“To be a doctor, practice with your heart.”

When I graduated from the university, my mother told me, “Here is my gift to you: if you want to be a doctor, practice with your heart, not only with your mind.” At that time, I did not understand her words of wisdom, but now I have a better understanding what she meant.

At the end of the day after treating 40-50 patients, I feel very tired when I go home. My body feels heavy and exhausted, my mind wants to rest, but my heart tells me, “there are several cases you need to review, do some research and study. Maybe you should call China and question your professors.” So I sit at my desk and read for two hours, and telephone my professor in China about new research and pertinent information on my patients’ cases.

David had heart failure for two weeks; the leg was severely swollen with edema, and his heart rate was over 90 beats per minute. He complained of shortness of breath and fatigue. His entire face was purple. He had used the gamut of Western and Chinese medicinal therapies that were available including prescription medications, acupuncture, and Chinese herbs, but nothing seem to help him get better. The edema was getting more and more severe. When I looked at his tongue, it was very purple and swollen, with tooth marks along the edges. In Traditional Chinese Medicine the diagnosis was with heart and kidney yang deficiency. He should be given the classical Chinese herbal formula, xheng wu tang, for his condition. However, his blood pressure was very high. I hesitated using the Chinese herb fu zi (aconite). I called my professor in China who agreed that using fu zi for in this case would be beneficial, but I worried that if I gave him Chinese herbs and his condition worsened the family may blame his deterioration on the herbs.

My professor reassured me over the phone that the prescribed herbal formula depends on the diagnosis. If the diagnosis is correct, then the treatment will be safe and effective. My heart felt this was the right thing to do, but my intellect reminded me that his medical doctor acknowledged David was in very critical condition and that the doctor had informed the family to prepare for death. I thought to myself that it would be safer to just use acupuncture since there would be no risk. This is what my mind said to do. But my heart replied, “You are a Chinese medical practitioner, if there is something that can help the patient and you do not do it, how can you call yourself a Chinese medicine practitioner?” Consequently, my heart made the decision to give the Chinese herbs. I called David and asked his daughter to come to the office to pick up the herbs.

After using the herbs for five days, the edema got better, the heart rate settled down, and, after one month, David’s blood pressure lowered almost to normal and his energy returned. Little by little he recuperated using certain medications to maintain his condition. Through this experience, I realized that the healthcare practitioner’s work should follow his or her heart, not only the intellect, to do what is best for the patient.

Practicing in America as an acupuncturist or Chinese medical practitioner, there are many instances when we have to use our hearts to help people. Some senior citizens and disabled patients, for example, do not have adequate income because they have retired or because they cannot work due to their disability. When they develop a health problem and get sick, their medical insurance does not cover acupuncture treatments. Some patients require long-term Chinese medical treatment for chronic conditions like parasites, arthritis, and pain. For these patients, it is important to treat them with the heart; but if the mind only calculates the payment, there is no way to help them.

Ming Qi Natural Healthcare Center conducts clinical trials for infertility patients. Most of these patients have seen a fertility specialist before they seek a Chinese medical practitioner. These patients failed from Western traditional treatments such as infertility drugs, insemination or IVF because of their age, hormone level, or other severe health problems like uterine fibroids, tubal dysfunction, polycystic ovary syndrome, endometriosis, or male sperm problem. In these cases, women often come to the clinic, pleading for help. My heart always says yes, to try and help them, but my intellect sometimes hesitates to accept the patient who has a rare chance to get pregnant because it may lower the reputation of the clinic and discredit the success of TCM in treating infertility. However, my heart wins and these patients are never turned away from the clinic. If there is a possibility to benefit the patient, we have no reason to deny treatment because TCM infertility treatments can help strengthen the patient’s body and balance the hormones without side effects. Even if the treatment cannot ensure conception, at least the patient will benefit from a stronger and balanced body. During the past eight years, Ming Qi Natural Healthcare Center has helped many women, who have failed Western infertility treatment. When Chinese medicine is combined with Western medicine, at least half the patients have success in getting pregnant.

However, sometimes if the heart does not listen to the mind, it can cause trouble. Annie came to Ming Qi Natural Healthcare Center after a car accident. She had two herniated discs in the neck. Her no-fault insurance was covering acupuncture treatment from the car accident, so I started treatment for her twice a week for the neck pain. Each time I gave the treatment, Annie would ask me to also treat other problems like acne, menstrual cramps, and help her lose weight. My heart wanted to help her any way that I could since she was at office already, but my mind informed me that this was not justifiable. Annie received 24 treatments at the clinic and her bill was sent to the no-fault insurance company, but the payment never came. When I inquired about the bill, the no-fault insurance company informed me that no-fault only pays for treatment related to the accident. Claims are rejected when other treatments are presented unless I would not tell the truth, but my heart always does what is right even when it is not always profitable.

Whether you work or practice, your heart should feel comfortable with whatever you are doing. I have had a Chinese medical practice for 22 years since I graduated medical school; I really thank my mother who gave me these simple words on the importance of using the heart, and not only the mind. Now I understand more and more how I can continue to use these words to guide my whole life and practice.