DOES IT WORK……

 

If you study the various reports the wonderful world of modern medicine will confidently tell you that TCM or Traditional Chinese Medicine more or less doesn’t work. Well if it didn’t work there’s every chance that it wouldn’t have lasted for over two thousand years. Over in China, modern or western medicine has become the preserve of the wealthy the use of traditional methods considered something that the older folks or the less well off still use. In other words, modern medicine especially in China has become the fashionable way to get better.

 

 

Granted, if you break a bone or need a joint replacing then modern methods work a treat since there’s no Old Chinese equivalent. But for lesser ailments and muscle problems its TCM that has from my perspective untold benefits. If you’ve got back or a headache, IBS or anything similar, jacking up on pain killers is all well and good but the thing is the problem hasn’t actually gone away, it’s just that you can’t feel it anymore. Add in the fact that painkillers in any great quantity rip your guts apart and that you’ll have to keep finding stronger and stronger doses and its more or less testament to the fact whatever ails you has gone anywhere.

 

 

Taking me the Aged Rocker as a prime example confirming that I’m more aged than even I thought, due to a racing accident in my mid-20’s that jarred my back and years of doing a variety of daft things, there’s a joint in my spine that locks up. Not only has this caused the onset of mild arthritis something that’s also starting to appear in my right elbow and thumb, the locking causes the muscles to tighten up in an effort to protect said joint. The end result is back and neck pain that numerous osteopaths have tried in vein to cure.

 

 

It was during a conversation with straight talking Yorkshireman and an ex-member of the SAS that an unusual question was asked and that was ‘Have you ever seen a Chinaman?’ Certainly I have, folk from China aren’t exactly a rarity. Next statement was ‘But have you ever been to see a Chinese osteopath?’ to which my answer was no. Osteopathy is osteopathy is it not? It seems however not to be, the curative powers of the Chinese practitioners way in excess of their western counterparts. The difference so it seems is most conventional osteopaths practice a form of relaxing osteopathy whilst the Chinese apply the old style restorative and therapeutic version.   

 

 

And so it came to be, a visit to Dr. Xionghua Chen started me on the path to a pain free back, monthly or six weekly visits ensuring that my spine and the muscles around it don’t inflict pain anymore. The other aspect is that no pills or portions are or have been required. Like Chen whilst these Chinese guys work all over the world, they’ve nearly all studied and qualified back in China, gaining the necessary qualifications a hard path to follow.

 

 

Now if your chosen Chinese osteopath is worthy of the title such as Chen the first step is the initial interview to ascertain exactly what’s up with you and the course of treatment that will be needed. But even as I walked into the surgery and across to the desk, Chen had already made at least fifty percent of his diagnosis. Five minutes later he jammed his thumb into my back just next to my right shoulder blade and the pain and stiffness vanished. Reason being a nerve that is situated behind where five muscles intersect was being constantly triggered which in turn meant the actual muscles had developed a new, contorted memory.

 

 

Although it took six consecutive weeks of treatment along with the regular visits, the nerve was effectively returned to normal service; the muscles relaxed and reeducated the end result being the end of back pain. Massage used in conjunction with acupuncture where the insertion of these small needles link up the body’s natural meridians and energy points, the combined outcome is a genuine physical revelation. And whilst some so called learned bodies claim acupuncture hasn’t the slightest effect, they’ve probably been fortunate enough to never have to call on the talents of people like Dr. Chen.   

Likewise, more gentle treatment to elbow and thumb now means they operate as normal, just the occasional exercises keeping all three now potential problems at bay. Interestingly the natural penetrating oils used can also be employed to reduce stiffness after walking or riding a motorbike, the effects instant. Better still, if you call into any Chinese osteopath they’ll be willing and able to provide you with a bottle at a more than reasonable cost.

But it doesn’t end there when it comes to TCM, herbal shampoos and creams that clear up skin complaints within a matter of days and cough remedies that besides being pleasant to take really do work and once again no unpleasant smells or side effects. And if its general aches and pains you can even head into your nearest supermarket, both red and green Tiger Balm nearly always on the shelves. Similarly, the herbal remedy to cue IBS, two days after taking the recommended dosage of the small pills, the problem vanished. Yet again the modern TV advertised cures doing nothing more than dull the pain and relaxing the gut muscles instead of flushing out what’s causing the problem. So does TCM actually work, the answer much to the annoyance of many is a resounding yes!

The one fallacy is ginseng, for years marketed as an ancient form of Viagra. In total there are seven varieties of ginseng the most common being the two Panax strains from either Asia and Korea or America, whilst this famous root derived herbal supplement is supposed to improve matters in the trouser department, it ain’t instant. It takes an eighteen week course for any effect to even start to take place so if you’re in need of it, plan early! The upside of ginseng is ginseng plays a beneficial role in the regulation of liver function, improves blood sugar management which is why many diabetics use it and is a natural combatant of stress and mood swings whilst it has a very positive effect on enhancing calmness and memory retention.   

As regards seeing real Chinese osteopaths expect to pay around £60 for the initial interview and treatment and then about £40 thereon with the added bonus that most private health insurance policies will recompense the patient. Even doctors are now starting to understand and suggest that where their modern treatments and drugs have only worked to a degree or even failed completely, Chinese treatments may well be the answer. Interestingly, as the treatment has continued so has my interest in some of the history and some of the other herbal offerings. One of the best daily treatments is Chinese tea, the almost infinite variations all able to cleanse the system, all you need do is ask which will be best for you. Similarly, friends and colleagues suffering from various aches and pains have asked me if the treatment works and could I make them an appointment. Guess what? They too are now regular patients at Dr. Chen’s Shanghai Clinic over in Burnley.

 

 

here’s a well know saying that goes ‘it now takes me all night to do what I used to do all night’. As the Aged Rocker’s years advance these words of humour become less humorous. But with some help from the Yellow Emperor, yin-yang and the five phases, certain bits and pieces now work as well as they ever did, Chinese medicine not so much a treatment more an art form. The other upside to using Chinese products is that the companies who manufacture the various oils, linctuses and pills still use traditional, old fashioned style packaging whilst some of the ornate and colourful paperwork tucked away inside the boxes is worth of framing!