Reflections from my time studying in China
In the last semester of my degree of Chinese Medicine I went to China for 4 months and undertook a clinical internship at the Jiangsu Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese medicine in Nanjing. Recently, I have been reflecting on my time abroad and how it has influenced my clinical practice. I wanted to share the three key things I feel has stayed with me since my time studying in China.
The value of integrated healthcare:
All of the doctors I observed in the hospital had been trained in both Western Medicine and Chinese Medicine, and they would frequently prescribe both forms of medicine in the one consultation. The Chinese Medicine was integrated into the main healthcare system, and patients who had been admitted to the hospital were receiving acupuncture and herbal medicine while they were on the ward. The Chinese Medicine treatment was used to assist preparation and recovery before and after for surgery, manage pain, prevent post-surgical infections and promote general health and wellbeing. While some studies in Australia have demonstrated the potential for acupuncture to assist with pain management in the emergency ward and acupuncturists are present in many IVF clinics, there is scarce integration of acupuncture in the mainstream healthcare system as of yet. While I was in China it struck me as a real potential for Chinese Medicine to assists with natural pain relief and symptom management in hospitals to provide holistic care to patients. It also gave me an appreciation of the role I can play as a health practitioner within the wider healthcare context.
Focus on illness prevention rather than a cure:
Due to the integration of Chinese Medicine within the main healthcare system, the hospital had a great focus on illness prevention. Instead of waiting to come to the hospital when they are sick, many people came to the hospital for illness prevention programs. One example of this that I saw was the application of herbal patches to acupuncture points at the height of summer. The goal of this program was to prevent illnesses from exposure to cold in the winter time, by fortifying the immune system in the summer when it is under the least amount of strain. Illness prevention is a key pillar of Chinese Medicine, believing that it is better to prevent an illness than to cure it. This is something that many people I meet are seeking. They want to be involved in their healthcare and they want to know how to live healthier lives. Chinese Medicine is a beautiful system that can guide us to this knowledge and way of life.
Incorporation of Chinese medicine into daily life:
Chinese medicine and Chinese culture are inextricably linked. I learnt so much about this medicine from living in China and spending time with the people who lived there. Chinese medicine principles are incorporated into all aspects of daily life. You can purchase a wide range of herbal medicines in the supermarket and pharmacy. These herbs are also integrated into parts of cooking and cuisine in some regions in China. Additionally, Chinese medicine diet principles are incorporated into the dining culture. For example, after a spicy meal such as Hotpot, restaurants would deliver a tray of watermelon to cool the digestive system and balance the heat. Large meals would often be followed by Chinese medicine snacks incorporating herbs such as Sha Ren that assist digestion and prevent bloating. All water taps in public spaces were warm, not cold, following one of the main principles of avoiding cold drinks and food. As I was there in summer, many people also used herbal medicine in their water bottles such as Jin Yin Hua (honeysuckle flower), which clears heat and is perfect for that time of year. During a heat wave we were all given supplies of herbal medicine cooling sprays and herbs to prevent heat related illness. From these experiences I learnt how to incorporate what I had been learning at university into my everyday life, and it has helped me assist patients in doing the same.
As a doctor of Chinese medicine I think it is incredibly valuable to understand the medicine in it’s cultural context. I hope that you enjoyed my reflections on my time studying Chinese medicine in China.
If the concepts of health preservation and integrative healthcare speak to you, I’d love to work with you! Come and see me in clinic for gentle support for your whole self.
