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AS SEEN IN THE WINTER 2010 EDITION
Acupuncture History & Longevity - FrederickEastern Medicine in the Western World The
Longevity & Adaptability of Chinese Medicine By Ryan Diener, L.Ac., Dipl. CH, MSOM, Holistic Health Associates
We hold the Constitution of the United States in high esteem for its longevity and adaptability, having withstood the test of over 200 years of use. This is no small feat considering our rapidly changing culture! A strong foundation blended with flexibility is what gives a document, or system, the ability to withstand the test of time. A beautiful combination of progress and framework is what has endowed Chinese medicine with over 2,500 years worth of staying power. This rich history has afforded Chinese medicine with an unparalleled status as the medical system with the most longevity worldwide and, considering its recent integration by western cultures, an inherent quality of adaptability. The recent, rapid adoption of the healing techniques, philosophy, and literature of Chinese medicine in western culture has led to one of two general conclusions by most westerners. The first conclusion is that Chinese medicine is based on superstition or primitive ritual. The conclusion by these individuals is that the effectiveness of Chinese medicine is tied to either a placebo effect or random chance based on time and relaxation. Ted Kaptchuk O.D.M refers to the dangers of this conclusion in detail in his work on the placebo effect and how this position limits effective and valuable interpretation of Chinese medicine. The inference in this conclusion is that the knowledge gained through the diagnostics of Chinese medicine is not real as it does not fit into the confines of modern science and medicine and therefore must be pure chance occurrence when effective. The second conclusion gives Chinese medicine the opposite stature as somehow being truer than modern medicine based on its holistic nature and ancient history. By placing Chinese medicine on a pedestal, these individuals, are equally as damaging to the value of Chinese medicine by trivializing the complexity of diagnosis. They are, “threatening to turn it from a rational body of knowledge into a religious faith system,” as Kaptchuk says. In
reality, Chinese medicine is a system of healing and perception based
on deep thought, observation, philosophy, logic and culture that
resonates with current wellness solutions in the West as well as
integrated medical systems in the East.. We respect the Constitution as
a governing document for its tradition and practicality, and can look
at the Chinese medicine system for the same qualities in health.
Chinese medicine adoption is a testament to the historical framework
laid out
for us by great acupuncturists and herbalists throughout
history. It has become an important part of wellness in the West due to
its foundation on keen observation combined with the flexibility of relevance
through a changing cultural backdrop. __ Ryan
Diener is an acupuncturist and herbalist who became cofounder and
Director of Holistic Health Associates in downtown Frederick. Ryan
enjoys teaching, counseling and working with his patients to improve
their mental and physical wellbeing, and engaging them to live up to
their highest potentials. He may be contacted at Acupuncture
Frederick MD or (301) 6201414.
Reprinted
with Permission.
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