East Meets West: Oriental Medicine and the Future of Healthcare in America

Asian healing practices involving acupuncture, bodywork, herbs, diet, and exercise (such as qi gong) reflect thousands of years of thinking about health and disease. However, Oriental medicine—as it's widely known—is relatively new to the West, not truly taking hold until President Nixon initiated a cultural exchange with China in the 1970s. Today, interest is burgeoning, with at least 60 schools in the U.S. offering degrees in the field, and the number is rising. Unfortunately, Lynn Walker's documentary East Meets West—narrated by licensed acupuncturist Jennifer Buys—is somewhat uneven, often dry, and unnecessarily digressive, with practitioners discussing their areas of expertise over continual distracting background music. Still, much of the information is relevant, offering a good discussion of how Eastern medicine can complement Western practices by treating the underlying cause of symptoms. The program also suggests that combining the two approaches could save money by shortening hospital stays, speeding recovery, reducing the necessity for some costly surgeries, and obviating the need for long-term medication. Recommended, overall. Aud: P. (F. Gardner)