ToC evolved as a part of the epidemic medicine tradition of extrapolating TCM theory to fit the epidemics of the present time. This has always been done in TCM and is part of why TCM has remained as viable and effective as it has for thousands of years, at a time when most traditional medicine has been outright replaced by conventional Allopathic medicine. Modern Western epidemics include, but are not limited to: cancer, M.S., allergies and sensitivities, endocrine, neurological, and immune disorders and diabetes, and chronic infections in general. A success of modern Allopathic medicine is the ability to turn a potentially life-threatening acute infectious illness into a slower chronic one. The failure of modern Allopathic medicine to safely, effectively, efficiently, or sustainably address chronic diseases is a significant contributing factor to the epidemics of modern times.
ToC is holistic by definition, and therefore is inherently and unapologetically spiritual at its foundation. At a time when much of the TCM community in the West is determined to adapt to and fit in with a profit-driven medical system, and wishes to downplay and conceal the spiritual and mystical tradition of TCM; at a time when the Chinese government bans that which is spiritual and translates medical texts accordingly, there is a great need for a modern approach to TCM which is efficient, precise, effective, and revitalizes this spiritual tradition. Without spiritual healing, treating the root of any malady is usually impossible. Physical, mental, and emotional imbalances invariably have a subtle root in spirit. Ignoring the spiritual essence of a human being in and of itself is pathological, and has resulted in all the failings of Allopathic medicine as well as many of the failings of Natural medicine. The ultimate failure of Allopathic medicine is failure to do more than change the presenting nature of disease, and poisoning people and the environment with medicine that is inherently toxic. (No medication can be patented if it is natural, therefore all pharmaceutical medications are toxic by design.)
The "de-spritualized" TCM practiced now all over the world may help without the serious side-effects of the Allopathic approach, but only rarely accesses the actual root causes of illness. A TCM practitioner who knows little or nothing about treating the spirit can hardly help themselves, never mind addressing the root of illness in others. As such, they are able to move the qi on the surface and at some deeper levels, but usually fail to effect deep, lasting change because of an inability to even grasp the concept of what is causing illness in the first place. Training lacking spiritual depth in TCM is so consistent that many students do not question it, and if they do, they rarely get a satisfying answer. Most practitioners of TCM believe that they are treating the root and so do not think to look deeper. If this were true, however, treatment would not need to be repeated over and over again. The problems invariably return, or take a new form rather than resolving permanently. Many TCM practitioners succumb to pressure from clients for immediate tangible results, and therefore practice merely palliative care.
Medicine of the New Age typically emphasizes "quick and easy" routes to spiritual mastery and teaches spiritual healing to people with little or no foundation or education in medicine or spiritual practice. As a generalization, New Age healers may have some "natural" ability, but no real mastery of anything, very little medical knowledge, no foundation on which to base a medical understanding, and invariably present their findings in vague, imprecise, and inaccurate terms. They may be able to make some general improvements in energy balance, but do not understand the matrix of support between the energy system and the body, or between the energy system and the brain. Lack of education and precision has created a blurry "feel-good" approach to healing and spirituality which lacks depth and substance and short-circuits true mastery. There are no shortcuts to spiritual mastery.
Undoubtedly, healers in all traditions have good intentions and believe in the medicine they practice, believe that they are doing their best, and wish to help others. The desperately suffering, those who value healing, and the ignorant flock to all types of medical treatment in hopes of finding real help. ToC was developed as a compassionate response to the needs of people who have not found the healing they need through other methods.
ToC introduces extrapolation on existing theory, integration of useful and sustainable elements of East and West, and highly sustainable technology of both diagnosis and treatment.