Traditional Chinese Medicine, or TCM, is a family of practices that includes acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, movement and manual therapies. In the UK, some herbal products are regulated under the THR scheme, and practitioner standards vary, so choosing well matters.

What TCM actually includes

When people say “Chinese medicine”, they usually mean several approaches that can be used alone or together:

• Acupuncture – very thin needles at specific points to influence symptoms and wellbeing.
• Chinese herbal medicine – formulas made from plant parts and other ingredients, supplied as granules, capsules or decoctions. In the UK, look for the THR mark on over-the-counter traditional herbal forumlas.
• Cupping and moxibustion – suction cups or warming techniques used alongside acupuncture or massage.
• Tui na (therapeutic massage), tai chi and qigong – manual therapy and gentle movement practices that support balance, strength and relaxation.

How TCM thinks about health

TCM is a traditional framework that talks about balance, patterns and relationships in the body rather than modern anatomy. You may hear terms like qi, yin-yang and the five phases. These are conceptual models used to guide treatment, not biomedical measurements.  If you’re unfamiliar with these concepts, please check out our other blog posts where we tackle topics just like this here

What the evidence says, in plain English

The research picture is mixed, so it pays to be specific.

• Acupuncture has some supporting studies. In the UK, NICE guideline NG193 includes acupuncture as an option for managing chronic primary pain in adults, with defined caveats and context.
• Chinese herbal medicines registered under the THR scheme meet standards for quality and safety, and carry traditional-use evidence, not the same level of efficacy evidence as licensed medicines. Always read the leaflet and talk to a pharmacist or GP if you take other medicines.
• Movement and manual therapies like tai chi or qigong can help balance, relaxation and function for some people. Evidence varies by outcome and population.

TCM should complement, not replace, necessary medical care, especially for serious or urgent conditions.

Safety and regulation in the UK

Here’s what matters if you live in the UK:

• Herbal products: Over-the-counter traditional herbal medicines can carry the Traditional Herbal Registration (THR) certification mark from the MHRA. This indicates manufacturing quality and safety standards and that the product is appropriate for self-care based on traditional use. It is not a proof of proven clinical efficacy.
• Practitioners: Acupuncturists are not regulated by law in the UK. Choose practitioners on a PSA-accredited voluntary register such as the British Acupuncture Council, which sets training and practice standards.  To visit the British Acupuncture Council’s website, please click here 
• Premises: Councils require skin-piercing registration for acupuncture. Reputable clinics will display their local registration.
• Interactions: Herbs can interact with prescription medicines. If you have a long-term condition, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or take any regular medication, discuss changes with your GP or pharmacist first. <br> <br> <br>

How to choose a practitioner

Borrowing a page from the ad men: trust is a promise kept repeatedly.

1. Check credentials – look for membership of a PSA-accredited register and appropriate insurance.
2. Ask about training and scope – good practitioners explain what they do, what to expect, and when they will refer you back to your GP.
3. Look for joined-up care – with your consent, practitioners should be happy to communicate with your doctor, especially if you take medicines or have complex needs.
4. Inspect the environment – needling requires clinical hygiene standards and council registration.

What a first appointment is like

Expect a longer history than usual, questions about sleep, stress and digestion, pulse and tongue checks, and a plan. If herbs are suggested, you should get written instructions, potential side effects, and a contact number for questions.

FAQs

Is TCM evidence based?
Parts of TCM have supportive evidence for specific uses. In the UK, NICE includes acupuncture for chronic primary pain with defined context. Herbal products with a THR registration meet safety and quality standards but are registered on the basis of traditional use, not full efficacy trials.

Is TCM safe?
Safety depends on the treatment, the product and the practitioner. Choose THR-marked herbal products for self-care, avoid mixing herbs with prescription medicines without advice, and use trained, accredited practitioners in council-registered premises.

What is the THR mark?
A certification mark from the MHRA indicating a traditional herbal medicine meets manufacturing quality and safety requirements and is suitable for self-care based on traditional use.

Is acupuncture regulated?
There is no statutory register of acupuncturists. Use a practitioner on a PSA-accredited voluntary register and check your local council’s skin-piercing registration.

Quick glossary

• Acupuncture – precise needling to influence symptoms.
• Cupping – suction to the skin using cups.
• Moxibustion – warming of points using moxa.
• Tui na – manual therapy.
• THR mark – MHRA’s quality and safety certification for traditional herbal medicines.

References and further reading

1. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH). “Traditional Chinese Medicine: What You Need To Know.”
2. World Health Organization. “WHO International Standard Terminologies on Traditional Medicine.”
3. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). NG193: “Chronic pain (primary and secondary) in over 16s: assessment of all chronic pain and management of chronic primary pain.”
4. Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). “Traditional Herbal Registration (THR) scheme.”
5. NHS. “Herbal medicines.”
6. Professional Standards Authority (PSA). “Accredited registers programme.”
7. British Acupuncture Council. “About acupuncture and professional standards.”
8. Local authority guidance on acupuncture and skin piercing registration.