Friday, September 12, 2014

Acupuncture is the Next Big Thing to Free us from Pain


All people or some, suffer from some kind of pain, may be due to diagnosed sickness or accidents and even stress.  Many have succumbed to popping pain-reliever pills which gives ephemeral treatments but brutal damages or side effects are being shadowed.  
It's not that I'm against medicines but studies have shown serious effects on unprescribed meds, thinking it will relieve you of such pains.

Not many know that there is another side rather than continuously taking unnecessary medications-  Acupuncture.  Still skeptics turn their heads away from the known fact that acupuncture really helps.

The first time I heard a story of a friend who benefited from acupuncture was probably 8 years ago.  Angela endured long years of pain in the wrist until she had consulted an Ayurveda practitioner and treated her with acupuncture.  That was the first time, I ever knew someone who got well with acupuncture.   Prior to her treatments, she was endorsed for surgery, which was the doctors last recourse for patients with carpal tunnel syndrome.  


Good thing she decided to have acupuncture treatments first, and she attested improvements after every treatment until she never had to feel the pain.

It really baffled me but never really took the matter seriously.  I am already a mom then, who strongly believes that the family's welfare, specially health always comes first, but considers alternative medicine is for the uneducated.  I have great confidence on science and medical practitioners and less on herbal medications.  Remember, most of us connect herbal healing to "quack doctors," also known as faith healers.  

But that was then.

Leaving for sometime at my in laws' place have given me stronghold knowledge in treating my sick kids with herbs on their backyards.  Seeing how these kind of hand-me-down knowledge about herbs and water-treatment did good to my kids, I have had a foot-hold on some alternative medication facts.  However, this does not impair us to believe in what our doctors can do.

When you are a mom, what ever strong belief (backed up with research and experiences) that you have about something, in this instance alternative medication, becomes your power.  

Fast-forwarding to now, after rearing a child who have been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, my husband and I followed a strong inclination to alternative treatments, hoping for a cure, a miracle rather, that her diabetes could be reversed.  Same goes with our thinking for our parents.  

Our motto has been - there is no harm in trying as long as it's natural and will not hurt our child.  My daughter's maintenance is not cheap, even other treatments for our three other kids who got sick with something.   Armed with a few information on natural remedies using local herbs, natural, plant-based food supplement and now, acupuncture, my life would be less heavy without too much worrying and spending.



Acupunture:  The Unspoken Medicine

It has been a privilege to have met a doctor who practices acupuncture and Chinese alternative medicine, now my knowledge about alternative medications can be refined.  Last September 1, we had a sit-down interview and casual dinner with Dr. Philip Nino Tan-Gatue, and I am more than pleased to have met him after having read some of his articles about acupuncture and Chinese medicine.

I never knew acupuncture could be so intricate, all I thought is that you invoke your sickness to the acupuncturist, then he pokes the needle to your skin.   Yes, it's more than needling or cupping, it's a system where proper diagnosis is involved, vital skills and education in acupuncture point selection and manipulating the needles.

On the said meeting, Dr. Phil, debunked some of the info I knew about acupuncture.  Being a patient himself of acupuncture, he attested to how effective it was.  When he was still a Med student, he would go through terrible (if terrible is the right word for that or something stronger) migraines leaving him incapable of focusing on his studies.  A friend who have been practicing acupuncture have suggested this to him but told him that he would be free from headaches for 8 months, but he had been free for 8 years.  It will boil down to the truth that it is a medical tradition based on evidences.  

The question most us have been awaiting to be answered, and probably the reason why many avoids this -is it painful.  Acupuncture needles are typically not much thicker than a human hair, and their insertion is practically painless. In fact, most of his patients would fall of to sleep after having the needles applied.  So, no, it's not painful.  Well, I guess I have to experience it myself to attest to this. That's why you need to always check up on my posts and will definitely blog about it.

I knew that most of the patients come to be treated for pains due to accidents, like the athletes.  Dr. Phil actually have mentioned a couple of illnesses that can be dealt with.   He would have patients on pre and post chemotherapy and radiation side effects; wanting to have a child, meaning impotent; or those who deals with infertility, in both men and women; with kidney problems; those people who have emotional and psychological disorders, including stress and depression; and a whole lot more, as listed by the World Health Organization.

To see all the indications kindly click to this link.  The link will lead you to Dr, Phil's website.

Acupuncture is established on the traditional Chinese teaching that energy, or qi (pronounced "chee"), moves through the body along channels called meridians.  When that flow is disrupted illness occurs.  Scientists are starting to identify some of the physiological mechanisms at work, and there's evidence that the insertion of needles into designated acupuncture points speeds the conduction of electromagnetic signals within the body. These signals are said to increase the flow of endorphin and other pain-relieving chemicals, as well as immune system cells, which aid healing.

The best way of understanding this is through undergoing a treatment.  If  you are like me who isn't Chinese and has zero know-how on it but somehow believes or want to believe, maybe it's time to try it.

Dr. Phil is a general medicine practitioner, who took up at least 8 months of study of  Chinese Medicine in China.  He is one of the leading experts in Traditional Medicine and Chinese Medicine in the Philippines. He is currently a Clinical Associate Professor in the University of the Philippines College of Medicine and is Director of Acupuncture Services at The Medical City.

For more information about acupuncture and Chinese alternative medicine do visit Dr. Phil's website:   http://acupuncture.net.ph/  

You can also find the clinics where you can consult with him at the same site.












6 comments:

  1. I have never tried acupuncture. It looks painful but most people that has it say that it is relaxing.

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  2. Like Chubskulit Rose, haven't tried acupuncture though I always hear about it. I think I'd just let my husband experience it, since he's so interested in trying it anyway (plus I believe he badly needs it).

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  3. I've always heard so many beneficials effects of the said acupuncture, simplest way to free those painful body aches without using medicines intake

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  4. I have not tried acupuncture but I believe on its benefits. One good friend was able to conceive through regular acupuncture sessions as it eliminated all her small aches and pains and relieved her stress. Glad to hear as well that your family has also focused on alternative natural way of healing Joy!

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  5. My hubby and I have tried acupuncture treatment in a wellness clinic in Maginhawa Street, Quezon City. The needles are so fine, you can't feel it being inserted at all. The clinic is very clean with relaxing music and scented candles (or incense, I'm not sure but it does smell lovely). Benefits? You feel uber-relaxed and pain free. The only drawback though is that the cost per treatment is quite pricey.

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  6. I've heard many stories about how good this is for us :) But I've never tried it. The though of it kasi makes me feel uncomfortable and I don't know why. Lol However, I'm still interested of trying it out someday..

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