Surgery

The first surgical procedures were performed in the Neolithic Age (about 10,000 to 6000 bc). Trepanning, a procedure in which a hole is drilled in the skull to relieve pressure on the brain, may have been performed as early as 8000 bc. In Egypt, carvings dating to 2500 bc describe surgical circumcision—the removal of foreskin from the penis and the clitoris from female genitalia.

Operations such as castration (the removal of a male’s testicles); lithotomy (the removal of stones from the bladder); and amputation (the surgical removal of a limb or other body part) are also believed to have been performed by the Egyptians. Ancient Egyptian medical texts have been found that provide instructions for many surgical procedures including repairing a broken bone and mending a serious wound.

In ancient India, the Hindus surgically treated bone fractures and removed bladder stones, tumors, and infected tonsils. They are also credited with having developed plastic surgery as early as 2000 bc in response to the punishment of cutting off a person’s nose or ears for certain criminal offenses. Using skin flaps from the forehead, Hindu surgeons shaped new noses and ears for the punished criminals.

In the 4th century bc, the Greek physician Hippocrates published descriptions of various surgical procedures, such as the treatment of fractures and skull injuries, with directions for the proper placement of the surgeon’s hands during these operations.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture(针灸/針灸) (from the Latin word acus, "needle", and pungere, meaning "prick") Is a technique in which the practitioner inserts fine needles into specific points on the patient's body. Usually about a dozen acupoints are needled in one session, although the number of needles used may range anywhere from just one or two to 20 or more. The intended effect is to increase circulation and balance energy (Qi) within the body.

Issues in study design
Blinding of the practitioner in acupuncture remains challenging. One proposed solution to blinding patients has been the development of "sham acupuncture", i.e., needling performed superficially or at non-acupuncture sites.

Controversy remains over whether, and under what conditions, sham acupuncture may function as a true placebo, particularly in studies on pain, in which insertion of needles anywhere near painful regions may elicit a beneficial response. A review in 2007 noted several issues confounding sham acupuncture:

A controlled study of 300 migraine patients found that both needling at non-acupuncture sites and real acupuncture resulted in improvements compared with patients on a waiting list, with no significant difference in benefit between the two groups.

A study by Ted Kaptchuk et. al. showed that sham acupuncture exerted a stronger effect on pain than an inert pill did, and concluded: "Placebo effects seem to be malleable and depend on the behaviours embedded in medical rituals."

Traditional Chinese medicine

Traditional Chinese medicine
Dried goods shop
In Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong

Traditional Chinese medicine

Includes a range of traditional medical practices originating in China. Although well accepted in the mainstream of medical care throughout East Asia, it is considered an alternative medical system in much of the western world.

TCM practices include such treatments as:

herbal medicine

acupuncture

dietary therapy

both Tui na and Shiatsu massage

Qigong and Taijiquan are also closely associated with TCM.

TCM theory originated thousands of years ago through meticulous observation of nature, the cosmos, and the human body.

Major theories include those of :

Yin-yang

the Five Phases

the human body Channel system,

Zang Fu organ theory

six confirmations

four layers

etc.

For neoplastic disorders

cytotoxic drug
sex hormones
aromatase inhibitor
somatostatin inhibitor
recombinant interleukins
G-CSF
erythropoietin

For nutrition

tonic,
iron preparation,
electrolyte
parenteral nutritional supplement
vitamins
anti-obesity drug
anabolic drug
haematopoietic drug
food product drug

For allergic disorders

anti-allergic,
antihistamine
NSAIDs

For immunology

vaccine
immunoglobulin
immunosuppressant
interferon
monoclonal antibody

For infections and infestations

antibiotic
antifungal
antileprotic
antituberculous drug
antimalarial
anthelmintic
amoebicide
antiviral
antiprotozoal

For the skin

emollient
anti-pruritic
antifungal
disinfectant
scabicide
pediculicide
tar products
vitamin A derivatives
vitamin D analogue
keratolytic
abrasive
systemic antibiotic
topical antibiotic
hormones
desloughing agent,
exudate absorbent,
fibrinolytic
proteolytic
sunscreen
antiperspirant
corticosteroid

For obstetrics and gynecology

NSAIDs
anticholinergic
haemostatic drug
antifibrinolytic
Hormone Replacement Therapy
bone regulator
beta-receptor agonist
follicle stimulating hormone
luteinising hormone
LHRH gamolenic acid
gonadotropin release inhibitor
progestogen
dopamine agonist
oestrogen
prostaglandin
gonadorelin
clomiphene
tamoxifen
Diethylstilbestrol

For contraception

Hormonal contraception
Ormeloxifene
Spermicide

For the reproductive system or urinary system

antifungal
alkalising agent,
quinolones
antibiotic
cholinergic
anticholinergic
anticholinesterase
antispasmodic
5-alpha reductase inhibitor,
selective alpha-1 blocker,
sildenafil
fertility medication

For the respiratory system

bronchodilator
NSAIDs
anti-allergic
antitussive
mucolytic
decongestant
corticosteroid
beta-receptor antagonist
anticholinergic
steroid

For the ear, nose and oropharynx

sympathomimetic
antihistamine
anticholinergic
NSAIDs
steroid
antiseptic
local anesthetic
antifungal
cerumenolyti

For the eye

General:
adrenergic neurone blocker
astringent
ocular lubricant

Diagnostic:
topical anesthetics
sympathomimetics
parasympatholytics
mydriatics
cycloplegics

Anti-bacterial:
antibiotics
topical antibiotics
sulfa drugs
aminoglycosides
fluoroquinolones

Anti-viral:

Anti-fungal:
imidazoles
polyenes

Anti-inflammatory:
NSAIDs
corticosteroids

Anti-allergy:
mast cell inhibitors

Anti-glaucoma:
adrenergic agonists,
beta-blockers
carbonic anhydrase inhibitors/hyperosmotics
cholinergics
miotics
parasympathomimetics
prostaglandin agonists/prostaglandin inhibitors.
nitroglycerin

For musculo-skeletal disorders

NSAIDs (including COX-2 selective inhibitors)

muscle relaxant
neuromuscular drug
anticholinesterase

For pain & consciousness (analgesic drugs)

Analgesic

The main classes of painkillers are NSAIDs, opioids and various orphans such as :

paracetamol,
tricyclic antidepressants
anticonvulsants

For the central nervous system

Psychiatric medication
hypnotic
anaesthetics
antipsychotic
antidepressant (including tricyclic antidepressants, monoamine oxidase inhibitor, lithium salt, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor),
anti-emetic
anticonvulsant and antiepileptic
anxiolytic
barbiturate

Movement disorder drug
stimulant (including amphetamines),
benzodiazepine
cyclopyrrolone
dopamine antagonist
antihistamine
cholinergic
anticholinergic
emetic
cannabinoids
5-HT antagonist

For the cardiovascular system

General:
beta-receptor blocker or beta blocker
calcium channel blockers
diuretics
cardiac glycosides
antiarrhythmics
nitrate
antianginals
vasoconstrictor
vasodilator
peripheral activator

Affecting Blood pressure:
ACE inhibitors
angiotensin receptor blockers
alpha blocker

Coagulation:
anticoagulant
heparin
antiplatelet drug
fibrinolytic
anti-hemophilic factor
haemostatic drugs

Atherosclerosis/cholesterol agents:
hypolipidaemic agents
statins

For the gastrointestinal tract or digestive system

Upper digestive tract:
antacids
reflux suppressants
antiflatulents
antidopaminergics
proton pump inhibitors
H2-receptor antagonists
cytoprotectants
prostaglandin analogues

Lower digestive tract:
laxatives
antispasmodics
antidiarrhoeals
bile acid sequestrants
opioids