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China: Community Health and Traditional Chinese Medicine

Program Highlights

Based in Yunnan, this program partners with the Yunnan No. 1 Traditional Chinese Medical Hospital. The hospital’s doctors, nurses, and facilities are all available to students. Students hear about the philosophical and theoretical underpinnings of TCM practices during lecture, and then have the opportunity to practice for themselves during a practice session on most days.  For any students who want to practice medicine in a cross-cultural setting, understand TCM better, or gain insight into Chinese health practices, this program offers an ideal setting in which to explore theory and practice.

Compare Western and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Philosophies with Practicing Doctors.
Many of the doctors affiliated with SIT Study Abroad’s program have certification in both Western medicine and TCM.  Students have shared in many spirited, insightful, and often surprising discussions of the appropriate use of one treatment over another.

Learn about TCM philosophy

Much of TCM philosophy is based in Daoism.  To understand the practice, students explore the concepts of yin and yang, the organs, meridians, and the basic underpinnings of many Eastern philosophies, as well as the history of TCM.

Practice techniques of massage, acupuncture, and moxibustion.Each week, the program focuses on a different TCM practice, including Chinese massage (Tuina), moxibustion, cupping, acupuncture and herbal remedies. Students practice these techniques and see doctors performing these techniques.

Explore the pharmacopeia of TCM herbal medicine.

Program activities include visits to nature parks with a botanist to learn about healing plants and herbs, exploration of the TCM pharmacy, and a demonstration of medicines being made.

Visit Tibetan healers and learn of indigenous healing techniques

While on excursion in the northernmost parts of Yunnan, students will see traditional dongba healing ceremonies, meet a Tibetan healer, and learn about daily health practices in minority communities.