Traditional Chinese Medicine or TCM is a medical tradition originating in China in the mid-20^th Century. It is a compilation of a number of much older regional and family traditions, and includes acupuncture, herbs, and moxibustion. It is the primary style of acupuncture taught in schools in the US. It emphasizes 8 principle diagnosis (excess/deficient, cold/hot, interior/exterior, yin/yang), evaluation of the 5 zang and 6 fu organs, and balance of the five substances (qi, blood, body fluids, shen, and jing).  Acupuncture treatment centers on balancing qi flow in the meridians of the body, which are identified by their relationship with the internal organs.