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| Longmontaacupuncture.net |
Words conjure images; and we instantly build a collage of snapshots in our mind.
From these images we have specific associations rooted from our own personal connotations; whether they are postiive, negative, true or false, is purely bias unless thorougly educated.
- "Traditional Chinese Medicine"
- "Oriental Medicine"
- "Complementary Medicine"
- "Alternative Medicine"
- "Western Medicine"
- "Acupuncturist"
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| Mark Parisi |
I love words. I have a BFA in Screenwriting; freelanced with USA Today and am quite the accomplished People's Magazine crossword puzzler.
As I enter this field that is ancient yet still quite new in the Western world, I believe using the correct terms is just as important as inserting needles. As soon-t0-be-practitioners, I'm beginning to understand the bulk of our work is not going to be under a clinical setting -- It's going to be in education. Whether we're chatting about what we do or guiding the misinformed.
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| Kasamaproject.org |
Currently, my blog states, "Traditional Chinese Medicine" (TCM). The history of TCM has a terrible connotation; and I'm still trying to figure out if the definition of those words have changed. It's a lot like the concept of gentrification. Sure, it's great to have the convenience of a Duane Reade but what does that do to the identity of the neighborhood? Do you keep the old with the new? Is that even possible? What happens when Starbucks finally moves in; and the corner liquor store turns into a fancy wine shop?
The term Complementary Alternative Medicine (CAM) is typically used today, I've never liked the term "Alternative Medicine" because going through my own teen-angst phase of skater-punk-grunge scene, "alternative" is never a positive thing in modern society. In fact, it makes the medicine sound like I don't shave my pits and I've got dirty dreads.
I prefer to simply use "Complementary Medicine" because I believe in a fully integrated system of healing. I am a strong believer that diseases, imbalances and disorders are complicated and multi-faceted. Therefore, it seems crazy to me to treat them with just one method of healing. However, I am not an advocate of treating isolated symptoms; nor a proponent of most pharmacological drugs. I believe medicine should aid in returning the body back within a range of balance; and focus on prevention and wellness. At the end of the day, I'm a huge proponent of simply getting people healthy, in the least invasive manner as possible with an emphasis on prevention.
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| Jacqueline Young Complementary Medicine for Dummies |
Put "Western" on anything and it makes people feel comfortable because it sounds legit. Add "Eastern" on anything and suddnely, it's exotic with smokes and opium pipes. I like, "Biomedicine" because the "West" (whether it's the States, Europe, Australia, or Canada) has natural medicine (Naturopathology) which has existed thousands of years ago that is not within the realm of so-called conventional medicine (ie. St. John's Wort).
I also have to stop telling people that all I study is acupuncture or that I'm going to become an acupuncturist because at OCOM, we study a helluva lot more than just sticking needles. When I graduate, I will have a toolbox full of healing treatments incoporated in my practice. Additionally, I will also have a solid biomedical foundation in terminology, anatomy, physiology, biology, chemistry and physics.
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| Cancercompass.com |
A well-rounded treatment includes not one treatment but a variety depending on each individual.
So in order to clarify the language barrier...
I am a medical student studying East Asian medicine which includes primarily Chinese medicine but also Korean and Japanese:- Acupuncture
- Herbs
- Body/Energy work
- Diet/Nutrition
- Cupping
- Moxa
- Biomedicine foundation
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| Cartoonstock.com |
