Our Distinction

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Our Distinction

At HealthPoint, our approach to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is grounded as much as possible on the historical and current Chinese written record of academic research and clinical practice within TCM.

Our emphasis is on theories and clinical practices that are a verifiable part of Chinese medicine as thought about, discussed and practiced in China. These can be referenced in the Chinese medical literature that has undergone scholarly analysis and scrutiny.

We practice according to what can be found in the written historical Chinese medical record, either in the Chinese language or in accurate translations, traceable to China, the birthplace of Chinese medicine and the region of the deepest and broadest study and application of this system of medicine over 2 millennia. It reflects the 2,500 year evolution of the thought and clinical experience of the founders of this medicine. In this regard, we attempt to always practice what is historically verifiable, accurate and authentic.

Correct translational terminology recognizes that the treatment principles and treatment plans in the Chinese primary source texts of TCM use precise technical terminology that dictates the clinical guidelines, best practices, and constraints of good clinical practice pertinent to each pattern of disharmony (i.e., each TCM diagnosis). This is something about which many contemporary practitioners of TCM are unaware or fail to appreciate or emphasize but which we consider extremely important. The long, recorded medical record of TCM represents a corollary of evidence. It is reasonable that claims regarding the approaches, risks, side-effects, and or efficacy of TCM care should be based on evidence. The pre-modern or contemporary Chinese medical literature represents one such form of evidence.

For example, some of the “classical” TCM herbal formulas used at HealthPoint are documented as having been in continuous use for close to 1,800 years. As a result, there is a huge amount of clinical experience recorded in the Chinese medical literature backing up their safety and efficacy. On the other hand, the use of vitamins, minerals, and other nutritional supplements are not referenced within the TCM literature and therefore is not evidence–based in that context. The concept of nutrition (i.e., the science of the specific molecular constituents or nutrients in foods) was not available 2,500 years ago. That is not to say we do not encourage our patients to adhere to a sound diet and even, in some cases, consider supplementation. Instead, HealthPoint practitioners make dietary suggestions on the basis of TCM dietary theory which is referenced in the Chinese medical literature historical record (e.g., the Pi Wi Lun; Treatise on the Spleen & Stomach) together with the clinical application of which provides long-term empirical evidence of the efficacy of that approach.

In the same way, we do not emphasize any particular religious, spiritual, or mystical theories, claims, or approaches that are absent in the extant historical written record of TCM, nor will you hear us discuss chakras, crystals, sound, or light therapy in the context of TCM. It is not that these characteristics or approaches are necessarily unimportant, useless, or harmful. It is just that they do not appear in the Chinese written record of TCM as determinants of diagnosis, treatment principles, treatment plans or protocols.

Finally, we avoid knowingly making bogus health claims about traditional Chinese medicine. We progress from pattern diagnosis to treatment plan on the basis of clearly delineated treatment principles that are the standard of care for this medicine in China. We thereby seek to develop a specific treatment plan for you based on a long, documented, track record of success. Because we work to diagnose and treat pain, illness, and disease according to the principles of traditional Chinese medicine, you can expect that we will provide care that evidence suggests is efficacious, has a very low likelihood of causing harm, and a good likelihood of helping you.