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Knowledge needed for AP v CHM

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Hi All, & Hi Bob,

 

Bob Flaws wrote:

> I will say this yet one more time. When it comes to the practice

> of specifically tui na and acupuncture, I'm ok with the current

> level of students. However, when it comes to the practice of

> internal medicine, I'd also be more than ok with half the current

> students being expelled as well as half the current teachers

> fired. One of our big problems is the conflation of these two

> modalities into a signle profession. The intelligence and

> education to do acupuncture safely and successfully is, IMO, quite

> different from that necessary to do internal medicine safely and

> effectively. I don't think we will ever solve our main academic

> problems as long as we continue trying to teach these two allied

> but different modalities to a single group of students in a single

> curriculum.

 

I agree 100% and that is why I began my study of " real TCM " after

about 25 years of successful use of AP! It forced me to study the

patterns to depths unnecessary for the successful practice of AP.

 

AP is simple as compared with CHM. I reckon that a medical

professional could learn basic AP in 40-120 hours of skilled,

focused teaching + (say) 12 months reading of some

recommended texts.

 

CHM, in contrast, requires great precision in pattern recognition

and selection of the appropriate remedies. I have been studying

CHM part-time for almost 5 years now. Though I use herbs

occasionally in " simple " cases, it will be many more years before I

have the confidence to use it in routine clinical work.

 

IMO, a good CHM curriculum must give clear definitions of the TCM

terminology and Patterns as the basis for therapy.

 

Best regards,

 

Email: <

 

WORK : Teagasc Research Management, Sandymount Ave., Dublin 4, Ireland

Mobile: 353-; [in the Republic: 0]

 

HOME : 1 Esker Lawns, Lucan, Dublin, Ireland

Tel : 353-; [in the Republic: 0]

WWW : http://homepage.eircom.net/~progers/searchap.htm

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, " " wrote:

> I agree 100% and that is why I began my study of " real TCM " after

> about 25 years of successful use of AP! It forced me to study the

> patterns to depths unnecessary for the successful practice of AP.

>>>

 

 

" Real TCM? " As Robin Williams used to say, " Reality! What a

concept. "

 

On the face of it, you're probably correct. Basic TCM acupuncture is

as simple as . . . well, basic TCM herbology. How hard is it to give

someone an herbal formula and resolve their problem? You can get

away with about 30 different basic herb formulas in practice.

 

My point is that you can make either topic as easy or as hard as you

like. You can go into greater detail in any area and never exhaust

it. That you were never exposed to more sophisticated styles of

acupuncture is unfortunate.

 

Studying deeper patterns is a particularly worthwhile endevor and

keeps pushing the envelope of the art---and you could also have done

that in acupuncture. But, understandably, this is an herbal forum.

But if you're interested in deeper patterns, I can show you things

in your own patients' pulses that you never saw before, and only a

few Chinese have understood.

 

 

Jim Ramholz

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

> AP is simple as compared with CHM. I reckon that a medical

> professional could learn basic AP in 40-120 hours of skilled,

> focused teaching + (say) 12 months reading of some

> recommended texts.

>

> CHM, in contrast, requires great precision in pattern recognition

> and selection of the appropriate remedies. I have been studying

> CHM part-time for almost 5 years now. Though I use herbs

> occasionally in " simple " cases, it will be many more years before

I have the confidence to use it in routine clinical work.

>

> IMO, a good CHM curriculum must give clear definitions of the TCM

> terminology and Patterns as the basis for therapy.

>

> Best regards,

>

> Email: <@e...>

>

> WORK : Teagasc Research Management, Sandymount Ave., Dublin 4,

Ireland

> Mobile: 353-; [in the Republic: 0]

>

> HOME : 1 Esker Lawns, Lucan, Dublin, Ireland

> Tel : 353-; [in the Republic: 0]

> WWW : http://homepage.eircom.net/~progers/searchap.htm

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I also find much more depth in acupuncture and moxabustion than is

usually attributed. Using the pulses, working with the channels,

timing, needle and moxa technique is a fairly complex and fulfilling

undertaking. I've never understood how anyone thought that acupuncture

was a simple subject when compared with herbal medicine. It is just

different.

 

 

On Nov 14, 2003, at 3:54 PM, James Ramholz wrote:

 

> My point is that you can make either topic as easy or as hard as you

> like. You can go into greater detail in any area and never exhaust

> it. That you were never exposed to more sophisticated styles of

> acupuncture is unfortunate.

>

> Studying deeper patterns is a particularly worthwhile endevor and

> keeps pushing the envelope of the art---and you could also have done

> that in acupuncture. But, understandably, this is an herbal forum.

> But if you're interested in deeper patterns, I can show you things

> in your own patients' pulses that you never saw before, and only a

> few Chinese have understood.

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One you can try is " The Channel Divergences " by Chip Chace and Miki

Shima from Blue Poppy Press. Another is " Chasing the Dragon's Tail " by

Yoshio Manaka from Paradigm Press. Finally, " Golden Needle Wang le

TIng " from Blue Poppy Press.

 

 

On Nov 15, 2003, at 2:40 AM, Marco wrote:

 

> Zev' and Brian and James,

>

> Intresting what books/ materials in the English language are

> recomended for

> this often overlooked aspects of Acumoxa?

>

> Marco

>

>

>

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Thank you Z'ev,

 

Misssed the bellow post...

 

 

I like the Kiiko and Birch series, altough not yet enter the hall of

comprhension...

 

Marco

 

 

 

 

-

" " <zrosenbe

 

Sunday, November 16, 2003 12:41 AM

Re: Re: Knowledge needed for AP v CHM

 

 

> One you can try is " The Channel Divergences " by Chip Chace and Miki

> Shima from Blue Poppy Press. Another is " Chasing the Dragon's Tail " by

> Yoshio Manaka from Paradigm Press. Finally, " Golden Needle Wang le

> TIng " from Blue Poppy Press.

>

>

> On Nov 15, 2003, at 2:40 AM, Marco wrote:

>

> > Zev' and Brian and James,

> >

> > Intresting what books/ materials in the English language are

> > recomended for

> > this often overlooked aspects of Acumoxa?

> >

> > Marco

> >

> >

> >

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, " Marco " wrote:

> > Zev' and Brian and James,

> >

> > Intresting what books/materials in the English language are

recomended for this often overlooked aspects of Acumoxa?

 

 

 

Marco:

 

The best place to start is Unschuld's new book about the Suwen.

While he sorts out and summarizes the material well, his

explanations of it are sometimes limited because the Chinese authors

themselves didn't really fully develop their ideas in the book.

Saying that, I do like his appendix for chapters 66-72. He organizes

and summarizes the ideas better than the original, although there

isn't much clinical application. But in any case, you can learn the

general rules for 5-Phases, Host and Guest, etc., and experiment

with with them using acupuncture, after checking the Chinese

calendar.

 

Another place is the Mai Jing. There's lots of interesting ideas

about pulses---far beyond what is typically practiced. We apply most

of these ideas in the Dong Han system. For example, an historical

precedent for the Dong Han system's use of 27-sectors can be found

in Book 10.

 

The most interesting books for herbs are yet untranslated and in

Chinese. Although Blue Poppy did do a translation of part of " Secret

Shaolin Formula " by the Monk deChan---and my book back in 1992

translated some of the tonification formulas. It's fascinating work

studying these formulas which, unfortunately, few use or discuss.

I've made many and tried them on myself and friends.

 

These three should keep you busy for a little while.

 

 

 

Jim Ramholz

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Z'ev & Brian,

 

We've been over this ground before. However, I still believe that differences in

sophistication in acupuncture theory and technique have

little influence on acupuncture outcomes. If you want to believe they do, that's

your perogative. In my experience, acupuncture

outcomes are more dependent on belief than any other single factor (since some

acupuncturists don't even insert needles).

Interestingly, Golden Needle Wang Le-ting, arguably one of the most famous and

most experienced 20th century acupuncturists in

north China, felt the same way.

 

I also believe that the onus of proving that differences in sophistication in

acupuncture theory and technique achieves better outcomes

rests with you, the believers. Until or unless you can prove this to me, I

regard such belief as a form of doctrinal orthodoxy (a polite

way of saying funadmentalism).

 

Bob

 

, " bcataiji " <bca@o...> wrote:

> , " "

> <zrosenbe@s...> wrote:

> > I also find much more depth in acupuncture and moxabustion than is

> > usually attributed. Using the pulses, working with the channels,

> > timing, needle and moxa technique is a fairly complex and fulfilling

> > undertaking. I've never understood how anyone thought that acupuncture

> > was a simple subject when compared with herbal medicine. It is just

> > different.

> >

> >

>

> I agree with this thought Z'ev. In addition, it may be that

> Acupuncture is more difficult to perfect than Herbal Medicine.

>

> Afterall, if both you and I were to give the same formula to the same

> person under the same circumstances, but at different times, the

> formula would probably have the same effect.

>

> However, if you and I were to needle a point, say ST-36, on the same

> person with the same condition, but at different times, the needling

> would not necessarily have the same effect - not just because of the

> different time, but because you and I are different, and so the Yi

> when needling, not to mention physical technique, would differ.

>

> This is one the things that makes PCOM week. There is so much more

> emphasis on Herbal Medicine than on actual acupuncture, when it is

> acupuncture that requires so much more hands on practice with training

> from accomplished needlers.

>

> Brian C. Allen

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<<Z'ev & Brian,

 

We've been over this ground before. However, I still believe that

differences in

sophistication in acupuncture theory and technique have

little influence on acupuncture outcomes. If you want to believe they

do, that's

your perogative. In my experience, acupuncture

outcomes are more dependent on belief than any other single factor

(since some

acupuncturists don't even insert needles).

Interestingly, Golden Needle Wang Le-ting, arguably one of the most

famous and

most experienced 20th century acupuncturists in

north China, felt the same way.

 

I also believe that the onus of proving that differences in

sophistication in

acupuncture theory and technique achieves better outcomes

rests with you, the believers. Until or unless you can prove this to

me, I

regard such belief as a form of doctrinal orthodoxy (a polite

way of saying funadmentalism).

 

Bob>>

 

Bob,

 

I think one can even go further. Felix Mann assserts that acupuncture

points don't exist, nor do meridians [in his article in Filshie and

White eds - Medical Acupuncture]. He does, however, believe that

acupuncture can cure or alleviate disease.

 

" More dependent on belief than any other single factor " leaves room

for that 'anything else' to have a signficant effect.

 

The question is, if one wants to be an acupuncturist, what should one

study, and why? I'd be interested in your thoughts.

 

Wainwright

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I also believe that the onus of proving that differences in sophistication in

acupuncture theory and technique achieves better outcomes

rests with you, the believers. Until or unless you can prove this to me, I

regard such belief as a form of doctrinal orthodoxy (a polite

way of saying funadmentalism).

 

Bob

 

>>>>>For a second hear i thought i am hearing an eco, sounds like me talking.

While i would argue that herbs do need more sophistication again there is some

fundamentalism going on as well

Alon

 

 

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For a second hear i thought i am hearing an eco, sounds like me talking.

While i would argue that herbs do need more sophistication again there is

some fundamentalism going on as well

Alon

 

 

 

>>>>>In terms of acumoxa CM TEAM what is " Fundametalism " refering too?

Marco

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This would be an interesting discussion, and even perhaps a more

interesting research project.

 

But if you are already putting a value judgment on an alternative point

of view to yours, count me out.

 

Once the term 'fundamentalism' comes into the discussion, any hope of a

fair and balanced debate is lost, with its present negative religious

and political associations.

 

 

On Nov 18, 2003, at 8:30 AM, Bob Flaws wrote:

 

> Z'ev & Brian,

>

>

>

> I also believe that the onus of proving that differences in

> sophistication in acupuncture theory and technique achieves better

> outcomes

> rests with you, the believers. Until or unless you can prove this to

> me, I regard such belief as a form of doctrinal orthodoxy (a polite

> way of saying funadmentalism).

>

> Bob

>

>

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Wainwright

 

" I think one can even go further. Felix Mann assserts that acupuncture points

don't exist, nor do meridians [in his article in Filshie and

> White eds - Medical Acupuncture]. "

 

As conceptual entities, I think acupoints and channels both do exist. Perhaps

points more so than channels. But the concept of

channels does help explain certain clinical observations. However, I'm not sure

I believe any more in yin and yang channels or

channels carrying varying amounts of qi and blood. I don't believe in " open

points " and I certainly don't believe in one point being the

single key point to a person's physical and psychospiritual well-being (a

concept I've heard secondhand was promulgated by a Pacific

Symposium presenter). I've read some of Mann's more recent writings and find I

agree with a lot of what he has also come to believe

after years and years of working with this stuff. As I have stated before, I do

not believe that CM theory is a NECESSARY prerequisite

for getting good results with acupuncture.

 

" He does, however, believe that acupuncture can cure or alleviate disease. "

 

I mostly definitely do believe in this.

 

" More dependent on belief than any other single factor " leaves room for that

'anything else' to have a signficant effect. "

 

Mmm. I chose my words carefully and did mean what I said, neither more nor less.

I'm not interested, at the present time, in trying to

describe all the factors that I think go into the " acupuncture effect. " Let's

just say for the nonce that I believe there is placebo effect,

the effects of caring comminication, the effects of one person touching another,

general acupuncture stimulatory effects from needling

anywhere on the body, and specific stimulatory effects from needling certain

areas.

 

" The question is, if one wants to be an acupuncturist, what should one study,

and why? "

 

Excellent questions. I'm not sure I have any answers for you. I guess I'd say to

study whatever you believe in until you no longer

believe it. Another approach is to study whatever pleases you the most. That

may, in fact, be synonymous with whatever you believe

in. I'll have to give that some more thought.

 

I do think that we get attached to certain ideas and then argue about the

rectitude of those ideas when, from a larger point of view, we

are really arguing aesthetics or dogma. You know the old saying, " Orthodoxy is

what I believe and heresy is what you believe. " At

some point in life, I think it's healthy not to be too attached to one's ideas.

And, as Ken would probably add, even that idea.

 

As a group, I think acupuncturists take themselves way too seriously when it

comes to CM. Probably this has to do with all of us

being " converts " and converts' well-known tendency to be " holier than thou. "

Recently, Blue Poppy tried to do some comical

advertising. The ads were, IMO (and I had nothing to do with them), extremely

clever and well executed. But they fell flat on their face.

In post-morteming their performance, we came to the conclusion that

acupuncturists as a group don't like to kid around about " our "

medicine. This is serious shit.

 

BTW, as someone intimately involved in the creation of the Channel Divergences

book, if you (not meaning actually you,

Wainwright) really think that stuff is great, I've got a bridge in Brooklyn I

can make you a really good deal on.

 

Bob

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, " Marco " <bergh@i...> wrote:

 

>

> >>>>>In terms of acumoxa CM TEAM what is " Fundamentalism " refering

too?

> Marco

 

Marco,

I trust those who are wielding this word will answer as they see fit. However

in my experience, in any context, it is usually a specious, self-serving term

used to discredit or disenfranchise those whose frame of reference, choices,

modus operandus, and knowledge base differ from one's own.

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Probably by having an experience Dr that does procedures be the control.

They can be very confident looking. Bob I think there are a lot of things we

two would like to see that the profession is not ready too

>>>>>what is the profesion not ready too?

Marco

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If these effects are enough to influence the outcomes than the real

acupuncture is only a small magnitude better than the untrained acup, which

would not endorse traditional acup much

>>>>>>>Nor so call western acupuncture...

Marco

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, " Emmanuel Segmen " wrote:

> If in fact good mood and joyful endeavors represent a key factor,

do you figure that studies will adequately document this? If you

tell your patient to engage in joyful, even exalting, artistic or

creative endeavors in order to tonify kidney qi, how would you

research the results of your treatment protocols? >>>

 

 

 

Emmanuel:

 

You would probably know better than I what can be studied and the

reliability of that research.

 

My only sense of a " study " would be something quite simple that we

can do at a school clinic to present to the American public for

promotion of the profession, stating that acupuncture or herbal

formulas showed x% improvement in the treatment of a particular

condition; which might be compared to the use of a drug or WM. I

wouldn't even go so far as to distinguish different patterns and

formulas for a blanket WM condition---say arthritis, cold and flu,

headache, etc.

 

But the study should be tied to a advertising program for the

profession. If we did that, then money for a more serious study

might become available from new sources.

 

 

Jim Ramholz

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Jim,

 

You're scaring me a little. Seriously, I view you as a friend over these now

many months of posting.

 

Okay, I speak everyday with marketers and the like who want to work up some case

studies that they can point to on behalf of some product. One of the problems

in marketing Chinese herbal products is that they must be presented as " dietary

supplements " and not as medicine. To present them as having " efficacy " with

regard to any " condition for benefit " will cost you $500,000,000.00

(approximately) in research dollars plus the approval of the FDA.

 

So, okay, we have to do a few case studies and then we have to say that this

herbal formula and/or acupuncture treatment made these people " feel better " ?

Have different pulses? Have a different tongue presentation? We can't claim

" efficacy " with regard to any " condition for benefit " and then advertise it on

the Oprah Winfrey Show ... or in some magazine or newspaper. You could conduct

research and report that research in a peer-reviewed journal ... but then that's

not advertising your product.

 

To change this whole scenario you have to do what the " new " AMA did back in the

early 20th Century and go to Congress and get laws passed .... maybe even create

a new federal agency. We could call it the U.S. Food and Drug Agency. No, that

name's taken. How about the U.S. Herbal Formula and Acupuncture Agency. Maybe

something like that. Then they would set guidelines for advertising your

product for which you could actually make claims for " efficacy " with regard to

" conditions for benefit " . I think that would work.

 

Respectfully,

Emmanuel Segmen

 

-

James Ramholz

Wednesday, November 19, 2003 2:39 PM

Re: Knowledge needed for AP v CHM

 

 

, " Emmanuel Segmen " wrote:

> If in fact good mood and joyful endeavors represent a key factor,

do you figure that studies will adequately document this? If you

tell your patient to engage in joyful, even exalting, artistic or

creative endeavors in order to tonify kidney qi, how would you

research the results of your treatment protocols? >>>

 

 

 

Emmanuel:

 

You would probably know better than I what can be studied and the

reliability of that research.

 

My only sense of a " study " would be something quite simple that we

can do at a school clinic to present to the American public for

promotion of the profession, stating that acupuncture or herbal

formulas showed x% improvement in the treatment of a particular

condition; which might be compared to the use of a drug or WM. I

wouldn't even go so far as to distinguish different patterns and

formulas for a blanket WM condition---say arthritis, cold and flu,

headache, etc.

 

But the study should be tied to a advertising program for the

profession. If we did that, then money for a more serious study

might become available from new sources.

 

 

Jim Ramholz

 

 

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Are,

 

This is a fascinating post. I particularly like the observation that different

combinations of points seem more effective at different junctures in time than

others. I like the question: is it me, or is it the horses that have changed?

I think this relates to some of CHA's discussions as well about different

disease patterns existing over time, and different treatments being necessary.

But within the scope of a person's lifetime, what can this phenomenon be

attributed to? I have observed this myself, both with my patients and with my

own personal health needs as well, and it simultaneously baffles and fascinates

me.

 

 

 

Are Thoresen <arethore wrote:

 

 

Hi all,

 

well, what is the deeper cause of the results within acupuncture (and also most

other natural healing methods)?

 

 

Most Acupuncturists and Homeopaths agree that homeopathy and acupuncture work

through information and regulation to/of the somatic processes. Acupuncture and

homeopathy stimulate the self-healing mechanisms of the body. Many other

medicines do not do that, for example penicillin works by its own antibacterial

actions that can inhibit or kill bacteria within the body as well as in-vitro

(outside the body). This is not the case with acupuncture and homeopathy. To be

of therapeutic value, they must modulate the body's homeostatic processes, i.e.

they must target the body's self-healing mechanisms.

 

 

 

The mechanism of action: How acupuncture and homeopathy work (how they stimulate

the body's self-healing processes) has been debated in depth through the years

Many mechanisms have been suggested. Some of these have been identified,

especially in research on acupuncture. Regardless of what mechanisms have been

suggested, the end result is always that the body's self-healing mechanisms must

be activated.

 

 

 

Some worrying observations: During the years I have observed some paradoxical

anomalies between my clinical results and those of others, as I am sure you have

also. Those that have bothered me are discussed below.

 

 

 

Paradoxical observations in acupuncture:

 

1.. Most veterinary acupuncturists, who use AP or gold implants at the

acupoints, find them to be most successful and effective to treat canine hip

dysplasia (HD). Clinical experience from several colleagues, with overall

success rates of 80-90%, supports this opinion. Recently, although they used

slightly different methods of implantation, three independent uncontrolled

retrospective clinical studies on the effectiveness of gold implants to treat

canine HD in 218 dogs in Denmark (the late Jens Klitsgaard, 100 dogs), Norway

(Are Thoresen, 50 dogs) and Germany (Erhard Schulze, 68 dogs) reported a

clinical success rate of near 90%. However, the clinical response to gold bead

implantation AP to treat canine HD was evaluated also in two double-blind

studies. One was in Finland by Anna Hielm et al (1998) and the other was in the

USA by Bebchuk et al (1998). Also there will shortly be publishes a third

article by Gry Jäger (Oslo 2002). Anna Hielm gave me a summary of her article in

Finnish. The dogs were treated in a double-blinded study; the owners did the

evaluation. Both groups of dogs showed positive results but there was no

difference between the two groups. Bebchuk's study was a communication from his

university. He also treated the dogs in a double-blind study but the evaluation

was objective; it used force-plates to measure the force exerted by the dogs on

the treated limbs. Neither group of dogs improved, and there was no difference

between the two groups. The dogs in the treatment group tended to get worse. Gry

Jäger's article will conclude (as reported at the IVAS Congress in Spietz) that

there was a positive and statistical difference between the two groups, but much

less that one may expect according to the results reported by Klitsgaard,

Schulze and Thoresen. All three studies show the same result: gold-implantation

in the hip area had little or no positive effect on the dogs and some dogs in

Bebchuck's study even got worse! So we see that a very

successful therapy in the clinic is almost without effect in a double-blind

trial.

2.. A good friend and colleague in Norway has had good results in his

acupuncture therapy in recent years,. He then hired helpers, colleagues and

animal-caretakers, who did not believe in acupuncture. After two years he told

me; " Are, I do not understand what is happening, acupuncture does not seem to

work for me any more " .

3.. A colleague in the US said the following: " Twenty-five years ago I had

great results treating just GB29, 30, and BL54 in canine hip dysplasia. If I

treat just these points today, I would see very little improvement in my

patients. I agree that focus and mindset is a major part in one's treatment

protocol and point selection. In the treatment of hip dysplasia, you (i.e. Are)

place a much higher degree of power on the use of Liv 3 than I do; therefore Liv

3 works for you but not for me. I treat many conditions for which I use only one

needle, or implant only one point, but my focus is different from when I am

treating hip dysplasia. We are getting back to focus and intent, the two most

important factors in acupuncture. A German colleague answered to this: " Some

years ago I had to open the Du Mai with Gb 41 first in about 80% of my horse

patients. Today it happens about once a week. Who changed? The horses or I? "

 

 

Paradoxical observations in homeopathy:

 

1.. Beneviste's investigations showed that the results differed when he made

the trials alone versus in the presence of sceptics. He suggested that the

presence of the critical persons " zeroed " the results of the investigations.

2.. Later, Professor Kröplin at the University of Stuttgart showed clearly

that mood-changes of the scientists changed the results in sensitive

crystallisation by such a degree (up to 47%) that the claims of Beneviste no

longer seem so far-fetched. (Kröplin 2001).

3.. Many investigations showed that homeopathy works sometimes, and sometimes

not (Coulter 1980, Linde 1997, Vaarst 1996). Also many homeopathic studies show

that results are very good in the clinic but are bad in double-blinded trials.

 

 

Paradoxical observations in biodynamic agriculture:

 

1.. Biodynamic agriculture uses homeopathic substances called the " Remedies " .

As in homeopathy, Biodynamic agriculture has given paradoxical results in

practical situations; some people have had good results but others not. Many

farmers report good results but controlled trials have shown little or no

effect.

2.. In farming I have often heard that methods or remedies that clearly work

in the field, totally lose their effect when submitted to double-blind

investigations.

 

 

Paradoxical observations in other areas of science:

 

1.. Viktor Schauberger, between the first and the second world wars, conducted

many interesting trials and studies in Austria on the peculiarities of water.

His results amazed many scientists, and even Hitler ordered him to work for his

war-machine. Later, it emerged that it was almost impossible to replicate

Schauberger's results but few have suggested that he was cheating.

2.. Sir Jagadis Chandra Bose, one of the most famous scientists in India,

showed with his self-constructed machines that plants and metals had a soul-life

of their own. The problem was that nobody could replicate his results. My

interpretation of his trials is that his own psyche (intention) was so strong

that it influenced his results.

3.. Professor Kröplin from Stuttgart has shown that the patterns of

crystallisations and the forms of drops falling into water was up to 48%

influenced by the emotions of the scientists. This would explain the results of

many great " alternative " scientists, such as Shauberger, Bose and even Steiner.

4.. Quantum-physics also indicates that the observer influences the observed

results; the scientists influence the outcome from a given experimental

protocol, and the variation between their results is unexplained. Many

quantum-physicists accept this today; however, Werner Heisenberg's

uncertainly-equation may explain the differences practically and theoretically.

Here is a quote from " The Tao of Physics " by Fritjof Capra: " In modern physics,

the question of consciousness has arisen in connection with the observation of

atomic phenomena can only be understood as links in a chain of processes, the

end of which lies in the consciousness of the human observer " . In the words of

Eugene Wigner: " It was not possible to formulate the laws of quantum theory in a

fully consistent way without reference to consciousness. " Wigner and others have

argued that the explicit inclusion of human consciousness may be an essential

aspect of future theories of matter.

 

 

These concepts all indicate that the qualities of the therapist may influence

the outcome of a treatment or experiment, as modern quantum physics has

suggested. Many serious AP books from China expressed this opinion, for example:

 

 

 

· Chapter 26 of the Suwen: " ... That which differentiates craftsmen is

[to observe] what is not manifested to be observed externally and that all

[others] cannot observe. Therefore observing that which is obscure means seeing

that which has no form and tasting that which has no flavour. This [capacity]

seems to be divine " .

 

· Scheid & Bensky: In pre-Han China, yì (intention) was considered a

pre-requisite of the knowledge and understanding required for and derived from

the divination practices based on the I-jing. " Yì is what the sages used to

search profundity and study the all encompassing. As it is profound, it can

penetrate throughout the purpose of the subcelestial realm. As it is all

encompassing, it can penetrate throughout the affairs of the subcelestial realm.

As it is divine, it is fast but never hurries; it arrives but never travels " .

 

· Zhenjiu Dacheng: " The importance of AP lies in concentration of the

mind "

 

· Guo Yuzhi: " needling ability rests with whether [acupuncturist] can

focus his attention on the heart and hand during the needling " .

 

· Xu Yinzong: " Medicine is Yì (intention); it is in one's thoughts and

deliberations.

 

 

 

Conclusions:

 

1. The conclusion, that the qualities of the therapist, especially Yì

(intention), may influence the outcome of a treatment may explain why

homeopaths and doctors disagree, and never will agree. If the therapist's

intent, formed by years of study and clinical conviction, really is the most

important aspect of clinical medicine, it may explain very well why scientists

and doctors (who rely on dispassionate randomised controlled trials for evidence

of clinical efficiency) disagree with homeopaths and acupuncturists about the

reality of their clical results. Double-blinded studies cannot allow for the

influence of Yì (intention), and must show little difference between the

treated and control groups than in a clinical situation where focused positive

intent is present.

 

2. As veterinarians, when we treat animals, we must pay much more attention

to our own Yì, and to the psyche of our patients.

 

3. We must abandon double-blind trials in all investigations on therapies

that involve the self-healing properties of the body

 

4. We must realise that the results of " great spirits " , like the people

mentioned above (and also Rudolf Steiner), cannot be duplicated, and may even

have been the results of their intention and belief.

 

 

 

 

 

Are Simeon Thoresen

arethore

http://home.online.no/~arethore/

 

 

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, " Emmanuel Segmen "

<susegmen@i...> wrote:

> Jim,

>

> You're scaring me a little. Seriously, I view you as a friend over

these now many months of posting.

>

> Okay, I speak everyday with marketers and the like who want to work

up some case studies that they can point to on behalf of some

product. One of the problems in marketing Chinese herbal products is

that they must be presented as " dietary supplements " and not as

medicine. To present them as having " efficacy " with regard to

any " condition for benefit " will cost you $500,000,000.00

(approximately) in research dollars plus the approval of the FDA.

 

E,

 

I may be wrong on this, but I see a major different between marketing

a 'product' and producing research to benefit our profession and

market ourselves to the public. We are not trying to market

some 'CHINESE herbal product', we are merlely trying to show efficacy

in certain conditions… and this is shown my decrease in symptomology

(via questionnaire) or lab test values, simple as that…

 

-

 

>

> So, okay, we have to do a few case studies and then we have to say

that this herbal formula and/or acupuncture treatment made these

people " feel better " ? Have different pulses? Have a different

tongue presentation? We can't claim " efficacy " with regard to

any " condition for benefit " and then advertise it on the Oprah

Winfrey Show ... or in some magazine or newspaper. You could conduct

research and report that research in a peer-reviewed journal ... but

then that's not advertising your product.

>

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, " Emmanuel Segmen " wrote:

> To change this whole scenario you have to do what the " new " AMA

did back in the early 20th Century and go to Congress and get laws

passed .... maybe even create a new federal agency. We could call

it the U.S. Food and Drug Agency. No, that name's taken. How about

the U.S. Herbal Formula and Acupuncture Agency. Maybe something

like that. Then they would set guidelines for advertising your

product for which you could actually make claims for " efficacy " with

regard to " conditions for benefit " . I think that would work. >>>

 

 

 

Emmanuel:

 

That's why my point was to leave it up to others, like yourself, who

have a better sense of what studies are about. I always tell my

students and the practitioners that attend my seminars that they can

always ask me anything they want about pulse diagnosis; just never

about women, money, and politics. ;-)

 

My only serious concern about studies is to tie them in to an

advertising scheme that would open acupuncture and herbs to people

who haven't already tried it.

 

 

Jim Ramholz

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Hi Jason,

 

Read my post again. Showing " efficacy " for " conditions of benefit " is the

precise language of the FDA as well as HMOs and other insurers. To make that

claim that claim and then market anything, including yourself, is the hurdle of

interest. My sense is that you go about it in the traditional American way.

You get an organization like the AMA ... how about the AAOM? Then you lobby

state and federal legislatures to have the authority to make claims. There is

an entire body of literature, peer reviewed journals, in China ... alas, it's in

Chinese. There's also some three dozen or more graduate institutions in America

teaching CM. Quite a few are accredited on some level. So you have the

curriculums, you have the national agency, you hire lobbyists, and you create a

legal accommodation. As I understand it, this is the procedure for marketing

oneself as a practitioner of anything, including WM.

 

Short of that, showing " efficacy " for " conditions of benefit " will be your

specific hurdle of interest. I'm sure there are an infinite number of ways to

accomplish the mission that the AMA accomplished. That was about marketing and

money. They did a fairly stellar job ... the FDA, Big Pharm, 125 accredited

medical schools ... until the 1990s we still had hospitals, as opposed to " risk

emporiums " where MDs work. Anyway, that's your mission. Go for it. I'll keep

bringing in the herbs.

 

Emmanuel Segmen

 

-

Wednesday, November 19, 2003 5:04 PM

Re: Knowledge needed for AP v CHM

 

 

, " Emmanuel Segmen "

<susegmen@i...> wrote:

> Jim,

>

> You're scaring me a little. Seriously, I view you as a friend over

these now many months of posting.

>

> Okay, I speak everyday with marketers and the like who want to work

up some case studies that they can point to on behalf of some

product. One of the problems in marketing Chinese herbal products is

that they must be presented as " dietary supplements " and not as

medicine. To present them as having " efficacy " with regard to

any " condition for benefit " will cost you $500,000,000.00

(approximately) in research dollars plus the approval of the FDA.

 

E,

 

I may be wrong on this, but I see a major different between marketing

a 'product' and producing research to benefit our profession and

market ourselves to the public. We are not trying to market

some 'CHINESE herbal product', we are merlely trying to show efficacy

in certain conditions. and this is shown my decrease in symptomology

(via questionnaire) or lab test values, simple as that.

 

-

 

>

> So, okay, we have to do a few case studies and then we have to say

that this herbal formula and/or acupuncture treatment made these

people " feel better " ? Have different pulses? Have a different

tongue presentation? We can't claim " efficacy " with regard to

any " condition for benefit " and then advertise it on the Oprah

Winfrey Show ... or in some magazine or newspaper. You could conduct

research and report that research in a peer-reviewed journal ... but

then that's not advertising your product.

>

 

 

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Hi Jim,

 

Make it your mission in life to make Oprah a slim, energetic, aerobic athlete

well into her 60s. You'll be swimming in cash.

 

Emmanuel Segmen

 

Emmanuel:

 

That's why my point was to leave it up to others, like yourself, who

have a better sense of what studies are about. I always tell my

students and the practitioners that attend my seminars that they can

always ask me anything they want about pulse diagnosis; just never

about women, money, and politics. ;-)

 

My only serious concern about studies is to tie them in to an

advertising scheme that would open acupuncture and herbs to people

who haven't already tried it.

 

 

Jim Ramholz

 

 

 

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--- " Bob Flaws " wrote:

> I didn't say I saw anything wrong with these either. Is that what

> you thought I was saying?

> Bob

---------------------------

 

Well, yes, that was my first impression.

But as I said in a later mail, it was a slip of my mind, being

triggered negatively by the use of the word placebo (which still has

a very negative ring in my ears, but that's something *I* have change

then), and so the whole message got a negative load in my mind.

Strange thing, this human mind.

 

Sorry if I misrepresented your words.

 

Alwin

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,

<> wrote:

> Are,

>

> This is a fascinating post. I particularly like the observation

that different combinations of points seem more effective at different

junctures in time than others. I like the question: is it me, or is

it the horses that have changed? I think this relates to some of

CHA's discussions as well about different disease patterns existing

over time, and different treatments being necessary. But within the

scope of a person's lifetime, what can this phenomenon be attributed

to? I have observed this myself, both with my patients and with my

own personal health needs as well, and it simultaneously baffles and

fascinates me.

 

Consider this: in order for a treatment plan to be effective, it

would have to have originated from the correct diagnosis. It is

reasonable that a person, may in time, see enough of a certain type of

disorder that when presented with something similar, they jump to

conclusions and are not as careful as they might have been earlier in

their career. Then with a diagnosis that is not spot-on, they procede

with a treatment that is not spot-on, and then wonder why the points

did not work " this time " when they have worked before.

 

I've seen practitioners " think " they had a diagnosis pegged after

minimal questioning, letting their ego (sense of self as a seasoned

practitioner) get in the way, all the while calling it experience,

only to be just plain wrong.

 

Brian C. Allen

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