RE: Fringe TCM

[Guest guest]

 

" I wonder what drives others to the fringes? Is it the same

rare cases that don't yield to TCM? Or is it intellectual curiosity or

the desire to be a maverick or discoverer or inventor? Do you find

that TCM does not work adequately in a large number of cases? "

 

 

 

 

While in TCM school in the early eighties I was recovering from what was

subsequently labeled as chronic fatigue, which in my case followed a very

severe food poisoning. I tried numerous TCM based herbal approaches but

none helped. In fact if anything I would often get worse. The consequent

setbacks in recovery were very difficult to overcome. My personal move to

the " fringe " was an attempt to find ways to assess the potential tolerance

and effectiveness of therapeutic substances PRIOR to ingesting them rather

than risking the further downward spiral or wasted time and dollars on the

wrong approach. The process that I use has evolved over 18 years and

thousands of patient visits as well as daily personal use. I know it, I

trust it, and with it I get more information than I would know how to obtain

using traditional approaches. That said, I also strongly believe in the

traditional methods and teachings. I can incorporate any aspect of

tradition into what I do and so I am interested in and continue to expand my

understanding of that area as well. I don't find my use and exploration of

the " fringe " to require exclusion of traditional teachings. And yes I do

like to discover, uncover, and figure out the reasons why some people don't

respond to generally accepted TCM methods. Sometimes I do and sometimes I

don't. There are some repetitive patterns that I have seen that inhibit the

potential benefits of herbs and acupuncture. I have seen this from the

fringe and can eliminate the frustration of hitting those walls if I

remember to look for them before a patient gives up on me. It's not

sacrilege, really.

 

Stephen

 

 

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[Guest guest]

"I wonder what drives others to the fringes? Is it the samerare cases that don't yield to TCM? Or is it intellectual curiosity orthe desire to be a maverick or discoverer or inventor? Do you findthat TCM does not work adequately in a large number of cases?">>>>>>>>For me it was my experience precepting with very well known TCM Dr as well as the clinical outcomes I saw in China working again with some very well known Dr.

I do not get impress easily and so I did as much follow-up as possible as well as research on past treatments. Although TCM can at times be very helpful, and therefore I still practice it, it also fails much to often especially in patients that have non-functional diseases. This to me was a great disappointment. When I was in China I made it a point to spend at least 1/2 day in the inpatient departments so I got lots chance to see sick people.

I truly believe that we have a chance to further develop affective treatments using Chinese herbs, needles and other techniques that will improve patient outcomes. Again as far as I am concern that is the only variable I am willing to look at, i.e. clinical outcome.

Alon