President Sam started the meeting with a welcome and proceeded to the Rotary song. In anticipation of Past President Grace’s birthday on the 20th, Past President WT led the birthday song. Charter President Patrick brought two visitors to the meeting, Professor Heiwai Tang, an economics professor at HKU Business School, and his wife, Joyce. A report was given on the past two weeks of activities and upcoming Club/District events.
Past President Grace then introduced the meeting’s speaker, our newest member Rotarian David, the founder of Health Integrated Medical Group. Rtn David is very familiar with Rotary as a former Interactor (IAC St. Joseph’s) and Rotaractor (RAC Victoria). Rotarian David received his medical degree from Chinese University of Hong Kong and a bachelor’s degree in Chinese medicine in Guangzhou. As a practitioner of both Western and Chinese medicine, his topic was about these different but complementary systems. Past President Dora gave our Club’s vote of thanks at the end of Rotarian David’s talk. Rotarian David uses the scientific approach of his family medicine specialty together with Chinese medicine principles to provide patient-centered care. While there are strengths and weaknesses to Western and Chinese medicine, they can be used together in a complementary way.
Western medicine often relies on pharmaceutical therapies to address health issues. It uses modern pathology, physiology and pharmacology to study human disease. Doctors make a diagnosis based on scientific evidence, usually by way of physical examination and a number of scientific tests, such as blood tests and X-rays. Western medicine can directly and quickly remove the cause of the disease, either by using medicine or surgery. If the cause of disease is clear, it will be effective. However, side effects of western medication may further afflict those that require long term medication to deal with chronic problems.
Chinese medicine uses the theory of Yin and Yang and Five elements of the human body. When the entire system is in balance, this is optimal health. Disease occurs when there are obstructions to the flow of Qi, deficient or excessive Qi, or when there is an imbalance of Yin and Yang. Doctors make a diagnosis by analyzing a patient’s tongue, pulse, and observing the condition of the entire body. Treatment is a holistic therapy by boosting your own healing power. Medicine is often in the form of natural compounds and generally non-invasive. By correcting inherent imbalances in the body, Chinese medicine may prevent severe diseases before there are detectable symptoms.
Certainly, 25 minutes was not sufficient to go deep into this big subject. You can learn more about Rtn David’s practice, which includes Western and Chinese medicine, skin clinic and physio clinic, at:
https://www.healthintegrated.com.hk/
