WELLNESS: Chinese Medicine Works.
Kirk Mann, M.Ac. L.A.c, Ventura Acupuncture Clinic
When you hear the terms “acupuncture” and “Chinese medicine,” what comes to mind? Many of us have experienced oriental medicine in some form (or know someone who has). I would venture to say that still more don’t really know anything about it at all.
Questions abound. How does Chinese medicine differ from Western medicine? Does it really work? How does it work? How can it help me? I’d like to try to answer a few of those questions central to one’s understanding of how and why Chinese Medicine works, and establish one clear point: It does work.
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Chinese medicine is a holistic system that has been evolving over thousands of years—holistic in the sense that it takes into account the body, emotions, mind and spirit. It views disease as a manifestation of disharmony between organ systems and an imbalance of energy (chi) and blood. Treatments may include herbs, acupressure and tui na (massage), cupping (suction cups), diet recommendations, moxibustion (heating points with a special herb), and yes, acupuncture.
One of the most sophisticated aspects of Chinese medicine is its diagnostic methodology. Through inquiry, observation, pulse interpretation, and examination, a licensed acupuncturist is able to discern patterns of disharmony and develop treatment strategies. Symptoms may be viewed as the body’s attempt to achieve or regain balance or homeostasis when under different forms of stress. In ancient times, it was the practitioner’s ultimate goal to first prevent illness—to treat the roots of disease and support wellness.
Western medicine’s approach to treatment is considerably more mechanistic. The human is viewed as a bio-mechanical organism to be repaired. Specialties are designated by body part—cardiologist, rheumatologist, optometrist, endocrinologist, proctologist, neurologist, psychiatrist, et. al. The idea is to discover what is broken and either repair it through surgery or treat its symptoms with drugs. Disease is viewed as an enemy to be vanquished—and though there are great benefits to conventional medicine and this adversarial stance, the risks are equally great.
The primary risk in seeking solely to address and eliminate the symptom(s) of a disease is that the cause itself can often be neglected or ignored. If the cause is not addressed, chances are, the illness or condition might recur. Western science has firmly established the connection between stress and both the cause and continuance of many debilitating diseases prevalent today—among them cancer, heart disease and stroke. That alone is serious food for thought when considering whether or not Chinese medicine, might contribute to your overall—and continued—health and well-being.
The Chinese have discovered and documented a matrix of channels or meridians that course through the body like a series of super-highways—wireless circuits with junctions of “power stations” along the way. These channel circuits are connected to systems of function. Certain focal points relate directly (and in support of) different organs. It is along these circuits that acupuncture stimulation is applied. By accessing specific points on the body with sterile, ultra-thin needles, the practitioner is able to regulate and restore the body’s natural energy flow. The results can be (and often are) immediate, dramatically positive, and profoundly therapeutic. Most common is a state of relaxation and euphoria—the life stress and tension melting away to be replaced by increased energy and blood flow.
Deeply relaxing and demonstrably effective at relieving stress from all origins, Acupuncture acts as a “catalyst” which activates the body’s internal healing response to pain, inflammation, and disease. Healing always takes place within the individual. The licensed acupuncturist is the facilitator—the patient’s partner in the progression toward wellness.
Belief or disbelief makes little difference in the outcome of acupuncture care. The body has its own innate wisdom, which is beyond the thinking process. Our natural tendency is toward balance and healing even though we often work against ourselves. It is common for the greatest skeptic to enjoy the most obvious results.
Acupuncture does, in fact, mitigate and/or eliminate many forms of illness. Acupuncture treatments can be given at the same time other treatments, e.g. conventional medicine, osteopathic or chiropractic adjustments, and homeopathic or naturopathic prescriptions, are being employed. I have had excellent results with many common conditions such as: back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, asthma, plantar fasciitis, foot and ankle pain, sciatica, anxiety, depression, sinusitis, shoulder pain, knee pain, headaches, weakened immunity, post surgical pain, and Bell’s palsy.
The final word? Chinese medicine, of which acupuncture is an integral component, does work. It has been proven over the centuries to correct systemic imbalances, speed recovery from illness, augment and support other applied treatments and reduce pain, stress, fatigue—without the use of drugs. Already practiced widely in Asia, Russia, and Europe, Chinese medicine—most notably, acupuncture—is becoming very popular in America. A rapidly growing number of patients are realizing the practicality, the immediate benefits and the comparative affordability of treatment. I invite you to join them in wellness. Discover the difference that Chinese medicine can make in your life.
Founder of California’s Ventura Acupuncture Clinic, Kirk Mann began his study of the healing arts in 1981. He attended California State University Northridge and the University of California at Santa Cruz before graduating as a Natural Therapeutic Specialist from the New Mexico School of Natural Therapeutics and went on to earn his Masters Degree from the Santa Barbara College of Oriental Medicine.
Kirk’s considerable expertise encompasses a multitude of healing disciplines—including gentle acupuncture, acupressure, Chinese herbal medicine, classical homeopathy, reflexology, polarity therapy, scalp acupuncture, shiatsu, and Chinese face reading.