chinese medicine

one of the reasons i was so excited to travel to taiwan was the opportunity we would have to learn and experience eastern medicine. to tell you the truth, i was only familiar with acupuncture. i knew very little of how chinese medicine worked and the history behind it. during part of our clinical day at the hospital we were able to head over to the chinese medicine department in the hospital and be given a tour of the department as well as a very thorough powerpoint presentation explaining the concept of qi or as wikipedia explains, an active principle forming part of any living thing. the chinese believe that if the body is in harmony with it's qi, than the body will be healthy. if a part of the qi is not in harmony than one experiences pain or problems associated with that area. after the presentation, we were able to experience first hand both acupuncture as well as cupping. cupping is another alternative method they use that provides suction to a certain area on the body to increase blood flow to that area and ultimately promote healing. the doctor tried it on both my arm and back leaving my body with odd hickey marks for about a week. i only wonder what the bishop at our visiting ward thought of the 12 girls visiting from byu with interesting markings all over.

 scolding the doctor after the painful insertion of the acupuncture needle.

word to the wise, don't get acupuncture on the wrist. not the most enjoyable feeling.

now onto cupping..

don't mind the boils that instantly started growing on my body.

at first i thought the whole thing was ridiculous and maybe it was placebo effect but i really did feel much better on the left side of my neck than the right for about a week after.

would i go back for more alternative medicine? sure.

would i wear a short sleeve and low back shirt the next? not unless i was in asia and prepared to be a social outcast. let's just say that many funny remarks were made among the nurses when we came back the next day.