By Sherene Gotico

For over a century now, doctors have been performing surgeries with local anesthesia, enabling patients to stay comfortably awake and lucid throughout the entire procedure. This was made possible in 1884 with the discovery of the first local anesthetic. A few decades ago, however, a more astounding discovery came to light: surgery with absolutely no anesthesia. Using acupuncture to vanquish pain, doctors were able to operate on conscious patients calmly chattering away about Junior in college. And while such phenomena are seen as unremarkable in China, where acupuncture was devised in 2500 BC, it was only by the late 20th century that Western doctors were able to accord it, and other techniques of traditional Chinese medicine, grudging respect and a place in the corridors of legitimate medical practice.

Traditional Chinese medicine is anchored on the philosophy of yin (negative energy) and yang (positive energy). They comprise the vital life force, ch'i (also spelled as chi or qi), which flows through 12 meridians or pathways in the body. Disease or physical disharmony is caused by an imbalance in the two forces; restoring the balance brings back comfort and health.

There are at least five distinct therapeutic methods in use in Chinese medicine: massage, hydrotherapy, moxibustion, acupuncture, and herbs. Massage and hydrotherapy are not considered unique to the Chinese because other schools of alternative medicine also make use of them, so they will not be discussed here in detail.

From the ancients

Moxibustion consists of placing a small moistened cone of mugwort (Artemisia moxa, hence the name) on affected points of the body. The cone is then lighted and burned while in place, and the ash is crushed into the blisters that form. First used in ancient times to relieve rheumatism, moxibustion was used to stimulate circulation and ease pain.

Today, the cone is no longer burned; instead, it is warmed and is removed before overheating occurs. Sometimes, the leaves are also rolled, or powdered and placed inside heated metal rods. The herbs used have also become more varied. Pieces of heated ginger are used to treat stomachache, vomiting, diarrhea and rheumatic pain. Garlic is applied to respiratory disorders, and even salt is used, to stimulate the abdominal organs.

Acupuncture is perhaps the best-known alternative healing practice associated with Chinese medicine. Here, needles are inserted into the skin, along points located on the 12 meridians of the body. Quite unlike your typical sewing needle, the needles used are 3 to 24 cm (1 to 9 inches) long; they may be slightly arrowheaded or have extremely fine points. Typically, a needle is inserted 3 to 10 mm (0.1 to 0.4 inches) deep; sometimes, the insertion can be up to nearly 25 cm (10 inches). Once inserted into the skin, the needle may be twirled, twisted, or connected to a low electric current.

Chinese expertise

The preparation of herbal teas, infusions, decoctions and compresses are not unique to the Chinese; even the Hindus, Japanese, British and Europeans practiced similar methods. However, it was the Chinese who were able to master the science of curing with plants. The compilation Pen-ts'ao kang-mu (The Great Pharmacopoeia), authored during the 16th century AD, contains 1,892 ancient herbal remedies and is still considered an authoritative source today.

How do such timeworn, esoteric cures stand compared with modern medicine today? Do herbs and needles deserve a second look when we have MRIs, plastic heart valves, microsurgery and time-released drugs to heal ourselves?

A weighty point in favor of herbals is that they can drastically reduce symptoms, sometimes even cure (as suggested by anecdotal evidence) diseases that modern medicine has yet to find answers to. Asthma, diabetes, heart disease, hepatitis, arthritis and cancer are just a few of the diseases that have been struck a blow by Chinese herb therapy. Tests on lab animals, cell cultures and actual clinical trials have also proven that most of the herbs have significant physiological activity. Perhaps one of them could even hold the cure for AIDS. Because of their medium-to-low-key potency, herbs are also good for long-term therapy and generally have minimal or no side effects.

On the other hand, acupuncture minimizes the need for drugs, particularly in conditions of discomfort like muscle pain and spasm, digestive distress, difficult breathing, and even emotional stress. It has no side effects and can be combined with other treatments. It can even be substituted for local anesthesia, eliminating the complications associated with it. One theory that explains acupuncture's effectiveness against pain is that the needles stimulate the production of natural painkillers by the body.

Other doctors suggest that the stimulation caused by the needles affects impulse transmission to the nervous system, shutting off certain neurological gateways and blocking pain signals from other parts of the body.

In general, Chinese medicine is also easier on the pocket. A typical three-month treatment program using Chinese herbs and acupuncture is equivalent to a one-night stay at a metropolitan hospital.

Words of caution

However, it is not advisable to rely on Chinese medicine as the main mode of treatment. It is not a cure-all; if you try alternative methods first before more modern and conventional therapies, there's a good chance your disease may progress to an incurable stage. Chinese medicine is not applicable to all illnesses; for instance, acupuncture is more palliative than curative and would be inappropriate for anemia.

In herbal therapy, it is also hard to obtain exact dosage. How many leaves are equal to 250 mg of Drug X, for example?

And grinding a pound of roots to get the equivalent of 30 tablets is a tad more inconvenient than just popping a pill into your mouth. Herbs also present the risk of gastrointestinal and allergic reactions. They may also interact negatively with other drugs. It is best to consult with doctors and do research first before trying herbs.

For example, ephedrine and pseudoephedrine extracted from the herb mahuang was originally used to successfully treat asthma. Through accident, it was found to accelerate metabolism and was soon prescribed as a slimming tea. Later, it was discovered that unregulated doses of ephedrine caused heart palpitations and permanent heart tissue damage.

East is East and West is West, and never the twain shall meet, a poet once wrote. In the case of medicine though, the two seem to have formed an uneasy alliance. Whatever miracles modern medicine may present us, let us not dismiss Chinese medicine too quickly. Surely, there must be something in 4000 years of ancient learning that still holds true today.