Center for Traditional Medicine

Oct., 2010

Originally named the Acupuncture Research Committee, the Center for Traditional Medicine (CTM) was founded in 1971 with financial support from the National Science Council to develop and promote acupuncture therapy. The name was changed to the Acupuncture Division in 1977, and finally to the Center for Traditional Medicine in 1990. A Chinese medicine clinic service was added in 2002. The main goal of the Center is to offer acupuncture treatment services, disseminate traditional Chinese medicine and integrate Chinese and Western medicines. The evolution can be divided into four phases as follows:

1. Classic Period: Studying ancient Chinese medical books, establishing teaching materials and developing effective points and basic needle manipulation methods.
2. Combination with Modern Medicine Period: Explaining meridians with neurohumoral mechanisms, using myofacial pain syndrome to enhance the concept of "selection of pain as an acupuncture point" and Ah-Shih Point theory. Sterilized disposable acupuncture needles were invented by CTM in 1982, and Fireless Moxibustion was introduced in 1989.
3. Bioenergy Period: Bioenergetic concepts arose in 1986, using sensitive electronic instrument to measure skin resistance and diagnose body conditions. The study of "Chi" was enhanced in quantity and quality. Foreign alternative medicines, such as Kirlian photography, Iris medicine and Homeopathy, were also absorbed.
4. History Investigation Period: Investigating ancient Chinese natural philosophy with western philosophy, science and archeology to interpret the root of meridians, Yin and Yang, the Five Elements and Pa-Kang-Pien-Chen (analyzing and differentiating pathological conditions in accordance with the eight principal syndromes).