February 17, 1982

Dr. Kissinger,

I would like to wish you a very speedy recovery from
your recent Heart Surgery. I recently read where you were
up and about and doing very fine.

I too, had open heart surgery on February 9, 1978. I
had an aortic valve replaced. I can identify with your
moments of quiet thought when you wonder "will I really be
all right". I can only tell you that I have been 100% better
since my operation. I do have days when I still wonder about
it, but the fear is gone. I like celebrating my new "birthdays"
since I feel I'm getting a second chance at life.

My prayers will be with you for a speedy recovery,
as my doctor told me, Dr. Donald Effler, twenty years ago we
wouldn't have had a chance for this operation. I'm glad we
were born in the times we live in now. I'm also glad because
of men like you who give so much to all of us in our country.

[LC]

NEW YORK CHINESE ACUPUNCTURE ASSOCIATION, INC.
紐約中國針灸醫學總會

Address: 96 MADISON ST., NEW YORK, N. Y. 10002
Telephone: (212) 964-6353, 966-6031

Chairman: James L. K. Gong
Master Acupuncturist
and Herbalist.

CONSULTANT:
Hon: George W. Miller
New York State Assemblyman

March 2, 1982

The Honorable Henry Kissinger
National Republican Committee
310 First Street, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003

Dear Dr. Kissinger,

I read of your recent heart surgery an am prompted
to write because of the invaluable work you have done
in the furtherance of Chinese and American relations.

According to traditional Chinese medicine, angina
pectoris has over many thousands of years been treated
successfully with acupuncture. Even in cases where
surgery has already been performed acupuncture can be
utilized as aid in the recovery process and the mainte-
nance of optimal health. Bearing this in mind I am
enclosing an article I wrote regarding the use of
acupuncture with symptomatology such as yours.

I know that the Chinese community joins me in
wishing you an excellent recovery.

With kind regards.

JG/ns

[L]

ACUPUNCTURE TREATMENT
by Dr. James L. K. Gong

This article is part of a series that will appear in Dr. Gong's forthcoming book on acupuncture treatment. Each article in this series will deal with a different problem and discuss the treatment of the problem through acupuncture. The book is based upon Dr. Gong's many years of experience and expertise and promises to be the definitive book in the field of acupuncture therapy.

ANGINA PECTORIS

Angina pectoris is a condition in which pain, sometimes excruciatingly severe, is usually felt in the right side of the chest although it can affect the entire chest area as well as radiate to other parts of the body. This pain is usually treated symptomatically which often will relieve it. However, the patient will still be at risk for recurrent attacks and may even subsequently require surgery. If left to follow its own course with no medical intervention, the symptoms will worsen and possibly the patient will die. This is not at all uncommon.

How can angina pectoris be adequately treated? The following illustration is a true story: In 1974 I was working as an acupuncturist in New York. At that time my mother (who was 67 years old) was hospitalized in Cathay Hospital in Hong Kong. Although she was there for three months she gained no relief from her symptoms. I brought my family to visit her and while there the doctor told us that her condition was very grave; however, he was unable to operate on her because of how far it had progressed and the fact that she was too weak.

I vividly recalled having read in a rare acupuncture treatise a successful method for treating this type of problem and after I took my mother home I performed this technique on her. After the first treatment her pain was greatly relieved. However, it took two treatments daily for two days until she showed marked improvement. On the third day I left Hong Kong for other business and when I returned a week later my mother's condition was still improved. She is now 76, lives in New York with me, is quite healthy and has suffered no relapse.

What specifically is the optimal treatment for this problem? It is surprisingly simple. First, insert two needles in the back at the bladder meridian, Kenshu #17 on both sides of the spine. The needles should be at a depth of one-third of an inch. Rotate them at that depth until each needle feels the chi; this will indicate that the needles are working well. The needles are left in this position for about 15 minutes. They are then removed and inserted on both front arm surfaces on the circulation meridian at Hsimen #4. These needles can be inserted up to one inch at this point. The patient will experience a feeling in the middle finger similar to an electric shock. The needle should be left in for about 15 minutes. The moment the patient has a numb feeling in the forearm the needles should be removed. Finish the treatment by giving a brisk rubbing massage to the upper back. The patient will begin to feel almost immediate relief.

(LC)

# DR. GONG'S ACUPUNCTURE

Angina pectoris p.2

Those who have experience in Chinese medicine know that the Kenshu point is instrumental in curing problems of the circulatory system. Stimulation of this point helps to enlarge the ventricles of the heart thus allowing the oxygenated blood to flow more freely. The Hsimen point also aids in the circulation of blood in the body. This in essence is the reason behind the cure; when the ventricles are open, the pulsating heart is able to transport the needed oxygenated blood throughout the system. And a needle inserted in specific medical points is certainly easier than the most minor operation to alleviate this trouble.

I have always felt that the Chinese invented the acupuncture needle which heralded the first real medical treatment in human history.

As a final note of caution, it is of critical importance that when the needle is inserted in the upper back that it not be embedded deeper than one-third to one-half inch. If it goes deeper than this it will puncture the heart or lungs which will cause serious damage.

Another time, when I was working in my clinic in Buffalo, my secretary's, Mary Bank, husband also had angina and had been hospitalized many times for it. I used the same method to treat him, also with very good results. It took only three treatments and to this day he remains free of this problem.

Whether one believes in it or not, it has been factually proven that acupuncture has been able to help many problems including those that modern medical science has given up on. What is of prime importance in this matter, however, is that the patient receive the right acupuncture treatment. In this country people are still unfamiliar with acupuncture. Although there are a few areas where its use has penetrated American's consciousness, i.e. migraine headaches and lower back syndrome, they don't realize that acupuncture can treat more serious illnesses such as angina pectoris.

Americans are accustomed to electing surgery when it is recommended to them because they feel there is no other recourse. Chinese medicine feels that in many instances much surgery is unnecessary and that there are alternate means by which health can be secured.

I have a patient, almost 80 years old, who also has angina. Her doctor recommended surgery, and, while she was waiting for a bed in the hospital, her condition worsened. She came to me for treatment initially to be relieved of her symptoms. However I told her if she truly wanted to regain her health she must come twice weekly for two months. This she did. Her pathology was made more serious because not only were the ventricles to the heart narrowed but she was extremely overweight which exacerbated her condition. Additionally, her breasts were very large and pulled on the chest making her situation that much more uncomfortable. Any movement in this patient put stress on the heart. These factors combined with slow bodily functioning because of her age necessitated intensified treatment. Nevertheless, with acupuncture she made a very good recovery.

Acupuncture methods can be easily utilized in treating such serious cases and it is for this reason I have cited the experiences of the above patients.

HENRY A. KISSINGER

June 11, 1982

Dear Mr. Goudy:

I appreciated your card which I
received while I was hospitalized.
Your thoughtfulness and good wishes
meant a great deal to me.