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As health care costs continually rise in most developed countries, many people are looking to alternative forms of health therapy both to prevent and cure them from various illnesses and problems. Two of the most popular forms of alternative therapies in the West today are acupuncture and herbal medicine, both of which have been used for centuries in Asia and are rooted in ancient Chinese medicine. In essence, they attempt to treat the source of the health problem rather than simply get rid of the symptoms, which is something that many argue is the flawed crux of western medicinal techniques. For this reason, many individuals are taking a more holistic approach to their bodies and health rather than simply looking for a quick cure. For example, instead of taking aspirin whenever they get headaches , some people will go to an acupuncturist to find out what causes the problem and begin treatments for that specific cause, which will prevent the headaches from returning in the future. In this way, alternative medicines such as acupuncture and herbal therapy have wonderful preventative potential many modern medicines do not.
Acupuncture is based on ancient Chinese medicine and the importance of ki, a kind of life force that pulsates through every human’s body. Ki runs through various pathways in the body and is fundamental in giving humans strength and energy as well as bolstering the immune system. But, at times, these pathways might suffer blockage or be disrupted for various reasons, so ki is unable to flow smoothly through the body. When this occurs, the body becomes vulnerable to illness and pain. This is where acupuncture comes in. Acupuncturists are well versed in the mapping of the ki pathways throughout the body and are able to locate and stimulate certain areas on the surface of the body in order to relieve the pressure and allow ki once more to flow freely, eliminating pains and illnesses in the process.
One of the most common and successful methods of acupuncture is described as ear acupuncture. As its name implies, this technique is involved solely with the ear and its numerous activation points. The ear is considered a highly sensitive area of the human body because it contains a strong, healthy flow of blood as well as numerous nerve points that connect it with the rest of the human body. Acupuncturists place tiny needles in the surface of the skin at certain points, depending on the desired result. In general, ear acupuncture is considered an excellent therapy, especially for treating individuals with psychological or physical dependency issues such as eating disorders and drug or alcohol abuse.
A second form of alternative therapy based on Chinese traditional medicine is herbal therapy, in which special herbs are prescribed by the doctor to be taken in a hot liquid form, usually tea. Traditionally, herbal teas are imbibed to boost the immune system and prevent illnesses from being able to enter the body. Herbs also have a more direct influence than acupuncture on the body’s physical systems, such as the circulatory system, as they can aid in normalizing blood pressure. One excellent example of an herbal remedy is mushroom tea, which is an excellent antioxidant. Other benefits attributed to the use of traditional Chinese herbs are that they build stamina and are good for digestive purposes. Sometimes, herbal medicines are used in conjunction with acupuncture to magnify its effects.
When it comes to diseases and preventative measures, people should realize that there are many proven alternatives simply to visiting a local western doctor or hospital to be evaluated and sent home with some prescriptions. A In many cases, this type of medicine will only mask the essence of the problem while traditional Chinese therapy such as acupuncture and herbal medicine addresses it from the onset. B As the popularity of alternative therapies such as these grows, hopefully more and more individuals will seek them out and benefit from their holistic approaches. C Ultimately, alternative therapies such as herbs or acupuncture can work wonders as preventative methods for physiological as well as psychological problems before they are able to manifest symptoms and cause pain and suffering. D
pulsates: expands and contracts rhythmically
imbibed: drunk or taken in
11. According to paragraph 1, alternative forms of health care are becoming more popular because
A acupuncture is rooted in ancient Chinese medicine
B they are able to cure patients much more quickly
C medical costs are on the upswing in many First World societies
D they are able to get rid of the symptoms better than other ways
12. Which of the following can be inferred from paragraph 1 about acupuncture?
A It has been in constant use by herbalists for hundreds of years in the Orient.
B Its focus is more intrinsic as opposed to the extrinsic methods of western medicine.
C Its benefits accrue over a longer period of time than those of other therapies.
D It attempts to treat both the symptoms and the source of the patient’s illness.
13. The author discusses headaches in paragraph 1 in order to
A show how they are one of the most common ailments for humans
B question whether they can be cured with traditional medicine
C note that they reveal a deeper problem inside the human body
D indicate aspirin is still the best remedy for this type of problem
14. According to paragraph 2, which of the following is true of ki?
A It constantly runs through the various blood vessels of the body.
B It is the basis upon which the method of acupuncture was devised.
C It is an invisible force that blocks the pathways of the body.
D It stimulates certain pathways in the body and relieves pain.
15. Which of the sentences below best expresses the essential information in the highlighted sentence in the passage? Incorrect answer choices change the meaning in important ways or leave out essential information.
A Ki paths are opened when they stimulate parts of the body and relieve pressure on painful areas with the assistance of professional acupuncturists.
B Acupuncturists are knowledgeable in the pathways of ki, so they make use of this knowledge to find out what areas of the body to place needles in.
C The expertise of acupuncturists allows them to free up ki pathways in the body and help the patient recover from his sickness.
D Illnesses and pain are relieved once the acupuncturist is able to map the pathways of ki and discover the source of the pressure.
16. The word solely in the passage is closest in meaning to
A exclusively
B barely
C safely
D intentionally
17. The author’s description of herbal therapy mentions all of the following EXCEPT:
A Herbs are an excellent way of increasing a person’s endurance.
B It is used as a preventative form of therapy for healthy people.
C The reaction time is faster for acupuncture than for herbal therapy.
D It is beneficial to the circulatory system and blood pressure problems.
18. Which of the following can be inferred from paragraph 5 about western doctor’s prescriptions?
A They are too expensive for many people to afford.
B They may only address one level of various illnesses.
C They are fundamental to most alternative therapies.
D They enable patients to get back on their feet rapidly.
19. Look at the four squares [■] that indicate where the following sentence could be added to the passage.
Additionally, some illnesses require much more investigation than this.
Where would the sentence best fit?
Click on a square [■] to add the sentence to the passage.
20. Directions: Complete the table below to summarize the information about alternative therapies. Match the appropriate statements to the type of therapy they apply to. This question is worth 3 points.
Drag your answer choices to the spaces where they belong.
To remove an answer choice, click on it. To review the passage, click on View Text .
Acupuncture
Select 3
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·
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Herbal
Select 2
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A It interacts with ki energy and allows it to run freely.
B It masks the symptoms and resolves the internal issues.
C It would be good for someone who is suffering from obesity.
D It is an excellent therapy for digestive ailments.
E It is better for patients who are prone to abuse substances.
F It is an excellent remedy for the circadian system.
G It is the more immediate form of the two therapies.