Root vs. Branch Treatments: Identifying Underlying Cause Vs. Symptom Checking
By Dr. Lexi Streu
Framing treatments around the ‘root’ cause of disease is at the core of Traditional Chinese Medicine principles. This lies in stark contrast to many other schools of medical thought, which direct treatment at the ‘branch’ manifestations of disease instead.
This concept can be best illustrated with an example. Let’s consider a digestive disturbance, such as heartburn or acid reflux. Common treatment would be to take medication such as antacids or proton pump inhibitors (PPI), which either neutralize the acid in the stomach or block the production of acid. This approach is called a ‘branch treatment’ as it is not addressing the actual underlying cause of the excess stomach acid, it is merely viewing the condition at face value and attempting to cover it up. On the other hand, a ‘root treatment’ approach would seek to determine why there is excess stomach acid, or why this substance is reverting upwards against its’ normal trajectory. Treatment protocols from this ‘root’ approach would involve correcting the physiological imbalances that led to improper production of stomach acid, or determining and healing the structural defect that is causing it to reflux upwards.
Although a branch treatment may have rapid therapeutic effects and quickly resolve the issue, it does not provide the body with any opportunity to truly heal. It is like making a judgement about the health of branches of a tree, without considering what is happening under the soil. Merely trimming back the branches will not help a diseased tree if it is the roots that are infected or being attacked; they will continue to grow back diseased. The only way to thoroughly heal the tree would be to address its' diseased roots. Often branch treatment relies on an external substances (medications) to address a symptom, and upon cessation of the medication the symptom instantly returns. This is not a true correction of the issue.
By contrast, a root treatment approach may take a bit longer, but by nature of targeting the underlying problem it will resolve it more permanently. Root treatment approaches actually teach the body how to correct the underlying imbalances that led to to these problems. This creates a more resilient system that becomes equipped to heal itself in the future. Your body learns how to be its’ own medicine, instead of relying on something external to it.
In summary, the branch treatment is to give medication to get immediate symptom relief. Conversely, the root solution is to make your body stronger so that you are resistant to those things recurring. As a Doctor of TCM, I don’t just consider the immediate symptoms that patients are presenting. Instead, I consider the underlying factors that are contributing to the manifestation of such symptoms. Treatment is then directed towards those underlying factors, which effectively leads to resolution of the presenting symptoms.
Interested in learning more about this approach to your health? Book a free 15-minute consultation or initial treatment with Dr. Lexi Streu to see if TCM is the right treatment for you.
