“Dr. Li,“(李大夫,)他问,“how does acupuncture relieve pain?“(针灸是怎么止痛的?)
这个问题李为东早就预料到了。
“Modern research shows,“(现代研究表明,)他通过翻译回答,“acupuncture can stimulate the nervous system to release endorphins, which are natural pain-killing substances. This is the scientific explanation for the traditional concept of 'tong ze bu tong'—'if the meridians are open, there will be no pain'.“(针灸能够刺激神经系统释放内啡肽——这是天然的止痛物质。这就是传统概念“通则不痛“的科学解释。)
格林博士听完,若有所思地点了点头。
“That's very interesting.“(这非常有趣。)
接下来是第二个演示——针灸治疗急性胃痛。
李为东用同样的方法,诊断、取穴、下针。整个过程行云流水,一气呵成。
几分钟后,那个年轻女性的胃痛也明显缓解了。
“好了。“李为东收回银针,对美国专家们说,“今天的演示到此结束。有什么问题,欢迎提问。“
美国专家们纷纷举手。
“Dr. Li, how long have you been practicing acupuncture?“(李大夫,您练习针灸多长时间了?)
“Dr. Li, what is your opinion on the future of traditional Chinese medicine?“(李大夫,您对中医的未来有什么看法?)
这个问题让李为东沉默了一会儿。
“Traditional Chinese medicine,“(中医,)他缓缓说道,“has a history of over five thousand years. It has saved countless lives and continues to benefit millions of people today.“(中医有五千多年的历史。它拯救了无数人的生命,至今仍在惠及千百万人。)
“I believe the future of TCM lies in modernization,“(我相信,中医的未来在于现代化,)他继续说,“not Westernization. We need to explain tra