In my previous post, I explored the significance of phenomenological traditional medicine and the observational skills required to comprehend phenomena.
When I initially became an acupuncturist and herbalist, I began my practice by concentrating on the symptoms presented by patients, using symptomatology. I prescribed herbal medicine based on the TCM texts, which act as the foundation for symptomatic treatment, and utilized acupuncture according to the Manuals. Although I recognized the importance of interpreting the overall phenomena of the patient without being restricted by the disease name, it was challenging.
Over time, I shifted from symptomatic treatment to the Eight Differential Diagnosis. This diagnostic method categorizes the pathological phenomena of the patient into eight categories: Yin, Yang, Cold, Heat, Deficiency, and Excess. This approach highlighted the significance of a holistic perspective to me, as I felt the limitations of symptomatic treatment. Nevertheless, I also encountered limitations with this method. The connection between diagnosis and meridians, or the tangible link between diagnosis and treatment, was not clearly evident to me.
Thanks to a fortunate connection with a friend who is also an Oriental medicine doctor, I was introduced to and began researching the Saam Five Element Acupuncture method, which integrates the theory of the Five Elements and Six Qi. Saam Acupuncture is a valuable technique that allowed me to personally experience the existence of the meridians I had always sought. However, treating difficult patients remained a challenging and complex task, which was also a personal issue for me.
What I have recently embraced is differentiation based on constitution. This involves interpreting and classifying the pathological phenomena of patients according to their constitutional characteristics. It is an observation of life that encompasses both Zang Fu(Organ) differentiation and the Eight Principles Diagnosis. Differentiation that is difficult to encompass with either the Eight Principles or organ differentiation requires a process of fusion depending on the environment and time. Currently, the process of integrating organ differentiation with constitutional differentiation is very intriguing, rekindling the passion I felt when I first began studying traditional medicine. It is even more fascinating to see the previously missing pieces of the puzzle come together intricately.
The differentiation that interprets phenomena is endless. This is because life itself evolves and changes continuously, much like how a person's travels expand their horizons as they visit more countries. As I mentioned in the previous post, the study of Oriental Medicine is a lifelong process of acquiring and training in differentiation. Learning how to interpret and classify the overall phenomena of patients is at the core of studying Oriental medicine. This allows for the flexible and free use of herbal medicine and acupuncture within the philosophical and conceptual framework of Oriental Medicine.
To my junior colleagues and students who are grappling with the limitations of symptomatic and differentiated approaches, I continually encourage you to observe the whole. We all start with symptomatology, and it is part of training. However, symptomatology follows a manual, and if a patient does not adhere to the manual, there are no alternatives. Phenomenology allows for the differentiation of these alternatives. While symptomatic treatment can be followed by anyone using the manual, wholistic observation is different. It enables the interpretation of the patient as a whole, and skill of differentiation is possible through extensive study, skill, and experience.
The biggest issue in traditional medicine is the concealment and expensive sale of secret methods and prescriptions, which are mostly symptomatic treatments. Since anyone can imitate them, they tend to be hidden. On the other hand, differentiation skill is difficult to replicate even if it is disclosed, so there is no reason to hide it. The time spent on study, skill, and experience is what trains traditional medicine practitioners.
If a practitioner of traditional medicine is studying, it is recommended to use the effort spent on collecting secret methods and prescriptions towards gaining experience in differentiation through observations. Secret methods are limited to specific diseases, while differential diagnosis applies to all illnesses.
I also want to emphasize the importance of conversations and connections with teachers who teach differentiation. It is essential not to confine oneself to memorizing prescriptions and acupuncture techniques, as the method of interpreting phenomena is the essence of Oriental Medicine.
#constitution #artofhealing #phenomenology #chinesemedicine #orientalmedicine #differentiation #holistic
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