the world. A government report says that people in 183 countries and areas are now using TCM.
(①=Para. (自然段) 1 ②=Para.2 ③=Para.3 ④=Para.4 )
