…As far as non-pain related disorders, I chose to explain to them (and still do) that Acupuncture and Herbs (Herbology) affects higher brain areas and stimulates the release of neurotransmitters that influence the immune system and the antinociceptive system. Another explanation that I often still use is that Acupuncture and Herbs affect the blood concentrations of Triglycerides, Cholesterol, and Phospholipids.
Once I gave these explanations to the Western practitioners, I could instantly sense that they were more comfortable and receptive to my methods of practice. In fact, many of them asked for more in-depth explanations and they asked more questions. However, most importantly, they started to respect me as a clinician who can function in their “system”. As I stated before, their impression of TCM was that it was “Quackery” and they viewed me more as a Witch Doctor than a legitimate clinician.
Am I the only TCM practitioner who has and still experiences this doubt from our Western colleagues? Of course not. One result of this is that there has been tremendous research being conducted on how TCM achieves its results in Western concepts and terminology. Many papers have been written both in China and in the West concerning this topic—much more now than when I started my practice.
In fact, even the most ardent Chinese Medical authorities realize that in order for TCM to be accepted in the West they have to start adapting. The easiest way to do this is by discussing TCM healing mechanisms in Western clinical terms. The publishing of legitimate research article is the most effective way of ensuring that this is achieved.
To say that this transition into integrating into the Western healthcare system has been fantastic for our field is an understatement. In fact, many of my TCM professors and Clinical supervisors have told me that they now emphasize Western medical explanations much more now than when I was a student. In fact, they now expect their students to readily be able to discuss their treatment plans in a manner that satisfies the Western clinician. I just wished that they started doing this when I was a student.