Changing the paradigm-Teaching Western Style Acupuncture in Portugal

In the past, the teaching of acupuncture to medical doctors in Portugal was mostly linked to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) concepts. The presentation of the complex TCM diagnostic methods and treatment strategies to medical doctors touches the frontier of “suspension of disbelieve” in order to be able to understand and, in particular, apply those concepts to the treatment. Most of the TCM concepts are almost impossible to translate to western medical terms, making the communication among health professionals difficult, thus preventing acupuncture from integrating into current health care.