Most medicine modalities endeavor to treat symptoms without the will or insight to treat on the deepest level, a causative level. Treating on a symptomatic level may result in eliminating symptoms temporarily, but rarely addresses the underlying cause. It’s easier and quicker to treat in this way and works well for symptoms that are acute (i.e. new and/or demanding attention) but this does not address the cause, the root of the problem, and usually the same symptoms will reappear since the cause has not been resolved.
Chronic symptoms are old acute symptoms from the past that have not been resolved properly. Recurring chronic symptoms are good for business and generate income. Making a headache go away with aspirin is much easier than taking the time to find out what created an imbalance that the person has a headache, for instance are they angry or frustrated habitually by some aspect of their life? Are they not drinking enough water daily and too much heat is being generated in their body, that rises upward resulting in a headache? Is there a block between the desire to set and accomplish goals and to let go of disappointment?
As a Five Element Acupuncturist, clarity comes from reading the pulse to determine which organ system is responsible, and through the diagnosis of emotion, color, sound and odor of the element in the individual.
Walking a healing path with the “patient” takes time, but there is also a great satisfaction that comes from taking these steps together.