Chinese medicine gaining respect in Canada

Chinese medicine is an ancient tradition, dating back 4000 years.

Millions of people have put their trust in these practices to treat everything from heart disease to insomnia.

"Basically Chinese medicine is more looking to a balance or we will say it's more like a neutral view of everything should be in the center spot," Dr. Michael Chung, a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner.

So when that balance of yin and yang is disrupted, or energy flow through the body is blocked -- that's when illness occurs. Treatments are then directed at restoring the balance.

And unlike western medicine -- where therapy usually includes drugs specific to a disease -- in eastern medicine -- treatments can vary, taking into account each person's unique characteristics.

"We have five modalities, including acupuncture, including herbals, including aturna which is Chinese medical massage,'' said Dr. Chung.

Dr. Chung says the most widely used practice is acupuncture.

It's something Linda Hirukawa turned to - when physiotherapy -- and drugs couldn't treat her excruciating neck pain.

"It was as a last resort and it was the best thing I could have ever done," she said.

The theory behind acupuncture is that it uses needles to restore energy flow.

"Acupuncture can be used for addictions, stop smoking or liquor or treat insomnia, or even for PMS," said Dr. Chung.

And research backs that up. Recent studies provide evidence that acupuncture is effective for treating back and neck pain.

"Within the first treatment, which was about an hour, I was able to move my arm up and down, I couldn't do that for I can't remember how long for months," said Hirukawa.

Now these Chinese philosophies of preventing disease before it occurs and treating patients in a holistic manner, are gaining the respect of western doctors and the government.

B.C. has moved to validate this time-honored tradition by regulating all Chinese medicine therapies, requiring everyone who practices it to be registered. It is the only province in Canada to do so.

"We have more and more communication between Chinese practitioners and other medical care providers,'' said Dr. Chung. "I think we can bring a better benefit in the bigger picture for patients,'' he said.

Chinese Medicine Q and A

Q. How does a person find a traditional Chinese medicine doctor?

A. British Columbia is the first province in Canada to establish a college that regulates all traditional Chinese medicine therapy, including acupuncture.

New practitioners must sit exams in order to be registered. When you see a practitioner, their registration certificate should be prominently displayed. To find one near you, check the College of Traditional Chinese Medicineand Acupuncture website

Q. Are there any particular health conditions that Chinese medicine is better for?

A. Acupuncture is the most popular and is particularly good for sports injuries and muscular problems, such as low back pain.

Traditional Chinese medicine is also particularly good for skin conditions such as eczema, recovery from stroke, and anyone who wants to be proactive to take care of your mind body and spirit before problems set in.

A landmark new study has just begun at the B.C. Cancer Agency.

It is targeted at lung cancer patients and involves the use of traditional Chinese herbal medicine and Tai Chi to help improve quality of life.

If you have more questions in regards to the study, please call study co-ordinator Arianne Toleno at [phone]