Immune Health and Well-Being in 2021
The premise ‘Whole is greater than sum of its parts’ is intrinsic to natural medicine. Just by improving the whole, its benefit cascades downward to the physiological and physical levels. In other words, the body is encouraged to heal from diseases by self-establishing homeostasis. Through thousands-of-years of clinical observation, Asian medicine discovered safe and effective ways through body-type acupuncture, food, and herbs. Other examples of holistic health are whole-food-plant-based meals and mind-body exercises.
In contrast, Western medicine is a bottom-up approach. With surgery, it saves life in emergency. With molecular medicine, it controls disease. But does not enhance health. Perhaps, biogenetics using artificial intelligence can help to directly improve health.
Natural medicine treats at the level of whole, which is created from synergistic interaction of molecules. The whole is a new entity that arises from parts. An active ingredient is not found at the molecular level. Therefore, physical medicine and Asian medicine are incompatible, although they treat the same disease. But the difference in both is that one takes over the function of the body and the other empowers it. Asian medicine must be appreciated from the point of view of yin, yang, five elements, and body typing. At present, however, an attempt to practice eastern medicine through the understanding of anatomy and physiology of western medicine will compromise its efficacy.
“Use complex nature to treat complex human being”
Asian medicine is designed to enhance life. It works with, not instead of, the mind-body to be more efficient with itself. The outcome is a reversal of internal and external diseases such as hypothyroidism, irritable bowel syndrome, and chronic pain. It can even prevent or delay cytokine storm, which is an over-response by the immune system to attack a virus but consequently harms the body.
Asian medicine’s strength is applying complex solution to the complex human being. Over a long period of time, nature found ways to balance complexities so that they coexist. There is still more to discover in nature. By using a pattern to treat a pattern, rather than cause-effect pathways, more can be accomplished. For example, acupuncture stimulates reactive points on the body so that the body is alerted to be more efficient in establishing homeostasis. Our immune, organ, glandular, and nervous systems have capacity to treat a wide variety of issues. Acupuncture taps into this ability to self-treat and self-heal. There are no acupuncture points for a disease. Rather, there are acupuncture points for the body to be holistically efficient.
Holistic health also applies to foods and herbs. Foods are mild medicine. Herbs are stronger than foods because they contain more phytonutrients to help the body to fight off disease. Since we consume foods daily, their effect will add up over time. Meeting three criteria of (1) organic, (2) whole-food-plant-based, and (3) body-type diet, we can achieve greater health, well-being, and longevity. When food is not enough, we use herbs for a better outcome.
“Phytonutrients are crucial in maintaining health and reversing diseases.”
Modern medicine is discovering the health benefits of phytonutrients. Protein, fat, carbohydrate, vitamins, and minerals are for survival. When we lack these, disease ensues. However, these are not enough to elevate the mind-body to an optimal level. Daily intake of phytonutrients is necessary in optimizing health and quality of living. Even diseases stubborn with molecular medicine can be easily treated with phytonutrients.
Furthermore, the Asian herbs are a step forward to a greater health. Most modern diseases had existed in the past. Asian herbs were instrumental in reversing internal diseases. It is still relevant today because modern medicine cannot treat many diseases Asian medicine can. With the time-tested acupuncture, foods, and herbs, these stubborn diseases are successfully treated.
Asian medicine is a natural medicine that is relevant for the health challenges of 2021. Empowering your mind and body to heal through ‘whole is greater than sum of its parts’ is comprehensive and preventative. Our clinic works with your constitution so that the treatment is customized, and the benefit is lasting.
Be safe and healthy,
David Lee, Che-ol Kim, and Sima Ebrahimi
acupuncturists
