Traditional Tibetan Medical Treatments

Tibetan medicine considers diet, nutrition, behavior and life-style as essential elements of successful treatment. Apart from these methods, Tibetan medicine also applies many other therapies to secure positive results. These therapies may include Golden needle treatment, bloodletting, moxabustion, acupuncture, heat or cold external therapies, natural hot springs or medicinal baths, enemas, vomiting, purgatives, and massage. In addition, spiritual practice, five-element color therapy, and astrological configuration are treatment methods unique in Tibetan medicine.

Dietary and Lifestyle Factors

Improper diet and/or lifestyle primarily cause a disorder. In fact, a majority of health problems, both in developing and developed countries, can be either directly or indirectly attributed to poor diet or lifestyle. Examples of this include alcoholism, diabetes, hypertension and heart disease. The first form of treatment in Tibetan medicine is thus not medicines but changing a patient's diet and lifestyle. Only if this fails to remedy an ailment is the use of medicines considered.

Tibetan Medicines

Tibetan medicines take various forms, decoctions, powders, general pills, precious pills, and syrups, and are prescribed in small doses - a fact that reflects the emphasis Tibetan medicine places on gentle treatment.

Moxibustion and Other Treatments

Many disorders, caused by proliferation of bad blood and mKhris-pa are also treated by bloodletting from one of the body's major 77 bloodletting points. For cold disorders, nerve malfunction and non-malignant tumors, moxibustion or golden-needle therapy may be used to stimulate the energy channels of the body. Many diseases of the nerves and muscles, as well as pain and insomnia related to rLung, are treated with gentle massage using various medicinal oils. Medicinal bath and natural spring bath are used to treat an assortment of skin disorders as well as chronic arthritis, gout and cold types of rheumatism, and rigid and stiffness of the extremities.