A peaceful, easy feeling... in Chiang Mai

[FolkGuitar]

I had occasion to visit the Mungkala Clinic this morning for some acupuncture. I knew they were remodeling but it appears to be finished now. Large open space, with windows overlooking the quiet paths through the gardens,

Walking into those garden outside the clinic is like walking into tranquility itself, and the new front room interior is just as relaxing. What a difference from walking into the average medical facility! You can feel the stress and tensions of crowded streets and traffic jams of Chiang Mai peel away, and knowing that the quality medical care about to be received will take care of what ails ya makes the visit there all the better!

For those new to Chiang Mai, Mungkala Clinic on Ratchamanks Rd in the Old City specializes in traditional Chinese Medicines; acupuncture, acupressure, and herbals. Two doctors there to diagnose and treat; a husband and wife team. My personal preference is for the wife, who has a feather touch and a healing way, but her husband is really just as competent. I had my first treatment from them about 15 years ago, and I have a feeling they were established long before that.

Traditional Chinese medicine is NOT effective for every problem, but then, neither is modern Western medicine. I realize that there are some people here in ThaiVisa who don't like Chinese medicine. This thread is not a discussion of its effectiveness. It's about the calm atmosphere of the Mungkala Clinic in Chiang Mai. If you don't like Chinese Medicine, or you don't like Mongkala Clinic, please either keep it to yourself, or start your own thread about it in the Health forum. Don't disrupt this peaceful, easy feeling. Thanks.

[JulieM]

I have little experience with Chinese medicine. Does it have a reputation for people with heart problems? I don't know if I have a clogged artery or something else, but I do get a pain in my upper chest, right in the middle of my body, when I over-exert. I know I should see a doctor about it but I always put these things off.

[jobin]

I had the 'hot cup' treatment one time in China. Interesting and for a week i had numerous 5 cm red circles all over my back.

[amexpat]

I have little experience with Chinese medicine. Does it have a reputation for people with heart problems? I don't know if I have a clogged artery or something else, but I do get a pain in my upper chest, right in the middle of my body, when I over-exert. I know I should see a doctor about it but I always put these things off.

What an interesting life you must lead if getting checked for serious heart disease is a low priority.

[FolkGuitar]

I have little experience with Chinese medicine. Does it have a reputation for people with heart problems? I don't know if I have a clogged artery or something else, but I do get a pain in my upper chest, right in the middle of my body, when I over-exert. I know I should see a doctor about it but I always put these things off.

Heart 'problems?' That could be any one (or three) of fifty different conditions. You are feeling a pain in your chest, and you suspect it's a heart problem, but you haven't already consulted a medical specialist? Listen... it's OK to put off doing the laundry. Eventually you run out of clean clothes to wear so you just go out and get some new ones. It's OK to put off sewing on a loose button. Eventually the button falls off and you have to use a safety pin to close your pants. No big problem. But it's NOT OK to put off dealing with chest pain. The 'eventually' part doesn't have a happy ending.

If it were me, and I had chest pain after exercise, I'd go get an EKG at the hospital. If the attending physician suggests it, I'd see a cardiologist.

"IF" the cardiologist suggests surgery (and not 'immediate' surgery,) I'd then look into treating the condition with Chinese Medicine as an alternative to surgery. If it doesn't take care of the problem you can always fall back on Western Medicine.

10 years ago the head of Orthopedic Surgery at Chiang Mai Ram had me in a full 'back brace' and taking opiated pain meds while awaiting spinal fusion surgery. I used the time for Alternative Medicine, stopped taking the meds after three weeks, and was out of the back brace after 4-5 weeks. I now have full mobility, with just an occasional flair-up once or twice every few years that I treat with acupuncture. I much prefer full mobility to a spine that doesn't bend.

[northernjohn]

I used to go there and I found every thing there to be peaceful. The acupuncture didn't seem to help me. Not there fault as I have tried it with several other practitioners always at least 5 visits to no avail. I made the mistake of always naming several different things or just saying General.

I now have find my self considering going back to him for a specific item. I mentioned it to my doctor and she said sure give it a try. It will be interesting to see the improvements as I say I thought it was nice before. Not fancy but nice.

[JulieM]

I'm not that concerned about the pain. It hardly ever happens. I basically have to jog up a steep hill to bring the pain on. There is nothing about my diet that leads me to believe that I might have a clogged artery. Heart problems don't exist in my family and everyone of my close relatives die around 87-95, although I have a 103 year old aunt and a 99 year old uncle.

Also, I am not a big believer in taking a lot of pills. I'm happy to "go" when I go. I also haven't been sick in over five years.

I think there is something to the Chinese treatments. A good friend of mine had serious back problems due to his work as a builder in the UK. His doctors in the UK told him he could never work again. He visited a Chinese chiropractor in CM several times and now he is absolutely fine.

[amexpat]

So often we hear "Doctors said he would never ______ again, but...."

Doctors, as opposed to er, "practitioners" of Chinese or alternative medicine, try to manage expectations and state worst case scenarios. Hope for the best but be prepared for the worst.

Back surgery is among the riskiest, least productive, hence most ill-advised, procedures but some doctors like to do it anyway. Wonder why.

[FolkGuitar]

So often we hear "Doctors said he would never ______ again, but...."

Doctors, as opposed to er, "practitioners" of Chinese or alternative medicine, try to manage expectations and state worst case scenarios. Hope for the best but be prepared for the worst.

Back surgery is among the riskiest, least productive, hence most ill-advised, procedures but some doctors like to do it anyway. Wonder why.

If your only tool is a hammer, you try to fix every problem with a nail.

If you are a surgeon, it seems there is only one option. Otherwise you don't make any money being a surgeon.

[2020]

So often we hear "Doctors said he would never ______ again, but...."

Doctors, as opposed to er, "practitioners" of Chinese or alternative medicine, try to manage expectations and state worst case scenarios. Hope for the best but be prepared for the worst.

Back surgery is among the riskiest, least productive, hence most ill-advised, procedures but some doctors like to do it anyway. Wonder why.

If your only tool is a hammer, you try to fix every problem with a nail.

If you are a surgeon, it seems there is only one option. Otherwise you don't make any money being a surgeon.

That quote will stick with me along with another one I heard (regarding health/ doctors/ hospitals) a few years ago.

I was violently ill in a foreign country so I rang my health insurance co. to find the best place to go. I said I knew of two hospitals, hospital a, and a little further away was a better equipped one, hospital b. The reply was the best hospital in this situation is the closest hospital.

Just like your quote...it made sense.

[jobin]

Let be informed, please. There can be many causes for 'back pain' and most are not related to the spine bones. Generally weak muscles, tight tendons and ligaments bring various back ailments. How long each day do you sit in a chair? Think that activity is related to back pain? Certainly yes. So get off your a** and get moving, get stretching the hamstrings, get doing some yoga which can strengthen the muscles, front and back.

I had a back surgery, the sciatic nerve was pinched by the protruding disk due to an sports injury 50 years prior. Prior to surg could not walk 50 m, after surg back to normal. Recovery time about 4 months total.

But if you think only the doc can or cannot help you, get informed.

[Raindancer]

Quote ::Posted Yesterday, 20:43

I had occasion to visit the Mungkala Clinic this morning for some acupuncture. I knew they were remodeling but it appears to be finished now. Large open space, with windows overlooking the quiet paths through the gardens,

Walking into those garden outside the clinic is like walking into tranquility itself, and the new front room interior is just as relaxing. What a difference from walking into the average medical facility! You can feel the stress and tensions of crowded streets and traffic jams of Chiang Mai peel away, and knowing that the quality medical care about to be received will take care of what ails ya makes the visit there all the better!

For those new to Chiang Mai, Mungkala Clinic on Ratchamanks Rd in the Old City specializes in traditional Chinese Medicines; acupuncture, acupressure, and herbals. Two doctors there to diagnose and treat; a husband and wife team. My personal preference is for the wife, who has a feather touch and a healing way, but her husband is really just as competent. I had my first treatment from them about 15 years ago, and I have a feeling they were established long before that.

Traditional Chinese medicine is NOT effective for every problem, but then, neither is modern Western medicine. I realize that there are some people here in ThaiVisa who don't like Chinese medicine. This thread is not a discussion of its effectiveness. It's about the calm atmosphere of the Mungkala Clinic in Chiang Mai. If you don't like Chinese Medicine, or you don't like Mongkala Clinic, please either keep it to yourself, or start your own thread about it in the Health forum. Don't disrupt this peaceful, easy feeling. Thanks. End of Quote :

Apologise ....but I have little experience of using the quote system.

I have no wish to spoil your experience. But i would like to add that because of myofarscial pain, I visited this clinic and after no improvement I visited TTCM which was extremely painful. Maybe acupunctuncture works for some people...but did not work for me.

I visited four doctors including two renowned orthopaedic surgeons who took Xrays and concluded that YES I had a myofarscial problem. I was given a courtezone injection and referred to Physio and also acupuncture. After many sessions of both, there was no improvement.

And so in desperation after 7 weeks of 3-4 hours sleep a night and being awoken by the pain, I hesitantly visited Doctor Phillip Parry (a chiropractor), who within 10 - 15 minutes identified the problem, resolved it painlessly and now I am pain free.

I visited Doctor Parry on Friday last when he fixed the problem....and then I returned on Sunday some two days later, he checked me out and to my amazement did not charge me for the second visit.

I am not related to him nor do i have a business interest in his practice...I am just a patient, wishing to advise others of a remedy that worked for me. Chok Di

[Raindancer]

I seem to have been denied editing this post....and so I wish to add a few words.

My visit to Mungkala clinic did not bode well for me for the following reasons.

The "male doctor" asked very few questions of the history of my pain and just seemed keen on hooking me up to the electrodes system. This failed after 10 minutes and my called in the "nurse" to tell her that the electrodes were no longer pulsating.

This was met by the usual Thai expression of "Awhhhh". After 30 minutes. of the session I was unhooked and directed to the payment desk. I politely asked if the "doctor" wanted to discuss how I felt after the treatment ....I was again met with the "awhh" expresion and told NO.

Not quite what I would call an interested clinic....which seemed totally focused on payment and further installments and treatment at discounted payments.

Not a very good bedside manner nor genuine interest in the progress of their patients.

Never again thank you.

[mania]

Easy on the reply button RainDancer

Also from the original post....

This thread is not a discussion of its effectiveness. It's about the calm atmosphere of the Mungkala Clinic in Chiang Mai.

As for Mungkala I love them & yes it has always been a tranquil spot

I once fell asleep during treatment & woke to rain outside thought I was dreaming but it only added

to the calm.

I have only ever had the husband do my acupuncture but have heard only good things about the wife too.

The staff is also excellent. All very gentle & polite

I have used Acupuncture all my adult life as I worked in a trade that induced injuries

Have seen many good ones & for Atmosphere as well as Technique/skill I rank Mungkala right at the top alongside only one other (Not in Thailand)

[Raindancer]

Easy on the reply button RainDancer

Also from the original post....

This thread is not a discussion of its effectiveness. It's about the calm atmosphere of the Mungkala Clinic in Chiang Mai.

As for Mungkala I love them & yes it has always been a tranquil spot

I once fell asleep during treatment & woke to rain outside thought I was dreaming but it only added

to the calm.

I have only ever had the husband do my acupuncture but have heard only good things about the wife too.

The staff is also excellent. All very gentle & polite

I have used Acupuncture all my adult life as I worked in a trade that induced injuries

Have seen many good ones & for Atmosphere as well as Technique/skill I rank Mungkala right at the top alongside only one other (Not in Thailand)

Each to their own. But please do not criticise my experience. And in no way did i make adverse comments about the peacefullness of Mungkala cliic...Just to heir lack of bedside care and attention. If that is what you need to find calm then a blessing for you. I find my calm in other ways of meditation.

Look at my comments again and you will see that I refer to their practices and lack of professionalism. Nothing to do with so called calmness. How can one feel calm when the service provide lacks confidence of a cure for the patient. And please do not patronise me with your opening statement of "easy on the reply button Raindancer."

Yes I agree it is a calm location and atmosphere. But what about the effect of treatments?

This post is not designed to denigrate Mangkula, but to offer a patients view, before during and after treatment, a point which is not subject to your one sided editorial comments promoting calmness of location.

Your quote "This thread is not a discussion of its effectiveness. It's about the calm atmosphere of the Mungkala Clinic in Chiang Mai", has nothing to do with the original post of the OP and the resident public need to be aware of their treatment procedures. Please do not subjugate me to your change of topic to suit your own ends.....Please stick with the OPs original post and not troll from the original topic.

[mania]

Your quote "This thread is not a discussion of its effectiveness. It's about the calm atmosphere of the Mungkala Clinic in Chiang Mai", has nothing to do with the original post of the OP and the resident public need to be aware of their treatment procedures. Please do not subjugate me to your change of topic to suit your own ends.....Please stick with the OPs original post and not troll from the original topic.

Jai Yen Yen you'll pop an artery

Just kidding but all I was pointing out was what the OP post said so it does in fact have everything to do with the OP

Since that quote you think is mine was not my words but the OP's

Sorry did not mean to offend you

[Raindancer]

Your quote "This thread is not a discussion of its effectiveness. It's about the calm atmosphere of the Mungkala Clinic in Chiang Mai", has nothing to do with the original post of the OP and the resident public need to be aware of their treatment procedures. Please do not subjugate me to your change of topic to suit your own ends.....Please stick with the OPs original post and not troll from the original topic.

Jai Yen Yen you'll pop an artery

Just kidding but all I was pointing out was what the OP post said so it does in fact have everything to do with the OP

Since that quote you think is mine was not my words but the OP's

Sorry did not mean to offend you

[FolkGuitar]

I seem to have been denied editing this post....and so I wish to add a few words.

My visit to Mungkala clinic did not bode well for me for the following reasons.

The "male doctor" asked very few questions of the history of my pain and just seemed keen on hooking me up to the electrodes system. This failed after 10 minutes and my called in the "nurse" to tell her that the electrodes were no longer pulsating.

This was met by the usual Thai expression of "Awhhhh". After 30 minutes. of the session I was unhooked and directed to the payment desk. I politely asked if the "doctor" wanted to discuss how I felt after the treatment ....I was again met with the "awhh" expresion and told NO.

Not quite what I would call an interested clinic....which seemed totally focused on payment and further installments and treatment at discounted payments.

Not a very good bedside manner nor genuine interest in the progress of their patients.

Never again thank you.

Raindancer, which part of my original post that said "This thread is not a discussion of its effectiveness. It's about the calm atmosphere of the Mungkala Clinic in Chiang Mai. If you don't like Chinese Medicine, or you don't like Mongkala Clinic, please either keep it to yourself, or start your own thread about it in the Health forum. Don't disrupt this peaceful, easy feeling. Thanks" didn't you understand? I thought it was pretty clear.

Please don't hijack this thread for your own purposes. Thank you.

If you'd like to start a thread about your positive experiences with your chiropractor, the 'Start New Thread' button is on the top of the page.

[Raindancer]

I seem to have been denied editing this post....and so I wish to add a few words.

My visit to Mungkala clinic did not bode well for me for the following reasons.

The "male doctor" asked very few questions of the history of my pain and just seemed keen on hooking me up to the electrodes system. This failed after 10 minutes and my called in the "nurse" to tell her that the electrodes were no longer pulsating.

This was met by the usual Thai expression of "Awhhhh". After 30 minutes. of the session I was unhooked and directed to the payment desk. I politely asked if the "doctor" wanted to discuss how I felt after the treatment ....I was again met with the "awhh" expresion and told NO.

Not quite what I would call an interested clinic....which seemed totally focused on payment and further installments and treatment at discounted payments.

Not a very good bedside manner nor genuine interest in the progress of their patients.

Never again thank you.

Raindancer, which part of my original post that said "This thread is not a discussion of its effectiveness. It's about the calm atmosphere of the Mungkala Clinic in Chiang Mai. If you don't like Chinese Medicine, or you don't like Mongkala Clinic, please either keep it to yourself, or start your own thread about it in the Health forum. Don't disrupt this peaceful, easy feeling. Thanks" didn't you understand? I thought it was pretty clear.

Please don't hijack this thread for your own purposes. Thank you.

If you'd like to start a thread about your positive experiences with your chiropractor, the 'Start New Thread' button is on the top of the page.

I only offered a different perspective on your experiences. Why must people post threads that are dogmatic and not looking for different opinions..No intention of Hi-Jacking any threads. But there are two sides to every story....good or bad. No offense intended toward you. It is not a question of winning. Everyone has a different view and surely you must accept that if you post something that people will respond with their own experiences.

Regards

[terminatorchiangmai]

any one have experience with acupuncture for stop smoking ?

[CharlieH]

A number of petty juvenile squabbling posts have been removed.

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[AnotherOneAmerican]

If it were me, and I had chest pain after exercise, I'd go get an EKG at the hospital.

Or you could just stop exercising.

[beau thai]

If it were me, and I had chest pain after exercise, I'd go get an EKG at the hospital.

Or you could just stop exercising.

5555.

Wasn't it Henry Ford who said something like 'If you are fit you dont need exercise, and if you are not fit, it will probably kill you' .

And he sold a lot of motor cars.....

[FolkGuitar]

If it were me, and I had chest pain after exercise, I'd go get an EKG at the hospital.

Or you could just stop exercising.

LOL! Can't do that. Then I might not live long enough to enjoy the peace and tranquility of the Mungkala Clinic!

People who don't exercise tend to die young. I plan to live forever. So far, so good!