More Than a Documentary: An Ancient Craft in Mainstream Medicine
Editorial Staff
If you haven't heard of Doug Dearth (director and producer of the award winning film, 9000 Needles), you're about to ... when Doug's younger brother Devin suffered a brain stem bleed, and subsequently a stroke, he was left partially paralyzed. After navigating through insurance coverage and trying to find a program that best suited Devin's needs, Doug found himself on a journey to China and entering the world of TCM. This quest also resulted in a documentary — the product of "real life" for one film maker with a vested interest.
A Cinematic Dream Team
Doug's latest endeavor — "Getting to the Point," has him teamed with the Acupuncture Now Foundation (ANF), founded in 2014 by Matthew Bauer, to combat the misunderstandings about acupuncture. Together they are working to produce a feature length documentary that will feature four to five segments, depicting acupuncture in mainstream medical settings, as well as its effectiveness.
Cade Spinello relaxes while Ruth McCarthy, LAc, treats him at CHOC.
The first of this series plays out at the Children's Hospital of Orange Country (CHOC), a top rated hospital that has employed a licensed acupuncturist for the past 13 years. One of the participants in the film, a young boy named Cade Spinello, who was being treated for a brain tumor, suffered a stroke either during or after his surgery to remove. This unfortunately left Cade unable to move his head or neck. To aid in his recovery, pediatric neurosurgeon Dr. Loudon recommended acupuncture. After just one treatment by Ruth McCarty LAc, Cade's movement significantly improved.
Coming Soon ...
Film maker Doug Dearth gets candid with Cade Spinello regarding "needles."
Two more segments are already in the works — one on "Battlefield Acupuncture" being used by American military personnel, and another at an AWB clinic in Greece, where Syrian refugees are being treated for PTSD and other ailments. For more information about this documentary series or to donate to the cause please visit acupuncturenowfoundation.org.
Pelvic pain has a prevalence of >25% in women and >15% in men, and up to 50% of cases are undiagnosed, demonstrating that there is a definite need for pelvic care awareness among health care practitioners. As holistic practitioners, acupuncturists offer a safe space for clients and are often the practitioners clients seek out when nothing else has worked. Thus, acupuncturists are presented with an opportunity to serve an underserved population.
Though the creation of a financially sustainable, health-promoting model feels far away today, we are casting a vision for a full return on health, believing that this compels us to keep one foot firmly rooted in caring for the sick and the other foot firmly founded in maintaining health. Shifting from a fee-for-service model to value-based care using a phased approach is paramount.
Traditional Chinese medicine and the Vedic traditions both offer rich frameworks for understanding human health, emphasizing the balance of physical, mental, and spiritual aspects. The concept of "souls" or spiritual components in TCM, namely Hun, Po, Shen, Yi, and Zhi, bears significant similarities to the yogic concept of koshas. Their similarities and differences provide insights into how these systems contribute to holistic health practices.
