Random Thoughts with Fine Points

[Guest guest]

Dear All,

What I think is that the doctorate in Chinese medicine should be reserved for those people who manifest the ability to diagnose and treat without ever having to ask a question of a patient. That, of course, does not mean that one should not talk to a patient. One should at least tell the patient what your perspective thinks/feels/ believes they need.

 

One may also of course work and treat in any style that one finds conducive. But one should be ABLE to diagnose without any symptoms, only from signs, a la Chinese face and body reading. When one can do that, one is on a par with many Chinese and other Oriental practitioners whose patients often will only go to someone who doesn't need to ask questions to determine diagnosis and treatment. This is asking a lot of ourselves, I know, but this, to me, is the real doctorate. Anything short of that is kidding ourselves. When we can do that, who can keep up with us? Especially when our treatments become more and more effective.

 

Eastern and Western medicine have to integrate. It is happening with or without our input. In the Army they say, "Lead, follow or get the f--- out of the way." I suggest we lead. I am changing my tune regarding Western herbs and such, because the integration of East and West is happening there with or without us, and I think it should happen with us leading the way. Ultimately, the only proper way to integrate Eastern and Western medicine is to have Eastern medicine forming the background model of visioning "patients" and treatment, and Western medicine helping to target treatments more specifically, when possible. Otherwise we are abusing the great yin and yang of the world, which is what is happening presently.

 

Western is more yang overall, and Eastern is more yin overall, though that reverberates back and forth as you look at them more specifically. And, as Shudo Denmei says, yang comes from yin (the foreground comes from the background). In a way, all of history has been leading to the present, when we finally have the opportunity to meaningfully integrate East and West so that they meet and shake hands and work together harmoniously. But we are the ones who are going to have to do it. We can't wait on anyone else to do it. Also, that way we will have control, as much as anyone has control of anything. I recommend to you all the first eight chapters of Peter Holmes' "Energetics of Western Herbs" for a sterling discussion on the parameters of integrating East and West. Yes, the books have many errors, and there is an apparently somewhat breezy understanding of Chinese herbal medicine displayed, but I think the benefits far outweigh the detractions. Enjoy and talk to me, please.

 

Love yuhs all,

Joseph Garner