If you Google “What is TCM?” (Traditional Chinese Medicine), you will find a lot of lists. Some say there are 5 pillars. Some say 7. I’ve even seen a list of 10.
It seems like every time a clinic buys a new gadget, they add a “pillar” to the list.
Let’s be real for a second. If you build a house on 7 uneven posts—where some are structural beams and others are just decorative throw pillows—that house is going to fall down.
At my clinic, we like structure. We like history. And we like things that actually make sense.
According to the classical texts (and basic logic), Chinese Medicine isn’t a random grab-bag of cool tricks. It is a complete medical system built on Four Fundamental Pillars. Everything else you see on Instagram—cupping, gua sha, jade rolling—is just a tool used by one of these pillars.
Here is the blueprint of the house we build for your health.
The Energetic Architect
Competitors often list Acupuncture and Moxibustion as separate things. That’s like listing “Inhaling” and “Exhaling” as separate ways to breathe.
In Chinese, the word for Acupuncture is Zhen Jiu.
They are inseparable. You cannot manipulate the body’s energy (Qi) purely with metal; sometimes you need the warmth of moxa to fuel the movement. This pillar is about communication. We use these tools to tell your nervous system to calm down, wake up, or move traffic around a blockage.
Dr. Barber’s Take: If a clinic tells you they do “Acupuncture” but doesn’t understand the role of heat or moxa, they’re only doing half the job.
The Internal Foundation
While Acupuncture moves the energy you have, Herbal Medicine gives you the substance you need.
Think of your body like a car. Acupuncture is the mechanic tuning the engine and fixing the electrical wiring. Herbal medicine is the gas in the tank and the oil in the gears. If you are running on empty (burnout, anemia, fatigue), no amount of needling will fix you. You need substance.
The Myth: Many “7 Pillar” lists try to separate “Diet” into its own pillar. In reality, food and herbs exist on the same spectrum. A scallion is a food; a dried scallion bulb (Cong Bai) is an herb for treating colds. It’s all internal chemistry.
The Structural Framer
Here is where the internet gets it wrong. You will see lists that claim Cupping and Gua Sha are pillars of TCM.
Let’s set the record straight: Cupping is not a pillar. It is a tool. Listing Cupping as a pillar of medicine is like saying “The Hammer” is a pillar of Architecture. It’s a great tool, but you can’t live inside a hammer.
These tools fall under the umbrella of Tui Na/An Mo (Chinese Manual Therapy). This is the physical manipulation of the fascia, muscles, and joints. Whether we use our hands, a cup, or a scraping tool, the goal is the same: to physically realign the structure so the energy can flow.
The Homeowner’s Responsibility
You can hire the best architect (Acupuncturist) and the best contractor (Herbalist), but if you wreck the house every night, it’s going to crumble.
This pillar is often called Qi Gong in modern terms, but the classical term is Dao Yin (“Guiding and Leading”). These are the ancient breathwork and movement exercises designed to maintain your own health.
This pillar also includes Yang Sheng (“Nourishing Life”)—the art of eating, sleeping, and living in accordance with the seasons. It’s the homework we give you so you don’t have to see us forever.
When you strip away the marketing fluff, Chinese Medicine is elegant and simple.
If a clinic doesn’t know the difference between a load-bearing pillar and a throw pillow, why would you trust them with your health? We skip the marketing fluff. Choose a published scholar who knows the actual blueprint, finds the structural cracks, and uses the right pillar to stabilize you.
Ready to rebuild your health?
Book Your Appointment with Dr. Barber
No fluff. just straight-forward, structural medicine.
