The Ministry of Health has applied to UNESCO seeking recognition for acupuncture, the needle therapy of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), as a world intangible cultural heritage. This is a welcome move, but getting a heritage tag for TCM as a whole is more important, says an article in Guangzhou Daily. Excerpts:

Traditional Chinese medicine has a long history, and though its development may have hit a bottleneck at home, it is flourishing abroad. Hence, a UNESCO world intangible cultural heritage stamp for TCM would be proper recognition for this unique form of medical treatment and would help it develop further. Click here to learn acupuncture point Shenmen (HT 7).

Getting recognition as a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage for acupuncture is important. But it is more important to get such recognition for TCM as a whole.

TCM needs a lot more attention and protection, and a much better environment and some favorable policies to develop.

TCM depends much upon a therapist's experience, which he or she attains through years of practice. And since the experience a therapist has and goodwill he/she enjoys are directly proportional to his/her income, young practitioners may find it hard to survive in such circumstances. Click here to learn acupuncture point Shaofu (HT 8).

So, to ensure that traditional Chinese medicine flourishes and is recognized worldwide as an effective form of medical treatment the government has to improve the livelihood of young therapists.

Article source: chinadaily