| Potential Illness - Potential Healing by Zhuoling Ren Many people believe that their health condition is "excellent." Yes, most of them are indeed among those who have excellent health (either by self-diagnosis or by an annual exam). Some day, surprising news will come up. An unexpected health breakdown will suddenly appear. Unfortunately, every one of us has known someone with a story like this. We see people around us suffering from a variety of illness, some of whom have been diagnosed terminally ill. Their lives have been announced by doctors: one month, three months, or one year, or two years. Most of them will follow the "instructions" and live to end of the approximately estimated time by their doctors. Surprise happens in this group, too. Some patients unexpectedly survive. Instead of one month or one year, they actually lived for 10 years or are still living. What I want to say is that some people may believe their health condition is perfect -- but perhaps there is room for improvement. There may be a potential illness on the way. There is maybe something we can do to detect it before it comes. There is maybe something we can do to prevent it. On the other hand, some people may suffer from an illness that modern medicine has no cure for, no drugs to treat it, and surgery doesn't help. But should we look back into the body itself -- should we look back into the ancient philosophy (way) -- there may be the potential healing energy within us. There may be some "alternative" therapy that can help get the condition out of danger. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, there are certain conditions that have been mentioned as having "no cure." These are mostly due to the failure of essential energy, or yin and yang, being split (failing to be connected). What I admire most about Traditional Chinese Medicine is that it always takes the body energy -- healing potential -- into account. The treatment by Traditional Chinese Medicine is not just to expel the pathogen nor fight with the symptoms. It is mainly to help the body itself to fight. It is to promote the body potential of healing. Prevention first is always the principle philosophy of Traditional Chinese Medicine. The best doctor treats illness before the illness occurs. To prevent it from happening is prevention. To prevent the disease from invading another organ or system, or in other words, to prevent the problem going deeper or becoming worse also is prevention. It takes a good doctor to be able to detect a potential condition and to come out with the best strategy to help patients prevent the potential for illness -- and to help patients fully use their potential healing energy. By checking the pulse, looking at the tongue, observing the patient's "spirit," even by listening to their voice, and of course, by referring to their health history and present symptoms (condition), the good doctor should have a complete picture of what she/he is dealing with. From a Traditional Chinese Medicine examination, there is much evidence that can show internal imbalance of the body long before it shows up in a modern medicine examination. A normal annual examination usually is not enough to be relaxed about. Keeping up with a good diet and exercising, and having a check-up by a traditional Chinese Medicine doctor is also important. To those whose condition is frustrating, don't give up. Be confident. Be positive. Live your full potential. One truly incurable condition is when one is unwilling to be cured. Dr. Zhuoling Ren, a doctor of traditional Chinese medicine and professor of the China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing, was the recipient of numerous awards for her research work in China. She currently is practicing in Minnesota. For more information, contact her at the China Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 3125 Hennepin Ave., (612) 827-7908. In St. Paul, 1033 Grand Ave., (651) 222-1200. Copyright © 2002 Zhuoling Ren |
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