January 2008

Table of Contents:

 

Greetings OM Members and Colleagues:

This issue of Qi-Unity Report keeps you informed on the issues that affect your practice and your future in AOM. We greet the new year with a sense of promise for the profession, even as we work together to confront the issues and challenges that we face to move forward. As always, we present articles to inform and inspire. In this Qi-Unity Report we look at everything from using acupuncture to treat addiction to an announcement of the AAAOM-SO membership drive.

Your feedback is valuable to us. We invite you to use our General Feedback page to let us know your opinions and insights.

This Issue Sponsored By:

As the largest and oldest provider of acupuncture insurance in the country, we offer the benefit of experience, enabling you to enlist the protection of the industry’s leading carrier backed by a veteran legal defense team — at the lowest premiums you’ll find anywhere. You deliver peace-of-mind to your patients. Find out how we can do the same for you. Visit www.acupuncturecouncil.com.

International News

International Links to Recent Articles Online

Healthcare as border-crossing diplomatic exchange:
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The Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine examines the two markets for traditional medicines in Peru.
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Daoism as open-source project

Bill Hulet says: “Religion and spirituality is not some sort of copyrighted mechanism that has come forged from the anvil of God.”
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Mexico and Vietnam continue acupuncture collaboration.
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Popularity of herbal remedies on the rise

“Thirty-six percent of adults in the United States use some form of what experts call complementary and alternative medicine, CAM for short, according to a 2004 study published by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, a division of the National Institutes of Health.”
more...

Jeannie Kang WHO Interview

The Qi-Unity Report interviews Jeannie Kang, the AAAOM advisor to the World Health Organization. Jeannie heads the AAAOM Korean Advisory Council and practices acupuncture in Los Angeles, California. Kang has been working with the WHO to initiate ICD 11, a publication the terms of which will be explored in this interview.

QUR: How did the AAAOM become the sole US AOM representative dealing with the WHO?

JK: Back in 2005, Will Morris called me to ask if I would go to Korea for the WHO meeting. Apparently, the WHO contacted what was the AAOM at the time to have more North American involvement regarding Oriental medicine. The WHO now sees the AAAOM as the organization that is in a leadership position in Oriental medicine in the United States.

QUR: What is ICD 11?

JK: ICD stands for International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems which is published by WHO. ICD is a coding system of diseases and signs, symptoms, abnormal findings, external cause of injuries, and such. The 11 stands for the 11th edition. Usually, ICD was revised every 10 years. ICD-10 was published in 1990. So its 11th edition should have been published in 2000. However, medical knowledge is increasing exponentially, and there are a lot of modules emerging that will add to ICD and other health related classifications (WHO-FIC), such that it is difficult to publish every ten years. It is difficult to get all parties together that must review all the information involved with publication. The logistics are tremendous. Officially, revision work for ICD 11 started at the last 2007 WHO-FIC Network meeting. It will be published in 2015 with terminology and classification systems.

QUR: Why is ICD 11 so important?

JK: ICD 11 development is significant to Western practitioners because the implementation of traditional medicine into the ICD 11 codes will set the stage for a global healthcare system integration. Incorporating traditional medicine into the ICD coding system for medical records and billing is an essential prerequisite for advancement of traditional medicine into the mainstream medical system. The WHO has agreed to work with a standardized terminology on the basic terms it has identified.

QUR: Was there universal agreement on implementing ICD 11?

JK: Yes. Korea, Japan, China, Vietnam, Australia and the U.S. were present at these meetings. After many, many hours of arduous discussions, there was consensus to go forward being part of the global healthcare record system. This was a historical day! I believe that the countries present recognized that although they might have to sacrifice a little of their terminology and their means of documenting medicine in each of their countries, the overall benefit of having this awesome medicine go global was timely and necessary.

During the discussion, some countries were concerned about the importance of going global because they feared their medicine might be changed in the process. Eventually, however, everyone overcame this obstacle and agreed to support participating in the making of the ICD 11 coding for traditional medicine.

QUR: Kindly introduce Dr. Choi and Dr. Shim to those unfamiliar with their work.

JK: Dr. Choi Seung Hoon is the director of the Western Pacific Region of the WHO. His presence during the last 4 years changed the dynamic of this region. He has held many working group meetings during his tenure. This translates to finishing the standardization of 361 acupuncture point locations. This took 3 years to do. This is also a historical event because in the last 50 years a standard such as this has never occurred. This year the completion of the standardization of terminology of traditional medicine was significant. It has been very well received throughout Asia. Moving toward the inclusion of traditional medicine in the ICD coding is currently ground-breaking work. This is largely due to the passion and heartfelt work of Dr. Choi. The standard terminology book developed by Dr. Choi is called The WHO International Standard Terminology on Traditional Medicine in the Western Pacific Region.

The invitation to Dr. Shim came about to introduce U.S. practitioners to WHO and its involvement in traditional medicine. There was a very good response to the panel of honored guests at the AAAOM conference in Portland. Dr. Shim explained the significance of the WHO involvement in TM, ICD 11, and the significance of this agreement for TM practitioners. This is the first time that AAAOM invited a Korean representative who was also the temporary advisor to the WHO. DR. Shim was one of the first ones present from beginning of the development of the terminology and the ICD 11. He was basically the sole person to formulate the data for Korea for ICD 10 records. These records were presented to the WHO working group for the development of the foundation for ICD 11. So, his presence meant a lot in terms of his involvement and dedication to WHO and the work he did in Korea.

QUR: What is the US role vis-à-vis terminology standards in the WHO?

JK: That will depend on AAAOM and its involvement with the new terminology committee led by Eric Brand. I am very excited about this committee, and I hope that our participation in this process will produce data that I can take back to the WHO meeting in June that will engender good discussions.

State Legislative Activities

Howdy Members,

Our email list for state presidents has been very successful in keeping an ongoing dialogue between the states. One of the best benefits for our members, and the acupuncture community as a whole, is the immediate response we can get for and from each other. If your state association is not part of the dialogue, please let me know so that your association president can get linked up to know what goes on with the rest of the country.

Here are some updates on recent issues:

New Jersey

For New Jersey, there was a recent scare that only massage therapists (MTs) would be able to use the term “Medical QiGong”. Candace Sarges of NJAAOM was able to successfully negotiate with the MTs, and they deleted their claim to "Medical QiGong" from the bill text, as well as MTs ability to use herbs. They also added language to clarify that those L.Ac.’s who practice overlapping therapies (e.g., tui na, shiatsu, etc.), have the right to continue to practice, advertise, and use those titles since L.Ac.’s are already licensed and trained to do so. Candace looks forward to many legislative successes this year!

New Jersey also encountered an issue with the chiropractors trying to get minimal acupuncture training requirements, like the MDs have. The chiropractic bill stalled after it passed the Assembly committee, and then the legislative session ended, so the bill died and must be reintroduced in the 2008-2009 session. The problem begins again since the chiropractors haven't wasted any time; the chiropractic bill is registered to be reintroduced at the next possible session. One small hindrance that the chiropractors have run into is that their primary sponsor in the Assembly was voted out of office, so they must find a new sponsor. Due to this issue, they have decided to introduce the bill to the Senate Committee first.

The NJ L.Ac.’s have also been trying to update their own acupuncture statute to: 1) change their title from “Certified Acupuncturist” to “Licensed Acupuncturist” 2) get rid of the physician referral/diagnosis, and 3) secure the scope of practice by moving a large part of the rules and regulations to the statute. Physicians who practice acupuncture were a hindrance, but Candace has negotiated successfully at the end of last year and is hoping they don't run into any further opposition. This bill must also be reintroduced, something the NJAAOM is working on right now.

Any support would be accepted and welcomed; if you can help in any way feel free to contact Candace Sarges at www.jewjerseyacupuncture.com

Ohio

Carrie Craddock, legislative chair of OAAOM, is leading the charge to improve the practice law in Ohio. This is one of the few states that requires both referral and supervision of acupuncturists. They introduced a bill in the Ohio Senate that will lift that requirement for acupuncturists who have practiced longer than 1 year. They have had three hearings. Betsy Smith from NCCAOM testified at the proponent testimony along with Carrie. Last week opportunity was presented for opponents to testify, and happily no one testified. The Ohio State Medical Association and the Ohio State Chiropractic Association have determined that they will not oppose the bill.

The state medical board licenses acupuncturists in Ohio. The board is meeting this week to discuss the bill, and OAAOM is hopeful that they will not oppose. Their lobbyist is hearing rumblings that they will not oppose. When the Senate is back in session next year, they will be ready for the subcommittee vote which will end the year on a good note.

Unfortunately, the state medical board which oversees LAc practice has ruled that the practice of herbs in Ohio is considered prescribing medications and can be prosecuted as a felony. Their practice law does not mention herbs.

Virginia

It looks like we are stuck with PTs doing “dry needling” in Virginia. Members of the Acupuncture Advisory Board met with members of the PT Board to work out compromise language for the consent form for patients opting for this treatment. The Acupuncture Society of Virginia had considered requesting a legislator to call for the attorney general to rule on whether this was acupuncture as defined by the state (which it clearly is). However, political reality being what it is, Ann Furniss, LAc of Virginia’s Acupuncture Association, feels that the ruling would not be in our favor.

Indiana

Indiana is not supervised, but efforts continue to get a referrals removed. They had no opponents thus far when they introduced a change to the wording, but the bill was thrown out for other reasons, so they must wait again. It has taken over ten years to get this far.

If you can help Indiana with this issue or would like to help coordinate CEUs for the Midwest, feel free to contact Mitch Harris, IAAOM President at info@iaaom.org

Colorado

As the 2008 legislative session resumes this month, the Colorado acupuncture association will once again be tackling this issue of “dry needling” by PTs. (For a brief summary/history of this issue, please see Valerie Hobbs' article in the Sept/Oct. issue of the AAAOM publication The Qi-Unity Report). On a positive note, the naturopaths in Colorado are seeking licensure, and DORA (the regulatory agency) actually contacted the Colorado Acupuncture Association first to ask if we had any concerns or objections to this matter! Fortunately, the naturopaths are not asking to be able to practice acupuncture, so there is no problem here at the moment, but Nancy Bilello, AAC president, thought it was great that DORA contacted them first. She says, “I think that our fight in the “dry needling” area has made them realize we are a force to be reckoned with!” Nancy can be contacted at Acucol.com.

If you can offer help or wish to lend your voice to any of these issues, please contact me or the proper state representative for the region concerned.

I extend my gratitude to everyone who continues to keep all of us informed about these issues and for those who pitch in to help and to educate us all on how to make appropriate changes. Again, if your state is not part of our discussion lists, let me know so we can get your president in the loop.

Phranque Wright DAOM
AAAOM – State Affairs Committee Chair

National AOM Issues

An Interview with Abbye Silverstein, LAc, DiplAc and AcuDetox

QUR: How did you first get started treating addiction?

AS: In the 80s, I lived in the San Francisco Bay Area working as an addictions counselor in a 60 day residential treatment facility. Most of the patients were court-mandated for a variety of drug offenses. The program was based on a social model of recovery, meaning that the first 30 days were group and individual talk therapy, AA meetings, and recreation. The recreation included yoga, exercise classes, and walks. I introduced a guided meditation/relaxation class. The patients were resistant, belligerent, angry and toxic. Even though they had “initially detoxed” from their drug usage, their cells and brain chemistry were still addicted.

I did some research and found that acupuncture helps with the recovery process. In fact, I found an article about Eric Clapton kicking his heroin addiction with acupuncture. While working as a counselor, I found an acupuncturist in Corte Madre, California, who wanted to administer acupuncture at the facility, but nobody wanted to listen to us. So we didn’t do it, and the patients would leave and relapse, get re-arrested and come back. It was a revolving door. It was frustrating for me and disheartening for the patients.

In 1998, as a student at the Traditional Acupuncture Institute in Columbia, Maryland, (now known as Tai-Sophia in Laurel), I did a four month internship at the Baltimore Women’s Detention Center. I treated women incarcerated for drug offenses who had chosen the acu-detox program as part of their sentencing. Working in a minimum security locked facility was an eye-opening experience for me. The women received the NADA Protocol five days per week for 90 days, a total of approximately 60 treatments. I witnessed their metamorphosis during this process and became convinced that this acu-detox treatment worked more completely than the talk therapy I did years ago.

QUR: Why do you think governments are looking for acupuncture to help with social problems?

AS: Larimer County Colorado is suffering from a huge methamphetamine problem. Meth is an insidious drug that is manufactured using common household products. Larimer County created a coalition of agencies including the department of human services, departments of health, probation, community corrections, drug courts, treatment facilities, and concerned citizens and business people all working together to create solutions for the “meth problem.” The treatment facilities consist of all talk therapy and do not address the central nervous system and neuro- transmitters involved in the addiction process whereas the acupuncture/NADA Protocol does. The county was looking for a cost effective treatment to reduce the relapse and re-arrest rates and increase the completion of treatment programs. Acupuncture/NADA does fit these goals!

QUR: Is AOM treatment working better than other approaches? If so,why?

AS: Traditional therapy for addiction recovery has been talk therapy. Acupuncture for addiction recovery is an inclusive treatment because it treats the body/mind/spirit. Each of the five points (Shen Men, Sympathetic, KI, LV, LU) addresses all three levels of healing (body, mind, & spirit). Talk therapy is designed to address psychological patterns that have kept the patient stuck in the same behavior. Acupuncture allows the patient to be physically, emotionally, and mentally able to listen, understand, focus, and respond to talk therapy because the detox symptoms (cravings, insomnia, anxiety, depression, body aches, indigestion, short attention span) are relieved.

QUR: How did you get yourself involved with local government approaches to addiction? Was it difficult?

AS: I tried in Montgomery County, Maryland, and got as far as the assistant to the sheriff. They were not interested because Montgomery County is one of the wealthiest counties in the country. I met with a very enthusiastic administer in Boulder County, Colorado, but it didn’t materialize. Why it didn’t happen in Boulder, I don’t know. Funding is an important ingredient as well as commitment on the part of the probation and drug court. Larimer County called me. I networked in many circles when I came to Boulder 2 ½ yrs ago, and it finally paid off. A retired acupuncturist in the Coalition in Larimer County found me through the acupuncture community. She graduated from Tai Sophia seven years before me and referred me to the probation supervisor who spearheaded this acupuncture recovery program. Like me, he grew up in the Bronx. In this case, fate brought me to Larimer County, Colorado, to do this work! Yes, otherwise is it difficult with no track record and no connections. It is difficult to get someone to listen to you and even then, you need a “point person” in the system directing the project. I was lucky to have this in the ex-New Yorker probation supervisor.

QUR: At what level of government does funding for drug treatment originate?

AS: All funding begins at the federal level. A state is allotted money for treatment, incarceration, probation, and parole. The governor and legislature decide how the funding will be used. In Colorado, Governor Ritter was the former attorney general and believes in drug rehabilitation treatment, so this program has been funded since March, 2007.

QUR: How did you first approach government officials?

AS: Les Rudner, the probation supervisor, coordinated all three meetings with the county. At the first meeting, I met with the probation officers and chief of probation. At the second meeting, I met with treatment providers, probation officers, and the DA. The third meeting consisted of the chief of probation, the Department of Human Services and health managers, court magistrates for adults and juveniles, two drug court judges and the community corrections manager. At all three meetings I gave a PowerPoint presentation explaining the benefits, history, procedure, and process of a NADA program.

QUR: How political is that process?

AS: Very! It is about whom you know, who your contact knows, and the timing because the problem is out of control, and the county/state agencies are overwhelmed.

QUR: What happens when people leave jail after a drug conviction?

AS: In Colorado, they can go to the halfway house. There are halfway houses throughout the state. Some go on parole and are monitored by wearing ankle bracelets. They need to change their lifestyle—everything: friends, jobs, housing, mental and spiritual beliefs and behaviors. It is a complete overhaul, and it takes a huge commitment on their part to stay clean and sober. It is difficult for someone who has not served time, and it is many more times as difficult for someone who has served time, because the criminal justice system regulates every facet of their lives.

QUR: How do you envision acupuncture as a means of public health?

AS: For acupuncture to become mainstream, we must be recognized as a cost beneficial medical system for the under-insured and the uninsured. Public health/community non-profit medical clinics serve these populations. They receive federal grants and funding from non-profit umbrella funding organizations like the United Way. When acupuncture becomes part of the Hinchey Bill, some 42 million Americans will be able to receive acupuncture. These 42 million Americans are senior citizens, SSDI recipients, and federal employees. This bill will open the door for state funded programs and for-profit insurance companies to provide acupuncture as part of their standard package. Acupuncturists would then be able to be paid by these federally funded programs in rural and urban areas serving the under-insured and the uninsured. This will allow the acupuncture community, most likely the Council of Colleges, to petition for loan forgiveness. Any acupuncturist working in a medical facility that serves this demographic will be eligible for loan forgiveness. This process will bring us into the mainstream providing a larger population to benefit from this 5,000 year old medicine.

QUR: You mentioned that you would like to start a non-profit to further your work with governments in drug treatment. What is that organization called and how will it work?

AS: For the last year, I have been working on creating a non-profit organization that would provide community style, sliding-scale acupuncture and Oriental medicine healthcare to everyone—especially the uninsured and underinsured. The organization would be able to write grants, fundraise by holding events in the community, and educate the community about when to seek acupuncture treatment. The model I’ve been working on would have a multi-tiered system of expertise providing a residency program for new graduates and an assistant program for students as well as ongoing education. Also, I plan to have a fleet of mobile units able to be dispatched to rural communities and natural disasters. This organization would work with other organizations and develop programs within these facilities. My organization is called Acupuncture Access. I am ready to file the non-profit papers and begin fundraising and grant writing. This is a life time work in progress.

Abbye Silverstein contact information:
www.acupunctureaccess.com
(970) 672-4762

Integrator Blog News & Reports

Integration, by nature, asks us to open our peripheral visions. We are served to look at the whole of the field. We need to develop new fascia, new connectivity. Opportunities crop up in new places. The Integrator Blog News and Reports is meant to provide you with information, insights and tools to enhance integrated care in the environment you serve.

- John Weeks, publisher-editor

Trends Maven Gerald Celeste Highlights "Heal Yourself Health Care" in 2008

Gerald Celente, a trends maven familiar to Oprah listeners, major corporations and numerous national media, is bullish on natural health care. Among his top trends for 2008 of any kind - touching on finances and politics and diverse themes - is one he chose to call "Health Yourself Health Care." For a boost that suggests you are on the right track, take a look at Celeste's column which references healing-oriented medical doctors,chiropractors, naturopathic medicine, vitamins, herbs, yoga and more. More ... http://theintegratorblog.com/site/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=397&Itemid=189 Holistic Medical Association's "Transition" Leads to Linking up with AANP's 2008 Naturopathic Convention

The board of the American Holistic Medical Association (AHMA) has chosen to link up with American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP) for their 2008 convention. The 30th anniversary of the AHMA will affirm the potential value of alliance between the two physician-level organizations. The AHMA move is also a sign of AHMA's efforts, under the leadership of Hal Blatman, MD, to modernize and "transition" the organization to create present value for it members, and for the healthcare system. More ...
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Medicaid Acupuncture and Massage Therapy Pilot, Part #3: Survey Data and Interviews with Patients

In 2002, the legislature of the state of Florida created a pilot program which gave high cost, frequently disabled, chronic pain Medicaid beneficiaries access to the services of licensed massage therapists and acupuncturists. As a pilot project, the state's vendor, Alternative Medicine Integration Group (AMI), was required to annually survey their patients through an independent researcher. This article, Part #3 of the Integrator series on Florida Medicaid Integrative Therapies Pilot, reports data and qualitative information from these mandated patient surveys, SF-12 surveys, and findings from Integrator patient interviews. The short story: beneficiaries speak eloquently about an experience 93% say reduces pain levels and 84% believe boosts their quality of life. The comments from beneficiaries on this whole system of care are more powerful than the hard numbers. One certain conclusion is that the pilot shows us as a caring people.
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Do You Know Where Your Definition Is Tonight? Dana Ullman on the War over Homeopathy in Wikipedia

According to this fascinating and eerie account from homeopath and author Dana Ullman, MPH, "anti-homeopathic fundamentalists have hijacked the Wikipedia information on homeopathy." Ullman asks if anyone else in the complementary and integrative medicine world has encountered similar issues. (Do you know what is being said about your field?) In a time when more of us are relying on quick searches for information, the virtual battleground of Wikipedia is a place where many hearts and minds are being formed, if not won and lost. Take an inside look at Ullman's account of this battle over homeopathy in the Wikipedia world. Do you know who your definition is hanging out with tonight? More ...
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Forum on CAM/IM Practitioners-Natural Products Industry Relationship: 6 Voices

With six new voices, the Integrator conversation on the optimal relationship is enriched. Interestingly, 5 of the 6 wrote as educators. Commenting are Morgan Martin, ND, chair for natural childbirth at Bastyr University; Bill Manahan, MD, co-founder of the American Board of Holistic Medicine; James Winterstein, DC, president of the National University of Health Sciences; Sherman Cohn, JD, professor of law at Georgetown University Law Center; Lou Sportelli, DC, president of Integrator sponsor NCMIC; and an anonymous naturopathic physician. This is a rich selection of diverse perspectives. More ...
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Resources

Integrator Archive by Subject for January-June 2007
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Integrator Archive by Subject for 2006: All Hot-linked
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Practice Management

An Interview with Billy Woods of NeonPinkTiger Healthworks

QUR: Please introduce yourself.

BW: First of all, thanks for this opportunity to reach out to the acupuncture community on this level. To start, neonpinktiger healthworks is a company that provides educational opportunities and community building for acupuncturists and acupuncture students.

We will offer CEUs for live and online classes globally, but I want to stress that although CEUs will make this project a sustainable business venture, our bottom line is to provide high-caliber information to the community-at-large.

My friend, Robert Baptist, an acupuncture student/brilliant software engineer, is partnering with me. We’ve got a very hands-on approach and intend to do everything at the highest quality possible regarding teachers and classes in order to bridge the community together through multi-media content and other services and tools that can be of true benefit to practitioners.

As for myself, I’m a soon-to-be acupuncturist with a deep passion for this medicine. The inspiration to become a practitioner started with my discovery of meditation and qigong. My curiosity about health and the human body skyrocketed, and about a year and a half later, I started school at the Academy of Oriental Medicine in Austin.

QUR: How did you come up with the idea to start NPT?

BW: The passion to start this company came from my feeling that there was something very important lacking in my education, so I started to seek teachers elsewhere. I live in Texas, where many of the practitioners that intrigued me were all quite distant.

Using my financial aide money, I took a trip to the East coast, went to a Dr. Tan seminar in NYC, then went to Boston to visit two other prominent practitioners. It was really great. Yet so was the hole in my pocket!

So, in lieu of spending money on airplanes, I did a “reverse-switch” maneuver and started importing the knowledge into Texas. Later, with various suggestions from friends and peers, I decided to raise the concept to another level by organizing classes for the national audience using the internet.

QUR: What’s the story behind the name?

BW: I thought of it randomly a few years ago when I was registering for a new email account, and I didn’t want to attempt a username more than once. Neonpinktiger was the first thing that came to mind. It worked.

Later, when I had to come up with a dba account on the quick, well…you can guess the rest. I struggled briefly with the eccentricity of it, but I feel solid with the name now. Although it’s an unconventional name that may incur judgment, I’m positive that the company’s reputation and services will define who we are.

QUR: Has it been difficult to balance your NPT activities while also studying to become a practitioner yourself?

BW: You hit the nail on the head with that one! Yes. It’s been very difficult. There was a moment 8 or 9 months ago where I realized that this project would interfere not only with my progress with my skills as a practitioner, but also with my plans in starting a clinic. But there were far too many synchronicities and opportunities that took me in this direction, and I decided to go with it.

It’s a lot of work, but I’m very excited about it. I have to confess, I’ve been ducking out of class to work on this stuff. Room F in the student clinic is the perfect makeshift office.

By the way, as of this writing, I’ve got 3 MORE DAYS OF SCHOOL LEFT! I’ve got reservations for 20 at this great Thai restaurant in downtown Austin. After 12 hours of clinic, I finish at 9pm, and the celebration begins!

QUR: What advantages does hosting video present vs. getting information from a book or taking a class in person?

BW: I’m going to backtrack a little here.

Apprenticeship, I believe, is the most powerful way to learn this medicine. That’s how it has been done since the very beginning. Only in the last 100 years or so has the medicine been standardized and institutionalized. Because of that I think there is something very special being lost in the process.

The way things are going now, the apprenticeship system is dying. Students are spending their lives in a classroom, building their skills on testing well, rather than building up their clinical skills. We graduate with 100k loans, and in a profession that is so young, there is virtually no professional support.

Additionally, there is neither money nor time to study in-depth with a full time, highly experienced practitioner. In my opinion, this is leading to a” watering down” process where, although our foundational skills are getting the job done, the general effectiveness of AOM is reduced. Unless you're willing to be an outlaw, the only choice now is to search for compromises. And that is what we're trying to do with our company: give people more accessibility to the great practitioners in the field.

QUR: And back to the original question...

BW: There are different types of AOM knowledge, and a lot of this knowledge can be transmitted very effectively in books, video, or audio because it is purely intellectual or simply technique-based that can be learned by watching.

There are so many great teachers out there that are inaccessible, yet their knowledge itself can really make drastic changes in the profession if these methods were more easily available.

Other types of AOM knowledge absolutely requires the presence of a teacher. This includes palpatory skills, energetic/spiritual development and skill, and that ineffable download of information through the teacher’s sheer presence. There is nothing that can replace this, which is why we’re not limiting ourselves to online classes. Additionally, right now we’re working on programs that would allow people to apprentice after taking certain classes either live or online.

QUR: Have you found the content that you present for the benefit of others to be useful in your own AOM studies?

BW: That’s the biggest benefit of all. Both Robert and I get to learn from everyone we work with! In that sense, it’s very exciting.

QUR: Where can our members find your work?

www.neonpinktiger.com or contact me at billy@neonpinktiger.com

BW: Please contact me to comment about this interview or to give any feedback/ideas/questions you might have regarding the website. I would truly appreciate it.

QUR: Do people sometimes resist embracing internet-based communications?

BW: I’m sure. And that’s totally fine. I once went to Europe and decided to go without any form of technology in order to experience life a bit more naturally, so to speak. It was great. I admit though…I was starving for it after awhile.

But currently, the internet is becoming more and more useful in truly functional ways. Its innate power is increasingly being used for progressive ways to help people and the world around us.

QUR: What things do you have approaching on the horizon?

BW: Right now we’re focusing on getting the neonpinktiger web site more solid in every aspect. Most important, this includes acquiring faculty and building up our online class library.

We’re currently working to bring in an extremely talented qigong master into the United States. His name is Dr. Zhou Hong, who currently lives near Shanghai. We’re expecting his arrival in November of ’08, pending visa approval. I’m very excited about this.

Lastly, I would like to comment on the fundraising aspect of our company. In order to be as proactive as possible with the advancement of our profession, we’re hoping to help raise funds with organizations at both the state and national level that carry the same intent.

As effective as AOM is now, I still strongly believe that the healing potential of our medicine is still in its infancy, and if we allow it to grow, the more exciting and rewarding acupuncture will become. On that note, the more we communicate and share information and ideas, the faster we will move forward individually as well as together as a profession.

Ok. The highly optimistic acupuncture neophyte is signing off. Thank you so much for your attention. Three more student clinic shifts left at the time of this writing – then off to the LAc world.

Treating the Whole Patient

By Mitchel Chalek

In 1978, when Doris was first diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in her neck, alternative medicine was an option few people were aware of. High doses of aspirin and naproxen gave her little relief as the disease traveled from her neck, to her hands, and then her elbows, thus making simple tasks like holding a pen or opening a jar excruciatingly painful. By 1990, Doris, along with the rest of the nation, had heard the stories of “miracle cures” with acupuncture, so she decided to try it. It seemed to help over time, but she remained skeptical and tended to go for treatment only when her pain was most severe.

In 1999, when her rheumatologist decided to prescribe methotrexate (an antimetabolite) and physical therapy, he looked at her and added, “You should also try acupuncture.” She said that she had tried it but was not sure how effective it was for her in the long run. He urged her to try again. This time she started the acupuncture treatments in earnest and stuck with it even—when she was having less pain. She found that acupuncture did more than just relieve the pain—it actually improved her overall state of health. Her good weeks began to get better and be longer lasting, and her bad weeks got shorter and less severe. She became more comfortable performing simple tasks that had been difficult and painful for years such as writing, buttoning her shirt, cutting food with a knife, and holding a book. She even started swimming, a favorite pastime she hadn’t been able to enjoy since she first became symptomatic. She also felt more energetic, less sensitive to the cold, she slept better, her digestion improved, and she gained a greater sense of well being. During the last few months of 1999, she even significantly reduced her doses of Western medications, which can be quite toxic, without experiencing an increase in pain or stiffness.

Interest in acupuncture has grown tremendously in the U.S. during the last decade. The $2 million budget dedicated by the NIH to research in alternative medicine back in the early 90s has grown to $68 million. Western medical practitioners are eager to understand the positive benefits of acupuncture. Research has demonstrated that acupuncture affects the endocrine, immune and central nervous systems, but has not been able to account for the curative effects people obtain from acupuncture treatments.

To explain the healing effects of acupuncture, ancient Chinese practitioners developed the concept of qi (pronounced “chee”), the Chinese name for the vital energy that gives us life. When qi is flowing smoothly through the body we feel healthy and strong. When it stagnates we feel pain. Acupuncture breaks up qi stagnation, enabling qi to move freely, thereby improving bodily function. One modern theory is that the needle creates a short-circuit that bypasses the stagnation and reopens the pathway of qi in an area where it has become congested.

Qi stagnation that is relatively recent may change immediately, with the patient experiencing great relief after only one treatment. Conditions that have existed for a long time often lead to a complicated pattern of imbalances that can take longer to unravel.

Western and Eastern medicine may not have similar views about the body and health, but they don’t have to be in opposition to each other. As acceptance for acupuncture grows, Eastern and Western style practitioners are increasingly working together to find ways in which contrasting disciplines can complement each other and ultimately improve the health of their patients.

An Interview with Dr. Robert D. Marion, OMD, LAc of the Westlake Foundation

QUR: What is the Westlake Foundation?

RM: The Westlake Foundation is a research and educational organization founded in 1985 and dedicated to the advancement of acupuncture and Oriental medicine. We offer classes to the general public and offer advanced seminars to acupuncturists and Oriental medical doctors on Japanese acupuncture, Oriental herbology, nutrition, tai chi, and tui na.

One of our favorite ongoing projects is editing and publishing The Art of Health and Happiness and The Pyramid of Natural Foods as a free internet download. We love to give out free copies at lectures and seminars and urge others to do the same. In today’s modern world the cost of printing this document is actually very little.

QUR: I read the entire report in one sitting and found it easy to follow and well-organized. What led you to create this kind of document?

RM: We originally presented “Acupuncture and Dietary Therapy” at the 1989 AAOM Convention in Denver, Colorado. We requested that attendees make as many copies as they like and hand them out freely to their families, friends and patients. This lecture started a fascinating international dialogue which continues to this day. As you know with your publication, the internet allows us to communicate around the world at very little expense. In 1990 we presented this paper in Kyoto, Japan to a group of acupuncturists who have distributed copies since that time. We receive comments and dialogue from all over the world, but especially from America, China, Europe, Japan and recently have had enormous interest from Mexico. We hope to have this guide available in Spanish before the end of the year.

QUR: Why are you making this document freely available to everyone?

RM: Why not? That is the whole point, it is FREE! Everyone loves a gift.

Every acupuncturist has received many gifts along their path, and this is our small way of giving back to the teachers and pioneers of our ancient medicine. Anyone can make copies and hand out at a class or seminar. The information that we present really belongs as a gift to all of us within the acupuncture community.

By definition, every acupuncturist has a tough and demanding job. Many acupuncturists find that this report saves them time and allows them to concentrate on what they enjoy and do best. They give their patients a copy and tell them to sit down at home and jot down questions or concerns. They explain to patients that it is homework and full understanding will save them time and money. Many acupuncturists find this report a great way to introduce relaxation, qi gong, meditation, tai qi, good eating habits, proper exercise and a healthy balanced, natural diet.

There are many great books on Oriental nutrition, but most of these are difficult to grasp by even an experienced, well educated practitioner. We have attempted to introduce acupuncture and Oriental medicine to beginners who have no idea what to expect. We don’t confuse readers with complex theories or talk over their heads, we try to keep it simple.

QUR: What does the calligraphy on your title page mean?

RM: The calligraphy is by world renowned Japanese acupuncturist Dr. Bunzo Takamatsu, L Ac. It translates as “Peace on Earth.”

QUR: Why did you include dietary recommendations?

RM: Oriental nutrition is a huge topic for most acupuncturists to cover with their patients, and many just don’t have the time or knowledge. We have attempted to cover basic information that a ten year old can understand and follow with ease. This report can even be used as a natural foods shopping list. The Pyramid of Natural Foods is not intended to be viewed separately, but as part of the larger document. There are various food pyramids that are outdated and lack a foundation or unifying theory. The Pyramid of Natural Foods really does offer a whole new way of looking at a healthy, well rounded, natural diet without being extreme, fanatical, preachy, or weird.

We are getting a great deal of international attention to this presentation, partly because we have been promoting this approach for so many years.

QUR: How can our members learn more about the Westlake Foundation, the Art of Health and Happiness and the Pyramid of Natural Foods?

RM: Just go to www.westlakeFoundation.org. Please write us at: Westlake Foundation, 3939 Bee Cave Rd., Building B, Austin, Texas, 78746. My email address is drm@westlakefoundation.org. Here’s to your health!

QUR: Thank you so much for sharing this project with our members.

RM: The pleasure is mine. Thanks to everyone who makes AAAOM the finest national association possible. Best of luck with all your efforts on behalf of acupuncture and Oriental medicine.

AAAOM Activities

Report from the National Governmental Affairs Committee

I would like to begin by expressing my appreciation for the opportunity to continue to serve as the co-chair of this committee along with Cynthia O’Donnell. We are very excited about the coming year in terms of positive developments for the profession on a national level. The primary focus of the National Governmental Affairs Committee is to work on the various legislative issues that affect our profession at the national level.

Currently our primary focus involves four areas: improving reimbursement for acupuncture services through the passage of the Federal Acupuncture Coverage Act, assisting the Herbal Committee with monitoring FDA actions that may affect our access to herbs, reviewing legislation that will protect our right to use herbs safely with a minimal amount of market restrictions, and monitoring general legislative activity that may affect our profession.

As we move into 2008, Maurice Hinchey, representative from New York, has once again introduced the Federal Acupuncture Coverage Act under bill number HR 1479. This act mandates that acupuncture services will be covered by federal employee insurance plans as well as Medicare. Acupuncturists are not required to accept Medicare unless they so choose. The bill currently has 23 cosponsors and we feel there is strong momentum in favor of this legislation.

The National Governmental Affairs Committee works closely with the Herb, Fundraising, and Insurance Committees to determine the best approach for developing an appropriate national legislative agenda in each of these respective areas.

Working with legislative issues at the national level is a big job, and we as a profession are going to need all of the help that we can get, including presenting ourselves as a unified profession in Washington, D.C. We’re all very excited with the recent unification of our two national professional organizations to form the AAAOM. This allows us to speak more strongly with one voice. To accomplish this goal, we are currently researching and interviewing for a professional lobby firm in Washington, DC.

Together we can make a difference. I would like to implore all licensed acupuncturists across the country to get involved and help contribute whatever you can. It is extremely important to join both your state and national associations. It is only through the strong support of the individual professional members that we can accomplish the goals that allow us to prosper while better serving our patients.

Please make your contributions (PDF form), even if it is only $10.00 a month, to the AOM Political Action Fund through the AAAOM office or web site. You may dedicate or divide your contribution among herbal legislation, the Federal Acupuncture Coverage Act, or to the general fund.

Folks who would like to participate in and assist the committee are most welcome. We need help in the areas of fund raising and grassroots organizing. If you would like to get involved, kindly email me at lwright@aaaomonline.org.

US News & World Report

Many of you have contacted us about the need for the AOM profession to fashion a concerted response to misrepresentation of the profession in the media. This is a priority for us and we intend to respond to these issues as they arise on an ongoing basis.

For example, the AAAOM recently issued a statement in response to a recent US News & World Report article that misrepresented AOM. You may read the original article at the following link:
http://health.usnews.com/articles/health/2008/01/09/embracing-alternative-care.html

Forthcoming responses from the AAAOM will vary according to whether we are responding to the popular media or to professional journals. If you encounter an article that you feel falsely represents acupuncture or Oriental medicine, kindly contact Douglas Newton (dnewton@aaaomonline.org), AAAOM Program Manager.

Together we can work together to insure not only that the public is educated and informed, but that the story of AOM is told by the people practicing this healing art in America.

Rebuttal to US News and World Report

January 23, 2008

Dear Editor:

Thank you for your Jan 9 article on Alternative Care. Increasing numbers of Americans are improving their health and well-being through non-mainstream therapies such as Acupuncture and Oriental medicine (AOM), which has been used successfully for thousands of years in China and other Asian countries. Your statements about its effectiveness, however, are inaccurate. Many studies have shown acupuncture to be effective at rates higher than those who did not get acupuncture, and at rates higher than those who merely thought they were getting acupuncture (the placebo effect). Why else would the prestigious National Institutes of Health and the World Health Organization endorse it, esteemed institutions such as the Mayo Clinic, Duke, and UCSF offer it, and increasing numbers of insurance companies reimburse for it? It may take a while for the research to catch up with the reality, but people in pain, people with debilitating diseases and conditions, and people who are not getting results with conventional medicine are not waiting. The fact is, receiving acupuncture from a fully trained, licensed professional acupuncturist may change your life.

Sincerely,

Martin Herbkersman, MTOM, Dipl.O.M.
President, American Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine

Links

Recent Articles about Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine

Each month, the Qi Unity Report selects timely articles and links for you, our members, to help you stay informed about the latest news and comments about CAM and acupuncture in sources ranging from scholarly publications to magazines for the lay public.

Journal of Clinical Oncology study suggests acupuncture may be effective against hot flashes.
More...

Alternative No More
“But today 36 percent of American adults use some form of CAM, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Now the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have begun to integrate CAM practices into the care of patients participating in clinical trials.”
More...

No-nonsense argument for the public good done by acupuncture.
More...

The Mayo Clinic publishes an article neither arguing for nor against, but instead respecting the precepts of acupuncture.
More...

“About 75 percent of medical schools now have some CAM courses in their curriculum, and the Consortium of Academic Health Centers for Integrative Medicine includes 39 academic health centers, including the Mayo Clinic plus Harvard, Stanford, Columbia, Duke and Yale universities.”
More...

How can the effect of acupuncture be demonstrated beyond the limbic system and the effect of endorphins?
More...

U.S. News & World Support article: “Embracing Alternative Care” Integration of formerly taboo CAM modalities bridging worlds in Chicago: “Steinhorn is a passionate champion of investigating CAM therapies, no matter how unlikely, if he believes they may help patients and are safe. "I'm a very serious, hard-core ICU doctor, but I have seen these therapies benefit my patients, even if I don't know how," he says.”
More...

Does it play in Ft. Wayne? Acupuncture receives positive, mainstream press in Indiana.
More...

Oprah Winfrey introduces the mainstream public to acupuncture.
More...

Continuing Education and Events

Wellness Greetings from the World Wellness Open University

I am pleased to inform you that the World Wellness Open University will be hosting the World Congress of Integrated Medicines (India), which is co-hosted by Medicina Alternativa of Alma Ata 1962, affiliated to The Open International University for Complementary Medicines (O.I.U.C.M). The Congress will be held from 23rd to 26th of March 2008 in Chennai, India.

In our quest to create global awareness about the role and scope of integrated medicines, we intend to bring together health/ medical professionals from more than 50 countries. This would be an excellent opportunity for you to acquire additional knowledge and information by participating in the World Congress. This would also be a platform for you to interact with the top professionals of your field.

We look forward to your kind support and participants from your side.

Looking forward to your early response.

For further details contact us at:

The Organizing Secretary
World Congress of Integrated Medicines
World Wellness Open University
85, First Main Road, Gandhi Nagar, Adyar, Chennai – 600 020. India
Phone : 0091-44-2442 3533
E-mail : secretary@worldcongress-india.org
Visit : www.worldcongress-india.org

Thank you,

With Love & Regards,

Ms. P.Geetha
Organising Commitee
World Congress of Integrated Medicines
Mobile : 0 - 93802 92636
E-mail: geetha@nonifamily.net

Jade Institute

Comprehensive Perspectives on the Diagnosis, Treatment and Management of Infertility

Instructor:
Lee Hullender, LAc, MAc
Christina Jackson, LAc, MAc
Cindy Micleu LAc, MTCM
Susan Carr, ND
Michael Opsahl, MD, Reproductive Endocrinologist
Klaus Wiemer, PhD, Embryologist
Date: Saturday 9:00am- - 5:30pm, March 15, 2008 through June 28, 2008
Location: Seattle, Washington
CUEs/PDAs: 42 CEUs - 42 PDA point pending (NCCAOM)
Class Description:
This is one of the most comprehensive courses available in the country on female and male fertility. It will train practitioners to effectively treat a wide range of problems. Tailored to address clinical experience and prepare practitioners to specialize in fertility care, the class will cover Chinese herbal medicine, acupuncture, nutrition, lifestyle, Heart-spirit issues, detailed analysis of basal body temperature charts, pre-conception care, current research, and Western reproductive endocrinology perspectives. Students will develop the skills necessary to work effectively in conjunction with IUI and IVF. For more information or to register, please go the the Jade Institute website at: www.jadeinstitute.com

Contact:
Cindy Micleu
122. N. 74th Street
Seattle, WA 98103
Phone: (206) 781-2253
Email: info@jadeinstitute.com

EnracUSA

Introductory Collateral Meridian Therapy Seminar

Instructor: Meng-Chen Hao, MS, DAc
Date: 3/1/2008
Location: Doubletree Hotel, LAX
1985 East Grand Ave.
El Segundo, California 90245
CUEs/PDAs: 6 CEUs approved by California Acupuncture Board
Class Description:
Collateral Meridian Therapy (CMT) is a non-pharmacological/non-invasive treatment meeting patients' needs by alleviating various degenerative symptoms of neurological origin. It has been successfully applied in treating sports injuries, frozen shoulders, carpal tunnel syndrome, migraine headaches, diabetes, fibromyalgia, PHN, RSD/CRPS, etc.

Introductory CMT Seminar is one of the two CMT seminars EnracUSA conducts. The objectives of this seminar are:
1. Explain the basic terminology and principles of CMT
2. Give a broad understanding of what CMT is
3. Provide live demonstrations and hands-on practice
4. Equip students for home study in administering basic CMT treatments

Cost: $240, or $200 if registered before 2/20.

Contact:
Register at www.enracusa.com
Grand Rapids, MI
(888) ENRAC-01

Reiki Level I/II

Instructor: Madeline Aron,LMT#1456
Date: ongoing
Location: To be announced, Albuquerque,N.M.
CUEs/PDAs: 14 CEUs
Class Description:
Reiki is Japanese meaning "spiritually guided life force energy”…Students are attuned to Reiki and shown how to be a vehicle for its transmission to patients. There will be a lot of hands on practice and discussion. The history of Reiki will be shared. Applications for acupuncturists in their practice, for self healing, and for everyday uses will be covered. Being attuned to Reiki and practicig it increases one’s intuitive capacities, helps clear blockages, and increases vitality. Booklets summarizing the class information and bibliographies will be handed out. Books on Reiki will be available for perusal. Only 4 students per class.

The second level class teaches the use of three Reiki symbols and deepens each student’s access to Reiki(universal qi). There is lots of hands on practice and discussion. The class centers on emotional and mental healing techniques, and on learning how to send Reiki treatments long distance(in absentia). Books available for perusal. Bibliography and class inforation outlined in student booklets. There are usually no more than four students per class.

Contact:
Madeline Aron
1006 Richmond N.E.
Albuquerque,N>M> 87106
(505) 265-7927

ACCAHC Appoints New Chair

The Academic Consortium for Complementary and Alternative Health Care (ACCAHC) has recently appointed Elizabeth Goldblatt, PhD, MPA/HA as its new Chair. She will assume this position in January 2008. Dr. Goldblatt has served as the President of Council of Colleges of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (CCAOM), President of the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine (OCOM), and is the current Vice President for Academic Affairs at American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine (ACTCM) and the United States chair of the Education Committee of the North American Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Council. Dr. Goldblatt holds an extensive background in higher education and is responsible for directing the development of the clinical doctoral programs at ACTCM and OCOM, both of which emphasize collaboration among CAM and biomedical healthcare providers.

The ACCAHC works to bring the five licensed Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) professions together and creates an environment where their academic leaders are able to speak with a united voice in the public arena. ACCAHC was created in 2004 in response to a clear need that had been articulated by three important groups: the White House Commission on Complementary and Alternative Medicine (WHCCAM), the National Policy Dialogue to Advance Integrated Healthcare: Seeking Common Ground (NPD), and the Institute of Medicine (IOM).

The need was to convene CAM and conventional healthcare educators to facilitate understanding of one another's disciplines in order to enhance patient-centered care and ultimately improve health outcomes. By working together and speaking with one voice, leaders and agencies in the CAM academic community would be most effective in their efforts to work with conventional medicine and transform the healthcare system and medical education. ACCAHC is the result of that vision and commitment.

ACCAHC has a two-fold mission: To advance the academic needs and development of the evolving CAM professions and the traditional world medicine professions that are emerging in the United States; and to foster a coherent, synergistic collaboration with academic institutions of the conventional medical, nursing, and public and community health professions. This collaboration promotes interdisciplinary healthcare education to ensure mutual understanding between healthcare disciplines.

ACCAHC's primary goal is to move the CAM academic community forward by promoting educational excellence in academic curriculums and clinical training, equitable access to resources for colleges, students and faculty, enhancement of research capacity, national policy leadership, research, and supporting future leaders and policy actions that will affect the transformation of our healthcare system.

ACCAHC has established a network of national CAM educational organizations and agencies. The core membership of this network is the national associations of colleges, the accrediting agencies and nationally recognized certification/testing agencies. ACCAHC has a strong commitment to public safety and accountability and works only with healthcare professions that either have established clear regulatory mechanisms in the United States, or are in the process of doing so. Professions currently represented by ACCAHC are Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, Chiropractic Medicine, Direct Entry Midwifery, Massage Therapy, Naturopathic Medicine and Nutrition.

American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, a non-profit institution, has provided affordable, quality health care to the public and trained professionals in acupuncture and Chinese medicine since 1980. ACTCM has been the recipient of many awards for its curriculum, faculty and clinic, and has been voted “Best of the Bay” by both the San Francisco Weekly and the San Francisco Bay Guardian.

For more information on ACTCM or the appointment of Dr. Elizabeth Goldblatt, please call (415) 355-1601 x12.

Maryland Acupuncture School, 2008 Seminars

Alex Tiberi comes to Maryland March 15 & 16, 2008. He will present one day of: Yang Sheng/ Longevity and Health & Spirituality in Chinese Medicine and another day of: Breast and Prostate Health.

For more information and registration, go to: www.maryland-acupuncture.org or call 443.320.1695.

John and Angela Hicks come to Maryland November 8-10, 2008 to present the following for two days: Deepening diagnosis and treatment skills for constitutional treatment. This seminar is for both TCM and Five Element practitioners. It will give TCM practitioner’s tools to help them to diagnose a constitutional imbalance. Five Element practitioners will gain structure and insight in order to deepen their existing skills. Then for one day: One Day: Getting Better at Getting the CF. This seminar is aimed for people more familiar with the Worsley Five Element tradition who are familiar with their Causative Factor (CF).

For more information and registration, go to: www.maryland-acupuncture.org or call 443.320.1695.

Introduction to New Program: Acupuncture & Massage

(offered as an English-taught program)

Length of Schooling: 5 years

Degree: Bachelor of Medicine

This clinical medicine program requires students to systematically master the fundamental knowledge and diagnostic and treatment skills of Chinese medicine and acupuncture and massage as well as fundamental knowledge of Western medicine; apply syndrome differentiation and correct treatment with Chinese medicine, acupuncture and massage to familiar diseases, frequently encountered diseases and serious diseases; fully master the clinical diagnostic, treatment and health care skills in traditional Chinese medicine, like shadowboxing, qi-gong, Eight-section Brocade Exercise, etc. with the emphasis of traditional Chinese healthcare skills and the clinical application of study of Chinese medicine and study of acupuncture and massage in teaching.

Major Courses for Specialty: Fundamental Chinese Medicine, Chinese Medicine Diagnostics, Study of Chinese Materia Medica, Study of Formulas of Chinese Medicine, Human Anatomy, Physiology, Fundamental Diagnostics, Study of Meridians and Acupoints, Science of Needling and Moxibustion, Theory on Acupuncture Therapy, Theory on Massage, Internal Medicine (CM),Internal Medicine (Western Medicine), Surgery (CM),Gynecology (CM), Pediatrics (CM), etc.

Teaching Language: English

Enrollment Requirements:

  1. Senior High School Graduates or above (Bachelor degree holders can apply for the Master’s programs of our university. For details, please refer to the Introduction to Postgraduate Admission.)
  2. Willing to abide by the student status management regulations and related regulations of the university.
  3. Enjoy good health.
  4. Non-criminal record.

Matriculation Regulation:
Sign up at the Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Student Affairs Office of our university directly, and don’t need to take the entrance examination. The following material is required:

  1. Proofs of educational diplomas or certificates and score reports
  2. Photocopies of passport
  3. Health certificate (physical examination report)
  4. Ten pieces of recent photos ( 33mm * 48mm )
  5. RMB 400 yuan for registration fee when school begins.

After the verification of our university, the matriculated students may be issued the “Entrance Notice” and “JW 202 Form” by our university. They may apply to Chinese Embassy for the student visas with the “Entrance Notice” and “JW 202 Form”.

All the matriculated students should register at our university at the decided date with “Entrance Notice” and pay 400 yuan as the registration fee. Those who don’t register two weeks after the decided date will be regarded as giving up the entrance qualification automatically.

Those who meet the requirement of entrance without having to take examinations can download the Entrance Application Form at the website of the International College: www1.gzhtcm.edu.cn.

Tuition Fee and Accommodation Fee

  1. Tuition fee (in RMB yuan): 30,000 RMB yuan/school year/person
  2. Accommodation fee (in RMB yuan):
    • Single-bed room: 16,000 RMB yuan /room/school year
    • Double-bed room: 19,200 RMB yuan /room/school year (Two students can share a double-bed room or one may ask to stay in a double-bed room alone)
  3. The food, medical and traffic expenses during the learning period should be upon the student’s part.
Notes:
  1. Students should pay the tuition fee for each school year at one time. Tuition will not be given back when students leave school or suspend the schooling during the learning period.
  2. When changes occur in the amount of tuition and accommodation fee, the students should pay according to the latest standard.

Contact Information
International Admission Office of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine
Tel: (020) 36585503, 39358355 Fax:(020)36586715, 39358478

Address 1: Foreign Student Affairs Office & Hong Kong
Macao and Taiwan Student Affairs Office
Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine
12 Jichang Road , Guangzhou , 510405, P. R. China.

Address 2: Foreign Student Affairs Office & Hong Kong
Macao and Taiwan Student Affairs Office
Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine
University Town Campus, Panyu District, 510006, P. R. China.

Website: www.gzhtcm.edu.cn
Email: wszsb@gzhtcm.edu.cn

We sincerely welcome students who are interested in CM to study at our university!

Pacific College Celebrates the Chinese New Year

Celebrating the Chinese New Year, the Year of the Rat

Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in New York will be hosting an open house on Saturday, February 2, 2008, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Following the open house, a celebration of the Chinese New Year will be held from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. and will include free community acupuncture for relaxation, as well as a tai ji and qi gong and a martial arts workshop. This event will also include an informational lecture titled, "Chinese Astrology: Year of the Rat."

Pacific's San Diego campus will be hosting a free event for the public on Saturday, February 9th, 2008, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free acupuncture and massage treatments will be offered from 10:00 to 1:00 pm. There will be 15-minute acupuncture treatment targeted for smoking cessation and stress reduction, as well as 10-minute tui na massages. This event will also include tai ji and qi gong demonstrations, an informational lecture titled, "A Discussion of Integrative Medicine and Its Profession" and lectures featuring women's health and pediatrics.

Pacific's Chicago campus will be holding a similar Chinese New Year celebration, Saturday, February 16, 2008, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The campus will be offering complimentary acupuncture treatments, qi-building exercises, and introductions to faculty and staff.

Celebrations at each campus will provide refreshments and an open invitation to the public to tour the campus. Staff and faculty will also be available to further attendees' knowledge of Pacific College's programs and the field of Oriental medicine.

For more information on any of these events, or to RSVP, please call (619) 574-6909 ext 130.

New Clinic Launched by Local Acupuncture College

The new Faculty Practice Clinic was created in response to the San Francisco community’s growing need for access to well-trained and highly seasoned Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) professionals. The college’s Faculty Practice Clinic offers patients the option to be seen by any of a handful of highly experienced licensed acupuncturists and herbalists.

Practitioners of the Faculty Practice Clinic are esteemed members of the Chinese medicine community in San Francisco. All members are licensed academic or clinical faculty members of the college and offer patients years of extensive training and experience.

The Faculty Practice Clinic was the brainchild of ACTCM Dean of Clinical Education and licensed acupuncturist John Kolenda. “We decided to launch a Faculty Practice Clinic in response to patients‚ requests to have access to practitioners with extensive training and success in treating patients. The group of individuals we’ve put together are not only excellent practitioners, but are also held to very high standards. Clinicians in our Faculty Clinic must meet specific requirements in order to be considered, and then are subject to internal and peer review on a quarterly basis. We also require our practitioners to attend regular professional development and continuing education. Lastly, we encourage our practitioners to tap into the supportive environment found within a group practice and engage in dialogue about their treatment strategies with their fellow colleagues. These standards are greater than those found in a typical private practice, and we think our patients will benefit greatly from this.”

According to Kolenda, patients seen in the new Faculty Clinic will notice some differences from the college’s long established Student Clinic. “While patients will continue to receive the same type and level of quality care, the experience itself will be somewhat different. For example, instead of multiple individuals observing, discussing and treating a patient, only one practitioner will be present. Patients will also have direct access to clinicians who offer specialties, such as Pain Management, Pediatrics, Orthopedics and Women’s Health,” Kolenda said.

Faculty Clinic appointments will be more focused and shorter in duration; most averaging 1 hour, rather than the 90-120 minutes often seen in the Student Clinic. Rates for the new clinic are also higher at $88 per treatment, which contrasts to the Student Clinic’s sliding fee scale based on income.

The faculty practice clinic, which is open six days a week, offers appointments in the afternoons, evenings and on weekends. Due to the popularity of the clinic’s pilot program, launched in the summer of 2007, new patient appointments in January have already begun to fill quickly. “We are very excited to be offering this new clinic. The response is already extremely positive. In addition to better serving the community of San Francisco, and offering our patients more treatment options, we hope that the Faculty Clinic will serve to raise the awareness of the efficacy of Traditional Chinese Medicine both locally and nationally,” commented ACTCM President, Lixin Huang.

American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine (ACTCM) has provided affordable, quality health care to the public and trained professionals in acupuncture, massage and Chinese medicine since 1980. In addition to its graduate curriculum, ACTCM offers continuing education, public education, community outreach and clinical services in acupuncture and herbal medicine. ACTCM has been the recipient of many awards for its curriculum, faculty and clinic, and has been voted “Best of the Bay” by both the San Francisco Weekly and the San Francisco Bay Guardian. ACTCM is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM) and is a private, nonprofit, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization.

The college’s Faculty Clinic is located at 450 Connecticut Street (at 20th) in Potrero Hill. Parking is available on-site. For more information, or to make an appointment, please call (415) 282-9603.

Proving a Point:

So often the nature of scientific criticism of CAM concerns the “anecdotal evidence” of treatments. Critics scoff and dismiss too many proposed explorations without the patience necessary to gather more concrete demonstrations of efficacy.

In a Discover magazine article, Andrew Weil demonstrates the need for more tolerance around baseline observation:

“The term anecdotes, continues Weil, is trivializing: ‘It suggests some old codger sitting on a porch telling a story.’ Weil prefers to call what he has seen ‘uncontrolled clinical observations.’ In a written response to Relman’s critique, Weil noted that the University of Arizona recently landed a $5 million National Institutes of Health grant to study, among other things, the value of cranial therapy (manual manipulation of the skull bones) in treating children’s ear infections. ‘If I had dismissed the successes I saw with [the treatment] as anecdotes, we would not be in a position to take the next step and gather the data that Relman wants to see.’”

Northwestern Graduates 22 Students from the School of Massage Therapy

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. —Northwestern Health Sciences University’s School of Massage Therapy graduated 22 students with a massage therapy certificate in mid-December.

Graduates hailed from five different states. Richie Ellingson and Anna Larson, Northwestern students from the graduating class, delivered the student greeting. The presidential greeting was presented by Mark Zeigler, DC, president of Northwestern.

The commencement address was delivered by Pauli Payne, BA, NCTMB, integrative medicine practitioner, Institute of Health and Healing at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis, Minn.

Northwestern Health Sciences University offers a wide array of choices in natural health care education including chiropractic, Oriental medicine, acupuncture, therapeutic massage, human biology, and integrative health and wellness. The University has more than 900 full-time students on a 25-acre campus in Bloomington, Minn.

AAAOM Student Organization

Pre-Boarding Call...
the Train’s About to Leave the Station
for the
AAAOM-SO Half-Price March Membership Drive
Six $250.00 Scholarships to Be Awarded!

($25 Annual Rate Valid March 1-March 31 Only)

During March 2008, the American Association of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine Student Organization (AAAOM-SO) is offering half price student memberships. One $250.00 scholarship will be awarded to an AOM student in each of the *six AAAOM-SO regions! Each person joining or renewing must complete an application. The membership dues will be half the price of the regular annual $50.00 student rate, or $25.

Why Join? Acupuncture & Oriental medicine is one of the fastest growing sectors of health care in this country, and you’re a part of it! In 2007, AAAOM-SO Student membership sky-rocketed – up 109%! The AAAOM-SO is inviting you to Jump on Board- not just for the ride of your life, but so you’re in the best possible position to help steer yourself into a winning year & career in acupuncture & Oriental medicine!

The AAAOM and AAAOM-SO are Important Nationwide Professional Advocacy Groups Dedicated to the Interests of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine, and to Your Professional Future! JOIN US in working towards:

These are some of the goals the AAAOM and AAAOM-SO are already working on and we are definitely making progress. As membership grows so does our legislative success! You can help make these goals a reality by becoming an AAAOM-SO member! The recent unification of the AAOM and AOM Alliance has already made the AAAOM a powerful lobbyist at the state and national levels by giving our profession a strong unified voice.

Campaign Timeline: The student membership special is good during March, 2008, only. (Early submissions at the $25 rate cannot be accepted.) Sign up online at www.aaaomonline.org (and click the Student Services link on the left). Printed copies of the application must be postmarked by 3/31/08 and sent to: AAAOM, P.O. Box 162340, Sacramento, CA 95816. If you or anyone you know isn’t already a member of the AAAOM-SO, or your membership is going to expire anytime during 2008 (all current remaining membership time will be retained), the online application has been amended for the month of March to calculate the amount due at the discounted student rate of $25 annually.

*Scholarship: The AAAOM & AAAOM-SO are partnering to offer one $250.00 scholarship to each of the six AAAOM-SO Regions. Scholarship entry requires students to send a postcard with their name, address, email address, and school affiliation to: AAAOM, P.O. Box 162340, Sacramento, CA 95816. This scholarship drawing is open to all U.S. students of acupuncture and oriental medicine.

The AAAOM recognizes that students are a large part of the future of acupuncture & Oriental medicine nationwide, and they’re committed to encouraging student participation in the AAAOM-SO--the 1st and only nationally recognized organization created specifically for AOM Students.

Make Sure You Have Your Ticket to Professional Success and an Endless Track of Opportunities as an AAAOM-SO Member!

Products, Services, and Member Savings

In closing,

We continue to refine the quality of the Qi-Unity Report for our members. Perhaps you can lend us your voice to help us better serve the AAAOM membership. This is your newsletter and we wish to tailor it to the information you value and use.

As always, we welcome your feedback to improve and enhance this publication and its benefits to you as we continue to galvanize our common interest to rise and meet the marriage of challenges and opportunities that lie ahead!

Best Wishes,


Rebekah Christensen,
Executive Director
Douglas Newton,
Managing Editor