John Amaro, LAc, DC, Dipl. Ac.(NCCAOM), Dipl.Med.Ac.(IAMA)
By special invitation from the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Beijing, China), the International Academy of Clinical Acupuncture was asked to arrange a delegation of chiropractic physicians to tour the clinics, hospitals, research institutes, and universities to help promote the traditional health care exchange between China and the United States.
Our delegation of chiropractors was overwhelmed as we toured the Shanghai Research institute where serious research into He Ne laser, TuiNa and QiGong are carried out on a daily basis. My very good friends Chung Shee Hou, Dr. Ji Yi Xiou, and Professor Chen Han Ping (department heads of administration, clinical sciences and research respectively) personally conducted the tour.
One of the highlights of the delegation was the experience of donning a surgical cap and gown to witness an appendectomy under acupuncture analgesia. This gave us a real appreciation of the extent the Chinese have developed their "non-drug" modes of care.
Most of us were probably as impressed, if not more so, when our delegation arrived at the prestigious Shanghai Medical University and were met by Professor Fang You An (chief of staff), Professor Chen Yemeng (head of research), and Professor Li Sheng Chang (head of the Department of Clinical Neurophysiology-Institute of Neurology). We were made to feel exceptionally special as three of the most notable physician/professors in China stood by a specially prepared sign welcoming the "American Delegation" to the university.
What followed was an experience in itself, as Professor Chang lectured on pertinent neurophysiology and its relation to chiropractic (which was the first time I had ever heard the word "chiropractic" used in China). This was truly a "ground breaking" event.
Besides the observations of TuiNa (soft and hard tissue manipulation) acupuncture with a variety of invasive and non-invasive modalities, touring the physical therapy, herbal pharmacies, and clinical departments of both the Shanghai Research Institute and the Shanghai Medical University, one of the most thrilling experiences still awaited us in Beijing. Arriving in Beijing, we visited the world famous Beijing Obstetric and Gynecology Hospital where each year sees over 250,000 outpatients, 9,000 inpatients, and more than 7,000 babies delivered.
Waiting for our delegation to arrive were directors Dr. Wu Lian Fang, and Dr. Huang Shing Hwah who promptly gowned us in the appropriate cap, gown and footwear, and escorted us to the operating arena where we were fortunate to experience a caesarean section under acupuncture analgesia. By this time the 66 delegates as well as myself were enthralled, overwhelmed, and visibly moved by what we had just experienced.
The opportunity to meet and exchange knowledge and ideas with the Chinese health care practitioners was a true honor. It doesn't require any special training, just a sincere desire on the part of any DC to share the power of chiropractic with the rest of the world. This is an experience that every chiropractor in the world should take advantage of.
John A. Amaro, D.C., F.I.A.C.A., Dipl.Ac.
P.O. Box 1003
Carefree, Arizona 85377
U.S.A.
