East Asian Acupuncture Meets Western Medicine: Evolving Traditions in Patient Care
- misunwahyafoundati
- Apr 8
- 2 min read
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), treatment is guided by an understanding of the body as an interconnected whole. Acupuncture is not just symptom relief—it’s a strategy for restoring internal balance through careful point selection, pulse regulation, and attention to physical and emotional patterns. But how a practitioner approaches treatment can vary widely depending on their schooling and the lineage they follow.
TCM, the most widely taught system today, became standardised in post-1950s China. Treatments here often follow a “syndrome differentiation” model—targeting organ systems, seasonal imbalances, and emotional factors. Japanese acupuncture, known for its subtle needle technique and hands-on palpation, might focus more on touch and abdominal feedback. Korean SAAM acupuncture takes a different route altogether, using organ pairings and elemental strategies rooted in climate theory. Neoclassical Acupuncture, utilising body palpation for diagnostic methods; works with a 6 element system, not the more common 5 elements.
Each system has its own unique treatment style—but they all share a commitment to treating the root cause, not just the symptom. One patient might receive treatment focused on lung and large intestine regulation to help with respiratory issues, while another might be supported through grief or sluggish digestion with the same paired organs—but with entirely different point strategies.
Western medicine, in contrast, typically treats with protocols based on symptoms and pathology. Antibiotics for infection. Antidepressants for low mood. Anti-inflammatories for pain. These treatments are precise and essential, especially for acute and emergency care. But chronic and functional disorders—like long-standing fatigue, IBS, or anxiety—often benefit from the layered, systemic treatment that East Asian medicine provides.
Fortunately, we are no longer choosing one over the other. Within Allied-health, in Australia, Integrative medicine is becoming the standard. Doctors of Acupuncture & Integrative Medicine (DAIM) are increasingly collaborating with GPs, nutritionists, and specialists to support patients from both sides. An Acupuncturist might help regulate inflammation post-surgery or support mental health while a patient tapers off medication.
At the Misun Wahya Foundation on Mort St, Toowoomba City, treatments reflect this integrative spirit. Dr. Ash Dean, Doctor of East Asian Medicine and Acupuncturist, brings together traditional approaches with modern insight, with special interests in immune and digestive disorders, pain management, and general-practice integrative medicine.
The best treatment is not bound by tradition or technology alone—it’s grounded in listening, adaptability, and whole-body care. When East meets West, patients receive the best of both worlds.
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