The following excerpts are from a interview with Susan Yen at KUSF, a San Francisco radio station, on July 8th.
Please introduce yourself and give us some background information into how you became interested in Chinese Medicine
My name is Susan Yen. I am a licensed acupuncturist and herbalist in the state of California. I was exposed to this field at a very young age through my mother, who is also an acupuncturist and herbalist. But what ultimately drew me into this field is the philosophy and principles of Chinese medicine.
What is acupuncture?
There are 14 main meridians (think of this as highways in which ‘chi’ or energy runs on) in our body and there are over 300 acupuncture points mapped along these 14 meridians. Proper ‘chi’ flow and balance is achieved through inserting acupuncture needles into these points.
Is acupuncture painful?
Acupuncture needles are very fine, some people don’t even feel the initial insertion of the needle into the skin. However, during an acupuncture treatment, one often feels energy flowing through the needles, which might cause some mild discomfort.
What can acupuncture treat?
>In acupuncture, one is tapping into one’s own energy to undo an imbalance. Sometimes when one does not have ample energy reserves, Chinese herbs can be used to help the body to harmonize the imbalance. It is an interesting fact that most Asians prefer using herbs to treat their ailments instead of acupuncture.
What are some common ailments you’ve treated?
Pain management ranging from migraine headache to sports injuries is commonly dealt with in my practice. Another emphasis is women’s health. Many women today are juggling with both career and family responsibilities and are often left with no time to take care of themselves. I think Chinese medicine addresses women’s health needs as they progress during a lifetime.
What can one expect in an acupuncture/herbal consultation?
During a consultation, we first have to get an understanding of the patient’s medical history, lifestyle and the onset of the ailment. We go through a pulse and tongue diagnosis to get a better insight into the condition of the body. Acupuncture points and/or herbs are prescribed through the diagnosis.
How are you incorporating this ancient art of healing with today’s high tech world?
We have a website which contains articles about Chinese medicine, Chinese philosophy, acupuncture, health tips and a myriad of herbal products that people can browse and learn.
