FAQ’s

Chinese medicine is often described as an energetic medicine, what does that mean?

Energy is the invisible matter that connects mind and body. Chinese medicine is a mind-body medicine in the sense that what exists internally affects what manifests externally. When dealing with a specific health problem, research in mind-body medicine says the work a person does to transform his experience of the illness may also have an effect on the course of the disease.

The current trend in medicine is inter-disciplinary medicine, using a host of therapies in combination to formulate an individualized treatment plan. What is your take on that?

Combination therapy is the wave of the future. In essence, it is combining the best of all medical systems. This is being borne out by the rise of integrative medical clinics within hospital settings, as evidenced by the Institute of Health & Healing at Marin General.

I’ve heard that Chinese medicine is beneficial in battling cancer. Please elaborate.

Because chemotherapy is the only known systematically curative treatment for cancer, this is a must for your treatment plan. However, because of the toxic nature of the drugs used in chemotherapy, it is prudent to use acupuncture and Chinese herbs concurrently to help reduce the negative side effects of the drugs. The benefits include immune enhancement, energy improvement, increase appetite, control nausea, prevent constipation, sleep improvement, and minimize loss of hair.

With regards to alternative medicine, I hear the term “ healing “ quite often. What does “ healing “ mean?

To me, healing takes on as many meanings as there are individuals. There is no universal meaning of healing. But I do draw a distinction between curing and healing. Curing a disease is from without. Healing an illness is from within. As Michael Lerner stated in his book “ Choices in Healing “: Healing comes from within ourselves. It is the process by which we become whole again. Healing can take place both in living and dying. In many instances, a person may or may not change the course of the disease but certainly he can alter his human experience of the illness.

What is the connection between wholeness and being healthy?

Holistic medicine tells us that a person’s health is dependent on his ability to restore wholeness in his life. Inevitably, certain events in life cause pain in our lives. This creates a wound. How one deals with the wound is critical in determining the health of the individual. If he decides to get tightly wrapped to protect the wound, he will be hardened and thus cut off from the authentic self. On the other hand, if he decides to dig into the wound to clean it out, the suffering that he will experience softens him, eventually freeing him of the pain triggered by the initial event. In Chinese medicine, acupuncture has a unique way of facilitating the “ release “ sought by those who are suffering. By restoring the energetic balance in the body and the mind, it helps to soften the hardening accumulated in a lifetime.

I understand that there are stylistic differences amongst Chinese medicine practitioners, where are you in that continuum?

I characterize myself as a pragmatic traditionalist. I am a staunch believer in the power and usage of Chinese herbs. I prescribe an individualized herbal formula for each patient and ask him/her to make a brew twice a day at home. This is the most effective way I know when trying to help my patients. This is the way it has been done in China for thousands of years. That said, if this is simply impractical for my patient, I will compromise and prescribe Chinese herbs in pill, powder, or tincture form. In addition, I use nutra-ceuticals in my practice as well. I am firm but not dogmatic.

Chris’ warmth, knowledge, and sincerity helped me alleviate all unnecessary stressors in my life. He has the ability to help me see my problems from a new perspective.

Female patient, Mill Valley