The SMS – Societas Medicinae Sinensis (International Society for Chinese Medicine) is self-regulated professional body headquartered in Munich. Its purpose is the promotion of Chinese Medicine. The SMS was founded in 1978 by Prof. Manfred Porkert – who held a a PHD in Sinology & Philosophy. He was joined by Prof. Dr. med. Carl-Hermann Hempen – who is a medical doctor and professor of TCM at Munich University. He still runs his own clinic in Munich.
The SMS has divided the field of Chinese Medicine into two groups:
a) Acupuncture, Herbal Medicine – for this it only allows medical doctors or medical students to attend its course offerings.
b) Tuina, Dietetics and Qigong – which is open to all other healthcare professionals (like Heilpraktiker, midwives, physiotherapists etc.)
The SMS lists the following indications for Chinese Medicine:
Internal diseases:
Allergies, hay fever, bronchial asthma
Acute viral infections
Chronic bronchitis
Irritable bowel, irritable stomach
Food allergies
Chronic diarrhea
Constipation
Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis (IBD)
Chronic hepatopathies
Functional heart disease
Vegetative cardiac arrhythmia
Latent hypertension
Rheumatic diseases
Anemia
TCM as a concomitant therapy for cancer
Neurological and psychiatric diseases:
Idiopathic facial palsy
Polyneuropathy
Stroke rehabilitation
Dizziness
Multiple sclerosis
Minimal cerebral dysfunction
Developmental disorders in childhood
ADHD
Sleep disorders
Depression and anxiety disorders
Psychovegetative states of exhaustion
Concomitant therapy for addictions
Pediatric diseases:
Increased infections
Chronic runny nose
Cough
Indigestion
Tendency to constipation
Functional abdominal pain
Allergies (neurodermatitis, asthma, hay fever, food)
Restlessness and trouble sleeping
Headache
ADHD
Enuresis
Chronic pain conditions:
Back pain, sciatica, lumbar spine syndrome, cervical spine syndrome
Joint pain (knee, hip, shoulder, elbow)
Tendinosis like tennis or golfer’s elbow
Neuralgia, trigeminal neuralgia, intercostal neuralgia, zoster neuralgia
Phantom pain, stump pain
Tension headaches and migraines
Fibromyalgia and rheumatic pain
Gynecology and childbirth preparation:
Dysmenorrhea
Menstrual cycle disorders
Amenorrhea
Chronic genito-vaginal inflammation
Fertility disorders
Pregnancy sickness
Oedema and pain in pregnancy
Birth relief
Birth preparation
Shortening the duration of the birth
Climacteric syndrome
Skin diseases:
Acne
Rosacea
Urticaria
Pruritus
Psoriasis vulgaris
Neurodermatitis
Chronic eczema
Herpes zoster
Herpes simplex
Lichen
Urological diseases:
Cystitis
Prostatitis
Functional disorders of the urogenital tract
Irritable bladder
Urinary incontinence
Nocturnal enuresis
impotence
Infertility
Eye diseases:
Conjunctivitis
Uveitis
Juvenile myopia
glaucoma
Sicca syndrome
Incipient macular degeneration
ENT diseases:
Allergic rhinitis (hay fever)
Acute and chronic viral infections
Sinusitis
Globe feeling
Loss of smell
Tinnitus
Recurrent otitis
