What might Ted Cibik recommend for aching backs, painful joints or chronic fatigue⢠He might suggest using weights in his health and wellness studio, acupuncture, QiGong and he might recommend some aspect of allopathic or naturopathic medicine.
Using a unique blend of ancient Chinese medicine, martial arts, exercise, herbs, oils and aroma therapy, Cibik claims to have helped virtually hun-dreds of people recovering from injuries or illnesses or who may be preparing for surgery. He also helps the 'well' stay well.
'I had a client here who needed full replacement of both knees,' Cibik said. 'The doctors refused to operate on her, however, until she lost at least 50 pounds and kept it off. She came to me and we worked out a program for her to lose weight. After her surgery, I worked with her for about six months helping her to make a complete recovery. One of my aims here is not to work against traditional medical doctors, but to work with them, if they want me to.
'Recently, I taught a course to a number of doctors at Allegheny General Hospital. Today, the hospital has learned to blend the best of both ancient and modern medical practices.'
Let's back up a minute - did we say Cibik incorporates martial arts training into a healing program?
'Why not,' Cibik asked. 'Neither the martial arts nor healing is all one sided. There is an ancient Chinese principal of the 'yin' and 'yang,' the hard and soft.'
When Cibik speaks of martial arts and healing in the same breath, he speaks from personal experience - he had severe asthma as a child.
'My asthma was so acute that I wasn't expected to live beyond age 8. When I was 5, I watched several kung fu movies and was fascinated by them. I told my parents that I wanted to learn kung fu.
Although doubtful, Cibik's parents arranged a lesson for him.
'My first lesson was a disaster. I had such a severe asthma attack that I had to be hospitalized for three days. My parents said ÔThis just isn't going to work.' But I was determined, and after I recovered, I insisted on going back.'
Cibik's judo instructor told him that learning to punch and kick was not what he needed - he had to learn to breathe before learning martial arts. Cibik was taught several breathing exercises and meditation.
'Breathing and meditation slows the heart rate and helps the body adjust to whatever situation it finds itself in. You actually go into a peaceful state of self awareness.'
Cibik blames the hustle and bustle of modern-day life for most of the physical and mental illnesses that afflict people.
'You see, when we breath and meditate, we learn to tune out a lot of the negative forces that surround us. We need to rest, we need to take a break.
'Suddenly, an illness forces some of us into a position where we have to take time. Serious illness gives us no other option. This is our body screaming, 'Stop! I need a break.''
Along with the martial arts of kung fu and Tai Chi, Cibik learned to heal with Chinese medicine.
'As I said, healing and martial arts go hand-in-hand. I learned much of my kung fu from an elderly Chinese man named Ark Wong.'
Wong, said Cibik was not only a phenomenal fighter, but also a phenomenal healer.
'I felt awed in Ark's presence. He just radiated peace. He was an exceptionally quite man, small built, weighing about 130, maybe 140 pounds. Even in his 80s he could bring younger, bigger and stronger fighters to their knees.
Cibik explained that Chinese medicine is made up of several branches and that practicing just one may produce incomplete results.
'For example,' Cibik said, 'acupuncture is one branch. But often, for acupuncture to be successful, you have to combine acupuncture therapy with herbal medicine and nutrition, or QiGong and what I term Body Work.'
Cibik said that while most people may be familiar with acupuncture, some may have misconceptions when it comes to the other branches of Chinese medicine, especially herbs.
'We have nothing against traditional medicine and prescription drugs,' Cibik said. 'About 30 percent of all medicines Western doctors prescribe are derived from herbs. But we know that often when you take prescription medicines you are playing chemical roulette. But there's a danger in herbs too. Chinese herbs can be very powerful and if they're done incorrectly, they can do just as much harm as playing with prescription drugs. Natural doesn't always mean safe.
Cibik said before he recommends herbs to anyone, he looks at their physical condition and often tries to work with the client's doctor.
Cibik believes the best way to work for his client's welfare is to utilize a system that recognizes the need to treat the whole person, body, soul and spirit.
'Chinese healing and martial arts are systems that have worked for thousands of years,' Cibik said. 'It's all but forgotten now. It's thought of as an ancient art practiced by an ancient and all but forgotten people. Yet I've learned, and most of my students have learned, that the ancients were more in touch with themselves than most of us can ever hope to be.'
