[originaltext]I: Good morning, listeners. As we all know, China has had an orga

I: Good morning, listeners. As we all know, China has had an organized society of people being able to read and write for over 5,000 years. What we don’t sometimes appreciate is the fact that they have had their fair share of inquiring scientific minds at work all this time. This has resulted in a well-recorded archive of Chinese medical knowledge that has grown and developed into the world’s most advanced system of natural medicine. Today, we are honored to have Professor Wang from Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine to share with us his understanding of traditional Chinese medicine and its effect in Australia. Well, Professor Wang.
W: Thank you. Actually I feel privileged to have this opportunity to meet you all.
I: To begin with, what is the essence of traditional Chinese medicine?
W: Harmony. Traditional Chinese medicine says that good health is associated with the balance of qi, which is an energy force that flows through the body. Qi can be hindered or helped by yin and yang — opposing forces that, when balanced, work harmoniously together. Over the centuries, traditional Chinese medicine has evolved complex methods of diagnosis and treatments tailored to the individual’s subtle patterns of disharmony. This allows it not only to treat fully manifest diseases, but also to assist in maintaining health and balance to prevent illnesses from occurring.
I: Then how is a patient treated when disharmony occurs?
W: Chinese herbalists have discovered how to combine herbs so that the beneficial effects are maximized and the unwanted effects are minimized. This has lead to the development of a large number of traditional herbal formulas that are designed to treat a wide variety of common imbalances. When prescribing, a Chinese herbalist will base his prescription on one or more of these traditional formulas, making minor adjustments for each individual.
I: Oh, I see. What does treatment generally consist of?
W: It consists of three main modalities: first, herbal medicine; second, acupuncture and moxibustion; and third, massage and manipulation.
I: I often see patients receive acupuncture in hospitals here. Is it the best way of treatment?
W: Acupuncture is very popular in Australia maybe because it was the first modality to be introduced and practiced by non-Chinese practitioners.
1. What is the essence of traditional Chinese medicine?
2. What Chinese call the energy force that flows through the body?
3. Which statement about Chinese medicine is TRUE according to the interview?
4. Which one is NOT a part of traditional Chinese medicine?
5. According to Prof. Wang, why is acupuncture so popular in Australia?