Chinese Medicine Notes

9,000 Needles- Review

Posted on July 26, 2011 by Yael

Last March we had the ICCM congress here in Israel.
It’s a great event, where we get to meet people from our local community, and also people from the global community of Chinese Medicine.
That is, I think, not just important, but also just lots of fun.
The congress was a 4-day-long party, and we had many interesting events, all about Chinese Medicine.

I had some contributions for the event, one of them was the first screening in Israel of the movie 9,000 Needles.
I”m sure many of you know about the movie by now, and probably watched it. For those who didn’t- the movie tells the personal story of Devin Dearth, a body builder from the US who suffered a massive stroke. Trying to find the best ways to heal himself, he travels to China, for a 6 weeks program of acupuncture, moxa, cupping and physiotherapy sessions- everyday, almost all day long.
The experience is being filmed by his brother, Doug, and the result is this movie.

As people from within the Chinese Medicine world, it’s not everyday that we get a chance to see,  how our world looks like to an outsider.
It seems natural to us to use needles, smell the moxa, see the weird shapes on the backs of people after cupping, and it’s maybe still amazes us, but we know that it works.
But people who are patients, and their families? It’s not a given that it works, especially for people who are in such a complicated condition as Devin and his family were.
It’s also the first time that we get a glimpse of the implications on the family- not just the simple fact that Devin’s not able to do the simple things he used to all his life, but also the fact that the family members suddenly find themselves in a different country, with different customs, different culture… And they’re not at home.
Surely that has an additional effect on the Earth element.

As a result of the movie, I found myself forgetting that I know Chinese Medicine.
I thought “wow, it would be so cool if I knew how to help people like they helped Devin in China”.
And then it hit me- “wait a minute- I DO know how to help people like that!!!!”  And that thought made me feel wonderful.

If you know of a screening around you, I urge you to watch the movie.
The personal story, in addition to the hope that it gives to people who suffered from similar conditions is great.
The movie allows you a rare look at how patients view our profession, how it affects the patient and their families, and also- it’s a beautiful movie about the strength of the human spirit and about love.