DOESN'T HURT: A Chinese doctor applies acupunture to a patient suffering from backpain (IC)

Zhou has researched and practiced acupuncture therapy for over 40 years. In 1975, when the International Acupuncture Class was established at the suggestion of the WHO and with approval of the Chinese Ministry of Health, Zhou became one of the first few teachers who were selected to teach foreign students acupuncture. Acknowledged as an International Acupuncture Trainer by the United Nations Development Programs, the International Acupuncture Class later became the CBIATC in 1983.

"Compared with other therapies, acupuncture is the most affordable physiotherapy for people in underdeveloped countries. In the meantime, as Chinese culture spreads abroad, acupuncture has also become popular in developed countries," she said.

However, teaching acupuncture to foreigners is not easy.

"At the beginning, most foreign students attending the class had no idea about TCM theory and concepts. For example, when I talked about qi and xuewei (acupoint), they looked very confused," Zhou told Beijing Review.

"The theoretical system of TCM is deeply philosophical. Moreover, it is very different from modern medical science. So we must put TCM concepts and theories into the simplest language during training sessions," Zhou said.

In the past 30 years, CBIATC has provided training on theories and clinical practice of acupuncture and moxibustion to medical staff from more than 100 countries and regions.

In the past 30 years, CBIATC has provided training on theories and clinical practice of acupuncture and moxibustion to medical staff from more than 100 countries and regions.

Zhou often takes her students to the clinic and teaches them how to handle the needles. She believes that clinical practice is an important part of the learning process for foreign trainees.

"Theory and hands-on experience are both important for acupuncture learners. One must feel the right amount of pressure to insert a fine needle into an acupuncture point - not so much that is causes pain, but enough for the needle to work. By repeated practice, one can gradually master the subtle skill," Zhou said.

A way of health

For Rodriguez-Vereau, acupuncture is his career. For Böhm Kathavina, a housewife living in the Bavaria region of Germany, acupuncture is purely a recreational pursuit. Kathavina has long been interested in traditional Chinese medicine. She was a pharmaceutical worker in Germany, and currently lives in Beijing with her husband. Living in China has given Kathavina an opportunity to learn how to apply the techniques of TCM.

"After two weeks of learning, I already know all acupuncture points of the human body," Kathavina said to Beijing Review.

In her opinion, TCM is a mysterious but effective treatment for some illnesses like stress and muscle aches. Recent studies have shown that stimulating nerve endings can provide pain relief, which is one of the key functions of acupuncture.

Despite cultural differences, TCM has been well received in Germany in recent years. Many acupuncture clinics have sprung up in the country. Moreover, the German government has approved putting TCM treatment into its national medical care insurance system, said Kathavina.

However, acupuncture has its weaknesses. It is a slow process, requiring a patient to receive regular treatment over a long period so that the therapy can work, said she.

Kathavina hopes to use acupuncture to treat her family for fatigue and sports injuries. "There's a wealth of knowledge in traditional Chinese medicine for keeping people in good health, and acupuncture is just one example," Kathavina said.

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