Acupuncture: One Man's Experience and An Interview With Respected Practitioner Faith Mao!

Acupuncture:
One Man's Experience With This Traditional Chinese Therapy, Including An Interview With Respected Practitioner Faith Mao.

Acupuncture, a Chinese therapeutic intervention involving long fine needles, has been used for over two millennia to treat a wide range of ailments from sleep disorders to muscle pain, and is now accepted by many people as a legitimate treatment alternative to much of what is offered by Western medicine today.

Using needles to prick the skin as a viable alternative to orthodox, standard medical procedures?

How could such a seemingly simple concept have gained such immense popularity to where it has become accepted as a legitimate form of treatment by authorities no less prestigious as the World Health Organization? To gain an accurate understanding of how and why Acupuncture is used, we must first trace its origins to determine how it came to be.

Though having become popular in the US as recently as the 1970s, Acupuncture (from the Latin: acus "needle" and pungere "prick") is believed to have originated in the Stone Age, where rock needles (described by the Chinese character Bian) crudely resembling their modern day counterparts (filiform needles) were found in Inner Mongolia, where it is thought they were used to puncture and drain abscesses.

Some credence is lent to this theory through the character Bian's literal meaning: "the use of a sharp edged stone to treat disease". That these sharp edged stones - or Bian stones - were used in China throughout the Stone Age to treat painful complaints has given rise to the belief that Acupuncture was founded at this time.

Around 500 BC, the effectiveness of Acupuncture as a specific treatment method was publicly witnessed for the first time. When the Ancient Chinese Prince of Kuo was one morning found dead, an itinerant doctor, Pien Chue, made his way to his palace and asked to see the body, only to find the Prince was not dead as many had thought, but comatose.

After producing a set of specially designed needles, the doctor had his assistant Tzu Yang insert them one by one into specified parts of the Prince's body. Not long afterwards the Prince regained consciousness, opened his eyes and sat up. Less than a month later he had completely recovered. He had been revived by Acupuncture.

Clearer evidence of Acupuncture's use can be found in medical texts gleaned from the first millennium's Chinese Han Dynasty. At this time it is said that emperor Wang Mang, aided by his doctor and a palace butcher, went as far as to carve up a political rival to trace the nervous system with a bamboo stick (an understanding of the nervous system is considered essential for the efficient use of Acupuncture).

One theory suggests that soldiers maimed in battle actually experienced pain relief in areas of their body not hit with arrows, thus opening minds to the possibility of an interconnected pathway governing all bodily systems.

Whatever the case, this new system of therapy increasingly became a viable way to treat medical problems and over two millennia has been refined to its present form.

During its evolution, and according to historical records, Acupuncture was introduced to Japan and Korea early in the sixth century through to the beginning of the seventh century, after which it was populated in the East and South Asia.

The term Acupuncture itself was coined in the early 17th century by Dutch physician, Willem den Rhyne, who learned of this form of therapy while visiting Nagasaki, Japan, where it was widely practiced at the time.

A major part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), a treatment paradigm developed over several thousand years and based on the premise that health is governed through the balance of yin and yang (opposite forces that form a whole and serve to promote Chi, or vital energy) within our bodies, Acupuncture works to regulate the flow of Chi in and around the body's various "vital points".

	Chi In traditional Chinese culture, Chi is an active principle forming part of any living thing. It is frequently translated as "energy flow".

According to Chinese philosophical explanation, yang forms the immaterial component, Chi, while yin comprises the blood which Acupuncture practitioners consider a major determinant in the facilitation of correct healing.

Acupuncture treatment therefore balances Chi and blood levels through needles inserted into various pathways through which Chi and blood flow (often referred to as the 12 primary channels).

The manipulation of needles into selected points is thought to create Chi where there is none, drain Chi where there is excess and promote free flow of Chi where there is stagnation. When done by a qualified practitioner, this process aims to liberate Chi and stop blockages in one or more bodily systems.

Abiding by a fundamental doctrine of TCM, Acupuncture aims to treat the body as a whole, as 'several systems of function'. The systems of function, although named after organs in a Western anatomical sense (Heart, Lung, Kidney etc), refer to areas along the 12 primary channels that relate to, but do not directly comprise, these physical organs.

Referred to as "patterns of disharmony" by TCM, disease, as it is known in Western medical terms, is treated (or attempted to be treated) by modifying one or more systems of function through the insertion and subsequent activity of needles.

The basis of Acupuncture (the insertion of fine needles into specific vital points), targets the aforementioned 12 primary channels, each corresponding to a specific system of function (including - Lung, Large Intestine, Stomach, Spleen, Heart, Small Intestine, Bladder, Kidney, Pericardium, Triple Burner, Gall Bladder and Liver).

According to TCM the twelve primary channels run vertically, bilaterally and symmetrically, corresponding to and connecting internally with one of twelve organs.

Of these there are six yin and six yang. As Chi moves through all twelve channels an external and internal pathway is created. The Acupuncture points, through which needles are inserted, lie on the external pathway while the internal pathways run deep through the body to influence corresponding organ function.

When Acupuncture points are stimulated, it is thought that Chi is rebalanced throughout all 12-channel pathways and health, as it specifically relates to why the treatment is being sought and the initial diagnosis, is restored as a result.

The Chinese refer to the body's specific points and channels as Nei Ching, which includes two parts: Ling Shu and Su Wen. These have as their guiding philosophy, "in pain, puncture the tender spot", based on the belief that by stimulating a painful area, the pain itself can be alleviated.

Over time a complete idea of how many specific points in the body, which responded well to pressure, was developed. A system of Acupuncture points was identified, and the evolution of the channels connecting these points occurred. The Chinese use the character Chen (literally: "to prick with a needle") to describe Acupuncture.

The Acupuncture treatment process usually begins when a patient approaches an acupuncturist with a list of symptoms, or physical complaints. To determine exactly what their client requires, the acupuncturist will observe and question the patient to form a diagnosis based on specific acupunctural methods.

To make a firm diagnoses, four diagnostic methods (according to TCM) are used:

1. Inspection (particularly of the face and tongue)

1. Auscultation and Olfaction (listening for particular sounds and noting body odor)

1. Enquiring (about chills and fever; perspiration; appetite, thirst and taste; defecation and urination; pain; sleep; and menses and leucorrhea)

1. Palpation (checking the pulse, both left and right sides). Once a diagnosis has been made, the practitioner can proceed with treatment.

Although it has not gained wholehearted approval from all members of the medical community at large, Acupuncture is used widely to treat a wide variety of problems. In fact, when all else fails some people often specifically seek acupuncturists (usually alerted by word of mouth), where they often find a safer alternative to standard treatment (no drugs are prescribed in Acupuncture) and a system that promotes health on many different levels.

Two common problems treated with acupuncture are muscle pain and insomnia, conditions that are often alleviated with short term solutions such as pharmaceuticals. As it targets the root causes of these problems, not merely suppressing the symptoms like many orthodox medical methods do, Acupuncture is often a more attractive option for many.

New York's Faith Mao is one of the country's most respected acupuncturist's. It is her role to work with her clients to find the best possible solution for them and she believes Acupuncture is a treasure that can help many people overcome anything from muscle and dental pain through to anxiety and asthma.

She has also worked closely with featured athlete Tony Catanzaro, successfully treating him and making him a believer in Acupuncture.

I recently spoke with Tony and Faith and what they had to say gave me greater insights into this ancient Chinese healing practice. In today's world of fast cures that treat symptoms without addressing underlying causes we could all do well to research alternative ways to correct various medical problems we might have. As Tony says, "Knowledge is your best friend."

Tony

[ Q ] Hi Tony. The effectiveness of Acupuncture remains a mystery in scientific circles, with many from this community unsure about its form and function. Scientific scepticism aside, how has it worked for you?

[ A ]

Well at first I was sceptical myself but then I thought, "What do I have to lose?" I never believed in a million years what I was about to learn. When I went to my Acupuncturist I sat down in her office and she began to find out what the root of my problem was.

You see that's the beauty of it. You don't just walk in like you would with your regular doctor and have just one or two minutes to spend there because he or she has 20 other patients sitting in the waiting room, waiting to basically get the same type of treatment: prescription drugs! Which never solve the problem, they just treat the symptom. I'll get back to that in a bit.

She sat down with me and we had a casual and then deep conversation prior to the treatment. She wanted to know about my life, my diet, my fears, and my parents. Remember, the key to fighting any illness,

injury

or disease is to find out what caused it in the first place so you can make the necessary changes in your life to fix it and prevent it from happening again. Like I always say, "Knowledge is your best friend!"

Faith

[ Q ] What are your goals as an acupuncturist?

[ A ]

I will spend quality time with my patients according to their conditions. I prefer to talk to them the first time. It is a binding connection between the doctor and patient. I had sworn to my ancestors to be a great doctor, regardless of the majority of medicine methods. My mission is to save as many as I can reach, help as many as I am capable.

Tony

[ Q ] What are the main benefits to getting Acupuncture in your experience? And why did you need it?

[ A ]

I was having difficulty

sleeping

and I was finding it very hard to relax. I was really a mess. I asked my wife Tina for help and she found me an acupuncturist. Tina called her (the acupuncturist) on the phone and told her what I was going through and she said she could help.

At that time I wasn't sure of what results I would experience but right after treatment I felt like a weight was lifted off my shoulders. I didn't realize I was out of balance physically. I never knew that looking at your tongue and examining your pulse in Traditional Chinese Medicine - also known as TCM - tells the whole story of what's going on with your internal organs and blood circulation. It's unbelievable.

I was experiencing organ deficiency and my bodily systems were failing as a result - this all stemmed from insomnia. I was little upset to tell her that I always had cold hands. "Cold hands warm heart", the expression she used on me, made me smile. A little cheer up can always enhance the therapy, but the cold hands did not represent the root cause of my problem.

The reality was I was suffering from internal dampness, which caused some of the internal organs to be deficient, and developed some symptoms, such as worrying and depression. I was very curious as to how those amazing needles would do their job.

The treatment was beneficial in treating the imbalance in my body. I have been for three treatments so far; I didn't go for as many as I was supposed to, which was twice a week for the first couple of weeks and then once a week until symptoms were resolved 70% to 100%. However, I felt a huge change just from the first visit alone.

Although the needles are very thin - almost like hair - they are very powerful and you can really feel blood flow throughout your entire body as the body is trying to repair itself. It's so strong that when you're done and you go home, you have to lie down for a little while because it really relaxes the whole body.

Like I always say: "balance is the key." We must all maintain proper balance in our minds as well as our bodies. It's very easy to become out of balance or out of harmony from worry, stress, poor diet, and lack of exercise, negative thinking and so on. Acupuncture can help make you feel and become a more balanced person.

Faith

[ Q ] What was your assessment of Tony's condition and what are your thoughts regarding him as a patient?

[ A ]

When I met Tony and Tina, I was immediately moved by the two lovebirds - how much they connected and they are a great couple and absolutely beautiful people inside and out. I wanted help them whole-heartedly.

Before they came in - when Tina spoke to me about her husband - I could connect with Tony's condition. And as soon as Tony and Tina came to my office, we were able to open up Tony (to get him to talk), who is perfect and has strong will power. They are very elegant, natural and wonderful human beings. I am very proud of Tony's being very independent and the fact he is a huge-hearted man.

I did mention cold hands warm heart at that time, but it was not related to his cold limbs including hands and feet. Actually cold limbs usually explain a kidney deficiency. As Tony had those symptoms his whole life, it could be genetic.

After two visits, these particular conditions improved a lot. It is possible that after a patient receives Acupuncture treatment, their genetic deficiency can be adjusted and relieved. It also depends how the patient responds to the needle treatment.

I wasn't going to give him a lecture while his body was weak and he was getting an Acupuncture treatment for the first time in his life. Overall, Tony was experiencing a bunch of complex syndromes at that time.

After reviewing my notes, I treated him systemically and that was why he had a "magic" result after the first treatment. I was surprised to have fixed him in one shot. I thought it might take more visits to see tremendous results.

On average, in clinics, patients may get much better after the first visit, but may also need a couple more visits to fix the problem more thoroughly. I know I can usually 'create' magic for most first time Acupuncture receivers. But as we figured out, Tony is exceptional as a quick learner and quick receiver, when it is right for him. I can write a whole case report on Tony, but as a professional, I suggest we give less information to make it easy for people to read and understand more what was going on with Tony.

Tony experienced a positive result from his Acupuncture and he highly recommends this ancient oriental medicine. It is such a treasure and antique medicine had been passed along well and benefited many, many people.

I did say it is alleviation towards insomnia. And the key is it has very few side effects. Tony's expression was: "What do I have to lose?" For Tony's situation, he is a top bodybuilder. There is plus and minus in the real world. His condition will be different from average people. He has a dream body that everybody wants to have. But the reality is, it is not easy to maintain that.

[ Q ] You just mentioned that a successful treatment could depend on how a patient responds to the needles. Can you explain this further?

[ A ]

While receiving the Acupuncture needle treatment, the patient may experience some numbness, heaviness, and tingling or dull sensations. Sometimes people have a sense of energy spreading and moving around the needle and inside of the body. This is called the "De Qi" Meaning "Qi sensation".

These reactions are positive responses towards the needles and shows that the treatment is effective. Some of the patients may feel more active or some may feel very relaxed and sleepy. Those are good signs that the needles have successfully activated the Qi and blood flow in the body and reinstalled the energy to achieve well being.

[ Q ] What are your goals as an acupuncturist?

[ A ]

My short-term

goal

as an Acupuncturist is to treat many patients and ailments to help more human beings achieve balance of their body, mind and spirit. I have been a herbal specialist in

diabetes

for almost 10 years and practiced as an acupuncturist to treat pain management and fertility patients mainly and handle some difficult diseases, such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, Night Walking etc, for about six years.

When I started to help patients and built up the reputation, patients just came for all kinds of ailments. Only thing I can say: Acupuncture works.

For my long-term goal as an acupuncturist, I will work on becoming the bridge (ambassador) between eastern and western medicine in the form of creating a future holistic medical spa. There will be a better integrative (alternative) medicine modality joining the current modern medicine family.

[ Q ] Why did you choose to become an acupuncturist?

[ A ]

I was following my ancestor's footsteps. When I was about nine years old my father took me on a trip to visit my great grandmother who lived in the suburbs. I was told by her that my great grandfather was a hero as an Oriental doctor (who did Acupuncture and prescribed

herbs

), and that he was captured by the enemy when saving our volunteer soldiers. She was very kind, wise and peaceful person. She kept telling me: "Your great grand father, Doctor Mao, used to tell me, when our kids and offspring grow up, we will build school."

Ying (means Cherry in English, my Chinese name - she used to call me by my first name), when you grow up, we will build a school and give kids education: perhaps she meant teaching Chinese Medicine. She was in deep memory of my great grandfather. She would smile at me holding my hands until I nodded my head.

Before I became an acupuncturist, I worked as an herbal consultant for an herbal firm in Manhattan. I was inspired by the patients who got great results from this ancient medicine. When I was licensed and started to put the needles on the patients, staff, friends, helping them with any kind of complaints, people started calling me magical worker.

I was thrilled by the results. In order to improve my skills, I did needling on myself to feel and experience the result. Once, when I visited my dentist, I inserted (a needle) in LI4 (Large Intestine 4, which is a common point for toothache).

After five minutes the heat from inside of my mouth, which extended to my head was relived and sent down to the large intestine. I could hear my own gut making noises.

From that moment, I committed myself as an acupuncturist. I have a wholehearted passion for Acupuncture. I love what I am doing. I love it that I can do the things that I am in love with.

Tony

[ Q ] Can you tell me, Tony, a little about your acupuncturist, Faith? Exactly what impact did that first session, Faith described, have on you?

[ A ]

Faith Mao, who has a practice in Forest Hills, New York, is not only my acupuncturist, I'm happy to call her a friend. When I finished my first treatment I remember having a huge smile on my face and I was completely relaxed! I also remember eating a sandwich afterwards and saying, "Wow, I can taste everything now!"

Then I remembered during treatment she said she was also going to clear up my sinus congestion. That's when I realized that it was Acupuncture that enabled me smell and taste my food better. I never realized what I'd been missing; I was blown away.

[ Q ] Acupuncture's benefits have been questioned based on modern scientific thinking and it is even thought that there is no generally accepted anatomical basis for the existence of Acupuncture points. But many people, like you, report positive outcomes. How would you explain Acupunctures apparent effectiveness?

[ A ]

Well yes I have to say the power of the mind is the most powerful tool we have. Those of you who have read our past articles like "

Feel The Fear

", and "

Confidence

" just to name a few, know what I'm talking about when I mention the power of positive thinking.

However, the bottom line was when I tasted that sandwich: I was amazed at how much flavor it had. It was a Subway sandwich and at that time I was eating them almost every day, off season of course, and I totally forgot about what she said regarding the sinus treatment and then soon after I figured it out: it was the Acupuncture treatment.

There is also evidence that it helps animals. So if it were just mental then how would it help animals with problems? They wouldn't even know if they received Acupuncture and of what it does. So I believe there is truth behind it 100%!

Faith

[ Q ] Why should Acupuncture be received with greater enthusiasm from the medical community?

[ A ]

Tony was so right. The truth is, Acupuncture is accepted more and more nowadays as experienced science. Actually like most authorities the American Health Organization has set up lots of research on Acupuncture, and can be referenced at

www.nih.com

. There are also lots references about numerous symptoms and diseases that can be treated by Acupuncture as accepted by World Health Organization as referenced at

www.who.org

.

"One of the benefits to introducing Acupuncture into the medical community is that it can lower the medical cost overall and allow patients better quality of health care. Patients can have wide range solutions from Acupuncture treatment, which can complement the existing medical community according to the medical necessity. Including the Acupuncture therapy, it will eventually fulfil the holistic care towards one-on-one patient treatment. The combination of eastern and medicine will lead to a future homeostasis of the patient and medical community as well". (World Health Organization, 2007)

Tony

[ Q ] What are some other effective uses for Acupuncture? What other conditions can it best treat to your knowledge?

[ A ]

I think it's great for just about anything because its main purpose is to develop a balance in Chi, which in Chinese terms means energy. Have you ever seen the symbol yin and yang? The yin is negative energy, and the yang is positive energy. Both need to be balanced just like in the universe.

We are one within the universe, and the universe is one within us. Acupuncture is a great way to get back in balance. It helps sports injuries, trauma, internal illness and, of course, with bodybuilding success!

Do you remember in Pumping Iron behind the scenes when

Arnold

was lying down and receiving Acupuncture and he said, "What does this mean?" and the acupuncturist said, "We are stimulating the muscles?" So it's great for just about any problem or

goal

you might have.

[ Q ] What bodybuilding benefits does Acupuncture give you?

[ A ]

I think it's a plus for me because it helps with my

recovery

and acceleration. I can also stimulate new muscle growth from it just from balancing out my Chi.

I've noticed I have more power in my lifts and I don't tire as easily. I also sleep much better. I still have a way to go, but I know being one within the universe is crucial for living a balanced well-respected life. Like I always say, "Have peace in your heart and you will have peace in your mind."

Faith

[ Q ] Tony just mentioned that Acupuncture could have some great bodybuilding benefits and the offsetting of muscle pain would be one of them. How would you treat a patient suffering from muscle pain?

[ A ]

Acupuncture is a widely practiced, time-approved, natural, safe, effective, and drug-free way to eliminate pain. Unlike some other methods for dealing with pain, there are no side effects.

For most of the muscle pain cases, we will treat the trigger points (most of which overlap with Acupuncture points) and "Ashi" points locally in the painful muscular region. "Ashi" is a Chinese word meaning "Ah Yes" and when palpating the patient's injured muscle, if there is tenderness, they will say, "Yes".

For some complicated cases we will need to give a complete evaluation of the muscular and skeleton system and internal organs as well to rule out some other uncommon causes or other problems that might be encountered.

Tony

[ Q ] You just mentioned that being one with the universe and karmic relationships as they relate to acupuncture could influence health. Can you expand on this?

[ A ]

Well it's as simple as this: we need the universe to survive. Everything we have comes from the earth, which is part of the universe. We're like little pieces of metal and the universe is like a huge magnet. Everything we think, say, feel, touch goes out into the universe and comes back to us the same way.

This could also be a form of karma, but I feel we don't have to get too scientific about it. It's like if I was to say, "Yeah I could bench 225 lbs for 15 reps", so I can easily do 10 reps, no doubt. Well that's exactly what's going to happen.

You see you're so sure that you can do this because you have done it time and time again. The mind only trusts what it believes. This is why confident people always accomplish their dreams and goals whereas a shy, negative person would not be able to unless they say that they can.

That's the only difference between the ones who make it, and the ones who don't. The people that make it see themselves making it, and the people who have doubt don't because they subconsciously told the universe it wasn't possible so the universe responded, "Okay, then you can't."

The universe is abundant and it goes on and on. Anything you might ever need or want comes from the simple wish of you just knowing it's going to happen. Just like I'm sure you know the sun will come up tomorrow. Live your life with the same confidence and attitude. Then, and only then you will see miracles happen.

Faith

[ Q ] Tony talks about the importance of developing a balance in chi and of the influence the concepts of yin and yang have on our well being. Can you tell me how these Chinese concepts underpin your approach to treatment?

[ A ]

We will need to go back thousands of years. The Traditional Chinese Medicine's basic theory was recorded in the book of Nei Ching, which includes Ling Shu and Su Wen.

The main contents the book covered was the Yin-Yang, 5- Elements (Fire, Earth, Metal, Water, and wood), Zang Fu syndromes (Zang: means Solid organ, according to ancient Chinese, such as Lungs, Spleen, Heart, Kidney, Pericardium, and Liver; Fu: means hollow organ, such as Large Intestine, Stomach, Small intestine, Urinary Bladder, Triple Burner and Gall Bladder), Jing Luo, (Jing means Channel Or Meridian; Juo means collateral), Jing Shen (Jing means essence; Shen means Spirit or Mind) and Qi and Blood theory.

It macro-principled the human body's physiology, pathology, diagnosis methods and prevention by treating body as a whole. That was the fundamental theory of the four later diagnosis methods and eight principle differentiations (including Yin-Yang, exterior-interior, excess-deficient, and hot-cold), which is the basis and time-proven medical treasure that enables a legitimate acupuncturist to help the patient regain their independence, security and peace of mind.

[ Q ] What major ailments does Acupuncture treat?

[ A ]

This is a broad question. A partial list of conditions for which, according to the World Health Organization, Acupuncture is suitable is, as quoted:

Muscular & Nervous System Disorders

• Migraine headaches
• Regular headaches
• Certain facial paralysis or nerve pain
• Inflammation of joints and nerve endings
• Frozen shoulder
• Sciatica
• Tennis elbow
• Bed wetting
• Low back pain
• Arthritis
• Osteoarthritis
• Sprains
• Strains

Disorders Of The Ear, Nose & Throat

• Toothaches
• Pain after having a tooth pulled
• Earaches
• Sinus inflammation
• Nasal inflammation
• Dryness

Respiratory Disorders

• Uncomplicated cases of bronchial asthma in children or adults

Gastrointestinal Disorders

• Digestive tract problems
• Hiccups
• Inflammation of the stomach
• Chronic duodenal ulcers
• Inflammation of the colon
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Heartburn
• Acid reflux

Gynaecological Disorders

• Pre-menstrual syndrome
• Headaches
• Abdominal cramps
• Irritability
• Food cravings
• Menopausal symptoms
• Irregular menstrual flow

Sourced from the World Health Organization

Also acupuncture has been used in China for centuries to treat many other kinds of problems, such as depression, weight loss, and smoking cessation.

I can say Acupuncture can be used as a treatment for many ailments, such as acute lumbar sprain or chronic cancer care. However certain procedures have to be done in the ER room, such as acute life threatening diseases.

For the purpose it was originally invented, and is now widely accepted, the main benefits of Acupuncture, should be pain management, which includes muscle pain, headache, stomach-ache, toothache, dental pain, low back pain, joint pain, sciatica, shoulder pain, elbow pain, wrist pain etc.

It is evidenced that after inserting the needles into certain points on the body, there will be a release of opioids - natural morphine-like substances - into the central nervous system.

Tony

[ Q ] Can you please describe in detail one of your Acupuncture sessions?

[ A ]

I'll walk in and sit down. Faith will then sit down with me and ask me how I've been feeling mentally and physically. She will then begin to enlighten me with positive vibes.

We will then go into the room where the Acupuncture will take place. She will then examine my tongue and pulse to evaluate what is going on with me so she can proceed with the Acupuncture according to my condition.

As I said before, I have a slight dampness and cold in my body, so on days when its cold and damp outside my condition gets worse. This is something I never realized until now. I always wondered why my hands and feet were always cold especially in the morning hours.

My tongue at this time would also be very pale but as the day goes on, my body heat begins to rise and my circulation picks up. My tongue isn't as pale and my hands and feet warm up. As I receive treatment, I have the needles in my body for 15 minutes. Faith will then come into the room and remove the needles. Then I will turn over, and she will place the final needles throughout my back and behind my legs.

When I'm done she will ask me how I feel. I usually feel extremely relaxed and I am very happy with the positive energy flow I have just received.

[ Q ] You strike me as the kind of guy who is open minded to alternative therapies and treatments. What are your thoughts on the Western medical model for treating illness, Tony?

[ A ]

I'm not a fan of Western medicine; physicians only interests in my opinion are keeping you sick, but alive, so you keep coming back to fill their waiting area, and their wallets They're not interested in solving the problem, only the symptoms. I went to the doctor about my insomnia. He then prescribed me a sleeping pill and even an anti-anxiety pill. Yeah, I have to admit they work, but they are addicting, not to mention toxic to the body and mind.

You know there's a law against dealing drugs in this country, but the doctors are the biggest drug dealers in the world with the drug companies becoming richer and richer each year. They even advertise drugs on TV. It's getting way out of hand. Remember, nothing good ever came out of taking drugs. Read my drug debate article and you'll understand why.

[ Q ] Why should people explore alternative treatment methods?

[ A ]

I don't know much about treatment methods, but as far as I'm concerned life is energy. Everything and anything we do, say, touch, read, feel, think, hear, eat is energy. I know for a fact that positive thinkers meet more positive thinkers and the same goes for negative people: the more negative you are the more negativity you will attract.

Life is like one big magnet; we get what we put out. I have a mission in life and that mission is to fuel the hearts of millions with the understanding of the truth of the universe and how we can all better ourselves through love and care for, not only ourselves, but for others as well.

We all have a sixth sense, some of us are in touch with it, and some of us don't trust it. Learn to trust your instincts again; they were given to you from God who, above all, is in charge of it all.

[ Q ] What are you final words on Acupuncture as a treatment for illness?

[ A ]

All I have to say is to anyone who is reading this article right now, if you suffer from headaches, backache, stomach problems, poor digestive, bloat, cramps, bad skin and so on, go and do yourself a favor and find an licensed acupuncturist near you. The list of problems that Acupuncture treats is unbelievable. Just think about it. What do you have to lose?

To contact Faith Mao, visit:
www.cherrywellness.com

Or email Faith to determine whether Acupuncture is for you:
cherrywellness@hotmail.com

Reference

1. World Health Organization [online] http://www.who.int/en/