I learned TCM in my training. It was an OK foundation. But aside from the training in Western anatomy and physiology, it was far from complete. The electro-acupuncture part was terrible. Just enough so you wouldn’t hurt anybody, but being an electrical engineer, I understood more than the teacher. The “basics” as I saw them were not covered. So I taught myself. But back to the subject at hand.
TCM has value in that it teaches you the traditional function of points, 5 element theory and how to needle safely.. That is its greatest value. The rest is of less value in my opinion. Why, you may ask? It is just the most valuable part in terms of giving a treatment. I still use TCM in my practice. Don’t get me wrong. But I have proved to myself that some of TCM is just wrong and some of it needs to be reinterpreted. Just a fact. But I do see them as good guidelines. The ideas on the flow of qi in the channels is where we have to understand anew. The science is clear and TCM has gotten some things wrong. In this at least, the schools have to change their curriculum. Although I think there is a lot more they need to change or add. I can’t be the only voice saying this. The community has to demand it.
Scientific acupuncture takes the understanding of autonomic functioning found in the function of points and in 5 element theory and combines it with our understanding of how the points work to come up with more effective needling techniques, a better appreciation of palpation, more diagnostic techniques and new treatments. Scientific acupuncture also incorporates Frequency Specific Microcurrent, allowing us to treat more conditions and also gives us the choice of treating some conditions with or without needles. That is handy when treating a condition like Plantar Fascitis. It is not fun to needle the heel of the foot. My Anti-Inflammation Electro-Acupuncture (AIEAC) worked well but you had to typically put two needles in the heel. But there is a protocol in FSM that works well too. It just will typically take more treatments. I am now learning how to do remote treatments with FSM. So long treatments such as PTSD can be done more easily. And it does seem to work.You just won’t get the effects of the microcurrent. And scientific acupuncture gives us more choices of treatments to choose from.