Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is a branch of traditional medicine that is said to be based on more than 3,500 years of Chinese medical practice that includes various forms of herbal medicine, acupuncture, cupping therapy, gua sha, massage (tui na), bonesetter (die-da), exercise (qigong), and dietary therapy. Although there is much work to be done before we can truly understand the mechanisms of acupuncture and Qi, there is a growing body of solid evidence that suggests acupuncture and TCM are safe and effective for the treatment of many conditions. Many people assume that because a product is marketed as natural or herbal, this means it's safe to use. Some Chinese herbal medicines are safe but others can have serious and dangerous side effects. Some herbal medicines may interact with treatments from your doctor, including cancer drugs or radiotherapy.