Portuguese Health Ministry expert Pedro Ribeiro da Silva delivers a speech at the award ceremony of the "My Story with Traditional Chinese Medicine" short video contest in Lisbon, Portugal, July 22, 2026. (Xinhua/Xun Wei)
LISBON, July 22 (Xinhua) -- Ines Ramos, a licensed acupuncturist, was once plagued by persistent joint pain, fever and fatigue when she was 13. Doctors were unable to determine the cause, and conventional treatments provided little relief.
It was traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), she said, that restored her health, a life-changing experience that ultimately inspired her to pursue a career as an acupuncturist.
"Traditional Chinese medicine changed my life," Ramos said. Her story earned first prize in the "My Story with Traditional Chinese Medicine" short video contest, whose awards were presented Tuesday at the Chinese Embassy in Portugal.
"By sharing my story, I hope more Portuguese people will discover TCM, learn about Chinese culture and see it as a bridge between our two countries," the 27-year-old acupuncturist said.
Ramos is one of three Portuguese whose personal journeys reflect how TCM has steadily gained a foothold in Portugal, evolving from life-changing treatment for individuals into an increasingly recognized component of the country's healthcare system.
Ana Cid's introduction to TCM also began as a patient.
After recurring health problems returned, medication, antibiotics and even surgery failed to provide a lasting solution. TCM, she said, helped her realize that health is not only about treating symptoms but also about restoring balance among the body, emotions and lifestyle.
The experience inspired her to pursue formal studies. She went on to study TCM theory and Chinese herbal medicine before completing clinical training at the Affiliated Hospital of Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine in China.
"Although these theories were developed thousands of years ago, they remain relevant today," Cid said. "Everyone who has benefited from Chinese medicine is proof of its vitality."
For Isabel Castanheira, a 67-year-old practitioner, the development of TCM in Portugal has unfolded over more than a quarter of a century.
She began studying Chinese medicine 26 years ago and has since dedicated herself to clinical practice while promoting exchanges between Portugal and China. More recently, she has launched a series of short videos introducing TCM, traditional Chinese culture and China-Portugal cultural exchanges to Portuguese-speaking audiences.
In her view, Portugal's decision to establish a legal framework for TCM and other non-conventional therapies marked a turning point.
"It was this legislation that enabled me to obtain my professional license and practise legally," she said. "It recognizes not only practitioners, but also the value of traditional Chinese medicine."
Speaking at the ceremony, Chinese Ambassador to Portugal Yang Yirui said Portugal was the first, and remains the only, European Union member state to establish legislation formally recognizing TCM as an independent health profession, laying a solid foundation for its development in the country.
Today, TCM is included in Portugal's higher education degree system, while practitioners are licensed and regulated under the national health framework.
Pedro Ribeiro da Silva, a Portuguese Health Ministry expert who helped develop the country's TCM legislation, said Chinese medicine enjoys broad public acceptance in Portugal.
Recalling his own experience as a patient several years ago, he said the clinic where he received treatment was "almost always full," reflecting growing demand for TCM services.
That popularity has been reinforced by expanding cooperation between China and Portugal in education, research, clinical practice and talent cultivation. Universities from both countries have established joint laboratories on traditional medicine, while specialized training programs have helped develop a new generation of locally trained practitioners.
Portugal is now home to more than 200 TCM clinics and over 6,000 practitioners, most of them Portuguese. Together, they provide more than half a million patient visits each year, with acupuncture, tuina massage and Chinese herbal medicine becoming increasingly familiar healthcare options.
Quoting the ancient Chinese medical classic "The Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon," Castanheira said the best physician is one who "treats disease before it arises."
"For me," she said, "traditional Chinese medicine is much more than a profession. It is a path to health and balance, and a way to build understanding between different cultures through knowledge and mutual respect." ■
Chinese Ambassador to Portugal Yang Yirui presents the first prize to winners of the "My Story with Traditional Chinese Medicine" short video contest in Lisbon, Portugal, July 22, 2026. (Xinhua/Xun Wei)