Clarification about acupuncture point for diabetes

Comment by Chad J. Dupuis, L.Ac.

What is his diagnosis in TCM terms? What do his tongue and pulse show and how have they changed since beginning treatment? Have you read our acupuncture for diabetes section?

Comment by Archived User

Are you an endocrinologist? Reducing someone&#39s insulin regimine is very delicate. This is not type 2 you are dealing with. I am impressed that the fasting glucose has been reduced but type 1 cannot be controlled with acupuncture alone. (My 7 year old son is type 1)

Comment by Chad J. Dupuis, L.Ac.

Please be cautious of the tone and implied judgement of your post. The poster clearly states that this is Type I diabetes and nowhere does he state that he is trying to cure Type I with acupuncture alone. You do not need to be an encocrinologist to work with patients and adjust their insulin levels. Nor do the vast majority of endocrinologists know how to apply acupuncture or even in vague terms what the effects are. Furthermore as this is a global website it should be kept in mind that standards and access to care vary widely across the globe and in many places acupuncture is used (and rightfully so) to help alleviate the high cost/poor availability of western medicines. Also in many countries, acupuncturists are western trained physicians. Your assumption that this person is on the edge of breaking some sort of medical standard of care and/or the patient is not in consultation with a physician is inappropriate, irrelevant, and judgemental. Beyond that, the vast majority of Type I patients we treat are so on top of what they need from day to day (children aside) that they are better judges of what is happening than any physician or test can provide. Either way, my point remains, your post does nothing to aid this poster or our readers. Please try to keep your posts relevant and helpful to the discussion at hand. If you have some experience to offer via point prescriptions or other techniques relevant to Chinese Medicine we welcome them heartily.

Comment by Archived User

You are absolutely correct, I responded quickly and without much thought at all. Thank you for taking the time to respond. I apologize to both the original poster (kulandaivelu) and to you - and the forum, as well.