The interior of a TCM clinic at a community healthcare center in Xixia district, Yinchuan, Ningxia. [Photo provided to seeningxia.com]
"I often come here for traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) therapy, and my long-standing arthritis symptoms have significantly improved," said a resident of Xiangmin community in Xixia district, Yinchuan, Ningxia.
The comment highlights how TCM services are being brought directly to residents in the district. During the hottest days of summer, many flock to the clinic for various therapies.
Li Yongjun, a physician at the clinic, described the range of TCM treatments offered, including acupuncture, moxibustion, cupping, massage, scraping, bloodletting, and acupoint application.
Li added that these treatments have shown remarkable clinical efficacy in treating conditions such as neck, shoulder, waist, and leg pain, facial paralysis, neuralgia, post-stroke sequelae, indigestion, and insomnia, earning widespread recognition from patients.
Wang Feng, head of the community healthcare center, emphasized that compared to comprehensive hospitals, the TCM clinic has significant advantages when it comes to the convenience of medical treatment and higher reimbursement rates.
Herbal treatments are also a hallmark of the clinic. Physician Jia Yunmeng prefers using tea drinks for therapy over traditional herbal decoctions. He combines tea therapy, herbal steaming, and external applications to develop eight specific tea drinks for conditions like hypertension and hyperlipidemia, aimed at strengthening the body as well preventing and treating diseases.
The TCM clinic's multifunctional approach to prevention, healthcare, medical treatment, and wellness, characterized by simplicity, efficacy, affordability, and convenience, has made it a popular choice among residents, according to the director of the Xixia district health commission.
The director added that the clinic effectively alleviates the pressure on higher-level hospitals and reduces medical costs, bringing TCM services to people at the grassroots level and benefiting the community.
Xixia is currently home to seven community healthcare centers equipped with TCM clinics, staffed with 22 experienced TCM practitioners. These centers provide TCM constitution identification and personalized health management services, effectively promoting the well-being of healthy populations.
Authorities plan to enhance TCM services through comprehensive county-level medical reforms, strengthening TCM talent training, and improving multi-level, diversified TCM service capabilities, according to the director.
Residents of Xixia district in Yinchuan, Ningxia, enjoy herbal tea drinks at a TCM clinic of a community healthcare center. [Photo provided to seeningxia.com]