The term holistic applies to many branches, referring to a whole set of phenomena and features. The holistic approach forms the basis of much scientific knowledge and practices, allowing the development of a broad perspective on problematic theories or phenomena. Within medicine, the term holistic refers to an approach that looks at the body’s condition as a whole, not just the cure of disease. For an acupuncturist, an understanding of the holistic approach is imperative.Though the terms complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) are frequently used interchangeably, they do not refer to the same thing. Alternative medicine refers to therapies used instead of regular medical treatments, whereas complementary medicine refers to treatments used in addition to normal medical treatments.
The holistic approach in medicine is characterized by considering the patient’s current problems, regardless of the chief complaint. A person’s treatment should occur as a whole and not in isolation (Marks, 2022). The individual’s mental, physical, and social conditions are essential to the diagnosis and subsequent treatment, and holistic medicine, as science, teaches the clinician to see these interrelationships. This approach is common in alternative currents of medicine. Holistic approaches can be perceived negatively due to a lack of scientifically proven effects.
The holistic approach is critical for the CIM practitioner because acupuncture specializes in the relationship between biological points and human organs. It has to do with the interconnectedness of all body elements; without it, healing the body and soul cannot be achieved. Moreover, the existing effects of needle-puncturing certain parts of the case assign significance to holistic knowledge (Lu et al., 2022). Acupuncture practitioners perceive the human body as a system in which each point is connected to meridians and channels. It defines the possibilities in treatment, thereby introducing wholeness into medicine. Holistic understandings of the human body constitute the science in which CIM practitioners find a vocation and develop a system of interconnections. CIM practitioners need to be grounded in holistic to be able to demonstrate the effects of acupuncture. Based on this, the holistic approach should be perceived as part of medicine that seamlessly integrates each human body element into a whole.
Thus, the term holistic to medical practice describes an approach based on the interrelation of biological and physical, social, and mental factors. According to this approach, the human body is a system; any disease can be overcome if properly treated. Within the framework of acupuncture, doctors rely on holistic medicine because this is the only way to see the connections between the biological points of the human body.
History, Philosophical, and Healing Approach and Tools and Approaches
Acupuncture’s general theory is founded on the assumption that there are patterns of energy flow (Qi) across the body that is necessary for wellness. The illness is thought to be caused by disruptions in this flow. In a healthy individual, Qi flows easily through all channels, and Yin and Yang are in a state of dynamic equilibrium. Yin and Yang are the two parts of everything that, when combined, constitute a totality. This signifies that, despite occasional changes and imbalances in the Yin and Yang, the energy is balanced.
Acupuncture is founded on the Tao or Dao, an ancient Chinese philosophy. This theory argues that all forms in the cosmos co-exist in the pairing of opposites like male and female. The notion of “yin” and “yang” is highlighted by this duality and mutual dependency (the female and the male). The ancient Chinese further divided “yin” and “yang” into five elements, which are essentially the processes of change and transformation within “yin” and “yang.” (Wang et al., 2019). The philosophy holds that “yin” and “yang” balance and change one another to achieve harmony, and this process is embodied in the five elements (metal, wood, water, fire, and earth) (Wang et al., 2019). Traditional Chinese medicine holds the secret to human health in the equilibrium of these organs within the bodily system. Acupuncture is founded on this notion of balance and harmony of the five elements to maximize human health.
Traditional and Chinese Medicine therapy tries to restore balance via a treatment that is specific to the person. Acupuncture began in China, where sharp-edged instruments and stones were used to pierce and drain abscesses during the Stone Age. Acupuncture was referenced in the Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine, Huang Di Nei Jing, an ancient Chinese medical literature. The book of the Nei Jing was composed between 305-204 BC (Wang et al., 2019). Acupuncture is a kind of alternative treatment that has been practiced for hundreds of years and is an important component of traditional Chinese medicine.
Acupuncturists insert hair-thin needles into certain locations of the body to treat pain linked with a range of other illnesses and disorders. The acupuncturists evaluate the patient to determine their health, then the patient may be instructed to lie on the back, front, or side depending on where the needles will be put. After the needles are implanted, they remain in place for 5-30 minutes, depending on the therapy (Wang et al., 2019). After implantation, it can also be stimulated with heated electricity. It is primarily used to relieve pain, but it is also increasingly utilized for overall well-being, including stress management.
Though acupuncture has been used for many years, it was introduced to the United States during President Nixon’s 1972 visit to China. In 1975, the New England School of Acupuncture in Boston opened the first acupuncture school in the United States (Wang et al., 2019). Acupuncture flourished fast from there. In 1995, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recognized acupuncture needles as a medical device. Acupuncture was acknowledged as an effective therapy for a wide range of health disorders by the National Institute of Health (NIH) in 1997. Over 40 states now offer licensing and certification courses, and some even demand a national test.
Scope of Practice, Economic and Social Impact
Acupuncturists’ scope of practice includes acupuncture and the related methods and modalities of the unique healthcare system that employs oriental concepts to diagnose and treat illness by controlling the flow and balance of energy to restore and maintain health. These associated methods and modalities are defined by and practiced strictly in line with the traditions and formal curriculum taught in certified acupuncture institutes. They include oriental diagnostic methods, electrical and magnetic stimulation, sound, light, and vibrational treatment, and the administration of Chinese prescription cures are among them. These methods and modalities, however, do not entail manipulation or mobility of the human body’s skeletal articulations.
Certification is essential for certified acupuncturists to practice the formulation and distribution of custom-made Chinese herbal formulations. “Formulation” refers to the preparation of traditional herbal combinations to produce formulas from Chinese herbal literature, through the addition, deletion, substitution, or change in ingredient dosages, and the dispensing of these herbal preparations to patients. National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine has been approved to offer doctoral degrees. The board will make guidelines outlining the training necessary for registered acupuncturists to become certified for custom-made Chinese herbal compositions. A minimum number of hours of combined classroom and clinical training must be included in these standards. The main social impact of acupuncture is that currently it is treated as an alternative therapy in the US. Acupuncturists provide another way to treat syndromes without taking drugs or doing surgeries. Economically, the cost of acupuncture therapy is currently low going for approximately 60-80 dollars per session.
Article #1
Yüksel, M., Ayaş, Ş., Cabıoğlu, M. T., Yılmaz, D., & Cabıoğlu, C. (2019). Quantitative data for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and acupuncture effectiveness in the treatment of fibromyalgia syndrome. Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2019.
Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) is a chronic pain syndrome that is accompanied by additional broad pain with the presence of sensitive spots, sleep disturbance, and cognitive impairments. The article is about research that comprised 42 individuals with Fibromyalgia and 21 healthy participants. The patients were randomly allocated to 2 groups to undergo transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS) or acupuncture treatment. EEG recordings were then made for both groups for 10 minutes, followed by 20 minutes of TENS or acupuncture therapy and another 10 minutes of EEG recording. This revealed a reduction in pain and a rise in inhibitor activity on EEG following TENS therapy and acupuncture application.
Article #2
Nishiwaki, M., Takayama, M., Yajima, H., Nasu, M., Park, J., Kong, J., & Takakura, N. (2018). A double-blind study on acupuncture sensations with Japanese style of acupuncture: comparison between penetrating and placebo needles. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2018.
In this study, they employed double-blind 5 and 10-mm needles and 1 and 2-mm skin-touch needles to explore acupuncture experiences with a Japanese style of needling employing Japanese Mass. The strongest and most common sensation noted was “heaviness” for 10mm penetration but not for 5mm penetration, 1mm skin press, or 2mm skin press. The severity of needle discomfort with 1 and 2-mm skin-touch needles was comparable to that of 5 and 10-mm penetrating needles. A little change in insertion and skin press created a difference in the strength of acupuncture feelings.
Interview
I initially reached out to three practitioners via email but only one accepted. My first was Mina Dobic who is an author and counselor for the macrobiotic diet and lifestyle. She was the person that guided my mother through her cancer journey and played an important role in changing our lives. Unfortunately, she is in her eighties now and just wasn’t up for the task. Secondly was my chiropractor Dr. Isis Medina, who has educated me immensely on all things skeletal, but graciously declined due to personal matters. Lastly, I initiated a conversation with my acupuncturist while I was in a session, and it was successful. I have always been profoundly interested in acupuncture and oriental medicine. For this reason, I have selected my acupuncturist Dr. Chung-Ying (Fred) Tsai as the person to interview.
Dr. Fred is a New York licensed physical therapist and acupuncturist. He uses both methods in combination with Chinese herbs to address and treat his patients. He is very easy to talk to and his sessions provide not only the balance of Qi but relaxation for the mind. As a person with scoliosis who has constant back pain, I wanted a doctor who treats patients with traditional physical therapy but also has an open mind and uses integrative holistic approaches.
I was unable to meet Dr. Fred in person because he runs five physical therapy clinics and was currently overwhelmed hence the interview was conducted via email.
The interview covered a wide range of topics ranging from personal to professional. Specifically, I was keen to know the doctor’s background and what got him into the field. Professionally, the questions involved whether there is any scientific proof that acupuncture works and what makes the work unique. Furthermore, was to understand if there exists any relationship between acupuncture and traditional medicine, the common conditions that they treat, what makes a person viable for the treatment, and the social impacts of the practice.
Self-Reflection
Before I started this class if anyone asked me what Complementary and Integrative Medicine was, I would probably not have had an answer unless I asked “Siri”. Now if someone asks me what Complementary and Integrative Medicine are, I can gladly give them the correct answer. This course has been very educational and very fun for me to learn about. I took great interest in it because I was able to learn about things I have never really heard of before like Traditional Chinese Medicine, acupuncture, Qi, yin and yang, and many more. The experience has been fun and I hope that in the next semesters to come I still feel the same way. I like the fact that I can be a patient and know that there are so many other things that can help me heal from for example a cold than taking antibiotics or any other pills. I am pleased that in the future I can help assist with educating my patients that they do not have to settle with pills. I would like to educate them and let them know there can be many other options.
References
Lu, L., Zhang, Y., Tang, X., Ge, S., Wen, H., Zeng, J., Tang, X., Wang, L., Zeng, Z., Rada, G., Ávila, C., Vergara, C., Chen, R., Dong, Y., Wei, X., Luo, W., Wang, L., Guyatt, G., Tang, C., & Xu, N. (2022). Evidence on acupuncture therapies is underused in clinical practice and health policy. BMJ, 376. Web.
Marks, H. (2022). What is holistic medicine? Web med. Web.
Nishiwaki, M., Takayama, M., Yajima, H., Nasu, M., Park, J., Kong, J., & Takakura, N. (2018). A double-blind study on acupuncture sensations with Japanese style of acupuncture: comparison between penetrating and placebo needles. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2018. Web.
Wang, C. C., Zhu, R., & Tan, J. Y. (2019). Nurses and holistic modalities: The history of Chinese medicine and acupuncture. Holistic Nursing Practice, 33(2), 90-94. Web.
Yüksel, M., Ayaş, Ş., Cabıoğlu, M. T., Yılmaz, D., & Cabıoğlu, C. (2019). Quantitative data for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and acupuncture effectiveness in the treatment of fibromyalgia syndrome. Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2019. Web.