Every year since 2007 Tel Aviv hosts Chinese Medicine Conference in spring time, organised by the International Community of Chinese Medicine in Israel (ICCM). An appropriate season by all Chinese Medicine postulates, in the season of growth and expansion. And expansion we as attendees got, in the most literal meaning of the word. Professionally, personally, spiritually. Truly, you could say, holistically.
This year, 2019, I attended for the first time, wandering where have I been all these previous years! Colleagues from 20 countries attended, on a 3 day long road to better understanding, better application, and better clinical focus for all of us Chinese medicine practitioners. Some of the world known names in Chinese medicine shared with us their clinical gems, from the intricacies of channel theory and practical application in clinic with dr Rodrigo Aranda, all the way from Chile, through subtleties of emotional factor importance and use of Window of Heaven points by brilliant Israel’s own dr Yair Maimon, to combining different modalities in nutritional care of patients by amazing Eyal Shpringer and treatment of mums and babies by Assaf Mor, eye opening of the true scope of acupuncture from the earliest days of one’s life.
The week started with optional hospital tour showing amazing facilities of one of Tel Aviv hospital that hosts Integrative healthcare team using different modalities of complementary medicines to look after patient affected by cancer, both in treatment and in remission. Run by Eyal Shpringer and his team, we were introduced to a truly unique service ensuring best integrative health care for some of the most vulnerable patients, and all based on current research based and tried practices. Chinese medicine joined by other modalities, including massage, reflexology, nutrition, Bodysynthesis. The team boasts some of the most experienced practitioners in their respective practices, working together and working out best ways to help each patient, and in constant professional upgrading process to stay abreast most current research and methods of care.
We all know that learning has many faces, and we didn’t lack variety in that, either. Israeli people are well known for their hospitality and we had a first experience in this from the word go. Both during working and leisurely hours. An amazing out of hours events were organised: out of this world experience of a celebrity chef Avital Sebbag, who hosted us in her own home for the best vegan food experience ever, all according to TCM principles, as she is a practitioner as well as a kitchen wizard!; great evening tour of Yaffa and Tel Aviv gems, and the fantastic tourist venture following the hard work during the conference. Jerusalem with the most significant historical gems, Dead Sea mudding, breathtaking Masada desert….bonding of the world wide community extended.
In one word, sensational experience, through and through. Already booking for next year. This time, planning ahead, as I cannot miss it.
