Vietnam is one of the East Asian countries with well-developed traditional medicine which is an important part of the healthcare system in Vietnam. For over the centuries it’s been greatly contributing to the prosperity of the Vietnamese nation and the development of the medicine as a whole. Nowadays it is available to practically everyone. The traditional medicine in general became famous all over the world mainly thanks to acupuncture which is now widely used worldwide.
There is a great difference between traditional Oriental medicine and Western one that not everyone understands. The main point is that the traditional medicine understands the human body as a complex and the balance in the body is of major importance. Western medicine however treats certain organs when they appear to be damaged. The main weakness of traditional medicine is that is only good for prevention of diseases and if you happen to be really sick only western Western medicine can cure you.
As well as traditional Chinese medicine, Vietnamese medicine is based on the concept of energy flow, the circulation of vital energy in the human body – hence to the possibility of exposure to biological hotspots . This theory is based on a couple of well-known methods:
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is the basis of traditional medicine. Vietnamese acupuncture has shown impressive results. In oriental medicine acupuncture needles of various sizes and lengths are used. Acupuncture is also used during surgery as anesthesia. Acupuncture proved to be of a great help for patients recovering after surgeries.
At the same time, acupuncture can be a carrier of the disease . To avoid any kinds of diseases that can be transmitted via needles disposable needles should be used.
Herbal therapy
Herbal therapy is used in Vietnamese traditional medicine as widely as in Chinese. Vietnam boasts of up to 200 different oriental medicine shops that sell herbs and other natural medicines. It is said that in Vietnam there are more than 3 thousands medical plants. It is third in the world after China and India in the amount of useful medical plants.
Massage Therapy
Massage therapy is widely used all over the world, but in Vietnam is less common than, for example , in the Philippines. It has a good effect on human musculoskeletal system.
Medical institutions
In each province in Vietnam there are hospitals of traditional Vietnamese medicine. In addition to public hospitals of oriental medicine , there are private clinics and offices that specialize in this area , as well as manufacturers of drugs from natural sources. In total, more than 9 thousand hospitals in Vietnam that are licensed to use the methods of Oriental medicine .
Photo by jepoirrier
