DashJ

HK Magazine: So you poke needles in tongues as a form of therapy? That’s a bit scary…
Sun Jieguang: Yes, it is. I invented this bizarre treatment while practicing as a western doctor. Western doctors are limited in prescribing effective treatments for many brain-related abnormalities. So I delved into traditional Chinese medicine, discovered a close tongue-brain relationship and eventually founded tongue acupuncture. So far, I have found 49 acupoints on the tongue.

HK: Is it painful? And what is it good for?
SJ: It just produces a tingly feeling. I apply a needle on patient’s tongue and go through the acupoints swiftly. The whole process takes no more than a few seconds. I believe tongue acupuncture is especially good for those with brain handicaps or other brain disorders such as paralysis, autism or damage caused by epilepsy. Let me show you.

HK: How does is the tongue supposed to reflect the body’s condition?
SJ: By its shape, color and coating. In TCM [traditional Chinese medicine], the tongue is believed to reveal the body’s condition, especially that of the brain and cardiovascular system. A slightly greenish coating indicates poor blood circulation; a swollen, red tongue may indicate the body has too much heat, or the person may have a heart condition.

HK: You mentioned the tongue-brain connection. Is it possible to cause brain damage indirectly through tongue injuries?
SJ: So far, no medical evidence indicates that and don’t worry if you bite your tongue accidentally.

HK: Committing suicide by biting one’s tongue off was said to be a popular way to commit suicide in ancient times. Could it really kill you?
SJ: In most cases, no. First, most people would find the pain unbearable and stop long before they could bite it off, which would leave them alive and with a mouth full of blood. Second, the tongue is mostly muscle tissue and you can survive having your tongue severed. Unless one loses consciousness or too much blood in the process, the possibility of death is not high.

HK: Can we exercise or stimulate our tongue to improve health or perhaps intelligence? Might French kissing or spicy food help?
SJ: I believe that to improve your health, you can gently scratch the tongue coating regularly - that would improve oral hygiene at least. Tongues can produce germ-killing secretions so it makes sense to lick small cuts. French kissing - that would certainly improve your mood if you are doing it the right way, or with the right person, I guess. There isn’t exactly any “food for the tongue.” Some research does show talking helps with brain development, however. Doing difficult tasks, such as tongue twisters, may perhaps slow down brain aging.
By the way, would you like to try a session?

HK: Alright… Ouch! That’s what you call “tingly”?
SJ: And that’s what you call painful?

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