THE GOAN: Congratulations on the win. What was the competition all about?
SAISH PRABHU: It was the International Tournament of Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Tuina, a competition held every two years in China. Around 450 selected participants from different countries participate in it. They were students and doctors selected from China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and other countries. It mainly judged on accuracy of point location, memorising of traditional Chinese medicine, classical text, Moxa techniques, needle pricking and Tuina therapies. Participants are experts in each of these fields. After several rounds, nine candidates were finally selected. We had to showcase our skills in front of the audience during the grand finale. The final results said I secured third place overall. Besides, during the semi-final round, I got second place in acupuncture point location.
TG: You are also the youngest foreign student there. It must be difficult to learn medicine in a foreign language.
SP: I was 17 when I came to China after completing standard 12 in Goa. One has to understand the science of acupuncture and medical terminology in Chinese. Luckily I managed to complete the highest level in studying Chinese language in two years, which actually requires 3-4 years. During the day I studied at the University and at night took lessons from an external tutor, a Chinese language expert. Then I entered the Chinese medicine entrance exam for getting admission for bachelor’s degree in Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Tuina major. I joined Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (SUTCM) in 2010 for a bachelor degree in Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Tuina which requires one to understand Chinese. It’s not easy. One requires deep anatomical study in acupuncture and the knowledge of a skilled surgeon. In surgery one can open the body and see inside while doing surgery but in acupuncture one must precisely insert needles without damaging internal structure, organs, arteries, veins etc. For this one must know deep knowledge of every section of every part of the body to prick needle deep inside.
TG: And the duration of this course?
SP: The bachelor’s degree course, including language study, usually takes eight years but if one works hard he/she can also finish it early. After that, MD and PhD requires another six years.
TG: How many Indian students are there?
SP: I am the only Indian in my University. I am also the first Indian student in China who is learning acupuncture in Chinese language along with other regular Chinese students. There are also Malaysian, Thai, Japanese and Korean students.
TG: Why did you choose to learn acupuncture and that too in China?
SP: To me, acupuncture is a hardcore science that does miracles in the field of medicine. The knowledge of acupuncture has been a part of Chinese culture for thousands of years. At a point when modern therapies do not show positive results, acupuncture comes to the rescue. My father, Dr M B Prabhu, is an acupuncture doctor in Goa. Since childhood I have witnessed how his acupuncture treatments would help people suffering from chronic incurable illnesses. As I grew old my interest in acupuncture grew manifold. I was inspired by his passionate dedication to this field of medicine. Ultimately I decided to opt for studying it in China, which is the origin of acupuncture. It was my father’s dream that I should learn Acupuncture in China and through Chinese language to get all secrets hidden in their ancient books.
TG: When will you complete your training?
SP: My bachelor’s degree will be completed in September 2017. After that I am planning to continue to study for a MD and PhD which will require six more years. However, I shall return to Goa after my bachelor’s degree to help my father in his free treatment camps in Goa and Shirdi for a while. I will also see my own patients before enrolling for higher studies in China or at Portland in the US.
TG: What are the illnesses that can be cured by acupuncture?
SP: Acupuncture has no limits to what it can cure. You are only limited by your wisdom, your skills and imagination! If you cannot treat the disease just because it’s very chronic or because it is very difficult or never treated before - that means you haven’t mastered the right skills yet. In China, common disorders treated with acupuncture are mental stress, depression, insomnia, sleeping problems, gastritis, cervical spondylitis, slip disc, paralysis, Bell’s palsy, knee problems etc. I am proud to add that my father has done lot of research in this field in India. His efforts are highly appreciated even by Chinese authorities.
TG: Can acupuncture treat incurable diseases?
SP: In the first place the words ‘incurable diseases’ exist because modern medicine has not found answers for them. That’s because the researchers are studying these disorders in the wrong direction. Ancient people in China already had knowledge of treating the so-called incurable disorders. It means we just have to time travel! To tell you the truth, in today’s world only the names of the diseases have increased in number. For us it is the malfunctioning of our bodily systems. We just need to know, what’s broken and how to repair and then incurable has a cure, for sure! Also when we say cure, it’s structurally same as before but the functions are normal, because even the most naturally healthy body cannot maintain the same structure every day. That is the beauty of universe. It’s changing all the time! So we just help the body to adapt to those changes and that’s called ‘treatment’.
TG: What are the myths around acupuncture and where do people get it wrong?
SP: For me there are no ‘myths’ in acupuncture. Acupuncture is purely and scientifically proved science. It is registered and recognised by WHO in 1997 and well accepted in the western world. The patients treated with acupuncture in America, Australia etc can get medical reimbursements and can get claim settled from insurance etc. Acupuncture is not just about pricking someone with needles “ it’s about how you manipulate energy. Yin and Yang are constantly changing in the universe. It’s the same with Tai chi which is about feeling the energy and using it for your benefit, in fighting or health. Ancient Chinese medical practices involve correcting imbalances in the flow of Qi in the body and for them acupuncture came naturally. It’s like how television and mobiles or radio do not astonish us in today’s modern times, similarly acupuncture was a way of life for ancient Chinese people. Is there any myth about mobile phones? Then why should there be any myths about acupuncture?
TG: Don’t you miss Goa, Goan food and family?
SP: I do. I miss mangoes and mushrooms. My family is close to my heart. Around this time next year, I would be in Goa.
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Box 1
TG: Is acupuncture a science?
SP: To talk about if acupuncture is a science or not, we need to know first what science is: this is how I would define it “ it’s the study of nature and universe, so any study that fits this description is science! But for modern world, science is that which can be only tested in a lab, which is inappropriate (according to me) because the equipment to detect/test hundreds of wonders in nature still do not exist. However in their absence, we cannot deny the existence of those wonders. Can we?
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Box 2
TG: You have mastered Yang-style Tai Qi (Tai chi), a different form or marshal art, and plan to start a training centre in Goa. Tell us about this feat too
SP: I began taking training of this great form of traditional martial art called Tai Qi (Tai chi) from a grandmaster Ying Yangzhong in 2011. It is very powerful art of developing Qi (energy). Very different from karate, it’s more spiritual and involves using the Qi around us. Tai chi is all about working the mind. Practicing Tai chi is one of the best ways to achieve inner peace and good health. Anyone who is as skinny as me can achieve a high level of power. Physical size doesn’t matter. It’s how you harness the energy around you. That’s the beauty of Tai Qi. Because Tai chi and TCM actually share much in common, I discovered that I am able to better understand the theories taught during my lessons after picking up this martial art. Practicing Tai chi moves and focusing on achieving the right form has inherently helped improve my posture. This has in turn resulted in better overall health “ TCM practitioners believe that correct posture is important in maintaining a smooth flow of Qi in the body. It’s been six years since I picked up Tai chi but I practice several hours for several times a week. I am, currently, the only foreigner among 100 odd members at Ying. I do wish to start a training centre of Tai chi in Goa for its health benefit.
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Captions:
1 - Saish Prabhu practices Tai chi in Shanghai
Photo courtesy: Alywin Chew
2 “ Saish Prabhu in the middle of the acupuncture competition held at auditorium of Changchun University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China in September
