Vision and revision

[Guest guest]

Thank you to all who addressed my queries.

 

I believe that frequency of treatment relates to methodology regardless of

whether one practices Chinese herbal medicine, acupuncture or whatever. We,

hopefully, adapt to prevailing social mores.

 

When I first opened my clinic, I treated most patients with acupuncture. I

very quickly came to realize that they would not or could not see me more

frequently than once a week. I then focused much study time on Chinese

herbal medicine and discovered that many patients were simply not

cooperative (largely due to the effort of going to Chinatown, and then

boiling these aromatic herbal formulations. In fact, I had one patient who

preferred her pregancy-related morning sickness to the odor of the herbs!)

 

I then had the good fortune to treat a patient who was receiving Zentherapy

bodywork. This patient was a practitioner of Aikido and had twisted a

vertebra. Furthermore, he worked as a bartender and spent many hours on his

feet. He recovered after three sessions! This, of course, peaked my

curiosity, so I asked, and discovered, that in addition to the acupuncture

and herbal treatments he received from me, he was undergoing Zentherapy.

Naturally, I investigated further and eventually undertook the training

myself.

 

These studies brought to home the idea that " to move Qi, move the blood " .

 

During the past 20 years I have learned to adapt. I have yet to find a

school of thought that knows it all. I appreciate the attitude of many

here, that we don't know nearly enough about Chinese medicine. But I must

comment that Chinese medicine does not have all the answers.

 

Recent postings inquire as to drug/herb interactions. And they further

point out, wisely, that even physicians (MD's, in particular) can't answer

these questions. The reality is that we in the United States practice our

form(s) of medicine in an environment that is radically different than that

of when the classics of Chinese medicine were written.

 

These parameters include everything from lack of enzyme activity in foods

(due to top soil demineralization and over-processing of foods), exposure to

electromagnetic fields, chemical exposure, etc. to emotional and

physiological stress.

 

In the comments posted by Thaddeus Jacobs, ND, we find an excellent

commentary on how we should be cautious of treating patients who have been

prescribed the medication, Coumadin /warfarin. Such caution can only be

valued in light of education in the fields of allopathic pharmaceutical

medicine.

 

As much as we can benefit from the further expansion of Pure Chinese medical

literacy, we must be aware that we do not live in pre-Western mystical

China.

 

We do not wake with the rising sun, nor do we sleep as it sets. We do not

eat native foods....

 

Life is (for better or worse) far more complex these days.

 

My personal goal is first and foremost, to help my patients. I choose to

use any and all tools in this regard. I'm not a big proponent of patent

medicines. But I have found that American patients seem much more willing

to take a tablet, tincture or capsule, rather than to comply with

traditional Chinese herbal methods. Such is life, and I believe that Daoist

thought suggests that one adapt!

 

In _Acupuncture Case Histories from China_ , edited by Chen Jirui, MD and

Nissi Wang, M.Sc., most patients were treated daily, for a course of ten

days. Many cases were resolved after three courses (daily treatment for 10

days, a pause, then 10 more daily treatments, a total of 30 treatments in

just over a month).

 

This book lead to my inquiry. I have not had the good fortune of seeing my

patients as frequently. And though I agree with Z'ev, that I can still help

my patients, I question whether or not we can fall back on the out-dated

notions of classics in the face of modern reality. I have no doubt that the

classics are of value. In fact, I spend many hours each week reviewing

them. I merely state that we must move beyond them. If you have paid

attention, you will note that many translations of the classics include

notes from practitioners in era far removed from the origin.

 

My intent is to best help my patients.

 

And once again, though I benefit from the scholarly efforts of colleagues, I

also benefit from the efforts of those outside the field of Chinese

medicine, like Thaddeus Jacobs. His comments regarding coumadin are right

on!

 

Health and happiness to all,

 

luke

[Guest guest]

Luke,

Health and happiness to you,

 

I understand that no one system has " all the answers " .

I believe that if one can truly master just one formula - for example- Bu

Zhong Yi Qi Tang. Then one may be able to help ten thousand people. However,

if one only merely sorta knows ten thousand formulas than one may not be

able to help even one person.

 

For myself I I can't get enough Rou Gui !

 

Ed Kasper L.Ac., in Sunny Santa Cruz, Californiiia