Abstract
Oriental Medicine (OM) is about a lifestyle. It highlights, among other things, the importance of the symbiotic relationship between humans and their environment. It emphasizes the concept of maintaining harmony with nature, and the appreciation of the interdependence amongst people, animals, plants, wind, rain, sunshine, and water on planet earth. Most importantly, it observes the beauty of its cultural roots through many of its ancient writings. Our environment according to OM may influence Qi—the vital force of life that surges throughout our body. A disruption of the flow of “qi” is said to cause illness and disharmony in the life cycle.
OM is based on a metasystem encompassing several physiological models. One of them, the “Five Phases” (wuxing) describes relations between physiological systems such as cardiac, hepatobiliary, renal, and so forth. These systems and their interactions remind us of modern systems science and systems modeling. They also offer, through this logical approach, the integration of biological rhythms, from daily cycles to larger ones in the phases of life. Our Western culture appears positioned outside these larger cycles seeking and emphasizing autonomy, personal achievement, etc. It may even lack many parameters that harmonize with nature and the universe. Similarly, different religious practices are diverse among Eastern and Western cultures, which may or not be entirely supportive of some of the aspects of these two heritages.
As Westerners, we are very binary in our interpretation of the world around us. In fact, I would extend this quality to those that embrace OM too. This is a result for the most part of our human senses: sight, smell, hearing, taste, and touch. However, these may be a human limitation not permitting us to detect the existence of other realms of Eastern and Western cultures. For example, quantum mechanics and relativity open the doors to other existences found in the Universe not afforded by our senses. Despite the fact our senses may not be able to detect does not mean our universe or environment is vacant of other realities. For example, when you become aware of quantum mechanics this opens an existence not obtainable by an individual who has never heard of this aspect of physics yet is part of our reality and exists with all its manifestations in the Western and Eastern worlds. Perhaps the broad interpretation of the 15-year cycle is very limiting as other cycles may exist, but not detected with our senses but may someday become detectable by instruments.
We have the intuitive behavior when discussing Eastern and Western cultures of asking ourselves which one is better? A colleague offered the fact that no matter wherever we go East or West, “we bring our shadows with us.” (Personal Communication; Dr. Eric Serejski, June 17, 2024). In fact, it seems that nowadays many of us are immigrants from one culture to another to the extent that we become a cultural hybrid (Personal Communication; Dr. Eric Serejski, June 17, 2024). I notice that I seem to be attracted to various philosophies of both Eastern and Western cultures taking bits and pieces from each that serve and satisfy my lifestyle. We must be mindful of the shadows that we each bring that influence our own interpretation of the world around us and even our acupuncture practice. Enlighten your practice with the journal of Medical Acupuncture and do not become saturated in shadows of doubt.
—Richard C. Niemtzow, MD, PhD, MPH
Editor-in-Chief