Traditional Chinese medicine, or TCM, has some famous and reputable clinics treating a variety of ailments. English-language practitioners are not common, but plenty of sources are available both for educational and medical purposes.

TCM operates under principles of balance between yin and yang, or cold and hot. Treatments include cupping, scraping, and many medicines. TCM medications are usually made from natural herbs and occasionally minerals or animal parts, and make claims such as ‘liver cleansing’ or ‘iron replenishing’. Various diets make use of traditional Chinese medicinal beliefs, and common therapies include acupuncture, massage, and moxibustion.

TCM is typically intended to be used over a long period of time, as much as six months for some illnesses. Costs can vary widely, from ¥88 per hour of massage to upwards of ¥2,000. However, it can be difficult to know exactly what you are buying, as standards are less than stringent.