Looking to address your health and skin issues at their root, not just their symptoms? Traditional Chinese Medicine can help. Here’s your beginner’s guide…
In a world of fast fixes and fleeting wellness trends, Traditional Chinese Medicine – or TCM as it is often abbreviated – offers something altogether different: a slower, deeply rooted approach to health that has evolved over thousands of years. Grounded in the belief that the body, mind, and environment are intrinsically connected, TCM is less about treating symptoms and more about restoring harmony.
We spoke to leading wellness practitioner Ada Ooi, whose work expertly merges Traditional Chinese Medicine with psychology and aesthetics, to reveal exactly what you need to know about the potentially transformative wellness technique…
So, what is Traditional Chinese Medicine?
“Traditional Chinese Medicine is not an alternative therapy, but a complete medical system developed over thousands of years,” Ada explains. “At its core, it views the body as an integrated system, where physiology, emotions, and environment continuously interact. Rather than isolating symptoms, it focuses on how imbalance arises within the system, and how order can be restored.”
“Using frameworks such as Qi, Blood, and Yin-Yang (explained in more detail below), TCM practitioners interpret your body’s functional patterns and then use various treatments and lifestyle changes to guide it back into regulation,” Ada continues. “The aim is not only to relieve symptoms, but to restore the body’s capacity for self-regulation and repair. In essence, Chinese Medicine is a medicine of long-term balance and resilience.”
Importantly for those unfamiliar with the technique, that’s where Traditional Chinese Medicine most noticeably differs from the ‘whack a mole’ approach common to Western medicine, where ad hoc symptoms send us off for help from a doctor.
Where did TCM originate and how has it evolved over time?
“Traditional Chinese Medicine originated in ancient China, with its theoretical foundations formally recorded over 2,000 years ago in texts such as the Huangdi Neijing (The Yellow Emperor’s Inner Classic),” reveals Ada. “Rather than being “invented” at a single point in time, it evolved through centuries of clinical observation and lived practice, integrating insights about the human body, natural rhythms, and environmental change. Across different dynasties, its knowledge was refined and systematised. Texts like the Shanghan Lun established diagnostic and treatment frameworks, while the Bencao Gangmu advanced its pharmacological foundations.”
What that means is that it isn’t just some historical way of thinking about health and wellbeing (as can be the misconception). In fact, “today, Chinese Medicine continues to evolve, increasingly intersecting with modern science, neuroscience, and integrative medicine,” explains Ada. “It is moving from traditional knowledge toward a system that can be interpreted, studied, and applied within a contemporary context. What remains unchanged is its core principle: understanding the body as a whole, and restoring balance from within.”
What key concepts are there within Traditional Chinese Medicine?
The core philosophy of TCM revolves around the concept of balance – specifically the dynamic interplay between yin and yang. These opposing yet complementary forces exist in everything: light and dark, rest and activity, heat and cold. When they fall out of sync, the body follows. Another central idea is Qi (pronounced “chee”), often described as life force or energy. Qi flows through pathways in the body called meridians, nourishing organs and maintaining vitality. When this flow is blocked or weakened, illness can arise.
TCM practitioners are trained to look for patterns that reflect these imbalances, in an attempt to understand what your body is trying to communicate on a deeper level (rather than just focusing on a single more visible symptom). This can involve discussing issues such as sleep, digestion and your emotional state, as well as seemingly unconnected aspects like where you live. That makes it a very holistic approach that cares for you from head-to-toe and from mind to body to soul.
Ada explores the core principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine in more detail below:
Qi (vital function)
“Qi refers to the body’s functional activity, including metabolism, circulation, and movement. When Qi flows smoothly, systems function harmoniously; when it is deficient or stagnant, symptoms emerge.”
Blood (nourishment)
“In TCM, blood extends beyond its anatomical meaning: it represents the body’s capacity to nourish tissues and sustain function. Qi and Blood work in close interdependence.”
Yin and Yang (dynamic balance)
“Yin–Yang describes the body’s internal balance between opposing yet complementary forces: such as rest and activity, cooling and warming processes. Health depends on their dynamic equilibrium.”
The Five Elements
“A systemic model (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water) is used to map relationships between organs, functions, and patterns within the body.”
Zang-Fu (functional organ systems)
“These are not strictly anatomical organs, but functional systems: governing processes such as digestion, transformation, and emotional regulation.”
Meridians
“A network through which Qi and Blood are believed to circulate, forming the basis for acupuncture and other external therapies. Together, these concepts form a cohesive framework for understanding regulation, imbalance, and restoration within the body.”
What are the core TCM treatments and why?
Acupuncture
Perhaps the most well-known aspect of TCM, acupuncture involves the insertion of ultra-fine needles into specific points on the body. While it may sound daunting, it’s typically painless and deeply relaxing. “In the UK, acupuncture seems to be the entry treatment to Chinese Medicine, beneficial for stress, sleep, musculoskeletal, and pain management for its neuro-modulating qualities,” agrees Ada. “Other areas of concern, like hormones and fertility, autoimmune-triggered conditions, or chronic skin, digestive issues, may combine acupuncture with other therapies to create significant improvements and long-term restoration.” You can find out more about the best acupuncture facials and practitioners here.
Herbal Medicine
Traditional Chinese Medicine is also deeply connected to herbal remedies, which use highly personalised blends of roots, leaves, and minerals to treat specific health concerns, such as for coughs, poor sleep and low mood. Unlike Western supplements, they are rarely one-size-fits-all, which means two people with the same symptoms might receive entirely different prescriptions, depending on their own needs and priorities.
Cupping
Recognisable by the circular marks it leaves behind, cupping uses suction to stimulate blood flow and relieve muscle tension. It’s gained more mainstream popularity with athletes due to its role in sports recovery, but has long been used to ease stagnation in the body.
Gua Sha
A gentle scraping technique using a smooth stone tool, gua sha encourages circulation and lymphatic drainage. While traditionally used on the body, it has recently gained popularity as a facial ritual for sculpting and glow. Read more about the results you can achieve in our dedicated lymphatic drainage cheat sheet.
Dietary therapy
Food in Traditional Chinese Medicine is not just fuel, it’s seen as medicine. Ingredients are classified by their energetic properties – warming, cooling, drying, or nourishing (based on the five elements) – and are chosen to restore internal balance. Think ginger to warm, cucumber to cool, and slow-cooked broths to replenish.
What are the benefits of TCM?
One of the most compelling aspects of Traditional Chinese Medicine is its breadth. Rather than targeting a single concern, it works across multiple systems, supporting both immediate health and stress responses and long-term resilience. Here are some highlights:
A holistic approach to health
Most integrally, TCM doesn’t isolate symptoms – it looks at the full picture. This means treatments are designed to address root causes, not just surface-level concerns. For example, you wouldn’t just be prescribed a massage for stress relief or sleeping pills for insomnia. This often leads to more sustainable, holistic results.
Stress reduction and nervous system support
Practices like acupuncture are widely known for their calming effect on the body, helping to regulate stress, improve sleep quality, and restore a sense of equilibrium. The treatments are also designed to work with you rather than aggressively tackling symptoms with treatments or pills. This can be particularly valuable for anyone wanting a softer way to manage their fast-paced, high-pressure lifestyle.
Improved digestion and energy levels
By focusing on gut health and the smooth flow of Qi, TCM often enhances digestion, reduces bloating, and supports more stable, lasting energy throughout the day. This can also have longer-lasting consequences on both mental clarity and body confidence.
Hormonal and emotional balance
From menstrual health to mood fluctuations, TCM is frequently used to support hormonal harmony. Its integration of emotional wellbeing makes it especially relevant for modern life, where stress and burnout are common.
Enhanced circulation and recovery
Techniques like cupping and gua sha stimulate blood flow and relieve muscular tension, making them ideal for recovery – whether after long-haul travel, intense workouts, or simply the accumulation of daily stress.
Preventative care
Perhaps most importantly, TCM places strong emphasis on prevention. By identifying imbalances early, it helps maintain health before more serious issues arise. Considering that fact that longevity – aka living better for longer – is such a big trend right now, this is a philosophy that feels increasingly aligned with modern wellness priorities.
What can I expect from a TCM consultation?
Instead of simply picking a TCM-inspired treatment off a spa menu, “I would always recommend starting with a practitioner, simply because it’s not one-size-fits-all. TCM is very much about the individual,” advises Ada.
What that consultation looks like is far from a typical GP visit. It is often an in-depth chat about your health that dives deeper than any spa consultation form. Your practitioner may examine your tongue (assessing colour, coating and shape), take your pulse (in multiple positions to reflect different organ systems), and ask detailed questions to help them build a complete picture of ‘you’ as a person, not just your perceived main concern. Those questions may include everything from your sleep patterns and digestion to stress levels, energy dips throughout the day, menstrual cycle, and even emotional tendencies.
Once a diagnosis is formed – often described in terms of imbalances like “Qi stagnation” or “yin deficiency” – your practitioner will create a tailored treatment plan. This may include a combination of acupuncture, herbal medicine, and lifestyle or dietary recommendations, which most importantly form a long-term routine, not just a one-off treatment.
That’s why, while you may feel an immediate sense of relief after a single session, TCM is typically approached as a course of treatment. Acute issues (such as a recent muscle strain, jet lag, or a spike in stress) may improve within a few sessions, while chronic concerns (like hormonal imbalances, digestive issues, or persistent fatigue) often require a more consistent approach over weeks or months. Think of it not as a quick intervention and more as a gradual recalibration, where treatments work together to guide your body back into equilibrium.
More information about Ada Ooi
You can find Ada Ooi at her clinic in Harley Street, where she uses TCM as a diagnostic framework, alongside neuroscience-based techniques, to understand and treat what’s truly happening in your body. With a focus on tailoring everything to each individual and their lifestyles, treatments are always bespoke, often combining acupuncture, herbal medicine, manual therapy, and lifestyle guidance. With three main treatment categories (skin, fertility and wellness), Ada also places a strong emphasis on education, helping clients understand their own patterns so they can work towards both immediate and long-term health at home. You can even enjoy luxurious yet results-driven products from the 001 Skincare range, including skincare, wellness patches and gua shas, which make slotting a little bit of TCM into your busy lifestyle an absolute breeze.
Becki Murray is Citizen Femme’s Beauty and Wellness Director. As one of the only UK journalists to hold a Distinction-grade diploma in cosmetic science, she combines her unique knowledge with an editor’s eye to help you make smarter choices about beauty, wellbeing, and aesthetics. Becki also heads up CF’s spa guide so you could say she’s an expert in the science of relaxation too…
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