Leamington acupuncture and brief note for Laura on ID's

[Guest guest]

Ok here is my twopence worth on 5E. I am Leamington trained and it is my

experience 5E without TCM is useful, but with TCM it is much more powerful.

I agree that the purist doctrine of some 5E practitioners is very

blinkered, but the same applies to purist TCM practitioners. The ancient

way of studying acupuncture was to study the system for state exams, if need

be (the Imperial state exams endowed those that qualified with high

status), but also remember that the curriculum also included a very good

knowledge of Chinese philosophy and the classics. The alternative was to

learn from the Master. Once done and once out there in the field one

learnt from other practitioners and other styles. After all where do you

think all these different, and new styles came from?. Acupuncture is

empirical, and not based on one style, or on a Western scientific paradigm,

(Note that here I mean 'paradigm' , not an unchanging view of medicine with

a set of theories writ in stone).

 

Like many have mentioned, I too, some time ago, had very bad experiences at

Leamington with regards some of the condescending attitudes, and

misapprehensions of a few of the staff. I do however have to make it clear

this does not mean all of the staff. Nevertheless I left armed with a solid

framework and theoretical base from which to start my practice. Despite

the fact at that time some ideas about historical Chinese culture and

thought were misinterpreted by some of the lecturers. It did however also

give me a starting point from which to dip into the mindset of Chinese

thought, which would have remained a mystery to me if I hadn't been to

Leamington. The simplicity of the Five elements and their correspondences

and their translation into treatment was inspiring.

 

It has since then led me on an interesting road of discovery. My questions

led me to start studying the classics, and both Confucian and Taoist

philosophy . So hey all you straight TCM practitioners who condemn 5E, we

really must get our heads around the fact that we with acupuncture are

dealing with a system that is based on a very strong philosophy from a

different history and culture to our own, which in the past lead to a very

different mind set. A mindset that also embraced the concept of change, and

a world view based on correspondences. It is easy in the Western world to

stay in the Western intellectual, analytical path in medicine and make

statements about what is effective and what is not. It however is my

experience with acupuncture that to question within the Chinese way of

thought, where a name of a point comes from. or what ideas found in early

references, indicate the subsequent ripples of the ideas that led to a

particular use of medicine and a way of treating illness, are riches indeed

when it comes to effective choices within treatment.. If one comes from that

angle, then 5E acupuncture starts to make a lot of sense, and of course for

TCM makes even further sense.

 

There is literally 'more to heaven and earth' than meets the eye; and for

those of you who are Taoist and Chinese scholars, this phrase should have

meaning when it comes to the human body. Please lets don't throw away the

baby with the bath water - there is great wisdom in both the interpretation

of passed on lineages of Chinese medicine, and the classics. As for 5E no

one should condemn it without trying it. If you want to condemn then

perhaps learn it and then try it. Then come back with more informed

comments, just as I have tried to do for myself with TCM. The only thing in

5E acupuncture I question is the propensity towards once modern and now

dated Western ideas from psychotherapy; the ancient Chinese simply didnt

think that way. Maybe emotion testing to a certain extent, but just treat

the rest of that sort of thing as a modern adjunct, which if done with

sensitivity can lead to good patient management. .

 

Regards

 

Helene

 

PS. - AN ANSWER FOR LAURA- There is a lot to ID/EDs and to AE that needs

to be learnt and understood by the practitioner before using them as a

treatment., they are not just a formula, so be wary.Considering your

description and your patient's history, I certainly do agree it may well

assist your patient, alongside treating with TCM.. . Can you find a 5E

practitioner who may be able to help in your locality?

 

 

 

 

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