What your primary care doctor does
Primary care is your home base for medical care: checkups and prevention, figuring out what's causing symptoms, diagnosing and treating conditions, prescriptions, tests, and referrals to specialists. They're the ones keeping the big picture of your medical history.
What a Chinese medicine practitioner does
Chinese medicine is its own tradition, with its own ideas and tools, like acupuncture, herbs, and bodywork. A practitioner works within their training and their license. They aren't a substitute for a medical doctor, and they don't offer the same services, like ordering tests or prescribing medications.
Can you use both?
Plenty of people do. The key is keeping everyone in the loop. Tell each of them about the other care you're getting, including medicines, supplements, and herbs. That helps avoid interactions and mixed messages, and makes it clear when something needs a medical check.
When to see a doctor
For new, severe, or worsening symptoms, contact a qualified medical professional. Seek emergency help for urgent or life-threatening symptoms, even if you are also receiving complementary care.