In One of China’s oldest medical texts, (the Huang Di Nei Jing - over 2,000 years old), it states:

“Superior doctors prevent disease.  Mediocre doctors treat the disease before it is evident.  Inferior doctors treat the full-blown disease.”

This oversimplifies it, but helps us think of medicine a little differently. I would not call someone skilled at treating disease an inferior doctor. But I would agree, that if we can prevent illness, that would be the preference.

How do we prevent, and treat disease before it’s evident?

Just as western medicine has blood tests and examinations to determine a disease, in the system of acupuncture, we have ways of determining the state of one's health, sometimes before symptoms show.  For example, a close examination of the tongue and pulse can tell us where someone's health is shifting out of balance.  We can determine the health of the organs, and of the Qi/Energy in the meridians.  Other signs are helpful as well.  It’s important to point out, this is not the same as Western medical diagnosis.  For example, I couldn’t say “you have Ulcerative Colitis”.  But I might say, “your Large Intestine energy is out of balance.”

Once we know the pattern, we treat it by correcting the flow of energy using the appropriate acupuncture points.  You can also strengthen prevention by doing Qi Gong exercises, and doing acupressure at home.  (Or yoga, or Tai Chi, or other internally focused physical arts. ,, ) At  this stage treatments can be less frequent, depending on one’s overall health.

Health in terms of Acupuncture

Maintaining health is all about balance.  Our bodies have an inside and an outside.  Sure we have muscles and joints and bones, but we also have a heart, intestines, and lungs.  Doing acupuncture, and exercises like Qi Gong, help balance our energy to all of these organs.  Good health is more than what you see in the mirror.  

With this type of practice, you also become more aware of shifts in your health.  If you can come and get treatment in the early stages of illness, as symptoms are just beginning, you can avert it more quickly.  As Ben Franklin said:

“One ounce of prevention, one pound of cure.”

It takes more to fix a problem once it’s full blown, than in its early stages. While there is never a guarantee, taking steps each day can help increase your chances of keeping good health.