In Tibet, an Ancient Healing Science Thrives Alongside Modern Medicine
Tibet's traditional medical system, Sowa Rigpa, remains a vital part of healthcare in the region, practiced alongside modern methods at a major Lhasa hospital.
In the high-altitude cities of Tibet, a medical tradition that predates modern science continues to hold its ground. At the Xizang Autonomous Region Hospital of Tibetan Medicine in Lhasa, physicians routinely practice both conventional and traditional approaches, reflecting a healthcare model that serves patients seeking a blend of treatments.
Known locally as Sowa Rigpa, or the "science of healing," this system is deeply intertwined with Tibetan Buddhist philosophy. Its core belief is that illness stems from an imbalance among three bodily elements: Loong, governing movement and circulation; Tripa, associated with heat; and Badkan, linked to cold. Practitioners use this framework to diagnose and treat a range of ailments.
The hospital is a key site for this dual approach, offering patients access to both worlds. While the World Health Organization acknowledges traditional medicine's significant role in global healthcare, it also stresses that integrating such systems into national health frameworks should be guided by scientific evidence.
This report is based on a recent government-organized visit for foreign journalists to Lhasa and Shannan, which included stops at the hospital, an eldercare center, and various cultural sites. The trip was accompanied by government officials, and journalists were not permitted to move independently. Editorial control of the content remained with the journalists.