Is Medicine an art or a science?
We heard that phrase quite often in Medical School. But most of the time we didn't take it too seriously. The "art" side of Medicine seemed to be in the history taking, interpretation of symtpoms etc.
Well after attending lessons in Basic Theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine as part of our coursework for the Graduate Diploma in Acupuncture and reading the textbooks, I can say that the "art" side of healing is very much well and alive even today.
TCM is founded very much in philosophy and "art" rather than in science the way we popularly understand.
The way TCM explains the body, disease syndromes etc is based on the Yin-Yang theory as well as other theories like elements eg Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water. These are generally more philosophical in basis. Eg the laws of nature would explain that Wood would feed Fire, Fire would nourish the Earth, the Earth is where we find Metal, and Metals enrich Waters.
Diseases as well as bodily functions are explained using these philosophies. And these philosophies were written >2000 years ago.
Now there is no denying that TCM is an art. If you asked a TCM physician why he thinks you have a particular problem and the basis on which he prescribes certain herbs to you as treatment, you would get an explanation that is philosophical in nature. Eg you have excessive Earth Qi which has transmitted to the Metal Qi and thus you have a problem and so he has given you herbs to drain the Metal Qi as well as stimulate the Fire Qi to "dominate and control" the excess Metal Qi. Hardly sound "scientific" right?
Now the interesting thing is that for some diseases, the treatment eg choice of herbs and the organs associated with the elements affected in TCM principles are very closely correlated with the findings from scientific research in modern westerm medicine. It is amazing to think that the TCM treatment based on philosophies written >2000 years ago are actually scientifically correct!
Personally I look at it as the philosophy on Traditional Chinese Medicine being logical and sound and science being a means of "proving" these philosophies.
So the art of healing came a long time ago, because scientific techniques were archaic. But the healing arts were by no means wrong. Scientists merely help us better understand the arts in another way and therefore lend weight to the theories. The art and the science may still be wrong in some cases.
Many patients who do not feel well but do not present with typical symptoms or any palpable symptoms at all might be termed "Normal" by western doctors in the past. Today we have an emerging new category of diseases termed "subclinical" diseases or "functional disorders". These problems are hardly explained in scientific terms, but we do know that there is a problem.
This is where the true art of healing should be applied. If one understands the philosophies and basics of TCM, you can deduce and explain a disorder or symptom or syndrome using those concepts. And in so doing, you can then deduce the appropriate best treatment.
I'm glad I signed up for the course. I had always suspected that there were many inadequacies in my western medicine training. The TCM philosophies complete my education in the healing arts. Similarly I would have felt inadequate had I completed TCM training but not training in western medicine.
I look foward to completing my course and helping my patients better in the near future.
posted by Dr Oz bloke @ 7:42 PM
16 Comments:
Every human being that walks the earth has something that is wrong with him/her medically. So what's new? TCM can complement but never supplant western medicine. Try correcting a blocked cardiopulmonary artery with herbs, roots, and assorted mumbo jumbo.
Personally, if I need TCM, I would see a reputable and recognized expert and if I want to have western medicine treat me, I would seek out a specialist in his field. I do not like someone practising both disciplines because, his judgement and diagnosis may be adversely affected by too many inputs, which may even in divergence.
So, my advice to you is.... do the TCM just to further your knowledge but don't practise it on your patients or you might find yourself in deep shit.
Thank you for listening and hopefully not obliterate my comments.
And keep writing!
Actually the way I'm approaching this "fusion" is relatively simple.
There are many patients who give vague non-specific symptoms of being unwell but nothing really definitely falls into any western medical "diagnosis".
There are many people like that. GPs particularly see a lot of such cases. You can try treating them symptomatically and they feel a bit better but don't recover fully.
This is where perhaps TCM principles can be applied and try to make sense of the problem. Treatment involves food and nutrition anyway. TCM physicians will tell you that the medicines are foods after all.
Acupuncture is another possibility but I have much to learn.
So TCM for the stuff that Western Medicine can make no head or tail of, but the patient definitely doesn't feel well.
I guess trying TCM techniques of healing for these non-specific "subclinical" patients would make better sense than to send them for tests upon tests which come back as normal and prescribe them with all kinds of drugs ending with anti-depressants!
... reminds me of the korean show on channel U: 大长今 :)
psychosomatic patients.
Use patience and freud's methods instead.
Still cannot, tell them to get out of the "taxi" like the angry doc.
Hee Hee.
One of the things the TCM lecturer told us was that TCM was steeped very much in Chinese culture and Chinese culture very evident in TCM.
And it shows. The "psychosomatic" patients actually buy the TCM explanations for their problems much better than western scientific diagnoses.
What I've learned so far is helping me already.
Culture and healing may not be compatible.
For me, just balance the yin and yang and you'll be alright. I'm not gonna pay good money to attend some lectures to understand that.
You want quick fixes? Western medicine is the way to go.
You want slow and perhaps dubious results? TCM is your cup of tea. But be aware that taking dried seahorses, roots, evil smelling herbs and assorted animal parts of protected species isn't that palatable.
And sometimes the exigencies of the emergency just cannot wait for the 大夫to finish decocting his concoction.
Uglybaldie, it's ok you don't have to try so hard. I know you're not stupid ok?
Even the TCM doctors tell patients to go to A&E lah. They know when TCM can help and when it is better to go to the A&E. I know there are people who are that stupid out there, but you're not one of them.
TCM is more for the vague, "Western doctor say normal but I don't feel normal" sort of things.
"Western doctor say normal but I don't feel normal"
psychosomatics.
Nothing can "cure" them.
Some may just want to yak with a handsome bloke like you. Have you ever thought about that? Have you been wearing your wedding ring?
Tell them to go to church,temple,mosque,whatever.
Don't waste their money.
Or go to the pub, be merry and all symptoms will go away.
"Nothing can "cure" them."
That's why you're the stock broker and I am the doctor!
LOL!
May I know where I can take that course too?
Dear anon, you'll have to wait for the next course schedule (if there's going to be another one. I doubt it though)
The current batch I'm with will finish in Mid 2007.
Anon,
Go visit:
http://www.singaporetcm.com/eng/index.html
You may find what you want here.
Dr Oz
Frankly, when western medicine fails in every way, I would seek a
Chinese physician but I hate the chinese herbs and also have language problem.
When suffering from aches and pain, GP can't do much, will only prescribed pain killers, I think acupuncture is a better alternative which do wonders.
Speaking from experience, had this terrible pain in the shoulder which comes on and off quiet frequently, had seen my doc and they always say it's stress and painkillers as usual, still getting no where.
Once, I had a terrible case of flu and bronchitis and been coughing for more than 3 mths and lots of medicine from diff types of cough mixture to steroids and not to mentioned many trips to the doc.
During these 3 mths, had experience chills that is so bad, that my body temperature drops so low and feeling terribly cold which lasted for more than half an hr.
My doc ordered a few tests and all are negative and finally, he told me it's beyond him (respect him for his honesty) and I know my next step - see a chinese physician.
Why the sever chill? - it's because of the flu and bad cough that lasts for so long that causes the body's inbalance thus leading to poor blood circulation.
Treatment - acupunture and chinese herbs but honestly, I threw away the herbs - to bitter to swallow.
All I need is 2 sessions of that and I am completely cured.
Not a big fan of chinese medicine,
and know nuts abt it except for acupuncture.
Wishing you every success in your new endeavour.
Dear anon, Thanks for the well wishes.
Certainly I know where you are coming from.
As it is I have mentioned before here that besides treating patients with western medical pharmaceutical drugs, I've also looked into nutritional medicine, acid-alkaline balance, homeopathy and other therapies.
And some patients do recover from their "psychosomatic" problems. Some generally become healthier and fall sick less easily.
And I'm pleased to see that TCM principles fall in nicely with the other treatment methods I have learned besides western medicine.
It's all linking up nicely. I must say TCM doesn't pretend to be scientific. It is steeped very much in philosophy. Very intriguing.
The problem with these courses are they are conducted in CHinese!! rite ? I struggle with that .
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