Diabetes: East vs. Western Approaches
Over the years, the Western medical community has grown in leaps in bounds in the management of symptoms for its diabetic population with its onslaught of new medications, new and improved insulin pumps and various do-it-yourself glucose monitoring kits. Yet, diabetes is still the 7th leading cause of death in the United States (National Diabetes Fact Sheet, 2007). Where the Western way is falling short is in its evaluation and understanding of the underlying causes of the illness, accompanying complications and even in its approach to the treatment of it. Through the Western eye, diabetes is perceived as a malfunction of specified processes in the body only, rather than an imbalance of the mind, body and spirit as a whole.
For example, when looking at the underlying cause for certain types of diabetes, both views agree that diet and stress, as well as lack of sleep all play a major role in the onset of high blood sugar levels. However, the West faults the pancreas for its inability to produce enough insulin in the body, where Chinese Medicine, sees the underlying cause of diabetes as a “Yin deficiency caused by excessive heat in the body”, often referred to as “Wasting-Thirst syndrome”. The belief is that excess heat formed in the stomach and spleen causes hunger, then affects the lungs causing thirst, all of which ultimately lead to the rapid usage or “burning up” of needed fluids (Choate). Therefore, the underlying cause of diabetes in the Eastern view is one of dehydration.
Where both the East and West have additional symmetry is in the agreement that diabetes is connected to several other health conditions such as high blood pressure, hypertension and heart failure. However, because Traditional Chinese Medicine takes into account the totality of a person’s life experience, personality patterns and physical symptoms, the basis for diagnosis for someone with hypertension is much more holistic in the eyes of Eastern medicine. For instance, the diagnosis of Liver Fire Upward Blazing would be characteristic of someone with an angry, explosive, personality and who easily gets red in the face – a pattern often associated with hypertension (Smith, 2008). Thus, the treatment would be geared toward the whole human being, rather than just the symptoms or the illness. Perhaps, this integrated approach is the reason why so many more people today are turning to alternative therapies for help.
Another major difference that sets the two cultures apart is the diagnostic process itself. Instead of drawing out the Qi (pronounced “chee”) or ‘life energy’ to exam it through a series of blood tests, as the West has always done; the Eastern practice uses the non-invasive methods of pulse diagnosis, visual analysis of the tongue, eyes and skin, and basic human observation of the mental, emotional, physical and spiritual state of the person being examined to determine the best suited treatment for optimum homeostasis. Perhaps it is there, in the treatment, that the biggest and most significant differentiations between both worlds can be seen.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, there are two highly effective methods of treatment for diabetes – acupuncture and herbal medicine. Acupuncture is the insertion of needles into the skin at specific points, which correlate to meridians or ‘energetic pathways’ in the body. By opening up these pathways, the Qi is allowed to flow and balance can then be restored (See Dr. Lo’s case study on “Infrared Imaging of an Acupuncture Treatment on a Post-op Diabetic Patient” for more information). Often times, acupuncture is used in conjunction with herbal medicines that are tailored to the client’s needs; supporting, nurturing and cleansing the body of any unwanted toxins. The two methods together, work synergistically to cause deep transformation within and have little- to-no side effects. The acupuncture points and carefully selected herbs are specific for and intrinsically unique to the person being treated. The goal is to heal the illness at the root level; whereas in Western Medicine, the emphasis of treatment is rooted in the management of symptoms through the general use of a growing, yet limited list of pharmaceutically engineered medicines.
At AcuSource Healing, we believe that prevention is the best cure and also that the Western way can at times, be a necessary step on the path to healing. Over my 38 years as a nurse in various medical settings, I have witnessed the life saving effects of Western medicine in times of trauma and immediate need. And it serves its purpose well. But I have also seen and can testify to the miraculous ways in which Traditional Chinese Medicine has been able to provide quick relief and long-lasting results in those that I’ve treated.
If you or someone you know has diabetes and would like a consultation with a certified acupuncturist and master herbalist, e-mail us or call now to schedule an appointment!
Works Cited:
Choate, C.J. Diabetes mellitus from western and tcm perspectives – part 2 [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://www.acupuncture.com/conditions/diabetes2.htm
Smith, D. (2008, December 17). Chinese herbs for hypertension. Retrieved from http://www.traditionalchinesetherapy.com/info/articles.php
United States. National Diabetes Fact Sheet, 2007. Atlanta: CDC, 2007. Web. 29 Jan 2010. http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/pubs/pdf/ndfs_2007.pdf
