A Different Approach to Healing

Many cultures around the world use traditional medicine and therapies to treat the sick. In contrast to western medicine, alternative approaches to healing emphasize the treatment of the whole person: the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects of the patient. While such remedies might not be appropriate for all ailments, they can be an effective means of preventive care.

China, in particular, has a long history of using traditional healing methods. "Western medicine is really good at diagnosing and helping an individual once he or she is sick," says Phyllis Shapiro, a practitioner of acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine from the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in New York. "But Chinese medicine can find things early and help prevent a person from becoming ill. Ideally, seeing both a Western doctor and alternative practitioner is a good combination."

Traditional Chinese medical practitioners believe they can strengthen a person's immune system by promoting the flow of the body's energy, or Qi (pronounced "chee"). Acupuncturists accomplish this by using acupuncture, the insertion of extremely fine needles at different points on the body, and herbal therapies. Shapiro, now in her mid-50s, began studying acupuncture and Chinese herbs after having worked as a drug counselor. "I first learned how to use acupuncture by placing needles in patients' ears, which helped them detoxify. I later decided I wanted to help people heal their bodies," she says.

Is Chinese medicine right for you? According to Shapiro, everyone can benefit from acupuncture and herbal therapy. "My patients have a wide range of ailments, from migraine headaches and digestive difficulties to infertility problems. I see many hard cases, patients that Western medicine has failed to help." Depending upon the ailment, acupuncture treatments may take as few as two or three sessions, or up to three months before the problem is solved. If you're healthy, Shapiro recommends acupuncture four times a year, when the seasons change. "It's good to keep your body functions in tune with the seasons. In this way, we maintain our balance with the world."