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."