healing medicine or clinic? help :(

[bunny87]

Hey all,

I have no idea where to start in this search of mine. The short story is that my dad has several health problems, but now the medicines aren't as effective. The biggest problem would be his breathing. I know the first thought may be that Chinese air is smog, so this isn't the place, but hear me out.

Western medicine isn't working. I honestly and truly believe that he needs to try something else. It doesn't have to be medicine he eats, it could be dietary. That's fine too. I don't know who to ask or where to look to find what options my dad might have out here. Honestly, all that comes to mind is some kind of clinic on top of a mountain with clean air, where he has to exercise (america makes people fat. being retired and having no reason to leave the house really made it worse), particularly where he has an attendant or something to help him walk, has activities for him to participate in (i see tons of old people doing slow motion kung fu on the streets, that's perfect for my dad). and the food is healthy, fresh stuff. he can go vegetarian if that's what they think is best.

I really don't know what to say. i just need to know where to go to find an alternative. it's just too difficult to watch medicines fail.... if you have any suggestions, they are all very welcome, you don't have to have been there yourself, but maybe you know of a place, or a website that can refer me to the right place. i feel like i can't find what i need because such a place would probably be on a Chinese website and i'm not at a level to understand the Chinese internet, nevertheless so in depth... i'd be more than willing to hire a translator for help, but i'd need something for them to translate first...

help.

thanks in advance.

[jbradfor]

You didn't say where your father is. Your location still says Florida, but you seem to imply your father is in China. Anyway....

Three thoughts.

First, there are limits to our knowledge of medicine. As painful as it may to accept now, sometimes people are sick and there is nothing we can do to fix it.

Second, you say you've tried Western medicine, but of what quality? Remember, half of all doctors graduated in the bottom half of their class! If you haven't already, and if you can afford it, try to find some real experts in the areas your father had problems. My grandfather was having some breathing issues (among others), and his local doctor did nothing that helped. It wasn't until he saw an expert (at the Mayo Clinic) did he get the right help.

Second, part two: if you are in China, and been seeing Western doctors in China, then IMHO the above paragraph goes triple, and I would find a hospital in America or Europe.

Third, there has recently been an increased interest in "alternative" medicine in mainstream American medicine. For example The Center for Integrative Medicine at UM-Baltimore is dedicated to this, and many other major medical centers has a similar department.

[rezaf]

Where does he live and what are his health problems exactly? It would help if you could briefly describe his case history。

[bunny87]

thank you both!

[amandagmu]

Santa Cruz, California has lots of these type of healthy retreats. People like John Robbins (author of the Food Revolution, related to Robbins of Baskin & Robbins-read his bio) and numerous other similar type of alternative medicine / diet people live out there. I lived in Santa Cruz for 3.5 years and can also personally vouch that it is easy to maintain a healthy, active, calm lifestyle with fresh air (redwood forests and the lovely coast, with 300+ days of sunshine) in that environment. In my case, it's the place where I became a vegetarian, although certainly not everyone does that; I'd been thinking about doing it for years due to my own health issues and it was easy to do living in such a place. The stores sell fresh and local produce, farmers' markets are popular, people ride their bikes as transportation, massage, taiqi, akido (sp?), hiking, biking, yoga (all types), and Chinese medicine are all very popular as well... it's where I became a hardcore trail runner. =)

[jbradfor]

Bunny87, based on your PM (which I won't post here, obviously), I don't think TCM will help your father. As I understand it, TCM, while doing so in a different way than Western medicine and based on different theories, still by-and-large treats specific symptoms. Assuming you are correct, it sounds to me that a wellness center would be more appropriate. The types of places amandagmu mentions is one idea, you also might want to read this article on more "hospital" oriented alternative medicine.

[rezaf]

As I understand it, TCM, while doing so in a different way than Western medicine and based on different theories, still by-and-large treats specific symptoms.

Actually connecting the symptoms that you think are unrelated and seeing the body as a whole is TCM's strongpoint and it can help a lot in situations like this but my concern is that finding a good doctor would not be that easy for her.

[bunny87]

After all the reading that I have done and whatever information... My resolution is this. TCM/alternative medicine may not be perfect, but western medicine isn't (yet) either:

While some may call alternative medicine a hoax, it does a very good job of convincing people. The convincing may be enough to make a person change their lifestyle for the better- exercise, healthy diet, quit smoking, etc. They may not use the words obesity, lung cancer, heart disease or high cholesterol, but something else- bad karma, negative energy... some really care about the correct terminology or statistics. i don't. i just need the convincing to work. i don't care if they emphasize all that good stuff and he actually does change his lifestyle, but attribute the positive results to acupuncture.

Or for another explanation- do you buy a lottery ticket because of the logical and statistical chance you'll win, or more so because of hope/lucky numbers? are those numbers really lucky? haha.

but thank you rezaf, amandagmu, and jbradfor. your help, suggestions, and caring means alot to me!

[rezaf]

You might find some good TCM doctors in China but I'm afraid they don't really do the shrink part here as Chinese people who go to TCM hospitals don't really need to get convinced about TCM and some of them who have chronic problems have probably read lots of things about their conditions and even have changed their lifestyles ages ago. In that case I think you might find better choices back in America.

[crazy-meiguoren]

I don't know what the total picture is with your father's health and overall condition. All medicines, Western and otherwise, are limited by the effort that the patient puts into his or her own wellness. If a heart patient continues to eat unhealthy food, the next stent will eventually be inserted. If an obese patient fails to exercise and eat moderately, a number of risks await the patient. I could see my chiropractor each day for adjustments, but if I don't exercise and lose my gut, I will continue to be plagued with lower back pain.

Has your father been tested for allergies? If he is having trouble breathing, there could be allergens triggering asthma. Things like pets, pollen, and other things could cause breathing problems. If he smokes, that will also get in the way of his wellness. Bitter cold winter temperatures will get me reaching for an inhaler, especially if I've been outside for an extended period of time.

Good luck, bunny87. I hope your father will soon recover.