An interview with Jin Mo, R.TCMP

Jin Mo is one of the Practitioners at Radiance Chinese Medicine and Wellness Centre. She met with Dawn Aarons for this interview to share about herself and her practice in June 2017.

Can you tell us about your background and how you came to practice Chinese Medicine?

Jin Mo : Before immigrating with my family to Toronto, I was a successful handbag designer in Korea. In Korea, I also studied hand acupressure. It’s very popular in Korea and I wanted to help my family. I was able to treat my husband’s digestion and urination problems and help my two children. I was so impressed with the power of Eastern Medicine that I decided complete my studies in Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine in Canada.

 

Do you still use hand acupressure in your practice? Do you do hand acupuncture?

Jin Mo : Yes. I teach my patients how to use hand acupressure to help themselves. It can help them with pain, like knee pain. Lower back pain, shoulder pain etc.

My treatments include teaching people skills (hand acupressure) to help themselves. I find the hand is the best microsystem(the whole body is mapped onto the hand) to teach people because it is easy to do.

Acupuncture is more powerful- they can not do acupuncture on themselves- but the hand acupressure is good to do at home.

It is so important for people to be able to treat themselves. I talk about diet and lifestyle, how to think and treat themselves. I want to share with my patients.

 

What can people expect at a first appointment with you, Jin Mo?

Jin Mo : When people come for a first appointment my consultation focuses on their emotions, their lifestyle and body condition. I listen. I place great importance on people’s emotions. I have treated many patients. Some people respond quickly and some people respond more slowly. I wondered what is happening and found that emotional disturbance slows healing.

In Chinese Medicine we do not separate physical, mental and emotional imbalances. Everything is connected and symptoms arise when there are blockages.

I can open energy channels with treatments like acupuncture, moxibusion and cupping, but if the person has emotional resistance, it slows the treatment response.

 

What emotional issues do you see in your practice?

Jin Mo : In Toronto I see much stress, irritability, depression and worry.

Many people have worry without reason. Unspecific worry. I ask people to write down what they are worried about. Often they can not find much to be worried about.

People who worry a lot often have Spleen Qi deficiency. That is why diet is important. And exercise.

 

What do you recommend for worry?

Jin Mo : I recommend Acupuncture (we both laugh). With food choices I encourage worriers to avoid dairy and cold drinks.

I do not use supplements and vitamins. I prefer to take care of myself with healthy thinking, emotions, food and exercise.

I care about my patients like members of my family. I also can worry too much and have had to learn not to worry about them – I like to give people many options, different ways to help themselves.

Proper breathing is very powerful. Breathing deeply helps our energy. The flow of our Qi (energy) is the most important thing so I always give breathing exercises.

Not everyone follows my suggestions, but for most part, simply breathing deeply during a treatment helps them to feel better. People aren’t aware that they are breathing shallow or holding their breath. The realizing is important. Then they can begin breathing deeply.

 

What are your biggest challenges?

Jin Mo : My big challenge is English. It is also challenging to have patients with very strong emotions. I use Buddhist practice and study to help me with my practice.

If someone has a strong emotion and doesn’t want to open their mind, they will be slow to heal.

I am not curing their body. I am helping to open their blockages. The body is healing itself. Our body is so amazing. The practitioner does not cure the patient. Patients cures themselves. That is why I like acupuncture. It gives the body a change and encourages the body to regulate itself.

The sad thing is that some people are nervous about needles. Before trying it, they reject the needles. Acupuncture is very different from the needles they have experienced in the past. This fear of needles can stop them from receiving the benefits.

People who already have a lot of pain in their body reject the needles. Once they try one they realize that the acupuncture is fine – that it is nothing. Acupressure can actually be more uncomfortable than acupuncture – it is sad when people are not open to acupuncture.

 

Do you support combining Western and Eastern approaches?

Jin Mo : Yes, sometimes the best treatment is Western medicine and acupuncture combined. In China there are hospitals with both eastern and western options available to people. For example, a very weak person that needs surgery, may take herbs and acupuncture to strengthen themselves first before the surgery. And then have acupuncture after surgery to support the healing.

Our goal is to help the patient. All modalities that can help can be included to reach that goal.