• Security incident: ISF was recently accessed by intruders. Please change your password, and change it anywhere else you used it. Read more

Western medicine vs. traditional Chinese

fuelair said:
Chinese doctors in China use both, Western doctors don't. Any stats on survival rates of a wide selection of problems comparing China to the US?:confused:
Click to expand...
Thing is, that Western doctors in general don't treat pain, leaving her with a dilemma based on whether or not there is a needle (pun intended) in the alternative haystack that could provide some pain relief.

Knowing all the stories about laetril and so forth, steering clear of all alternative medicine is a recommendation to be considered, but if there is in fact a body of more credible research on acupunture for that specific purpose, should she just suck it up and suffer, or try that one thing?
 
Last edited:
Ladewig said:
If this was aimed at me then let me clarify my position. I would tell her to never ingest anything given to her; but having small needles inserted into her skin only for the purpose of pain control is something I would not start an argument over.
Click to expand...

I agree that I generally wouldn't argue with a friend about the validity of acupuncture, but I would call it into question if my friend were about to spend valuable dollars on it. Particularly if the friend has a limited disposable income. Those with chronic pain are often desperate for a way to ease their pain. While a placebo effect is better than no effect, it can be harmful when the placebo effect can only be achieved via such pricey means. But of course, the more we pay for something the more we tend to believe it had the desired effect.
 
mikeyx said:
No, and for pain relief it does work to a large extent. Cure no. Treatment, absolutely.
Click to expand...

Are you referring to acupuncture or heroin? I'm no doctor but if I had chronic, debilitating pain I know which one I'd go for.
 
I'd say your reply is pretty good. I'd do it in a PM, though. Not on her wall. She's in pain. She wants relief. Don't make her defend herself.
 
23_Tauri said:
This article is from 2001. Does anyone have any information on the latest situation in the UK? Are Chinese Medicine practitioners more regulated than ten year's ago?
Click to expand...


AFAIK the practitioners are not regulated. Medicines are regulated by the MHRA. Here's their page abut Aristolochia, for example.
 
Is there a pain management clinic somewhere nearby she could try first? They often have techniques and input that other specialists treating her actual injuries would be unaware of. Might at least be worth looking into.
 
Professor Yaffle said:
Is there a pain management clinic somewhere nearby she could try first? They often have techniques and input that other specialists treating her actual injuries would be unaware of. Might at least be worth looking into.
Click to expand...

obvious bias...
 
23_Tauri said:
Are you referring to acupuncture or heroin? I'm no doctor but if I had chronic, debilitating pain I know which one I'd go for.
Click to expand...

False dichotomy.
Placing small amounts of heroin on the acupuncture needles is the way to go.
Oh, and be sure to play some Pink Floyd in the background.
 
I prefer the term 'evidence based medicine' to 'western medicine'
It's the evidence which is relevant, not the geographical location
 
One of the projects our company does, is to prep insurance claims or a very large national insurance company. Everyday, I prepare claims and it amazes me how insurance companies will pay out on acupuntcure claims. It disturbs me when I prep a claim that includes acupuntcure as a treatment. In the evaluation and progress notes, the acupuncturist always lists two diagnosis - "Western Medical Diagnosis" the "traditional Chinese Medicine Diagnosis". They dictate very little on the "Western Diagnosis" but go into great detail to defend the "Traditional Chinese Medicine Diagnosis" such as the blood flow to trigger points, the re-alignment of the "chi", and how the pressure points relieve the body of toxins, etc. If the public knew how much money was "doled" out to such flim flammery and how it affected their insurance costs, maybe there would be a change. BTW, in all the claims I have prepped, I have yet to review one where the patient was "cured" or "relieved" of any substantial symptoms of their injuries... Just sad...
 
If they are asking your opinion why not give it? Tell them you think it's BS. If they ask if they should try it, say no. They will do what they want anyway and it's ultimately their decision. No reason to lie to them and tell them you think it's a good idea if you don't.

Personally I would send someone to the marijuana clinic before I would send them to TCM.
 
Ask her, "Do you know what the name is for alternative medicine that's been proved to work?...

Medicine."

(Tim Minchin)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

ISF - Join now!

Every member here is approved by hand. No bots, no spam, just people who care about evidence and honest debate.

Membership is free!

Create your free account

Back
Top Bottom