Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM): First Choice or Last Resort
"You are my last chance, doc. I tried everything."
As an acupuncturist for 25 years, I have said repeatedly. I can not blame people, medicine this can be very old, but in the new United States. People do not know, and know this may sound very strange. And let's be honest, the idea someone sticking needles in you is a little scary.
Although acupuncture and Chinese medicine are now available in the U.S., people probably do not think to try it first. In some states, acupuncturists can not because they have to practice under the authority of a doctor in the states, insurance policies that cover some of acupuncture requires that it be prescribed by a physician. In California and other states where acupuncturists are licensed as primary care physicians, patients can make an appointment only when they have a physical problem. If the problem can be treated acupuncture, the doctor sends the patient to a doctor
However, acupuncture has proven to be beneficial for many conditions, such as infertility, addiction, and pain.
A study by the University of Heidelberg in 1982 has shown that acupuncture was more effective hormone infertility then have no side effects. A placebo-controlled study at the University of Michigan has provided convincing evidence that acupuncture can improve the success of alcohol and support programs of drug abuse. And a study in the Hunan College of Traditional Chinese medicine was completed in 1992 showed that acupuncture can ease the pain of angina. Forty patients with angina pectoris were assessed during and after acupuncture treatments. After 7 treatments of 63 percent of patients had pain relief in size, scope and duration of the attack.
This does not mean you should call your acupuncturist if you have sudden chest pain. Your first response should be to call your doctor or 911. However, there are a number of conditions under which it makes sense to give Chinese medicine first trial, including colds, allergies and air, infertility, nausea, digestive disorders, simple, insomnia, hair loss, mild to moderate depression, pain backaches, arthritis, eczema, acne, psoriasis, drug abuse, and fatigue.
For I therefore believe that Eastern medicine is more effective, safer and cheaper than Western treatments, and needles are not always necessary. Few people know that Chinese medicine has solved some problems that modern medicine is even more puzzling. Probably the best example is the common cold.
Colds
The common cold accounts for doctor visits than any other disease. But all that may make your doctor for a cold? Nothing, at best, although some doctors still prescribe antibiotics that may have adverse effects.
Although Chinese medicine has not cured the common cold, which reached much closer than western medicine.
In 1798 Dr. Wu Ju Tong has published the herbal formula for Yin Chiao. Since then, the daily use by millions of people over two hundred years is proof enough for me that this masterpiece herbal probably relieved, shortened or interrupted even colds more than any western medicine combined. Yin Chiao and her younger sister, Gan Mao Ling, Chinese and other common cold remedies have done this reliably and with security absolute for children and adults.
Why do not we have heard so far? Perhaps good news travels slowly Perhaps no one was paying attention, perhaps the pharmaceutical companies can not profit from a medicinal plant.
Remedios and Yin Chiao and Gan Mao Ling, have found their way at most local grocery stores. When you start getting your next cold first attempt, before running to your doctor. And do not wait too long before taking these herbal remedies, work best. To learn more about this little wonder known www.yinchiao.com visit.
Reduce stress
Acupuncture is a great remedy against stress. A 2005 study conducted in 55 patients suffering from stress related emotional disorders have shown a reduction in symptoms in 95 percent of the subjects. If stress is simple causes insomnia or anxiety, acupuncture can pills and tranquilizers useless. Why go on the road to addiction or dangerous drugs? A pilot study in 2007 quoted in The Journal of nervous and mental suggests that acupuncture can also help people with PTSD.
Sterility
In response to the problem of infertility, which has grown increasingly common as more women in their thirties and forties trying to get pregnant, the Western medicine establishes procedures highly technical and expensive, such as in vitro fertilization (IVF). A study by the University of Texas found that Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) may increase the chance success of IVF by up to 50 percent. In China today, most women to try a Chinese medicine for gynecological problems before seeking medical help Western costly. For those in America who can afford high-tech interventions, which would certainly recommend the traditional Chinese medicine at least try.
All this does not mean that you should try first all TCM suspected disease or condition. Although some claims, TCM can not diagnose or cure cancer. TCM does not or you can search within your blood. Hypertension, for example, is a murderer seriously, but the old Chinese doctors did not know and had no way of being measured.
If you have or suspect you might have a serious illness, consult your doctor. Modern medicine is the best type of health care for the diagnosis of these conditions. The Western medicine deserves respect. At the same time, traditional Chinese medicine has been refined and has survived for thousands of years, and will not disappear. If you want the best care physician, learn more about these two alternatives and the medical use wisely.
About the Author
Joel Harvey Schreck, L.Ac. is an acupuncturist and herbologist. Schooled in Hong Kong and San Francisco, he’s been practicing since 1987. He is the author of A Patient’s Guide to Chinese Medicine He is co-founder of the Shen Clinic and co-founder of the popular Dr. Shen line of natural medicines, sold nationally in many natural food stores.