One of the most frequent questions I’m asked as an acupuncturist is “does acupuncture cure X?” (X being any number of diseases or conditions).
The answer is not as simple as I would like it to be.
I would love to say Yes! Of course it does.
But here is the real answer: Acupuncture does not cure.
The major difference between Classical Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine is that the west focuses on the disease, whereas in Classical Chinese medicine the focus is on the person. The west is obsessed with finding cures for an ever-growing number of diseases and conditions. After all, you cure a disease. When you focus on the human being, you speak of healing.
Chinese Medicine views Body, Mind and Spirit as one unit. Anything that affects one aspect of that unit affects the other. Curing only addresses the body, whereas healing adresses not only the physical manifestation in the body, but also the emotional and spiritual implications of that condition on the individual.
Acupuncture is a healing modality.
Within this modality, the focus is on the Body-Mind-Spirit, and its various dynamics. In Classical Chinese Medicine there is no classification of diseases. The word “Pathogen” is used to describe all conditions. It simply does not matter what it is that invaded the body. What’s important is how the individual reacts to it. The more balanced the person, the healthier they are, the easier it is for them to expel any pathogen.
The acupuncturist knows where to place the needles in order to achieve balance, but ultimately, it is the patient’s responsibility to be a part of their healing process. After all, the imbalance is a result of our habits. Changes in lifestyle such as diet and sleeping habits contribute, and are essential to the healing process.
Healing brings forth true balance of mind, body and spirit. Within a well-balanced body, disease cannot be present.
