Meet Professor Needleman Cho, a cure-all acupuncturist
Meet Professor Needleman Cho, a cure-all acupuncturist
Text and photo by Chris Supangkat
JAKARTA (JP): With the 1990's growing trend towards
traditional methods in treating ailments of the human body,
acupuncture is one of the leading methods applied today.
Although its position in the medical establishment is somewhat
unclear, acupuncture is considered a therapy here; even the
University of Indonesia has a six-year program in the field.
The country also has reasons to be proud of the development of
the traditional treatment. In 1990, Dr. H.M. Hembing
Wijayakusuma, a noted acupuncturist, received the international
Star of Asia award for humanitarian work and his discovery of
combining acupuncture with the stinging of bees for curing
various diseases.
Dr. Hembing was the first Asian who received the award.
An acupuncturist visiting Jakarta has placed a heavier
burden on the question of the effectiveness of acupuncture in
treating all health problems. His name is Professor Shen Gung Cho
from Los Angeles. Better known as Professor Needleman Cho, he has
a cure for diabetes, among other diseases.
This claim is one that would raise a few eyebrows and a
chuckle. Some experts, at one point, say they have a cure for any
number of diseases. Even more incredible is the fact that Cho
also treats 'ailing' fish using needles.
The ailment that he seems to have treated most successfully is
diabetes. A majority of the patients felt fresher and
stronger than before, and those with chronic diabetes saw
their medication intake drop, along with their blood sugar level.
A housewife saw her blood sugar go from 270 to 102 after 12
treatments and has cut her insulin intake by half. A 97-year old
patient was pronounced cured of diabetes after more than 20
treatments with the needles. Best of all, he does not have to
diet or take medicine. "It's been two weeks so far, hopefully it
will continue," he says.
The doctor is a stern man when it comes to his patients
following his orders. They are expected to put unquestionable
faith in his ability as a healer. When undergoing his treatment
the patients are not allowed to diet, or continue taking the
medicine (if any) that they have been taking, and must abstain
from any sexual activity (because it depletes energy). With
diabetes the blood sugar level is tested before, during, and
after treatment.
Response
The blood sugar level usually drops after seven sessions, then
rises at some point before it remains stable. But each patient
has a different response, therefore varying the length of
treatment. This is where the patient's faith is tested. Some quit
after seeing their blood sugar rise, feeling the effectiveness of
the needle as temporary and deciding not to continue the
treatment.
Diabetics who are 'cured' still have to return three times a
week for two weeks to stabilize their body. This is followed by
additional once-a-week treatments.
The key to Cho's treatment seems to lie in his awareness of
the human anatomy and its balance. "The human body is a wonderful
machine," he says, "It can take care of itself."
He believes the body is one balanced system interconnected,
and any imbalance would result in several problems. Cho uses some
of the 365 points of the body to stimulate the designated areas
to 'rebuild' itself. It is why most patients drowse during their
treatment, because the needle forces the body to relax so the
internal system can repair itself.
Cho also stresses the need for enough nutrition to help fight
disease and keep the system healthy. He disagrees with any form
of diet. His principle is 'eat everything in moderation'. Also,
never keep the stomach empty and sleep and exercise as your body
requires.
Mental health is also a belief that Cho expounds. He claims
all mental problems can be cured by the needle, first by
alleviating the physical sickness so that mentally the person
is confident his body can rejuvenate. "Fifty percent of the cure
lies in the doctor, the other fifty percent in the patient."
Cho's medical background is somewhat unconventional. First
inspired by his father, a sinshe (Chinese traditional doctor), he
studied western medicine from books and found they had more
questions than answers. Studying acupuncture in China and then
moving to Taiwan, he finally found his way to the U.S. where he
studied at the Asian American University, San Diego, and received
a title as Oriental Medical Doctor. He also taught at Paris
University where he received his professorship.
Cho's skill comes from 50 years worth of research and travels
in 32 countries on five continents. It seems that his ability is
noted and underlined by the fact that he is the only
acupuncturist to be a member of the American Diabetes
Association.
Top figures
Although based in Los Angeles, where he has his own office,
Cho has many famous patients around the world. His more than
ninety percent success rate has prompted Indonesian figures to
make use of his skill, among them Indonesia's former minister of
finance Ali Wardhana and noted physician Herman Susilo.
Although most of his success seems to come from his treatment
of diabetes, Cho says every disease can be cured by the needle.
It is obvious a lot of patients believe it may be so. Scattered
among the diabetics are people suffering from deafness,
rheumatism, epilepsy, migraines, even Parkinson' disease and
thalassemia.
The community will continue to have conflicting ideas about
acupuncture and as Dr. Wita, a lecturer at the Atmajaya Catholic
University, put it "There is no exact explanation for
acupuncture....we know that acupuncture stimulates the body in
certain ways, but the logic is something that is very different
from general medicine."
No major research has been done here on the subject and as one
acupuncturist from the University of Indonesia commented, "I see
no development of acupuncture outside of the capital."
With nothing solid to go on for this "mysterious" treatment,
sometimes blind faith comes to the rescue of some determined
patients.
One Parkinson's disease patient, Mrs. Martini, has undergone
treatment 25 times with moderate success. "I don't feel the
aches and pains in my shoulders as much, and the heaviness is
gone. But it's still felt in my legs." She cannot live without
her medication and still has to take it daily to function. She is
somewhat doubtful in the success of the treatment but is trying
to hold onto her faith. She is considering going to Singapore to
follow the doctor and continue her treatment there.
Another serious patient is an eight-year-old thalassemic named
Yohana. Her mother says she must receive a blood transfusion at
least once a month, depending on her hemoglobin level. A small
glimmer of hope appeared after Yohana's fingertips started to
take on a pinkish tint her which, her mother said, she has never
had. She hopes Cho can gradually cure her daughter.
On a lighter side, there was one patient who was partially
deaf since birth who claimed to have regained some five percent
of his hearing so far. How did he know? "I use a game to test the
progress of my hearing," he grinned.
Short Visit
Many results and questions will remain unanswered as Cho is
here only for a short visit which will end Thursday. His main
intention in Indonesia was, he said, "to attend a friend's
wedding."
But his appearance on a local television station drew in
patients asking for his help.
The doctor voiced his wish to return again in a more
'official' visit, but at present he must soon leave for
Singapore and then Malaysia.
Most of the patients are wondering what will become of their
condition when Cho leaves; is the cure a permanent one?
In answer to this question, Cho simply says "I just want to
let the world know that there is an alternative medicine
available; a simpler, healthier, cheaper way to cure illnesses,
with no side effects."