Answer to a Query

hands

[quote:86b8dd1e33]
----- Original Message -----
From: "GL"
To: "tutor" <tutor@ontcm.com>
Sent: Wednesday, November 22, 2006 6:28 PM
Subject: A query


> I have an impression and I am not sure if it is correct.
>
> Is acupuncture used to treat all ilnesses, or is it only used for pain
> therapy. In cases of Cancer what does TCM say are herbal remidies used or
> acupuncture. What is the way a cancer is treated?
>
> In the west for example: a breast cancer is surgically removed and so are
> some lymph nodes at thimes and then a patient is treated with cytotoxic
> drugs. But Chinese medicine, if I am stating correctly discourages surgical
> treatment for it effects the acupuncture channels.
>
> Could you explain if in china surgical aid is performed or if you resort
> only to acupuncture, moxibustion and herbal remidies and if you are aware if
> there is a good success rate?
>
> Another curiosity I have is diagnosis done in traditional ways or today is
> there use of the screening machines we use in the west eg, Ultrasound, MRIs
> etc...
>
> A reply to this would make me understand the way you treat patologies, as I
> do not know if you perform operations etc. Besides it is beleived (in the
> west) that when someone has a cancer it is best not to stimulate circulation
> too much, therefore acupuncture, even though localised or cupping would be a
> stimulant of blood circulation.
>
> I really would appreciate an answer to this as it would make me see things a
> bit more clearly.
>
> Thanks
> GL
> [/quote:86b8dd1e33]


[b:86b8dd1e33]Answers:[/b:86b8dd1e33]
Dear GL,
In fact, acupuncture could be used to alot of disorders, but not all.
For sure it's very good for treating pain, and of course it is not limited to treat only pain.
To treat cancer with acupuncture, it also depends on the patients' condition, but it is not suggested to treat cancer with acupuncture alone!!!
More herbal remedies are used in China for cancer, certainly in combination with western medicine.
Of course we don't discourage the surgical approaches for treating cancers, but to some number of cases who are not suitable to the operations or unwilling to have the operation (e.g. senior age), herbal medicaments could help more or less.
Yes of course all the modern diagnostic equipments are used in traditional Chinese medicine in China, but still we would feel the pulse and watch the tongue, the color, vitality, etc. when we are going to give a prescription of herbs.
To treat cancer with acupuncture is not that easy! Very often, acupuncture is taken as the last choice in China, or only taken as a supplementary measure.
For sure acupuncture could give a help more or less, for example, could alleviate the pain, at least.
Indeed it's not good to stimulate the circulation of blood too much but it's neither good to let the stagnated Qi and blood remain unchanged, so it's the appropriate way to modify or to adjust the treatment. So every physician would have his/her personal understanding and experience.
If the localized points or area are no good, could we think of the distant ones?
It all depends.

Hope my explanation is clear and convincing.

Bye!
Best regards
Tutor

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

tutor

Posted: Mon Nov 27, 2006 7:58 pm