Trust: The Starting Point of Healing – Understanding the "Three Nos" of Traditional Chinese Medicine from the Huangdi Neijing

Among the vast classics of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the Huangdi Neijing (Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon) serves not only as a theoretical foundation but also as a repository of medical wisdom passed down through millennia. Within its pages lies a passage later termed the "Three Nos of TCM," which continues to guide our clinical practice and service today:

"Those who are bound by ghosts and spirits cannot be spoken to about ultimate virtue; those who despise acupuncture and moxibustion cannot be spoken to about ultimate skill; if a patient does not permit treatment, the illness will certainly not be cured, and treating them will be fruitless." (拘於鬼神者，不可與言至德；惡於鍼石者，不可與言至巧；病不許治者，病必不治，治之無功矣。)

These three seemingly simple statements, in fact, contain profound insights into human nature and the fundamental consensus required between practitioners and patients.

First "No": "Those who are bound by ghosts and spirits cannot be spoken to about ultimate virtue."

This is a reminder about belief. If someone always attributes their physical ailments to karma, deities, or the punishment of fate, entrusting themselves to mysterious forces rather than confronting their own lifestyle habits, emotional changes, and constitutional imbalances, then no matter how benevolent or compassionate the practitioner, a true healing dialogue becomes difficult. TCM is not a religion; it doesn't peddle miracles. It emphasizes the balance of Heaven, Earth, and Humanity, and the orderly flow of Qi, Blood, Yin, and Yang. If the other party cannot start from "self" but instead resorts to the esoteric, then the door to healing will be difficult to open.

Second "No": "Those who despise acupuncture and moxibustion cannot be spoken to about ultimate skill."

This speaks to acceptance. In ancient times, "acupuncture and moxibustion" referred to needling and stone needle therapies. Today, it can broadly encompass all TCM methods: Tui Na (massage), cupping, gua sha, moxibustion, acupuncture, and more. If a patient initially rejects these methods, even viewing them as "superstition" or a "terrifying experience," then no matter how skillful the practitioner's techniques or how meticulous their differentiation, they cannot be applied. This is not a criticism, but a respect for perception. We each have our own experiences and boundaries, and the process of TCM treatment fundamentally requires active participation and an open mind. Only with a willingness to understand and try do the techniques become meaningful.

Third "No": "If a patient does not permit treatment, the illness will certainly not be cured, and treating them will be fruitless."

This statement is a realistic observation of willingness to receive treatment. Some illnesses are not incurable; rather, the person's heart is not yet ready to accept treatment. Some people are physically ill but psychologically resist change; they might fear pain, inconvenience, or confronting old wounds, or they might simply be accustomed to the attention and excuses that illness brings. When a person's inner self has not "permitted" them to get better, then no amount of medical skill or comprehensive planning will be effective. Healing is a two-way journey, not a one-sided rescue.

We often say: "For a practitioner, it's better to nourish the heart than to merely cure the disease."

Every interaction with a client is not just about "performing a treatment"; it's about listening, conversing, and understanding the other person's body and mind. These "Three Nos" are not just choices for the practitioner but also an invitation to every visitor:

• Can you temporarily let go of resentment towards fate and instead focus on yourself?
• Are you willing to try our methods, even if just once?
• Can you give yourself a chance to truly believe you can get better?

We deeply understand that not everyone can fully trust us from the outset, nor do we demand immediate results from every session. But we believe that once this willingness exists, once you are willing to come in, sit down, and cooperate, we will use all our experience and sincerity to guard your path back to balance and health.

Healing is never just a technical issue; it is a shared willingness and understanding.

Only when you are ready can our expertise find its space to shine.

This is the true meaning of the "Three Nos."