With needles in her arms, legs and back, Jane Patric, a 65-years-old Israeli, said that she believes in the effect of these Chinese "magic needles." Instead of using Western medication, she usually turns to doctors of Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to treat her aching backbone.

During an introductory exhibition named "Chinese Medicine Happening" held in Israel Museum in Jerusalem on Wednesday evening, more than 100 Israelis visited the TCM diagnosis and treatment booths, at which no pre-registrations are needed.

The show was given by Raidman College of Complementary Medicine, one of the leading colleges specialize in TCM teaching in Israel.

Doki, a 28-year-old senior student in the college, told Xinhua that "Chinese Medicine Happening" aims at introducing TCM to more and more Israelis.

There were twelve doctors at the spot treating people with Chinese acupuncture and "Tui Na," which means Chinese massage. Lectures on Chinese medication in Israel and the history of Chinese medicine were also underway with enthusiastic participation of the public.

Kfir, a junior student in Raidman college, was busy with receiving people registering for Tui Na and acupuncture. He said that TCM has become very popular in Israel and he believes that more and more people will resort to Chinese medicine when they are troubled with sickness, especially some chronic and stubborn diseases.

Kfir's late father used to be a doctor of TCM after studying it in China. He said that he wants to follow suit and to become a TCM doctor.

According to an agreement reached by Raidman College and Chinese Chengdu College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, every senior student studying TCM in Raidman must receive a three-month- long training in Chengdu.

Doki, who has just returned from China, said he learned a lot of TCM practical knowledge from his Chinese teachers as they received patients together, "checking their pulse," "seeing their tongue," and giving them prescription of Chinese herbal medicine.

He also developed a better understanding of Chinese classic medical works such as the earliest one, the Yellow Emperor's Canon of Internal Medicine, which dates back to between 403 BC and 221 BC.

Long before modern medical science, the Chinese people had created and developed complex theories about the treatment of illnesses. Remedies made from natural ingredients, including wild plants and animals and simple tools, such as acupuncture needles, were used by TCM doctors to treat patients.

China has signed inter-governmental protocols on TCM cooperation with 70 countries and regions. TCM has been accepted and protected by laws in Australia and South Africa, and Chinese TCM products have been exported to about 135 countries and regions.

Despite its popularity, TCM is not widely used in Israel's health care system, which regards it as a complementary or alternative medication.

However, the Israel TCM Association, which has more than 700 members, making it the largest one of such association, is working in coordination with the Heath Ministry in making laws of accepting and protecting TCM in the country.

The association also plans to build a multi-functional TCM center in Israel, which combines teaching, training, researching and clinic together.
 

(Xinhua News Agency October 18, 2007)