IF you lived in China, some 2,500 years ago— 500 years earlier than the time of Jesus— if you get sick, your Chinese doctor would have prescribed some herbs, massage, exercise, or pricking some points on your arm or leg or other parts of your body for your healing.
Chinese medicine anchors its method to the tenet that your body has this vital energy called qi, pronounced as chi, which goes through channels leading to your organs. For you to stay healthy, the flow of your qi must be balanced. An imbalance– may be caused by poor diet, addictions, lack of exercise, pollution or even stress– can lead to disease.
Such imbalance may be corrected through the various methods: herbology, or use of herbs; massage or tui na, a hands-on body treatment; exercise or qi gong, coordinated body movement and breathing; and acupuncture, or use of thin needles lightly inserted into various points in the body to correct imbalance of the chi or body energy that causes ailments.
In time, this method of healing had been called “traditional” especially in the advent of “scientific medical breakthroughs” from developed countries in the west. Western medicine prescribes manufactured pills, tablets, or syrups, surgery, or machine-assisted therapies to cure your disease.
Since such procedures are a result of costly research and necessitate buying manufactured medicine, not to mention expensive confinement in hospital, the cost of health care has become prohibitive, even to the well-off.
Thus, people have begun to look for alternative ways to get healed— which has led to the comeback of the old, yet tried and tested healing methods such as the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).
Isn’t It Voodoo?
Even as TCM has proved to be efficacious for a number of ailments, the method did not get accepted overnight for at least three reasons.
First, used to the scientific methods, people— not to mention doctors themselves— frowned upon the traditional method, saying those practising it are quacks or voodoo believers.
Second, some thought TCM might be subversive because it has been the health care system of rebels who have set camp out in the boondocks thus have no access to manufactured western medicines and hospitals.
Third, some Christians have apprehensions that TCM is a form of religion—like TCM doctors may be uttering non-Christian prayers when they are attending to their patients. Or that in time, will you be converted into a non-Christian sect like Buddhism, the predominant religion in China?
TCM School
Apprehensions against TCM is now being addressed mainly by doctors who studied and practice Western medicine but who have also studied, and now practice, both Western medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine. Thus, they are not at all quacks.
Today, there are also former rebels who are continuing to practise TCM even as they have joined the establishment or civil society, if you want to call it that way.
What’s more, even Christians have resorted to TCM as an alternative to the costly Western medicine.
Now, TCM clinics have sprouted in the country to the point that practitioners say it is time to professionalize if not regulate the practice.
To this end, the Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Conception of the Mother of God has put up the Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine (SMIC).
Yes, SMIC is Christian and Catholic. It is a religious congregation that has, as its brochure puts it, “a rich and long tradition of involvement in education throughout the world.”
In the Philippines, the SMIC Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine will provide the first training program that is comprehensive, is fully staffed by a faculty with credentials in TCM, and supported by renowned experts from the United States of America, China, and Taiwan.
Last July 20, SMIC held a seminar in its headquarters at 17 Panay Avenue, Quezon City, to introduce to target students as well as the media two TCM programs.
First is the Comprehensive Acupuncture Training program, a four-semester course which fulfils requirements for becoming a Certified Acupuncturist by the Philippine Institute of Traditional Health Care (PITAHC), starting in September 2016.
Second is the Comprehensive Training Program on Traditional Chinese Medicine, a nine-trimester course which includes a comprehensive acupuncture course and a full course in Chinese herbology, also starting in September 2016.
Highlights
Dr. Eddie Concepcion, who studied and practises both Western and Traditional Chinese Medicine, and now president of SMIC: “The Institute aims to uplift the practice of Chinese medicine as it continues to gain popularity in the country and abroad.”
Dr. Eddie’s wife, Dr. Joy Concepcion, who specializes in pathology, and also practises TCM, begins the seminar with an invocation.
Sr. Irene Chia explains Qi Gong and leads participants to an exercise session.
Sr. Shengrong Liu, TCM practitioner assigned by her congregation to its Philippine mission, explains beginnings and branches of Traditional Chinese Medicine: “TCM is not a religion. It’s life science.”
Dr. Qiming Zheng, doctor of TCM, discusses Chinese pharmacology, or the uses and effects of Chinese medicines.
Sr. Michelle Liu, SMIC faculty member, presents samples of medicinal herbs.
SMIC faculty members with media guests.
For tuition fees, class schedules, and details of SMIC courses, call (02) 374-0000 or 0917-3051405, email smictcmmanila@gmail.com.or check out SMIC Institute of Traditional Medicine Facebook.
— Cynthia U. Santiago Photos by Ed L. Santiago
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