China, which is experiencing an unprecedented development boom in the history of the world, is also, precisely thanks to this progress, a country where a large part of the population is aging slowly, but surely. The Chinese government has therefore decided for years to develop the use of Traditional Chinese Medicine among its seniors. Today, following the success of Medical Tourism, China, on the strength of this experience with its citizens, is launching TCM programs for our European seniors, often abandoned to their fate in sad senior’s residences.
We know these images of Épinal of elderly people more happy than our poor shadows in Europe. One only has to walk through the streets of major Chinese cities, whether it is Shanghai, Beijing or Chengdu, to realize that traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) remains very present in the daily life of the inhabitants.
But as early as 2013, the government’s idea was to make these daily practices more scientific and professional, and therefore, to make them even more effective. The National Commission for Health and Family Planning has decided to introduce basic health care into the national system and provide advice on therapeutic massage and acupuncture to the elderly and also to children.
A standard for TCM services jointly adopted on July 31, 2013 by the Commission and Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine specified that the annual service for the elderly should include advice on diet, sports and exercise. acupuncture.
Subsidies for basic health care amounted to 30 yuan per person in 2013, compared to 25 yuan the year before. This increase covered additional health services, such as TCM care.
Why these aids? With the modernization of society and the furious pace of the Chinese economy, the function of supporting the elderly in the family has weakened. At present, China has only an average of 3.1 people per family, and the smaller household size has resulted in increased mobility of the population, resulting in the proportion of “empty nests” in the areas. urban and rural has increased significantly; it is now almost 50%.
More concretely, China is now paying the consequences of the one-child policy developed in the 1970s, leading to this accelerated aging of the population.
As at home, in Europe, but for other reasons then.
China’s healthcare system is made up of a large public sector and a smaller, but growing private sector. The system has improved considerably in recent years. Recent reforms include reform of health insurance policy; the World Bank Health VIII project and the Health China 2020 project.
The example of Chinese acupuncture
Acupuncture is an ancestral technique which, using needles planted in different places of the body, improves well-being. This method has great therapeutic virtues and finds its origin in Chinese medicine. Indicated for all ages, acupuncture is very beneficial for the well-being of seniors.
Why ?
First, it helps relieve joint ailments such as osteoarthritis or osteoporosis. In some cases, the pain usually treated with medication can be replaced by acupuncture or reduced in dosage.
Blood circulation, blood pressure and heart rate can be regulated. The health of patients is greatly improved and the elderly are relieved.
Acupuncture also helps reduce stress and anxiety. Negative emotions that can lower the morale of the elderly and also affect their well-being.
This medicine is suitable for everyone at all ages. You just have to try. So why not mix TCM and the escape of travel to the country of these ancient traditions to encourage seniors to take the plunge?
The essential Qi Gong
Let’s select two types of benefits for our seniors.
First, in terms of digestive and respiratory comfort. The body has a lot to “swallow” and digest: food, information or strong emotions. Based on the work of the breath, which unclogs and circulates stagnant energies in the liver, spleen and stomach, Qigong relaxes the stomach and facilitates transit.
It also improves breathing capacity by relaxing the whole body: while inhalation recharges the batteries, exhalation cleanses and calms the whole body.
Then, on a daily basis, the regular practice of Qi Gong also “boosts” the immune defenses and allows to keep colds and other winter germs at bay. In addition, the different types of exercises, involving relaxation of the pelvis and shoulders, opening of the chest and plexus, etc., relax the joints, strengthen the muscles and play on the general balance, reducing the risk. of fall in the elderly who relearn how to take possession of their body.
Of course, in addition to acupuncture and Qigong, we would also be talking about Chinese dietetics, therapeutic massages and the thousand virtues of its pharmacopoeia.
Medical tourism in China
But, let’s be realistic, our seniors, often more fearful or shy, will ask themselves the question of the quality of medical care in China. This country is not well regarded in our media. Much jealousy and prejudice prevent an objective and clear view of the former Middle Kingdom. But did China not demonstrate its skills during the painful episode of Covid? Couldn’t Europeans admire the construction of ultra-sophisticated hospitals in 10 days? In addition, many countries recognize the effectiveness of recent Chinese vaccines. The Chinese government has also just donated millions of doses to the world.
China is ruled by a powerful state that knows how to take responsibility for the services that a state must render to its citizens. Health is a field in constant progress. Two journalists from LHCH International had the chance to visit Chinese medicine centers, but also Western medicine hospitals where the most advanced technology had been carefully selected from the best machines in the world.
And this is the strength of China in the medical field: to combine the millennial depth of the tradition of Chinese medicine, holistic, with the capacity of diagnosis and intervention of “allopathic” medicine using the latest scientific research and latest western technologies (beware, there is also current research in TCM!).
These treasures of both Chinese and European medicine are, moreover, quite accessible financially compared to home or the United States.
Accommodation in beautiful hotels belonging to these new medical centers, as well as the possibilities of visiting magnificent tourist sites, in Beijing, Hainan, Guangzhou, are also provided in attractive packages.
LHCH International, after this general overview, will offer you more specific articles on the subject.
Picture credit : Aurélie Choiral
