Thomas M. Sinclair, interviewed by John S. James

Thomas M. Sinclair is the executive director of the Immune Enhancement Project, a San Francisco clinic that provides Chinese therapies to patients with HIV and other illnesses. The following viewpoint is excerpted from an interview of Sinclair by John S. James, the editor in chief of the biweekly newsletter AIDS Treatment News. Sinclair argues that Chinese therapies, including acupuncture, herbal treatments, and relaxation exercises, can be effective treatments for people with HIV. The patients who react best to Chinese therapies, Sinclair contends, are those who start treatment in the early stage of their infection and those who get consistent treatment.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. What is an herbal decoction, according to Sinclair?
2. In Sinclair’s opinion, what does the sensation of chi signify?
3. According to Sinclair...