The China Cabinet

For those of you just checking in, the following is a blog focusing on case studies and teachings from various departments of the Liaoning TCM Hospital in Shenyang, China. I have taken note of diagnoses, treatment protocols, formula usage, acupuncture prescriptions and other therapies used, in hopes that this can be of use to practitioners and students in a clinical setting.

Now that I have had a few days to reflect upon this experience while being back in my home town, I am deeply touched. It has changed my life, as extended travel often do.However, this time I feel a deep shift of focus within myself and a consolidation of what my priorities truly are. The infinite layers of TCM understanding, summarized by Qi, Yin and Yang, keep peeling themselves to reveal more depth and wisdom.

What a gift it is to have a lifetime of learning ahead. All the while I feel a sense of peace because I no longer feel the need to defend or explain the medicine I love so much. It simply is. I simply am, and therefore can simply practice. Practice and practice, and hopefully return to china many more times along the course of my life.

Thank you PRC, you have taught us well, I am so grateful.

I was given wonderful advice by the very kind hearted doctor I was working with this week. She explained there seven important aspects to keep in mind as a young doctor, points that will allow for growth, confidence and a successful practice.

1- Confidence: Comfort the patient, help them gain confidence in you, and assure them of your capabilities by speaking confidently and listening well to their complaints. Allow the patient to believe you and believe in you.

2- Study:At night go home and study the case. Study it well, look at various research and treatment options for the diseases in question. Read about similar cases and also understand the physiology of the problem. The more you learn the more you can protect yourself. Stay aware of modern therapy. Master the knowledge of the area in which you work.

3- Try: Choose an effective treatment and try it on the patient. If you try a certain approach many times then you can begin to develop a treatment methodology for yourself, and you become more familiar with what works and what doesn’t work. This is very important for a young doctor.

4- Herbs: If you don’t remember all your formula ingredients then you must absolutely know the individual herbs very well. This way you can make a suitable formula your self. It is of utmost importance to know the individual herbs inside and out.

5- Acupuncture: Acupuncture is very important. It is very practical because if you ever find your self without your herbs, you can treat very effectively with acupuncture. If you find yourself without your needles than you can use pressure on the points also.

6- Knowledge: A good doctor of TCM has his needles in one hand and his herbs in the other.

7- Courage: A young doctor must be courageous. Try. Treat. Attempt. Learn. Try again.

Cases from several departments have been analyzed to clarify how and when formulas and other treatment strategies are used. I have posted the summaries based on each department. The cardiology department and cosmetology department treatment strategies were already summarized, thereore they have not been added.  These summaries will make it more practical to use the treatment protocols in clinic. The relevant cases have been sited for quick referencing of examples when needed.  Feel free to contact me if you have any further questions.

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