The ways in which traditional Chinese medicine can leverage its advantages in promoting overall health in the 21st century are mainly reflected in the following aspects:
1、 Policy support and system improvement
In recent years, the country has attached great importance to the development of the traditional Chinese medicine and health industry, and has introduced a series of supportive policies. As stated in the “Healthy China 2030” plan outline, we must “fully leverage the unique advantages of traditional Chinese medicine”, improve its service capabilities, and promote the inheritance and innovation of traditional Chinese medicine. In addition, documents such as the “14th Five Year Plan for the Development of Traditional Chinese Medicine” also emphasize the unique position of traditional Chinese medicine in the construction of a healthy China, and propose tasks such as building a high-quality and efficient traditional Chinese medicine service system. The introduction of these policies provides a solid policy guarantee for the development of the traditional Chinese medicine health industry.
2、 System thinking and dialectical governance
Traditional Chinese medicine emphasizes systematic thinking and dialectical treatment, which is its unique advantage. Traditional Chinese Medicine believes that the five major functional systems of the internal organs in the human body are both independent and coordinated with each other. If a lesion occurs in a certain part of the body, it will affect the functions of various organs throughout the body. Therefore, traditional Chinese medicine emphasizes overall regulation in treatment, not treating one organ but regulating the whole body. At the same time, traditional Chinese medicine also emphasizes dialectical treatment, that is, developing personalized treatment plans based on the patient’s specific condition, constitution, environment, and other factors. This way of thinking and methodology gives traditional Chinese medicine significant advantages in treating chronic diseases and regulating physical conditions.
3、 Technological innovation and integrated development
With the advancement of technology, the traditional Chinese medicine health industry is actively introducing modern technological means such as big data, artificial intelligence, etc., to promote the digital and intelligent development of traditional Chinese medicine. For example, AI assisted traditional Chinese medicine diagnostic systems can improve diagnosis and treatment efficiency, while big data analysis helps traditional Chinese medicine achieve precision medicine and personalized health management solutions. In addition, the integration of traditional Chinese medicine and modern medicine is constantly deepening, forming a diagnosis and treatment model that combines Chinese and Western medicine, providing patients with more diversified treatment options.
4、 Promotion of the concept of preventing diseases before they occur
Traditional Chinese medicine emphasizes the concept of “preventing diseases before they occur”, which means taking preventive measures and taking care of them before they occur. This concept is highly compatible with the modern concept of big health, and therefore has received increasing attention and recognition. Traditional Chinese medicine achieves the optimal state of physical, psychological, and social functions through various means such as diet, daily living, emotional regulation, and exercise. With the improvement of people’s health awareness, the concept of “treating diseases before they occur” in traditional Chinese medicine is increasingly valued and has become an important growth point in the traditional Chinese medicine health industry.
5、 Expansion of the International Market
Traditional Chinese medicine is gradually receiving attention and recognition in the international market. China has signed specialized cooperation agreements on traditional Chinese medicine with multiple countries and regions, promoting the globalization of traditional Chinese medicine. With the acceleration of the “going global” process of traditional Chinese medicine, the demand in overseas markets will gradually increase. This provides broad space and opportunities for the international development of the traditional Chinese medicine health industry.
In summary, the ways in which traditional Chinese medicine can leverage its advantages in promoting overall health in the 21st century include policy support and system improvement, systematic thinking and dialectical treatment, technological innovation and integrated development, promotion of the concept of preventing diseases before they occur, and expansion of the international market. These advantages enable traditional Chinese medicine to play an irreplaceable role in safeguarding people’s health and improving their quality of life.