澳大利亞的物理治療和中醫

吳宇琛

SUM WU

Sum Wu

Registered Chinese Medicine Practitioner

Bachelor of Health Science in Traditional Chinese Medicine (UTS)

Bachelor of Science Majoring in Psychology (UOW)

Director of Hurstville Chinese Herbs Centre

Vice Dean of College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Orthopedics Australia

Specialising in pain management and mental wellbeing through Tradition Chinese medicine in combination with modern science in mental health, dieting and nutrition.

吳宇琛，澳大利亞政府註冊中醫師、針灸師，五龍崗大學心理學學士、悉尼科技大學中醫系學士，澳大利亞松軒中醫藥中心主任醫師，澳大利亞中醫骨傷專科學院副院長。

擅長用傳統針灸理傷手法和中藥治療各種新舊損傷痛症，特別採用中醫中藥和現代心理學、營養學相結合調理治療各種慢性病和亞健康。

Physiotherapy and Traditional Chinese Medicine in Australia

澳大利亞的物理治療和中醫

Australia’s healthcare system is increasingly diverse, offering patient’s access to both conventional Western treatments and complementary therapies rooted in ancient traditions. Among the most widely utilized approaches are physiotherapy and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). While each originates from a different medical philosophy, both play an important role in promoting recovery, relieving pain, and improving quality of life. Understanding their similarities and differences can help patients make informed healthcare choices.

澳大利亞的醫療體系日益多元化，不僅為患者提供傳統西方醫學治療，還提供源於古老傳統的補充療法。在眾多被廣泛採用的治療方法中，物理治療與中醫（TCM）尤為突出。儘管兩者源於截然不同的醫學理念，但它們在促進康復、緩解疼痛以及提高生活質量方面都扮演著重要角色。瞭解它們的相似與差異，有助於患者做出更明智的醫療選擇。

Physiotherapy is grounded in Western biomedical science. It focuses on evidence-based practices to assess, diagnose, and treat physical dysfunctions, particularly of the musculoskeletal, neurological, and respiratory systems. Practitioners aim to restore physical function through movement and targeted interventions.

物理治療以西方生物醫學科學為基礎，強調循證實踐，用於評估、診斷和治療身體功能障礙，特別是在肌肉骨骼、神經系統和呼吸系統方面。物理治療師通過運動和有針對性的干預措施來恢復身體功能。

In contrast, TCM is based on thousands of years of Chinese medical theory. It views health as a balance of vital energies (Qi), Yin-Yang harmony, and the smooth flow of Qi and blood through meridians. Treatments such as acupuncture, Tuina, herbal medicine, and dietary therapy aim to restore internal balance rather than focus solely on physical structures.

相比之下，中醫則建立在數千年的中國醫學理論之上。它認為健康是“氣”的平衡、陰陽的和諧以及氣血在經絡中的順暢流動。針灸、推拿、中藥和食療等中醫治療手段，旨在恢復身體內部的整體平衡，而不僅僅是關注表層的身體結構。

Both professions are formally regulated in Australia under the umbrella of the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). Physiotherapists must complete a four-year university degree and register with the Physiotherapy Board of Australia. Similarly, TCM practitioners must meet standards set by the Chinese Medicine Board of Australia. Graduates in Australia also undergo a 4 year university degree or similar diploma level education.

這兩個行業在澳大利亞都受到正式監管，隸屬於澳大利亞健康從業者管理局（AHPRA）。物理治療師必須完成四年制大學課程，並在澳大利亞物理治療委員會註冊。同樣，中醫從業者也需達到澳大利亞中醫管理局製定的專業標準。在澳大利亞接受培訓的中醫畢業生通常也完成了四年制大學課程或相當於高級文憑的學習。

This shared requirement for formal education and registration ensures patient safety and professional accountability in both fields.

這種統一的教育和註冊要求，確保了患者的安全和專業責任。

Physiotherapy commonly involves manual therapy, exercise prescription, electrotherapy (e.g., ultrasound or TENS), and education to support injury prevention and recovery. It often requires active participation from the patient, including rehabilitation exercises and lifestyle changes.

物理治療常包括手法治療、運動處方、電療（如超聲波或TENS低頻電療）以及預防損傷與康復相關的健康教育。該過程往往需要患者的積極參與，包括康復鍛煉與生活方式的調整。

TCM treatments are generally more passive from the patient’s perspective. Tuina involves therapeutic massage and acupressure, while acupuncture uses fine needles to stimulate specific points on the body. Herbal remedies may also be prescribed to support internal balance. TCM techniques focus on treating both the symptoms and the root cause from a holistic standpoint.

從患者角度來看，中醫治療通常更為被動。推拿通過治療性按摩和穴位按壓進行干預，而針灸則是利用細針刺激身體的特定穴位。中藥可能被用以輔助內部調理。中醫治療強調從整體角度出發，既治療症狀，也解決病因。

Both physiotherapy and TCM treat a broad range of conditions. Physiotherapy is often recommended for sports injuries, post-surgical rehabilitation, chronic pain, and mobility issues. TCM can address musculoskeletal pain, but is also commonly used for digestive disorders, stress, fatigue, fertility, and menstrual problems.

物理治療和中醫都能治療範圍廣泛的健康問題。物理治療常用於運動損傷、術後康復、慢性疼痛及活動能力障礙等。中醫不僅可用於肌肉骨骼疼痛，還廣泛用於消化不良、壓力、疲勞、不孕以及月經問題等。

Integration into the healthcare system also differs. Physiotherapists are fully integrated into hospitals, aged care, and rehabilitation services. TCM, while not yet mainstream in public hospitals, is increasingly offered in private clinics, integrative health centres, and by GP referral, especially acupuncture.

它們在醫療系統中的綜合程度也有所不同。物理治療師已全面融入醫院、養老院和康復中心等機構。而中醫雖然尚未在公立醫院普及，但針灸等治療手段已越來越多地出現在私人診所、綜合健康中心以及由全科醫生推薦的服務中。

Physiotherapy is supported by a strong body of scientific research, clinical guidelines, and outcome measures. While TCM is based on centuries of empirical knowledge, its scientific evidence base is still developing, though acupuncture in particular has gained clinical recognition for treating pain, nausea, and certain chronic conditions.

物理治療擁有強大的科學研究支持、臨床指南和療效評估機制。而中醫雖以幾千年的經驗為基礎，其科學證據體系仍在逐步建立中。值得一提的是，針灸在緩解疼痛、噁心以及某些慢性疾病方面，已獲得臨床認可。

Though they stem from vastly different medical traditions, physiotherapy and TCM in Australia share a commitment to patient care, safety, and professionalism. Together, they offer patients a diverse toolkit to manage health conditions, combining modern science with time-tested traditional healing.

儘管兩者源於完全不同的醫學體系，但在澳大利亞，物理治療與中醫都秉持對患者健康、安全與專業的承諾。兩者結合，為患者提供了融合現代科學與傳統智慧的多元化健康管理工具。

如有疑問想咨詢吳宇琛中醫師，可以在微信或whatsapp搜索61 404836368，加吳宇琛中醫師微信或whatsapp，也可以發短信或致電0404836368作語音留言，吳宇琛中醫師有空就會回復。

（吳宇琛中醫師，澳大利亞政府註冊中醫師、針灸師，五龍崗大學心理學學士、悉尼科技大學中醫系學士，悉尼好思維松軒藥行主任中醫師，澳大利亞中醫骨傷專科學院副院長，本文僅供參考，具體診療應諮詢專業人士。）