During the Hangzhou 2023 Asian Games, athletes from around the world have been exploring acupuncture (针灸), 【小题1】 component of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). This practice has been an important part of Chinese healthcare system for centuries.

TCM, which includes acupuncture, herbal therapy, massage, Tai Chi, and Qigong 【小题2】 (remain) an essential component of China’s medical system, gaining increasing 【小题3】 (recognize) on a global scale. Not only is it popular among the Chinese population, but it is also gaining interest in Western societies, 【小题4】 has led to increased investments in professional TCM services.

While China places significant emphasis on the integration of TCM with modern biomedicine, it is also becoming more popular worldwide. Although some medical professionals are 【小题5】 (doubt) about the far reaching effects of TCM, the practice 【小题6】 (accept) as a fundamental aspect of global healthcare to date.

TCM has been recognized for the potential benefits, particularly when 【小题7】 (use) alongside with modern medicine, which has resulted in its increasing integration into modern healthcare systems. 【小题8】 its ancient Chinese origins, TCM’s principles and practices have a global influence currently, with experts 【小题9】 (offer) their special skills across the world.

As research into TCM continues to advance and more individuals embrace it for 【小题10】 their healthcare needs, the field is definite to grow.

Using needles to help life’s energy flow

For thousands of years, the Chinese have relieved pain and cured disease through acupuncture (针灸). 【小题1】 (evolve) from the discovery that using stone needles to prick specific points on the surface of the body could relieve pain and symptoms, acupuncture has become 【小题2】 integral part of traditional Chinese medicine, in line with the philosophy that promotes the harmonious coexistence of humans with nature.

According to Records of the Grand Historian, 【小题3】 (write) by Sima Qian about 2,100 years ago, Bian Que, a highly skilled 【小题4】 (physical) during the Warring States Period (475-221 BC), was famous for having saved a prince from “death” by using needles to stimulate the Baihui acupoint on the head of the unconscious man.

According to TCM (中医), there are a dozen meridians (经脉) in the human body, 【小题5】 the qi, or life energy, circulates to nourish the organs. Cold, infections or diseases can result in blocking of the energy, and so stimulating the acupoints can unblock stagnant (不流动的) qi, restore normal circulation and improve health. Today, acupuncture is still 【小题6】 (wide) used in China.

In 2010, UNESCO inscribed acupuncture and moxibustion of TCM on the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Yet, the practice is not just cultural and historical, 【小题7】 a medical technique widely used and researched today.

For years, 【小题8】 the clear therapeutic effects of acupuncture in treating many diseases, there were few convincing studies that explained how acupoint stimulation worked, or what meridians were anatomically speaking, so the technique always seemed somewhat【小题9】 (mystery).

However, as scientific research of acupuncture 【小题10】 (grow) in recent years, producing good quality results, the technique is gaining traction around the world.

As the saying goes, laughter is the best medicine. Laughing is like a super drug for your health that can lift your mood, lessen pain, and protect you from the 【小题1】 (harm) effects of stress.

Journalist, author and professor Norman Cousins was 【小题2】 well-known supporter of laughter as a form of medicine and an outstanding figure 【小题3】 the field of health and wellness. Diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis (强直性脊柱炎) in the late 1960s, Cousins 【小题4】 (age) about 50, had little hope of recovery; just one in 500 chances. However, Cousins 【小题5】 (notice) that his pain decreased when he involved in laughter, according to the Newport Academy. So, he began to schedule funny movies for 【小题6】 (he) on a regular basis. 【小题7】 (remarkable), he lived another 25 years post-diagnosis and conducted in-depth research on the medical benefits of laughter, with the support of California University Hospital.

Since then, research has continuously confirmed the effectiveness of laughter in relieving pain 【小题8】 improving overall well-being. It’s been found that a hearty laugh can lessen physical tension, 【小题9】 (leave) muscles relaxed for up to 45 minutes. Importantly, these physical improvements have a significant positive impact on mental health, as the mind and body 【小题10】 (connect).