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Unsettling Acupuncture Encounter in Ho Chi Minh City: Bizarre Unease Described by Patients

Foreigner was the initial international patient of the man who had been practicing medicine in that residence for more than three decades.

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3 min read
A man, previously treating residents in a certain household for more than three decades, had me as...
A man, previously treating residents in a certain household for more than three decades, had me as his first foreign patient.

Unsettling Acupuncture Encounter in Ho Chi Minh City: Bizarre Unease Described by Patients

Rewritten Article:

By Ray Riches

Living in Hò Chí Minh City as a foreigner initially came with health challenges. During my first two years in Việt Nam, I gained about twenty kilogrammes. The eating habits here are significantly different from the west, and I found myself feasting out and drinking almost every night with my local friends. Consequently, my weight skyrocketed from ninety-four kilogrammes to one hundred and twelve. It wasn't healthy at all!

One morning during Tết, I woke up in agony, unable to move due to a sudden body ache. In desperation, I called my girlfriend for advice. She suggested I visit a traditional medicine doctor who would provide some herbal treatments.

Despite my uncertainty, I agreed and found myself heading to an old, run-down building in Gò Vấp district. Inside, I met an older man and a woman who spoke no English. After telling them about my back and neck pain, the man led me upstairs to a dingy doctor's office.

Illustrative Photo.

As I sat there on the treatment bed, my stomach twisted with fear. I was about to be treated by a man who barely spoke a word of English, and he was now preparing a pile of acupuncture needles. While I generally preferred western medical methods, I was desperate for relief.

The man inserted a number of needles into my neck and back before connecting them to a machine. After turning the machine on, electric currents jolted through the needles, causing me to twitch uncontrollably. Despite trying to tell him the electricity was too strong, he simply smiled and continued the treatment.

Thankfully, the session ended after five grueling minutes, and the man refused payment. As it turned out, he had been treating people in that house for over thirty years and was happy to finally have a foreign patient.

Later on, I went to my girlfriend's house to explain the ordeal. To my surprise, she had no idea what kind of treatment I had just endured. She admitted she sent me to the clinic on the recommendation of a 'crazy' friend whose own treatments hadn't helped.

GETTING TO THE POINT: Traditional pain relieving methods must be applied at certified centres by medical staff. VNA/VNS Photo Anh Tuấn

While the treatment was undeniably strange, I couldn't say for certain if it worked. My neck and back moved a little more easily afterward, but there's a big difference between traditional acupuncture and modern electro-acupuncture. Modern electro-acupuncture, which is widely used in hospitals and clinics around the world, is a safer and more regulated version of the ancient practice.

In summary, while traditional and modern acupuncture each have their advantages, safety depends heavily on adherence to proper techniques and regulations. Modern electro-acupuncture offers enhanced effects, but its integration into local practices requires careful management to maintain safety standards while preserving cultural aspects. In Vietnam, ensuring proper training and adherence to safety standards is crucial to both traditional and modern acupuncture practices.

  1. My initial health challenges in Ho Chi Minh City included a significant weight gain due to the different eating habits and social activities.
  2. Desperate for relief from a sudden body ache, I sought advice from my girlfriend and was directed to a traditional medicine doctor.
  3. The traditional treatment involved acupuncture, which was unfortunately administered in an unregulated environment.
  4. Modern electro-acupuncture, used in hospitals and clinics globally, is a safer alternative to the traditional method.
  5. My experience with traditional acupuncture left me uncertain about its effectiveness, given the differences compared to modern electro-acupuncture.
  6. Incorporating modern electro-acupuncture into local practices requires careful management to maintain safety standards while preserving cultural aspects.
  7. The integration of modern acupuncture techniques into Vietnamese practices should prioritize proper training and adherence to safety standards.
  8. The health and wellness industry, including fitness and exercise, mental health, and lifestyle, can learn from this experience to ensure safety regulations are followed.
  9. Fashion and beauty, food and drink, travel, entertainment, and sports are all areas that can benefit from the application of proven scientific methods for a healthier population.
  10. As a foreigner living in Ho Chi Minh City, I learned the importance of searching for healthcare services in certified centers, especially when trying new treatment methods.

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