Medicine Men

Episode 2 World of Pain 13 July 2008

World of Pain

In the second programme the twins travel through Asia to examine the region’s attitude to pain control. They start their journey at the Hindu festival of Thaipusam in Kuala Lumpur, the capital city of Malaysia. Here, religious devotees appear to have an ability to endure the pain of piercings through the face and body by seeming to enter a blissful trance.

The twins decide to take part as a scientific experiment for which, as twins, they are the perfect control. Xand prepares in the manner of a devotee by undergoing a week of religious instruction and abstinence, and Chris continues with his stressful job in London. The results are interesting – and unexpected.

They then travel to Nepal to explore the region’s ancient Tibetan medical system, which does not include any specific medicines to deal with pain. Finally, Chris and Xand visit India, where the Federation of Indian Rationalists Association attempt to show that it is possible to cope with the pain of being suspended in the air from hooks using only the power of the mind.

To find out more about the school at Lo Manthang featured in this episode and other educational projects funded by KINOE, visit www.kinoe.org (Channel 4 takes no responsibility for the content of 3rd party sites)

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• atysoe says:

  29 January | 22:09

  Incredible insight and so well put together. I can't wait to see more in the future. It would be great to see more ancient healing practices considered in order to get to the root of problems rather than just treating the symptoms. Xand and Chris were remarkable and I hope to see more of them on TV.

• tyke says:

  30 January | 10:12

  I watched the programme last night and had missed the 1st one. Thought it was an interesting show and the Vat T's are really nice young men. If you read these comments chris and Alex I would be interested in hearing from either of you - knew you on OUAS, Chris from Admin

• karenw says:

  30 January | 13:46

  This programme was sointeresting and inspiring. What I really did appreciate was the open minded attitude of the programme. I am SO fed up of 'alternative' practices being rubbished by TV programmes. Thank you for the respect you showed towards the Nepalese doctors and for the fun presentation by the presenters. Please - more programmes like this

• LoveIsJustAGame says:

  30 January | 21:53

  I couldn't watch it!! I kept hidin behind a pillow, it was too scarey! I can't believe those guys couldn't feel those hooks in their backs. It was the iodine that made me run from the room though... what brave guys they are!

• Chris says:

  31 January | 15:00

  Totally loved this episode. I have full body hyperalgesia after being diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis 26 years ago. Turns out it is te hyperalgesia which makes my life unbearable at times now. Hyperalgesia means my pain receptors are permanently set to high so basically everything hurts. Having terrific problems with my legs at the moment. Have tried and learnt reiki whcih I do find useful but at the moment I'm too sore to treat myself. From this programme and my use of Reiki clearly the mind has a lot to do with controlling or living with chronic pain.

• Lizpot says:

  31 January | 15:45

  1st episode I saw of this series and found it very interesting coming from a psychology student's perspective. Ironically we are studying pain in our health psychology module at present so I think it would be very interesting to delve deeper into the psyche of the guys that featured on this programme. I think they could get a job in pain clinics over here!

• Ropeslut says:

  31 January | 23:37

  I've enjoyed both episodes of this series, two very ethical and open mined individuals, gojung where other doctors fear to tread. I do, however, think that the episode on pain might have included those who's relationship to pain has come complete circle; those who have learnt to enjoy certain types of pain. Pain is simply one of the senses, and like any other, it can me modulated and reinterpreted by the mind, beyond it's original evolutionary purpose.

• kinoe says:

  01 February | 12:52

  Lo Manthang school – more information. The school run by the amchis (traditional Tibetan medical practitioners) was built and is largely funded by a British charity, KINOE -Kids In need of Education. www.kinoe.org The school has 29 students, aged between 11 to 20 years, who study classical Tibetan, English, Nepali and maths as well as traditional Tibetan medicine. A rigorous programme of formal study for at least five years is followed by one to two years of practical experience under the supervision of a qualified amchi. No fees are charged, but to keep school costs to a minimum, students bring their own bedding, basic foods and firewood. Even this represents a challenge to the resources of poor families, and some are only able to make small contributions. Because of the harsh winter climate, the school runs for only seven months in Lo Manthang, the students walk for 12 days down to the lowland town of Pokhara for an additional three-month Winter school. If you'd like to find out more about the school at Lo Manthang and other educational projects funded by KINOE, visit our website www.kinoe.org.

• pgunning1 says:

  02 February | 21:38

  Great show, Is there going to be another showing of this episode, as this would be a real help in showing my students the benefits of meditation and self healing through meditation. If its going to be shown again could someone please give me some info as to when. Thanks Paul Keep up the meditation young doctor LoL !

• ArkAngel says:

  03 February | 09:54

  I believe there's going to be a repeat on More 4 but not until June.

• horty says:

  05 February | 23:04

  download 4 on demand, you can download the episodes for free there

• janjilla says:

  14 August | 13:14

  How could they do that? It must seriously hurt, if it was me, i would scream the roof down.