Host: Why are needles used in acupuncture and how do you approach a patient who is afraid of needles?

Dr. Philip: To understand why needles are used, we have to go through a bit of history. In ancient times, people would find tender
points when massaging. There were some areas that relieves pain such as migraine when subjected to pressure. Later on, people
discovered that by putting an implement, it’s easier for the practitioner. Instead of applying pressure, they would use an implement.
Ancient records have shown that people used polished and clean fish bones to press these points. Maybe, at some point one
punctured the skin and they found out that instead of just pressing the implement, you can puncture it and leave it in. Puncturing
with the use of needles gives an effect that is similaYellow- used part
Blue – added
Green – changed placement
Red – removed/not used
r to pressing down with less effort. That’s what the needles do.

Host: And Doc, were there also instances that acupuncture was not enough to treat the patient? And what will the next procedure
be if it were the case?

Dr. Philip: Definitely, Acupuncture is good for pain stemming from muscle spasms but it is not really helpful if the pain is from
the joint degeneration. It may only be slightly effective. Acupuncture can be used to treat the pain but it will return shortly after
since the source of pain is consistent. This is where Western medicine is more effective. There are some cases wherein acupuncture
alone is not enough. In Chinese medicine, one way to look at diseases is that it is a deficiency or an excess of something such as
inflammation. Acupuncture is good for that but in internal cases, herbs are better than acupuncture.

Host: It is very interesting to see how acupuncture helps in treating patients, with this in mind, are there any techniques you use in
treating your patients? How did you learn this technique, Sir? Do you use or have references for these techniques?

Dr. Philip: When it comes to techniques, acupuncture is not just about putting the needle in. It involves many manual techniques.
Many first time patients ask me why I do not prefer needles with electric current. This is because I was used to doing manual
manipulation of the needles in China and I could go on for hours with different techniques in inserting the needle. For references,
these are traditional techniques that can be found in various textbooks. It is indicated inside which points to use first and which
points follow afterwards. Some techniques are ultimately traceable in ancient books such as Yellow Emperor’s Classic Medicine or
Huang Di Nei Jing. Sometimes I choose points based on modern science like in a Parkinson's patient, I would use gall bladder 34
(GB 34). Why? Because Korean studies have shown that stimulating this point increases the dopamine secretion of the brain,
which is what we need for a Parkinson's patient. Sometimes, I come up with my own method like I have my own technique for
Bell's Palsy which I modified from a book.

Host: And also Doc, how do we ensure that the procedure is safe? Were there precautionary measures that must be observed?

Dr. Philip: We make sure that the practitioner is trained with the clean needle technique. In the States, there is an actual course for
acupuncture which is called clean needle technique. This entails how to maintain sterility and cleanliness which is important
because the skin is penetrated and acupuncture is an invasive procedure. In China, we were taught a specific method on how to
swab with betadine because rubbing alcohol was not preferred. Also, a well-trained acupuncturist knows the angle and how deep a
needle should go in each point. This is why adequate training is important. You can’t just take a needle and place it in people
recklessly. 

Host: Doc, we would also like to know if the procedure for treating children is similar to the procedure for treating an adult?

Dr. Philip: According to Chinese medicine theory, the best way to treat children is to fix their diet. Acupuncture is just secondary
or tertiary to fixing their diet. Children can have acupuncture when they can be told to stay still. However, this is not true to
everyone. I also prefer using points in the head or back so that they would not be able to see it and get scared. 
Host: When you can say that it’s better to visit an Acupuncturist before taking medications?

Dr. Philip: In all sincerity, you can visit an acupuncturist if you are experiencing muscle pain, especially if the medicines are not
working. When a person is suffering from acute pain or muscle pain, it might be better to come to an acupuncturist before taking
medicines.

Host: Dr. Tan-Gatue, is there anything you wish to clarify before we finish this interview?

Dr. Philip: Firstly, I would like to say that Acupuncture is part of the Traditional Chinese Medicine, and a lot of people try to look
Acupuncture from a different paradigm, it’s useful but you don’t unleash its full potential, unless you look at it at the paradigm that
help shape it. Second, it is not a cure at all. I would like to emphasize this quote from Sun Simao. He said that “To effect a cure,
ultimately you have to change the diet and lifestyle. Acupuncture and herbs are just there to speed up the process”.

With the advancement of technology today, there are some apps, or similar applications that provide compiled
recordings where individuals can listen to. With that being said, what do you think is the advantage of sound bath
therapy compared to these applications.