Had you asked me two months ago if I planned to seek acupuncture as an alternative treatment for my aching knee, revamp my dietary habits and undertake the study of an ancient form of medicine, I would likely have denied any such intent. Nevertheless, I have embarked upon this path. As a new convert to the art and science of traditional Chinese medicine and a big fan of my acupuncturist, Julia Kravitz, I would love nothing better than to spark an interest in others. I will attempt to be accurate and brief in my explanations, though these do not necessarily go hand in hand when discussing such a voluminous topic.

Chinese medicine originated in China over 3000 years ago and is still practiced today throughout the world. But why seek an ancient form of treatment when modern Western medicine is available locally from some of the nation's top-notch doctors? Chinese medicine, which includes acupuncture, herbal treatments and dietary consultation, has been shown to more effectively treat certain conditions than Western medicine. Chinese medicine is also less invasive than many other forms of treatment. Furthermore, one need not rule out one form of treatment in order to include the other. Chinese medicine can be used in conjunction with Western medicine and is now offered in widespread locations and by more practitioners than in the past. For instance, many anesthesiologists and chiropractors receive training in acupuncture therapy to supplement their other treatments, though they are not usually fully trained in Chinese medicine. Julia Kravitz, a licensed acupuncture therapist with a Master of Science in Oriental Medicine works part-time with Patricia Rush, MD at her medical practice here on Harrison Street.

The foundation of Chinese medicine lies in several concepts that are difficult to translate and even more difficult to explain in brief. The first is the concept of Qi (pronounced Chee). Qi is the energy force, sometimes called the life force, which exists in all things, even those that are inanimate such as minerals. One's Qi is affected by one's lifestyle - eating, resting, breathing and even feeling emotions appropriate to a situation all affect Qi. "The Qi consists of all essential life activities which include the spiritual, emotional, mental and the physical aspects of life. A person's health is influenced by the flow of Qi in the body, in combination with the universal forces of Yin and Yang," the second and equally important concept in Chinese medicine.

Everything that exists has qualities of Yin and Yang, used to explain the continuous process of natural change. Yin and Yang are opposing, but they intermix and coexist at all times. Within Yin is the genesis of Yang and within Yang, the genesis of Yin (when you look at the Yin Yang symbol, you can see this). A balance of Yin and Yang creates health, while an imbalance causes disease. Yin and Yang rely on each other, create one another, and turn into one another at extremes. Yin is considered the female and is associated with the qualities of "cold, rest, responsiveness, passivity, darkness, tranquility and completion. Yang is associated with the male, and heat, stimulation, movement, light, excitement, and beginning." Diseases are even classified as Yin or Yang. If one has a deficiency of Yin, the disease symptoms will exemplify Yang qualities (due to the excess of Yang) and vice versa. The balance of Yin and Yang necessary for good health parallels the balance one must maintain in life.

There is no separation between emotional health and physical health in Chinese medicine. The person is viewed as a whole - mind, body and spirit. With that in mind, you may wonder for what conditions one might seek treatment? The World Health Organization recognizes acupuncture (one of the main methods utilized in Chinese medicine) as appropriate treatment for illnesses in the following categories: digestive, emotional, ear-eye-throat, gynecological, neurological, respiratory, musculoskeletal.

The practice of Chinese medicine differs from that of Western medicine. The ability to observe and to contemplate is inherently important in the practice of all medicine, but plays a primary role in Chinese medicine. The philosophy as a whole was developed by observing people and their symptoms over thousands of years. Symptoms were classified and grouped together. Rather than breaking the functions of the body down into smaller and smaller parts, all the way to the molecular level as in Western medicine, Chinese medicine looks at larger processes, at systems of the body. The five systems are that of the liver, kidney, heart, spleen and lungs. Each system has a Yin and Yang aspect, always striving for balance to maintain good health. That said, it is important to note that the Chinese definition of these systems does not equal the Western definition of the function of these organs.

How does a practitioner of Chinese medicine evaluate a patient's condition? The first phase of evaluation is through inquiry and observation, namely a lengthy interview that covers one's medical and social history and also addresses current symptoms and functioning. Looking at the tongue is another way in which a patient's health is assessed. It changes regularly and practitioners of Chinese medicine observe these changes, each which has a specific meaning within the context of an individual's scheme of symptoms. They observe its shape, color, coating and whether it seems dry or moist. Additionally, different sections (tip, middle, back, and sides) relate to the different organ systems. The last method utilized in evaluation is feeling the patient's pulse on each wrist (each wrist corresponds to different organ systems). This is an extremely complicated process in which the practitioner is not timing the pulse as in Western medicine, but instead feeling for the strength and depth of the wave.

For the past six weeks, I have been undergoing acupuncture with Julia Kravitz for the treatment of my swollen knee (the same one that was operated on last summer for a torn ligament and meniscus and for which I have been through a full course of physical therapy). Julia works with Patricia Rush, MD at her Primary Care Plus practice at 325 Harrison and also does home visits to clients. Dr. Rush was featured in the Buzz after she opened her Harrison Street practice in 2001. As a Western doctor, she has taken to heart many of the teachings of Eastern medicine and believes that a blend of philosophies is the soundest approach to healthcare. Julia is available in Dr. Rush's office for consultation on Tuesdays and Thursdays. One need not be a patient of Dr. Rush's in order to see Julia, though Dr. Rush frequently refers patients to her.

A soft-spoken young woman with a modest demeanor and a healing touch, Julia Kravitz attended Noropa University, an East/West fusion school in Boulder, Colorado as an undergraduate. She transferred to the Midwest College of Oriental Medicine where she received a Bachelor's degree in Nutrition and then continued her studies there and earned a M.S. in Oriental Medicine (a four-year degree and currently the terminal degree offered in this field). This training enables her to provide treatment in the areas of dietary therapy, acupuncture and herbal consultation. Julia continues to work closely with her mentor, Dr. Hui-Yan Cai, for whom she serves as a research assistant, helping to develop manuscripts on the ancient texts and appendices to Dr. Cai's book on herbal therapy.

Julia's interest in traditional Chinese medicine goes back to her childhood when he attended T'ai Chi classes with her father. He suffers from several chronic diseases and has experienced much relief from the practice of T'ai Chi and the use of alternative therapies. Julia attributes increased mobility and his ability to avoid having surgery for seven years to these practices. She remembers how, even as a child, she was motivated to look up information on her father's ailments and attempt to come up with treatment plans for him. A healer by nature, it is no surprise that she decided to pursue a career in this profession. Another life experience Julia brings to her profession is a near-death illness she suffered as a teenager for which she was treated at the Mayo Clinic. So severely weakened by weeks of high fevers that she missed almost an entire year of school, Julia remembers being unable at first to even walk to the end of her driveway. She recovered slowly and began waking early each morning to walk, watch the sun rise and meditate. She wrote poetry and learned to be contemplative. "I think I bring this experience with me to the healing process with my current patients. I look back at the period of recovery from my illness and recognize that healing can be really wonderful. Now I watch people who are very ill sit and talk to each other and see how compassion makes them come together. It is important to have empathy, to understand from where patients are coming."

From the overall tone of this article, you have likely deduced that my treatment has been successful. I have indeed had a tremendous reduction of symptoms. Julia has also helped me to see a relationship between my knee problem and other symptoms I formerly viewed as separate. In the course of getting acupuncture, different constellations of symptoms were treated at each session based on what I reported that day. The first session, which lasted about an hour and a half, consisted of the full interview and evaluation noted above. Subsequent sessions, each about forty-five minutes in length, have approximately a fifteen-minute evaluation and a half-hour of treatment. I find the sessions relaxing and look forward to them. The insertion of the needles, which I will not detail due to lack of understanding as well as lack of space, is in no way painful. In addition to treating me with acupuncture, Julia has provided me with dietary recommendations. These vary from person to person based on symptomatology and body type.

One of the basic tenets of Chinese medicine is that a patient must work to "fix" himself by trying to live harmoniously with nature and caring for himself through proper diet, rest and spiritual practice (not necessarily religious practice). There is no miracle quick cure. Treatment effects can be immediate, but take an average of six weeks in most individuals. If the condition is chronic, treatment may take longer to be effective. For many people, aging comes with its unfortunate array of ailments and subsequent medications to treat them. I would wholeheartedly like to encourage readers to consider the use of Chinese medicine as an alternative and recommend the healing touch of Ms. Kravitz, a truly talented and unique individual.

Julia Kravitz can be contacted for more information or for an appointment at (847) 571-0194 or by e-mail at bamboodream@gmail.com.