Joining Our Community host Candice Michel again this week is local acupuncture practitioner Forest Amsden. Forest joins the show again to discuss further the nuances of Chinese and Western medicine, and the importance of personalized treatment approaches.

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  (00:19) Forest Amsden recently became a father to twins and discusses the challenges of parenting, particularly in helping his older son adjust to the new siblings. He emphasizes the importance of setting boundaries and allowing children to explore and learn from their experiences.

  
  
  
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  (04:09) Forest reflects on the role of parents in guiding their children to adulthood while maintaining their enthusiasm and curiosity. He notes the distinct personalities of children, which can be observed even from birth.

  
  
  
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  (09:10) Forest discusses the unpredictability of treatment effectiveness in acupuncture, sharing experiences where he was unable to help certain patients despite multiple sessions. He emphasizes that individual differences in bodies can lead to varying responses to treatment.

  
  
  
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  (11:44) The concept of the law of diminishing returns is discussed, particularly in the context of clients who experience back pain due to significant overweight. Forest notes that while treatment may yield initial positive results, the pain often returns if lifestyle changes are not made.

  
  
  
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  (12:59) Forest argues that acupuncture should be part of a holistic approach to health, contrasting it with Western medicine, which tends to focus on treating specific diseases without addressing underlying causes.

  
  
  
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  (17:07) The speaker explains that Western medicine requires visible evidence to diagnose and treat conditions, which can limit its understanding of certain health issues that Chinese medicine can address through pattern recognition.

  
  
  
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  (18:41) The concept of ‘root and branch’ is introduced, where the root represents the underlying cause of a condition, while the branch represents the symptoms. Forest asserts that Western medicine often focuses on treating symptoms rather than identifying root causes.

  
  
  
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  (21:40) Forest elaborates on the idea of dampness as a form of metabolic waste that the body struggles to eliminate, leading to various health issues, including acid reflux. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the various contributing factors to conditions like acid reflux.

  
  
  
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  (35:30) Forest discusses the importance of herbs in healing, emphasizing that many clients view them merely as supplements rather than integral components of treatment. He highlights that in China, the best practitioners are often herbalists rather than acupuncturists.

  
  
  
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  (38:00) Forest notes that many clients take various supplements without understanding their effects, which can lead to confusion and complications. He emphasizes the need for personalized treatment and the value of anecdotal evidence in medicine.

  
  
  
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  (44:00) Forest shares a personal story about his dog diagnosed with lymphoma, illustrating the complexities and uncertainties in both Western and alternative medicine. He highlights the importance of observing a patient’s overall vitality as indicators of health.

  
  
  
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  (50:21) Forest recommends Moxibustion, a technique involving the burning of mugwort, as an alternative to acupuncture for thumb arthritis. He emphasizes the importance of starting with treatments that have low risks of negative side effects.

  
  
  
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  (55:21) The conversation highlights a growing openness to Chinese medicine and dietary impacts on health among the public. Forest emphasizes the need for scientific studies to validate these practices for some individuals.

  
  
  
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  (58:01) The show concludes with thanks to the guest and listeners, and mentions that the conversation can be accessed as a podcast on the station’s website. The host also highlights that they are a local, volunteer-run community radio station seeking volunteers, sponsors, and underwriters.

  
  
  

Host: Candice Michel; Guest: Acupuncture Practitioner Forest Amsden; Producer: Candice Michel

The opinions expressed here are those of the individual participants. Curry Coast Community Radio takes no position on issues discussed in this program.

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Intro and end music: The Best Is Yet to Come, licensed from audioblocks.com.