Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is an ancient healing system used to diagnose and treat illness by reestablishing harmony in the body. It is based on the idea that there are 12 energy meridians running up and down the body. Illness manifests when there is an imbalance in the energy running along one or more meridians. In diagnosing illness, TCM practitioners take several readings of the pulse at each wrist and observe the color and form of the face, tongue and body. This information is assessed in conjunction with a person’s health complaints, work and living habits, physical environment, family health history and emotional life. Treatment typically includes acupuncture, herbs, dietary modifications and massage to recover and sustain health. Although it can be used as a system of primary health care, in the West it is often used to treat chronic illness that has failed to respond to conventional treatment.