Chinese Medicine Times Forum

The Chinese Medicine Times Forum will offer users various topic forums, emotion icons, advanced search options, avatars, calendar, attachment uploads and lots more!
There are currently 10 different forums:

1. Registered Healthcare Professionals Only
For Chinese medicine herbalists, acupuncturists, students and healthcare professionals only.

2. Chinese Medicine and Religion
For topics about Chinese medicine and religion. (Practitioners only)

3. Products and Suppliers
Questions to do with Chinese medical products whether needles, herbs, etc and their respective suppliers. (Practitioners only)

4. TCM Veterinary Medicine
For discussions about TCM veterinary medicine only.

5. General Public Forum
Use this forum for questions about Chinese medicine and acupuncture. (Pass on your knowledge to the general public)

6. Thinking of Learning Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture
If you're interested in studying Chinese medicine & acupuncture and have any questions, use this forum.

7. Looking For a Practitioner
If you are looking for a Chinese medicine practitioner or acupuncturist in your local area, post your request here. (Great for picking up referrals)

8. Chinese Tea
This forum is for topics to do with Chinese tea.

9. Chinese Culture
Use this forum to discuss Chinese culture.

10. Chinese Language
If you are learning Chinese or want to know more about learning Chinese, post your questions here.

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If you want access to the restricted practitioner's forum, enter your healthcare qualifications
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See you there!

Attilio D'Alberto
Doctor of Chinese Medicine (Beijing, China)
BSc (Hons) TCM MBAcC
Editor

Web: http://www.chinesemedicinetimes.com

Acupuncture for Addictions

Acupuncture has been used for 3,000 years for everything from allergies to chronic pain, but since 1973 there has been an increase in using acupuncture as a treatment for addictions.

Acupuncture works on the concept of yin and yang - two complementary and opposing dynamics found in nature. When we are healthy, our yin and yang is said to be in balance. Addicts are found to be lacking in yin, and since yin is like water and yang is like fire, a shortage of yin means the fire of yang can grow out of control.

As a treatment or therapy, acupuncture needles stimulate certain locations in the body to improve the corresponding problem area. Research has shown that acupuncture raises endorphin levels, which are natural painkillers, found in and produced by the body. It was noted that addicts were better able to curb cravings and withdrawal symptoms when endorphin levels were kept high.

In the 1970's, the first acupuncture detoxification clinic in the United States opened at the Lincoln Memorial Hospital in New York City. Since that time, there have been detoxification clinics opened in San Francisco, Chicago, Miami, and other cities across the US. Acupuncture is a natural treatment with no side effects. Acupuncture is beneficial in treating addictions to a wide range of drugs including barbiturates, cocaine, and nicotine.

The advantages of acupuncture as a major proponent in this addiction treatment model is that it is beneficial to both a patient who is off of drugs, or for someone who is still using. Also, if patients are not yet receptive to communicating or may have language barriers, it doesn't have to mean a delay in treatment- acupuncture needs little or no verbal participation. This gives the professionals more time to review and diagnose an individual. Patients tend to be more open and calm, because they don't have the added pressure of having to begin counselling immediately.

The non-verbal first steps of ear acupuncture have proven successful in getting patients to a point where they feel more in control. That, in turn helps them to become more involved in their own rehabilitation. Acupuncture plays a big part in their eventual success.

Web: http://healthy.net/scr/news.asp?id=9077

LCTA Launches New Qi Gong Course - New Course Offers Students the Chance to Learn the Art of Self-Healing

The London College of Traditional Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (LCTA) is introducing a Practitioner Diploma in Wisdom Qi Gong.

This new course is designed for those who are interested in learning the art of self-healing to cope with their own illness, those who are interested in adding a qi energetics dimension to their practice and for those who are looking for a gentle introduction to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practice.

The course is taught over one, two or three years with qualifications at levels one, two and three in Wisdom Qi Gong (level three being the highest).
Students can choose to continue after the first year by which time, as a level one practitioner they will be able to practise qi gong, teach patients, friends or family basic exercises for their own self-healing and use qi gong massage on them.

The course is the first of its kind in the UK to match the three Wisdom Qi Gong levels as taught in China, Holland and the USA. Qi Gong Therapist status is only available on successful completion of Level three to those who are already qualified healthcare practitioners.

Through Wisdom Qi Gong, practitioners can learn to cultivate their vital force and to replenish the mind, body and spirit. Neil Archer teaches Qi Gong at LCTA and has designed the new Practitioner Diploma course: ‘As busy practitioners, we often become tired and drained of energy which leaves us open to illness,’ he explains.

‘Qi gong practice helps to replenish vital energy, keeping us healthy and making us more effective in our work. As a qi gong practitioner, it can be useful to be able to recommend exercises to patients as part of a treatment and rehabilitation plan. With regular daily practice, you can increase flexibility and reduce pain significantly. Providing movements are tailored to an individual, qi gong can be an empowering form of therapy.’

In fact, practising qi gong is not just about cultivating one's own qi; qi gong massage - a very gentle form of massage that focuses on rebalancing energy and clearing blockages - will be taught alongside the practise of qi gong at the College, to begin the process of learning how to channel energy so that it can help to heal others. ‘Many practitioners want to add qi energetics to their range of skills as it takes their treatments into another dimension,’ explains Bonny Williams, Director of LCTA. ‘In learning to practise qi gong, you also learn how to emit qi. By being able to channel and emit energy, you can use it as a powerful healing massage technique - a bit like Reiki.’

Although there are still relatively few qi gong instructors and even fewer qi gong therapists in the UK, it is the latest branch of TCM to become popular here. ‘Qi gong is growing fast, although qi massage is still extremely rare in the UK,’ comments Bonny. ‘Practising qi gong will make you fit and strong and will ensure you stay healthy. It's a great discipline for people who are trying to cope with an illness and is an ideal gentle introduction for someone who is interested in training in Chinese medicine.’

Qi gong could also make a difference to your own practitioner skills: ‘Many TCM practitioners in particular find qi gong increases their familiarity with the body's energy channels, making it easier to work with qi in other ways,’ she explains.
‘For example, tui na practitioners often use qi gong as a way of enhancing and controlling their own qi when they are treating patients. This also prevents them from suffering from the muscle strain and tiredness that is so common for massage therapists.’

For more information on Wisdom Qi Gong, on the new course at LCTA, or on any of the other courses available at the College, please call 020 8446 3332 or visit http://www.lcta.com.

Acupuncture Reduces 'Active Phase' of Childbirth

Acupuncture can speed labour, a new study of pregnant women has revealed. It dramatically reduced the active phase of labour, although the women did not deliver the baby any sooner.

In a study of 100 pregnant women who were about to give birth, 48 were given acupuncture while the remainder had standard care. Those given acupuncture had an average active phase of 4.4 hours compared with 6.1 hours in the standard-care group. Delivery time was marginally better in the acupuncture group - 29.1 hours compared with 32.7 hours in the standard-care group - but researchers felt it was too slight to be significant.

(Source: Acta Obstretricia et Gynecologica, 2006;85:1348-53).

Web: http://healthy.net

Stop Smoking with Acupuncture

England will be a different place from 1st July 2007, when the smoking ban comes into effect. The new law will help the 72% of current smokers who want to give up, but many may not be aware that acupuncture is a great way to help you quit by reducing the problematic withdrawal symptoms of the addiction, making it easier to kick the habit for good.

With the obvious health risks of smoking, passive smoking and the financial strain of a 20-a-day habit costing at least £1,500 per year, it’s easy to see why giving up is so important. Acupuncture offers an effective, natural way to curb the cravings and stop smoking in time for the ban this summer.

Rachel Peckham, British Acupuncture Council member and NADA (National Acupuncture Detoxification Association) trainer explains how auricular (ear) acupuncture is used to help people stop smoking: 'A combination of five auricular points can aid smoking cessation by helping to reduce cravings, and promoting an increased sense of calm and relaxation. Press studs, gold plated beads or magnets can be placed on two of the points following the acupuncture, and left in between treatments to further enhance the effects.'

By alleviating energy blockages in the body acupuncture works to relieve stress, reduce cravings and strengthen energy and vitality, allowing the body to become more balanced and giving your will power a chance to succeed.

Acupuncture can help by:
Offering an effective treatment for stress which often causes people to reach for the cigarettes
Reducing withdrawal symptoms such as cravings
Increasing energy levels

Research
Research by HD Medbo et al (2001) was conducted on 45 healthy men and women who smoked 20 cigarettes per day. The group was randomly split into a test group in which acupuncture was applied to anti-smoking acupoints. A control group received acupuncture on points considered to have no effect on smoking cessation.
Before each treatment, after the last treatment, 8 months and 5 years after this study, each subject was questioned about his/her smoking habits. Blood samples were also taken to measure substances related to smoking.

Results
During treatment cigarette consumption fell from twenty to six cigarettes a day for the test group. During the following eight months their consumption rose to a total of eleven cigarettes a day with no increase after that period, showing a maintained reduction in smoking. This group also reported that cigarettes tasted worse after treatment and their desire to smoke fell. No effect was seen in the control group.

The test confirms that acupuncture treatment can help motivated smokers to reduce smoking or quit completely.

Chinese Medicine Helps Stop Food Cravings

According to the American Obesity Association, 127 million adults are overweight, and 60 million meet the criteria for obesity. This health epidemic affects not only the patient's quality of life, but also results in a cost of $12.7 billion dollars annually to US businesses in loss of productivity and health and life insurance costs. Additionally, obesity is linked to over 30 health medical conditions including Type 2 Diabetes, and Heart Disease. Approximately 300,000 deaths each year are attributed to obesity.

Although Americans spend $35 billion annually on weight-loss products and services, the rate of obesity has spread to 30.5% of adults over the age of twenty. With the high failure rate of fad diets many Americans are now turning to alternative solutions. Those seeking long term lifestyle changes and true health stability are now including the use of Acupuncture and Tai Chi to achieve their health goals.

Acupuncture and Tai Chi are a great addition to any weight loss plan. When beginning a diet, many people experience food withdrawals from a lack of endorphins they are used to receiving through comfort foods. These cravings can lead to dangerous food binges, guilt, and shame. Acupuncture and Tai Chi are a great way to counter-balance these cravings, as they release endorphins into the brain, which helps alleviate the withdrawal symptoms of various foods.

Weight gain can also be caused by stress, which increases Cortisol in the body. An increase in Cortisol can alter a person's metabolism causing a stressed-out person to store more fat than usual. By releasing endorphins into the body these therapies reduce the level of stress and curtail the over-production of Cortisol in the body.

Tai Chi and Acupuncture are also effective in stimulating the hypothalamus, an area of the brain that regulates the autonomic nervous system and controls appetite and hormone production. Regulating the body's thyroid and hormone levels, through these therapies are effective in aiding weight-loss.

Still, the ultimate means of regulating weight is through eating healthy and increasing exercise. The use of Acupuncture and Tai Chi provide a fun form of exercise and release from unhealthy food cravings, stress, and dependencies.
Tai Chi improves metabolism by increasing strength, flexibility, and restoring internal balance. Tai Chi's gentle movements are also a great low impact exercise for aging bodies, people recovering from injuries, or those looking to change up their current exercise routine. Together these therapies are an extremely effective means of losing weight and feeling great in the New Year.

For more information on how acupuncture and tai chi can help with weight loss, please call Pacific College at (800) 729 - 0941 or visit http://www.PacificCollege.edu.

National Acupuncture Organisations Reunite

After three days of negotiations in Dallas, the AAOM and the AOM Alliance have entered into an historic agreement to reunite and form a new organisation, the American Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (AAAOM). By taking the name of the organisation that split 14 years ago, the directors of the new organisation hope to signal that events of the past that led to the split have been resolved, and that a new era in acupuncture and Oriental medicine leadership has arrived.

Will Morris, former president of the AAOM, and Leslie McGee, former president of the AOM Alliance, said in a joint statement that reuniting the two national membership organisations ‘is the best way to move the profession forward. We are thrilled that our differences have been bridged to the extent that it no longer makes sense to have two competing organisations. The vast majority of the acupuncture and Oriental medicine community has been asking for this to happen for several years, and the time was right to make this happen.’

‘This is the first step in building a 10,000 member-strong association that will represent and advocate for the AOM profession’ they continued. ‘We will work to assure that the interests of the AOM profession are well-represented.’

The officers of the new AAAOM are Leslie McGee, president; Martin Herbkersman from the AAOM, vice president; Shane Burras from the AAOM, treasurer; Corinne Axelrod from the Alliance, secretary; and Will Morris, president emeritus. These officers will serve until October 2007, when new officer elections will take place.

The remainder of the Board of Directors is a mix from both the AAOM and the Alliance, and includes: Travis Buckmaster, Christine Chang, Scott Cormier, Cynthia O'Donnell, Tom Haines, Deborah Lincoln, Bill Reddy, Jeannette Rockers, Rachel Toomim, and Lloyd Wright. Board Alternates include Floyd Herdrich, Karen Reynolds, Jim Turner, Regina Walsh, and Douglas Wang.

Current members of the AAOM and the Alliance have automatically been made members of the AAAOM, and all new members will become members of the AAAOM.

This groundbreaking agreement was mediated by Mike Schroeder, vice president of the American Acupuncture Council (AAC). The cost of the reunification negotiations were paid for by the AAC as well.

The first public event of the new AAAOM will be the ‘Rebuilding the Future’ Conference, to be held May 9-13 at the Hampton Inn in New Orleans. The entire profession is encouraged to come and show its support for the new organisation.
The goals of the AAAOM are to provide a strong, effective and visible presence for acupuncture and Oriental medicine practitioners and the public.

Ontario Becomes Second Canadian Province to Regulate Chinese Medicine

On December 20th 2006, Ontario became the second Canadian province to regulate traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) when Bill 50 passed the Legislative Assembly of Ontario with royal assent. TCM is the first new health profession in Ontario to be regulated since 1991. Ontario joins British Columbia as the only Canadian provinces in which TCM currently is regulated.

Before regulation was established, no restrictions existed on whom could call themselves a TCM practitioner. In the absence of regulation or licensure, potential patients had no way of knowing which practitioners possessed the appropriate education and training requirements for safe practice.

A self-governing, regulatory college, named the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners of Ontario, has been created with the authority to set standards of practice and entry to practice requirements for the profession. The college is a self-regulatory body operating under the provincial government. The government of British Columbia established a similar college, called the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of British Columbia, in 1996. According to the bill:

The scope of practice of traditional Chinese medicine is the assessment of body system disorders using traditional Chinese medicine techniques and treatment using traditional Chinese medicine therapies to promote, maintain or restore health. The College Council will be composed of at least six and no more than nine persons who are members of the College, and at least five and no more than eight persons appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council. The Council shall have a President and Vice-President elected annually by Council.

The Bill restricts the use of the titles 'traditional Chinese medicine practitioner' and 'acupuncturist' to members of the College. No person other than a member may hold themselves out as qualified to practice as a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner or acupuncturist. Anyone who contravenes these restrictions is guilty of an offense and on conviction is liable to a maximum fine of $5,000 for a first offence and a maximum of $10,000 for a subsequent offence.

The Registrar must notify each member of the College if the Minister refers a suggested statutory or regulatory amendment under the new Act to the Health Professions Regulatory Advisory Council. The College Council, with Ministerial review and the approval of the Lieutenant Governor in Council, may make regulations:

* Regulating standards of practice respecting the circumstances in which traditional Chinese medicine practitioners shall make referrals to members of other regulated health professions;
* Regulating therapies involving the practice of traditional Chinese medicine, governing the use of prescribed therapies and prohibiting the use of therapies other than the prescribed therapies in the course of the practice of traditional Chinese medicine.
* Regulating or prohibiting the use of the title ‘doctor,’ a variation or abbreviation or an equivalent in another language by members in respect of their practice; and
* Requiring a class of certificates of registration for members who use the title ‘doctor’ and imposing terms, conditions and limitations on certificates of registration of this class.

‘This legislation regulating traditional Chinese medicine will help ensure that Ontarians who choose alternative health care like TCM and acupuncture are receiving safe, quality care from practitioners who have recognised skills and training,’ said Health and Long-Term Care Minister, George Smitherman. ‘I would like to take this opportunity to recognise the hard work of members on all sides of the Legislature who had a hand in making this legislation a reality, to the benefit of TCM practitioners, acupuncturists and Ontario patients.’

While Smitherman and others hail the passage of Bill 50 as a significant step forward for the acupuncture and Oriental medicine profession in Canada, several professional associations within the province fought against the bill, arguing that the government's criteria for determining ‘sufficient educational level’ is not clearly defined, as the bill would permit a variety of health care professionals to perform acupuncture while, at the same time, removing some of the rights and privileges of traditional Chinese medicine doctors. Marylou Lombardi, president of the Ontario Association of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine, expressed concern that the bill, as written, would allow people with inadequate hours of training to practice TCM.

Web: http://www.AcupunctureToday.com

Osteoarthritis Treated with Acupuncture

Osteoarthritis (OA) has a major impact on patients' mobility and quality of life but the anti-inflammatory drugs used to treat it are associated with a number of side effects. In recent years, patients have turned increasingly to acupuncture to relieve the chronic pain associated with OA. A new study published in the November 2006 issue of Arthritis & Rheumatism examined the use of acupuncture as an extension of routine medical care and whether the effects of treatment last after therapy is discontinued.

Led by Claudia M. Witt of the University Medical Centre in Berlin, Germany, researchers conducted a randomised, controlled trial of a large number of patients with chronic pain due to OA of the knee or hip. Between July 2001 and July 2004, a total of 3,553 patients were divided into three groups: 322 immediately received up to 15 sessions of acupuncture in the initial three month period; 310 controls received no acupuncture for the first three months; and 2,921 (those who did not consent to randomisation) received the same treatment as the acupuncture group. Each patient was followed for a total of six months and the control group received acupuncture during the last three months of their study period. The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and a health-related quality of life survey (Short Form 36) were used to measure outcomes when the study began and at three and six months.

The authors conclude that ‘the present results show that, in patients with chronic pain due to OA of the knee or hip who were receiving routine primary care, addition of acupuncture to the treatment regimen resulted in a clinically relevant and persistent benefit.’

In an accompanying editorial in the same issue, Tao Liu and Chen Liu of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China, point out that acupuncture is part of traditional Chinese medicine, which views the body differently than biomedicine in that it emphasises the body's healing ability and aims for long-term healing, not necessarily a cure. In addition, acupuncture features close patient-provider relationships that involve enhanced interaction and communication, which can be beneficial in managing OA. They also suggest that in reality, few OA patients use acupuncture as the sole treatment and that a lack of information about how well it works has probably meant that acupuncture is an undervalued treatment option that could be an important element of a multidisciplinary approach to treating OA.’

Full article at: http://www.Acupuncture.com

Arthritis Helped by Acupuncture with Turmeric

Acupuncture and an extract of turmeric - the spice that gives curry its kick - may both offer significant pain relief to some arthritis patients, two new studies suggest.

Reporting in the November issue of Arthritis & Rheumatism, a German team says a combination of acupuncture and conventional medicine can boost quality of life for patients suffering from osteoarthritis.

And in a second study in the same issue, American researchers say the ingestion of a special turmeric extract could help prevent or curb both acute and chronic rheumatoid arthritis.

The findings should be heartening to the roughly 40 percent of arthritis patients in the United States who say they've turned to some form of alternative medicine.

‘If I had arthritis, I would be very excited about this,’ said Dr. Janet L. Funk, the lead author of the turmeric study and an assistant professor of physiological sciences at the University of Arizona in Tucson.

According to the Arthritis Foundation, nearly one in five Americans (46 million) suffers from one of the more than 100 various joint diseases that constitute arthritis. An additional 23 million have chronic joint pain that has yet to be formally diagnosed.
Osteoarthritis is caused by a progressive degeneration of bone cartilage and is the most common type of arthritis in the United States. Rheumatoid arthritis is an immunological disorder characterised by a painful inflammation of the lining of the joints.

In her study, Funk built on earlier research she had conducted with rats. Those efforts suggested that turmeric might prevent joint inflammation.

In her current work, she first broke down the specific contents of commonly sold turmeric dietary supplements.

In the lab, she and her colleagues then isolated a turmeric extract that was free of essential oils and structurally similar to that found in commercial varieties. The extract was based largely on curcuminoids - a compound they believed to be most protective against arthritic inflammation.

Funk's group administered the extract to female rats both before and after the onset of rheumatoid arthritis. They then tracked changes in the rodents' bone density and integrity.

The turmeric extract appeared to block inflammatory pathways associated with rheumatoid arthritis in rats at a particularly early point in the development of the disease. The extract had a beneficial impact if given three days after arthritis set in, but not if given eight days after disease onset.

Investigations in the laboratory revealed that turmeric stops a particular protein from launching an inflammatory ‘chain reaction’ linked to swelling and pain. The expression of hundreds of genes normally involved in instigating bone destruction and swelling was also altered by the turmeric.

Funk stressed, however, that the findings are preliminary, and the extract needs to be tested in people.

‘I feel an obligation to make clear that people should not run out to buy and consume turmeric powder,’ she cautioned. ‘First of all, a very small percent of the ground-up root that we buy in the grocery store is the protective part of the root, so it's not going to get you anywhere.’ In fact, the compound used in the study probably makes up only about 3 percent of the weight of current store-bought turmeric supplements, Funk said.

‘That means that if this pans out in further studies, patients will be taking a purified extract, and this is all really exciting,’ she said. ‘But we still need conclusive proof that this extract is safe and efficacious.’

In the second study, researchers led by Dr. Claudia M. Witt of Charite University Medical Center in Berlin spent three years tracking the treatment results of 3,500 male and female osteoarthritis patients suffering from either knee or hip pain.

For six months, all the participants were permitted to continue whatever conventional western medical treatments they had been undergoing prior to the onset of the treatment trials.

However, in addition, over 3,200 of the patients also received up to 15 sessions of needle-stimulation acupuncture during the first three months of the study. The remaining 310 patients received no acupuncture in the first three months. They were offered such treatment in the final three months of the study period, however.

All acupuncture sessions were administered by physicians who had received a minimum of 140 hours of certified training.

Symptom and pain questionnaires were completed at the onset of the study and at three months and six months of therapy.

Patients with chronic osteoarthritis pain who underwent a combination of routine medical care plus acupuncture demonstrated significant quality of life improvements, the researchers found. This included increased mobility and pain reduction above and beyond that experienced by patients who did not receive acupuncture.

For those who began their acupuncture treatments immediately, osteoarthritis improvement held steady three months after cessation of the sessions. For those patients who had begun acupuncture three months into the study period, comparable improvements occurred by the time they ended their sessions at the six-month mark.

The authors said acupuncture appeared to be a safe medical intervention with minor side effects observed in just over 5 percent of patients.

The study, one of the largest of its kind, demonstrated that acupuncture was a viable therapeutic option for people suffering from osteoarthritis, the German team said.

Full article: http://www.Acupuncture.com

Can Acupuncture Treat Mental Disorders?

In the Philippines, Dr. Ria Flores is among the physicians who believe that Western and oriental medicine can complement each other as a healing modality for mentally ill patients.

In her lecture - 'The Treatment of Mental Disorder Through Acupuncture' - on November 19th at the Kaisa Heritage Centre in Intramuros, Manila, Reyes - who has B.S. Biology degree from the De La Salle University and a Medicine degree from the Far Eastern University-Nicanor Reyes Memorial Foundation - said she studied acupuncture out of compassion to patients suffering from pain, and from the ill side effects of strong painkillers.

She began searching for alternative solutions to the problem, and coincidentally, during this time, she was offered a scholarship by the Chinese Embassy to study acupuncture in China. After completing her training in Shanghai and Beijing, Reyes had become an active advocate of acupuncture as an alternative healing method. According to her, she favours acupuncture because of the following reasons: it has fewer side effects; it entails a simple procedure; it cures a wide range of diseases; and is known to have good curative effects compared with other mode of treatments.

It was estimated that acupuncture originated in China some 2000 years ago, though its origins cannot be traced to a definite source. The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine, which was compiled around 305-204 B.C., is the first Chinese medical text that describes the practice of acupuncture.

The theory of acupuncture dictates that there are 12 meridians that run along the body, with each corresponding to a particular organ. There are a total of 361 acupuncture points on the human anatomy, according to Reyes, though only 300 of these are actively used. She explains that to understand how acupuncture can be used to treat mental disorders, it is good to examine the Chinese concept of Shen.

Shen in traditional Chinese medicine encompasses the whole spectrum of mental, emotional and spiritual aspect of an individual. It is integral to the Chinese therapeutics theory that says, 'Emotions have distinct effects on the various organs.'

Reyes cites a few basic examples. Joy and love, according to her, affect the heart while sadness and grief affect the lungs, hence the rapid heartbeat and difficulty in breathing experienced by individuals agitated by these emotions.

Zeroing in on specific cases, depression, mood swings and impatience, she said, may indicate qi stagnation in the liver. After a careful diagnosis of the patient's symptoms, an acupuncturist can stimulate the necessary points to restore the qi's optimum flow.

Traditional Chinese medicine is holistic in its approach, the reason why Reyes mentioned the importance of nutrition to one's emotional and mental well-being. The food and beverages we consume, she explains, will have a profound effect on our thoughts and emotions.

Reyes again used the liver to illustrate the point. She said that a case called 'liver blood heat' is induced by excessive consumption of alcohol and fried foods. More heat in the liver can lead to violent tendencies, she warns, and this explains the phenomenon of angry drunks and post-drinking binge fights.

Reyes mentioned a few acupuncture points used in the treatment of severe psychiatric cases. One is GB (gall bladder) 13, or Benshen in Chinese. Dubbed the 'Root of the Spirit,' this point is used in the treatment of schizophrenia and split personality cases.

Acupuncture Recommended for Post-Op Nausea

In another sign of acupuncture's growing acceptance among mainstream medicine, the American Society of Anesthesiologists recently issued new guidelines for managing nausea and vomiting following surgery. The guidelines recommend acupuncture among the potential options for reducing these distressing symptoms, which often are associated with general anesthesia.

‘Only one point is needed, the T6 point,’ said Dr. Tong J. Gan of Duke University, commenting on the society's recommendations in Reuters Health. ‘Physicians don't realise the high priority patients place on [reducing or eliminating] post-op nausea and vomiting. There are studies showing that patients would prefer pain over nausea and vomiting.’

Acupuncture and Oriental medicine has shown promise in treating a variety of conditions without the use of drugs or other traditional measures that often come with dangerous side effects. To learn more about the benefits of this ancient healing art, including the latest research supporting its use, visit http://www.acupuncturetoday.com.

Resource
* Annual meeting of the American Society of Anesthesiologists, as reported by Reuters Health, Oct. 17, 2006.

Acupuncture for Sinus Headaches Pain Relief

Sinus headaches are triggered when the mucous membrane of the sinus cavities in your face get inflamed. If you suffer from sinus headaches, you get a deep, dull pain in front of your head or face (at specific points such as behind the eyes or side of the nose). The pain gets worse if you moved your head physically, especially while bending down or leaning over.

Sinus headaches pain peaks during the morning hours after waking up and it generally subsides by after noon. And quite often, the pain starts when you get a bad cold.

Conventional treatments for sinus headaches usually involve antibiotic cure and surgery in acute cases. More recently, it has been found that acupuncture is an effective complementary and alternative therapy for sinus headaches.

Acupuncture is the one of the oldest and widely used holistic medical practices in the world. It is part of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

The term 'acupuncture' stands for a variety of procedures that involves stimulation of anatomical points on the body using different techniques. The most popularly studied technique involves inserting extremely thin metal needles at the acupuncture points.

These needles are then either manipulated by electric signals or bare hands. This procedure does not involve injections of drugs or medical substances. You usually do not feel any pain and sometimes you do not even realise that a needle has been inserted into your body.

Now here is how acupuncture relieves sinus headaches. Modern science believes that acupuncture brings about biochemical changes in the blood serum to stabilise serotonin - a vital chemical that acts as a messenger between the spinal cord and brain - and stimulates the release of endorphins (human body's natural painkiller) to alleviate the pain. Further, it activates the parasympathetic nervous system to relieve stress, anxiety and muscle tension, and promotes cerebral circulation so that the affected region gets more oxygenated blood supply and nutrients.

Acupuncture for sinus headaches is usually prescribed based on a detailed diagnosis of your medical condition. Your practitioner has to first determine what the imbalances in your body are before s/he decides a course of treatments.

If you wish to consider having acupuncture for sinus headaches, you will need to find an expert acupuncturist. Check with the local acupuncture association to get some referrals. The better skilled your acupuncturist is, the more effective you will find this alternative and complementary treatment.

New Anatomy Software for Acupuncture Practitioners

Anatomy software creator, Primal Pictures is launching a revolutionary three-dimensional anatomy resource for students, teachers and practitioners of acupuncture.

Anatomy for Acupuncture is set to transform the way anatomy is taught within the complementary medicine sector. Users will be able to see and understand the positions of 88 of the most commonly used acupuncture points in 3D with detailed anatomy of their needle passage. These points are annotated with their Chinese name and character, acupuncture point position, needle tract, target structure and meridian. Notes and anatomical alerts are also included to highlight the points where damage could be caused by the wrong direction or depth of insertion.

 
Images courtesy and copyright Primal Pictures Ltd. www.primalpictures.com

‘Learning anatomy at the same time as acupuncture point location is a hard task for a novice and this new software is an enormously useful tool with great potential,’ comments Susanna Dowie, Principal of London College of Traditional Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (LCTA). ‘It's so much easier to understand the relationship between acupuncture points and the anatomical structures that surround them when you can view them interactively; especially when you can see the needle penetrating under the skin to the physical structures beneath and view it from whatever angle you choose. It is great to see the power of IT being harnessed to facilitate learning in this way. It's a wonderful learning tool for students and for those of us practitioners with a less than perfect memory!’

All anatomical structures in the software have descriptive text, including musculoskeletal and vascular anatomy with all essential muscles, ligaments, bones, attachments, capsules and vessels. Needles can be seen in both the musculoskeletal and neurovascular versions of the 3D model with the choice of 13 views, each containing 14 layers of anatomy, including selected viscera. The software also includes a further 324 named needle points that can be highlighted in their correct position. In addition, this unique resource provides details and discussion of the most clinically important myofascial trigger points with, for the first time in any publication, their anatomical and clinical correspondence to acupuncture points. The 14 principal meridians with points are also highlighted in 3D along with 42 myofascial referred pain patterns of trigger points.

Anatomy for Acupuncture is a dynamic resource that can be used for reference, study and as a useful tool in patient education to demonstrate pain referral sites and the selection of points that may be used in treatment. Images may be exported for use in presentations, layers can be added or removed and structures rotated to provide the best view.

Anatomy for Acupuncture DVD-ROM is £155+VAT. For further information, please call Catriona Kerr on 020 7637 1010 or email catriona@primalpictures.com. For a free online trial, please visit http://www.anatomy.tv.

For more information about Primal Pictures, please visit http://www.primalpictures.com or call +44 20 7307 6485 quoting ref: ACU1.

Chinese Acupuncturists Furious over Ontario Bill

Furious Chinese acupuncturists are threatening to mobilise half-a-million people against Ontario's Liberal government over legislation making their profession self-regulating.

The bill, which had final reading recently, entrenches ‘quackery’ and puts the public at risk, critics said. ‘Bill 50 discriminates against the Chinese medicine profession and against the Chinese community and is a second Head Tax,’ said Stephen Liu, co-chairman of the Canadian Society of Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture.

‘We will fight to the last.’

The reference to the hated tax once imposed on Chinese immigrants indicates the depth of anger over the legislation among many of Ontario's 3,000 practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine.

Critics say they find it offensive that the legislation allows other groups of health professionals - such as physiotherapists, massage therapists or chiropractors - to continue using acupuncture under standards set by their own regulating bodies.

Liu said Chinese acupuncturists opposed to the legislation will call on their patients, their families, friends, relatives and members of their churches - 500,000 people in all - to fight the Liberal party in next year's provincial election.

Dr. Stanley Shyu, a Chinese-trained doctor of traditional medicine who has practised in Canada for 32 years, said it's ludicrous to allow others to perform acupuncture without rigorous training.

Doing so waters down a profession that can cure a wide range of ailments when done by properly trained experts, but harms patients when done improperly, he said.

‘You don't let laymen stick needles in people and call it acupuncture,’ Shyu said.

‘That's called needling.’

Health Minister George Smitherman, who introduced the bill almost a year ago, acknowledged divisions over the legislation.

However, he said there was reason to stop other medical professionals from performing acupuncture.

‘Each of those colleges will be looking to work together in terms of making sure that there is a consensus that the standard is consistent and appropriate,’ Smitherman said.

Proponents say the college that will regulate the profession when it's up and running, likely in about two years, will set high standards, protect the public, and enhance the overall credibility of the profession.

Quebec, Alberta and British Columbia along with close to 50 American states already regulate Chinese medicine.

Critics also railed against the legislation because practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine would no longer be able to prescribe and dispense herbal formulas and compounds.

Naturopaths could get the exclusive right to do so, even though they might have less training.

‘Where is the fairness in this?’ said Marylou Lombardi, president of the Ontario Association of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Opposition Leader John Tory said he supported the legislation because it at least imposes a regulatory framework.

Full story here:
http://www.cbc.ca/cp/health/061123/x112304A.html

Regulating Acupuncture Welcomed as 'a blessing'

Cedric Cheung calls Ontario's new law that will regulate Chinese medicine a gift for all Canadians.

‘It is a dream become reality. It is a blessing,’ said Cheung, president of the Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture Association of Canada.

Cheung, who has a practice on Wellington Street in London, said regulation of the profession is long overdue.

‘There are all kinds of practitioners in the market. Some people have just received two months training, or one month training, and they pretend to be a qualified acupuncturist doctor.

‘That is why regulation is vitally important for the protection and safety of the general Canadian,’ he said.

The appropriate training for someone practising traditional Chinese medicine is at least three years of university general science study followed by four to five years of intense study, Cheung said.

The legislation passed by the Ontario government and awaiting Royal assent will create a self-governing regulatory college.

The college will have the authority to set standards of practice and entry requirements for the profession. It is the first new health profession to be regulated by the province since 1991.

The law will also restrict performance of acupuncture to members of regulated health professions and to persons who perform acupuncture as part of an addiction treatment program within a health facility.

In reply to skeptics of traditional Chinese medicine, Cheung points to the World Health Organisation and its recognition in 1979 that acupuncture alone is a valid treatment for 43 diseases.

His own research has established that acupuncture, dietary and lifestyle changes are a treatment for more than 100 ailments, he said.

In some cases, such as certain cancers, traditional Chinese medicine is complementary to Western style medicine, he said.

‘Chinese medicine can minimise the side effects of radiation and chemotherapy and improve the quality of life for the patient,’ he said.

Chinese Medical Practitioners Seeking Official Status in Quebec

The Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture Association of Quebec is trying to win provincial government recognition of traditional Chinese medicine and its practitioners.

Quebec needs a professional order of Chinese medicine to set and enforce standards and to weed out the charlatans, association president Irwin Ma said at a news conference on 29th November.

‘Once we became a professional order, if someone called himself a doctor of Chinese medicine, there would be substantial qualifications behind that title,’ Ma said.

British Columbia is the only province to regulate traditional Chinese medicine, although Ontario is close to adopting a similar law.

Quebec and Alberta now regulate only acupuncture, a minor element in traditional Chinese health therapies.

Mortgage consultant Wendy Hannah says she owes her improved health to a herbal remedy proposed by Chinese medicine specialist Guang Yu.

Hannah said she was suffering from diverticulosis, a painful intestinal disorder, when she encountered Yu three years ago at a herbal shop in Chinatown.

‘My own doctor was opposed to natural remedies, but when he saw the positive results, he changed his mind,’ Hannah said.

There are about 500 practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine in Quebec.

Among their specialties: herbology, acupuncture, dietetics, massage and qigong (breathing techniques).

Some, like Yu, trained in China in both western-style and Chinese traditional medicine, but their qualifications are not recognised in Quebec.

Ma said his group plans to circulate petitions and lobby local MNAs to gain professional status.

In Ontario, a law to regulate traditional Chinese medicine passed its third and final reading last week in the legislature.

‘We recognise that people are making the choice to seek out these types of treatment,’ said A.G. Klei, a spokesperson for the Ontario Health Ministry.

‘We want to make sure they receive regulated, quality care.’

The services are not covered under the Ontario health insurance plan, he noted.

Health Canada does regulate natural health products through company licensing and a product-approval number.

The eight-digit NPN is a guarantee of quality, safety and efficiency, Health Canada spokesperson Renee Bergeron said in an interview.

‘We are asking all consumers to look for that number to prove the product has been assessed here.’

For more information on natural health products, consult http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca

Couple Strives for Balance

‘Can acupuncture help me lose weight?’ is one of the most common questions Melissa Sokulski hears at the Birch Centre for Health, the Pittsburgh practice she shares with her husband, David.

Her answer is a resounding ‘Yes,’ which could explain some of the success the couple has had since opening their centre for traditional Chinese medicine, massage and acupuncture early last year.

Acupuncture is a centuries old therapeutic technique in which fine needles are strategically inserted into the skin. The goal is to free blocked energy in the body so that the Qi, the Chinese concept of life energy, is balanced, alleviating pain and disease. The World Health Organisation has identified a wide range of conditions that can be treated effectively with acupuncture, including infertility and depression.

Though practiced all over the world and widely in the United States, acupuncture and Oriental medicine have been slow to take root in Pittsburgh. The Greater Pittsburgh Yellow Pages lists only 13 names under ‘Acupuncture.’ In contrast, when Ms. Sokulski practiced in Boston in the late 1990s there were about 100 acupuncturists within a few blocks of her practice, including one in the same building.

Boston is home to the New England School of Acupuncture, the oldest school of acupuncture in the United States, where the couple received master's degrees in acupuncture and Chinese herbology.

The American Association of Oriental Medicine, an advocacy group, reported a 59 percent growth rate in licensed practitioners from 2000 to 2004.

Pittsburgh is experiencing a growing interest in alternative healing too, as evidenced by the success of area centres for holistic medicine, such as the Nuin Centre in Highland Park.

The trend has benefited the Sokulskis. Their Birch Centre for Health took only four months to become self-sustaining after the initial investment in renting the building and getting their Pennsylvania acupuncture licenses, which are regulated through the Pennsylvania Board of Medicine. They already owned massage and acupuncture tables and supplies from their previous practice in Boston. In a typical week, each of them have 10 to 12 private appointment slots on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and some Saturday mornings. Regular clients fill most of the available slots.

They built their client base from referrals from other clients, a comprehensive Web site and their quarterly newsletter, In Health, which is mailed to 200 clients and distributed to health stores and other like-minded businesses around the city. Ms. Sokulski sees building trust with existing and potential clients as the key to growing their business.

Last month, the Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine community in the USA came together to commemorate AOM Day for its fifth year. Since its inception in 2002, AOM Day has given the profession a way to promote, support and celebrate a tradition that has been around for more than a thousand years. Groups have used this day as a way to network with their local communities, answering questions, dispelling myths and offering citizens an alternate avenue of healing. Acupuncture Today has taken this opportunity to provide some of the AOM organisations a forum in which to discuss their thoughts about AOM Day and about the profession as a whole.

http://www.aomday.org/

NCCAOM
It is hard to believe that on October 24, 2006, we celebrated the fifth observance of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Day. In 2002, NCCAOM and our collaborating partners launched the first national awareness day dedicated to educating the public about the progress, promise and benefits of acupuncture and Oriental medicine. Five years ago, we saw this day as a unique way to pay homage to this great medicine and the community that supports it. We also saw this day as a vehicle to unite our community. After all, how can we bring this remarkable medicine to a deserving public unless we present a unified presence to the media and to all who seek to learn more about this impressive medicine?

We have seen how in the past few years, the practice of acupuncture has garnered the most attention in the media of all of the complementary and alternative forms of medicine. We see acupuncture again and again on the front page of the health section of major newspapers and magazines. Members of the press want to know more about the practice of cupping and new techniques used in facial acupuncture to rejuvenate the face. Yet, we need to make certain that the spotlight shines on well-qualified, certified AOM practitioners by being accessible to the media and working together to represent all facets of Oriental medicine, including those practitioners who use Chinese herbs or who practice Asian bodywork therapy, when we meet with the media and present ourselves to the public.

At the NCCAOM, our commitment to our diplomates includes continuing to promote the importance of choosing an NCCAOM-certified practitioner to the public. Beyond our efforts to promote the value of certification to the public, we see ourselves serving as a resource to our diplomates in order to assist them in promoting their practice. As part of our efforts to promote the importance of certification and the medicine itself, we have collaborated with the leaders of AOBTA, AAOM, AOM Alliance, and CCAOM to promote AOM Day. The results of this effort have been extraordinary.
We have had an 80 percent increase in media coverage in the past two years, with over 240 stories featuring or mentioning NCCAOM certification in news publications and on Web sites since the beginning of 2006. We cannot continue to accomplish such successful marketing campaigns without you. It is imperative that we join together to celebrate AOM Day, not just on October 24th, but every day. Every day is an opportunity for us to promote our medicine and to bring our message to the public.
Send us your thoughts and ideas. Get involved. Be available for a news interview or to testify for a piece of legislation that will make a difference. It's up to all of us.

In the coming months, we will be launching the 25th Anniversary Celebration of NCCAOM. We welcome your thoughts and ideas on how to make 2007 a special and memorable year. Although we have come a long way, the journey has only just begun.

Dr. Kory Ward-Cook, NCCAOM

http://www.nccaom.org/

AAOM
In the words of Plotinus, ‘It is by the One that all beings are beings. (If) not a one, a thing is not. No army, no choir, no flock exists except that it be one. No house, even, or ship exists except as the one.’

Humanity faces potential triple destruction - material, biological, and spiritual - at the hands of a blind technocracy.1 The nuclear proliferation on the planet is capable of destroying it many times over. Millions of deaths occur in the name of fleeting ideologies and numberless conflicts whose obscure motivation eludes us. For the first time in history, humans can alter genetic code. We have not evolved on great metaphysical questions, but we permit ourselves to alter our very essence. Virtual reality allows us to fly through space in the comfort of our small home computer station. Our spiritual, biological and physical nature is perilously vulnerable.These are interesting times. It is up to us to change the story. It is up to us to change the possibilities. Chinese medicine offers a way of life that is deeply meaningful on personal and cultural levels. We enjoy a knowledge that is genuinely connecting and human. But that is not what we do. Rather, we are a house divided without reason. Many doctoral programs now exist, and we enjoy national associations that have the ability to support the full plurality of Chinese medical practices. But therein lies the problem: We do not have a single voice.

Let us laugh, enjoy the humour, and work together to achieve our common goals. Human beings tend to behave with a measure of coherence. This is primarily due to a sustained interaction between individuals that leads to an overall order independent of the conscious aim of any individual. These collaborative social behaviors are handed down to successive generations through patterns of value, belief and customs that are prevalent within the culture.2 We can trust this tendency.

We follow in the footsteps of the countless practitioners before us who have connected with the rich traditions of this medicine. We are conscious that closer ties among all practitioners are a necessary and urgent condition for securing a more just and peaceful world.

As we promote excellence and integrity in the professional practice of acupuncture and Oriental medicine, we will transform society so that all people have the right to choose their course of care. We will transform society such that the benefits of this medicine are fully realized. We will promote inclusive dialogue and discussion, regardless of ideological concerns. Through shared knowledge, we connect to a shared understanding based on an absolute respect for both the collective and individual Otherness, united by our common life on one and the same Earth.

REFERENCES
1. Nicolescu, B. Manifesto of Transdisciplinarity. Albany: SUNY Press, 2002.
2. Laszlo, E. Evolution, The General Theory. Hampton Press, 1996, p. 99.

William R. Morris, AAOM President

http://www.aaom.org/


AOM Alliance
AOM Day is the perfect opportunity to reflect upon the amazing journey of our profession in the United States. The AOM Alliance is proud to join in the celebration of our many and diverse traditions as we recognise the contributions made by AOM to ever-increasing numbers of folks. The dramatically increasing popularity of AOM is a testament to the power of this medicine.

The AOM Alliance is especially proud of its efforts to foster unity among diverse groups within the broad tradition. For us, this has been marked on AOM Days past with our encouragement of and participation in group or worldwide qi efforts, with acupuncturists across America and around the world. Focusing on auricular acupuncture, these global efforts have forged real ties among different groups, reminding us that we are not alone.

In recent months, the AOM Alliance has been proud to have continued to work with our sister organisations to create greater unity within our community, and to strengthen the ties that bind us together. For that reason we continue to reach out to state, regional and national groups seeking points of collaboration and cooperation. We are pleased to work with NCCAOM, the Council of Colleges, ACAOM, and the AAOM to strengthen our profession. We are also excited about the new cooperative ventures we have been launching with our state associations. We look forward to closer ties and more unity in the weeks and months to come.

The AOM Alliance continues to strive for the important goals of our profession, including increasing the public's awareness and understanding of AOM, appropriate practice legislation in every jurisdiction, federal recognition of AOM as a health care profession as worthy as any other, fair reimbursement rates for our practitioners, and universal access for patients. We continue to support diversity within our profession, which we take to mean support for the many traditions of AOM, the many styles of practice, and the many different approaches to practice. All are valuable and we are enriched by all.

The AOM Alliance remains more-than-ever confident about the direction of AOM in this country. We are optimistic about the future and proud of the past. In this year's celebration of AOM Day, we offer our congratulations to the whole community and pledge our best efforts to continue the work that lies before us.

Amy McCoy, AOM Alliance Administrator

http://www.aomalliance.org/


CCAOM
The AOM community recently commemorated AOM Day on October 24th. This was the fifth commemoration of the day since its establishment in 2002. The AOM colleges have supported this day in their local communities through a variety of activities designed to promote the benefits of acupuncture and Oriental medicine, and the profession in general. In addition, the Council has actively collaborated with other national organisations to promote AOM Day, in particular by supporting the strong lead of NCCAOM and its AOM Day Web site for this occasion.

Beyond the annual commemoration and the related events associated with AOM Day, the occasion always offers a valuable opportunity to take stock of the profession to date. Two frequently articulated aspirations are greater recognition for AOM within the larger culture, including by other health care professions, and for greater unity within the profession itself. These two aspirations are interdependent, and it is reasonable to expect that as the profession inwardly becomes more united around mutually agreed core values and goals, the outer dimension involving increased acceptance and recognition by the larger society and other professions will naturally follow.

Aspirations that are collectively shared are very powerful and the timing for their ultimate realisation depends fundamentally on the level of commitment among those who share the aspirations. As of AOM Day in 2006, there is evidence of a growing consensus within the profession that parochial organisational agenda must expand to include a more universal or collective process essential to the development of a shared vision. For the Council, whose primary focus is upon promoting excellence in AOM education, every effort is being made to engage other national organisations in a continuing and very respectful dialogue concerning educational issues. This dialogue is beginning to bear fruit, not only by establishing an atmosphere of trust among the participating organisations, but also by providing opportunities for specific collaborative projects and initiatives.

As within the world at large, within the AOM profession issues are also becoming more intricate and complex. In this context, the need for increased collaboration is imperative. While at any single moment it may not be possible to agree entirely on a matter of substance, at that same moment, it is always possible to disagree respectfully and to agree to come together again for further discussion, in a shared desire to find greater common ground. To this process, the Council is committed.

Lixin Huang, CCAOM President

http://www.ccaom.org/


AOBTA
The AOBTA, as the representative of Asian bodywork therapy (ABT) in the U.S. today, supports AOM Day as an opportunity to express unity in all aspects of Asian medicine. As we continue to move forward in our mission to promote and protect ABT and its practitioners, we see the movement toward unity in acupuncture and Oriental medicine as a very positive trend.

AOBTA supports high standards of excellence in our profession, including national certification through NCCAOM. We expect ABT to keep moving toward even more mainstream acceptance as people continue to discover the benefits of this amazing healing art.

Debra Howard, AOBTA President

http://www.aobta.org/

The American Pain Foundation (APF) has called pain a national healthcare crisis. More than 50 million Americans are suffering from chronic pain and another 25 million are dealing with acute pain.

Chronic pain can include back pain, arthritis, muscle strain, carpel tunnel syndrome, and pain from chronic illnesses such as fibromyalgia, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, multiple sclerosis, and lupus.

Acute pain can be caused by injury from sports (such as sprained ankles) or trauma from accidents.

More and more research has shown that inflammation is usually a component of pain. The signs of inflammation are swelling, pain, warmth, and redness in the affected area. (On a related note, many of my diabetic patients come to me with diagnoses of bursitis, plantar fasciitis, and arthritis. High blood sugars can add to the inflammatory process, producing pain.)

I have experienced an increased success rate in pain management (both chronic and acute) by using a combination of acupuncture and systemic proteolytic enzyme therapy.

In Chinese medicine, pain is considered to be caused by blocked energy channels. When channels are blocked, the energy cannot flow and pain is the result. Acupuncture stimulates the natural flow of energy by unblocking these channels to decrease pain and restore balance in the body.

The use of systemic enzyme therapy with both acute and chronic pain has also proved to be successful in my practice. The use of specific enzymes can break down proteins in the body that can cause scar tissue and inflammation. These enzymes are made of a combination of plant-derived proteolytic enzymes that are effective in reducing swelling and inflammation, thus reducing pain.

Pain management through systemic enzyme therapy is a healthier alternative to drugs such as aspirin and ibuprofen and prescribed medications. Because enzymes are natural substances that are used to promote chemical reactions in the body, the body processes them naturally. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin and ibuprofen are known to have ill effects on the liver, kidneys, stomach, and intestines.

A crucial component to the effectiveness of enzyme therapy is the timing of the medication. Because the desired effect of the enzyme is systemic and not digestive, the enzyme must not be taken with food. The medication must be taken one hour before or after eating to obtain its full systemic effectiveness to reduce inflammation and pain.

A note of caution: blood thinners such as coumadin are contraindicated with the use of systemic enzyme therapy. That is why it is always important to keep your health care providers informed of all medications and dietary supplements you are taking.

Systemic enzyme therapy can be obtained only from a licensed medical practitioner and the patient should be monitored and assessed regularly for changes in appropriate dosage.

Dr. Tina Marcantel is a naturopathic physician in Mesa, Arizona. Before entering medical school at Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in Tempe, Arizona, she was a registered nurse. Dr. Marcantel has over twenty-five years of experience in the health care field, and her experience includes diabetes management, women's health, nutritional counseling, and mental health. She practices holistic, integrative patient care. For more information, please visit her site at http://www.drmarcantel.com

Looking after our body, mind and spirit is becoming an accepted way of making crucial changes to the way we live our lives.

The growing acceptance of Chinese medicine means that many people are turning to it as an effective, natural alternative to orthodox medicine.

Therapies like acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine have been around for more than two thousand years - indeed in China, conventional medicine practice is a combination of Chinese and Western medicine techniques - and are proven to be effective in treating an extensive range of conditions from gynaecological problems and infertility to skin conditions and back pain.

The Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) philosophy is to treat a person rather than a symptom. Thus practitioners work on the body, mind and spirit as a whole through the body's energy paths, or meridians, to enhance wellbeing. This concept of treating the whole person is without doubt, one of the major attractions of TCM - both for the practitioner and for the patient.

If you are considering a career in complementary medicine, there's no better time to start training. There is a variety of courses available and a fantastic selection of therapies to choose from. Many students opt to study acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine together and practitioners will often complement acupuncture treatment in a clinic with Chinese herbs for the patient to take home. If you enjoy working with your hands, Tui Na - an ancient form of Chinese massage that is a cross between physiotherapy, shiatsu and acupressure - may be the course for you.

Whatever course you choose, training in TCM is a life-changing process. Taking a holistic approach to your life and to the health of your patients will reap rewards. The ability to help patients who otherwise might never have been treated successfully is a deeply humbling and gratifying experience.

If you want to find out more about training in Oriental medicine, visit http://www.lcta.com or contact LCTA on 020 8371 0820.

According to an article by Gene Bruno - President Emeritus of The American Association of Oriental Medicine (AAOM), the AAOM believes that the National Oriental Medicine Accreditation Agency (NOMAA) application problems at the U.S. Department of Education pose a serious credibility concern for the profession.

'In addition, our legislative goals would be impeded by a complex environment with more than one accrediting agency.

'The AT article provides some important information to the profession on NOMAA, but to be more complete, there are many critical USDE findings on NOMAA's petition for initial USDE recognition that speak to the lack of integrity and credibility of NOMAA.

'To put the magnitude of NOMAA's many deficiencies in its proper perspective, there are less than 60 USDE recognition criteria, and NOMAA was found to violate 46 of those requirements or nearly 80 percent of all the Secretary of Education's criteria for recognition taken collectively.

'Ted Priebe's quote gives the reader the false impression that the USDE's findings on NOMAA were minor. To quote Dr. Priebe, the USDE focused only on 'Specific...compliance issues with organizational structure, financing, documentation and conflict of interest policies." (AT article, www.acupuncturetoday.com/archives2006/sep/09usde.html). This explanation is clearly incomplete when one reviews the full USDE analysis on NOMAA.

Read an abbreviated list of USDE findings here:
http://www.acupuncturetoday.com/online/aaom_to_nomaa.html

Two recent studies suggest a short course of acupuncture would benefit patients and healthcare providers in the treatment of back pain.

The cost is well below the threshold used by officials to decide whether the NHS can afford to fund a set treatment, they said.

Up to 80% of UK residents experience back pain at some point in their lives, costing the NHS £480m a year.

The annual economic cost of low back pain in lost productivity and disability or sickness benefits is estimated to be more than £10bn.

Evidence of acupuncture's benefits is largely inconclusive, yet 2% of the UK population uses it in any one year.

Dr Hugh MacPherson, from the University of York, along with colleagues at Sheffield University, reached their conclusions by studying 241 adults with low back pain.

Patients were randomly assigned to either usual NHS care or up to 10 acupuncture treatment sessions. All of the patients remained under GP care.

During the two-year study period, the average total cost of back pain treatment that included acupuncture was £460, compared with £345 for usual care.

Although acupuncture was more expensive, when the investigators took into account the health benefits gained from the treatment in terms of quality and quantity of life, they found it was more than worthwhile for the extra cost.

This is well below the lower threshold of £20,000 used by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence to decide whether the NHS can afford to pay for a health technology.

The patients who received acupuncture in the study reported lower pain levels and used fewer pain killers than those who received usual NHS care.

Although the differences in pain scores between groups were small, the study authors say they represent a 'clinically worthwhile benefit' and can be viewed as a 'moderate' effect.

A Department of Health spokeswoman said it was up to local NHS service providers to decide when to provide acupuncture.

The government has proposed statutory regulation of acupuncture.
Mike O'Farrell, chief executive of the British Acupuncture Council, said: 'Our hope is that after regulation, which is probably 2008, the decision makers will have increased awareness and confidence to offer acupuncture more widely.'

Mike Cummings, medical director of the British Medical Acupuncture Society, said there was good evidence that acupuncture was cost-effective and worked beyond placebo.

However, he cautioned that not everyone with back pain would benefit from acupuncture.
The work was commissioned by the NHS Health Technology Assessment programme.

The College of Traditional Acupuncture, in conjunction with the author Dean Lander, Ac.M ; M.B.Ac.C. has published the much awaited 'Definitive Guide to Point Location'.

The Jing Luo has been designed to assist both the student and experienced practitioner accurately to locate all main channel points on the body, and has been described as a 'must have' reference book for all practising acupuncturists.

'The Jing Luo is unique in that it provides all the information you will ever need for the ultimate guide to point location'.

It is a reference manual, hardcover bound, some 700 pages long, in which each page is explained in details, giving you a step by step guide to locating all of the points on each meridian. Also included are hints and tips, references and the complete reference guide, listing all the varying locations for each point as per different traditions.

The new book pprovides revised neddel depths and number of moxas for every point, tailored not only for 5 Element/Traditional Acupuncture, but other models of acupuncture as well. Also a wide - narrow description of each location of point, from general topin-point accuracy.

Each point is shown by photographs, and in addition there are full colour illustrations of the meridians and special points.

Contact: 01926 484158
Email: sales@acupunctureonline.info
http://www.acupuncture-coll.ac.uk

A 20-year, arduous journey has come to an end for acupuncture and Oriental medicine practitioners and proponents living in Michigan.

Governor Jennifer Granholm signed SB 351, the state’s first law regulating acupuncture, into effect on February 23rd, 2006, making Michigan the 41st state to implement laws regulating the practice of acupuncture. The first call of duty is to establish a board of esteemed licensed acupuncturists, physicians and two public members and establish NCCAOM as the certification commission for the state. Today, there are fewer than 100 NCCAOM-certified Diplomates practicing acupuncture in Michigan, but with the new law creating legal standards for the state, more are guaranteed to come.

For the past three years, the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM), the Michigan Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (MAAOM), the American Acupuncture Council (AAC), and the American Association of Oriental Medicine (AAOM) worked unstintingly to get a law passed.

'The law certainly will ensure that Michigan will move into the category of states that have high standards for acupuncture and Oriental medicine,' said Betsy Smith, Associate Deputy Director for NCCAOM. 'It means citizens will be better protected and the state will attract top acupuncturists. When you raise the standards, you attract highly qualified practitioners.'

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese medicine treatment that relies on the painless but strategic placement of hair-like needles into 365 key points called meridians along the entire body. The needles unlock sluggish or dead energy and bring balance to the body spiritually, mentally, physically and emotionally. It is a low-cost, non-invasive treatment with zero adverse side effects and one that dates back more than 2,000 years.

Today, many patients and doctors consider acupuncture a mainstream complementary treatment. In fact, according to NCCAOM, one in 10 adults has had acupuncture, making it one of the most popular forms of alternative medicine.

Since Maryland, Nevada and Oregon became the first states to pass laws on acupuncture and Oriental medicine in 1973, the rest of the states have slowly implemented laws of their own. Seven states, including Alabama, Delaware, Kansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Wyoming, still have no regulatory laws for the practice of acupuncture. In most of these states, only physicians and osteopaths, often with little or no formal education in acupuncture, are allowed to practice. As a result, healthcare consumers in these states may not experience the full efficacy of acupuncture treatment. In addition, there is a potential for an unqualified individual to claim that he or she is an acupuncturist and the public has no way to confirm the validity of his or her expertise.

'It’s very scary that there is no one monitoring who is practicing acupuncture, if they’re qualified or even if the needles are sterile,' said registered nurse and licensed acupuncturist, Deborah Lincoln, NCCAOM Diplomate of Acupuncture. Along with the help of other Michigan practitioners, Lincoln worked tirelessly for the passage of this legislation.
Lincoln voiced her concern that 'It could be harmful to the public to be exposed to non-qualified practitioners. That’s very worrisome to me.'
    
Lincoln, President of the MAAOM and Vice President of the AAOM, said all states should not only pass the necessary laws but should also designate NCCAOM certification as the requirement for determining entry-level competence. NCCAOM is already recognised in 95% of the states that regulate acupuncture.

About the NCCAOM
The National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) is a non-profit organisation established in 1982. Its mission is to establish, assess and promote recognised standards of competence and safety in acupuncture and Oriental medicine for the protection and benefit of the public.

It is a considerable professional achievement to earn the designation 'Diplomate in Acupuncture (NCCAOM).' NCCAOM certification indicates to employers, patients and peers that one has met national standards for the safe and competent practice of acupuncture as defined by the profession.
The first NCCAOM Comprehensive Written Examination (CWE) in Acupuncture (ACP) was given in March 1985. Since its inception, the NCCAOM has issued more than 20,000 certificates in Acupuncture, Oriental Medicine, Chinese Herbology and Asian Bodywork Therapy.

The Winston Churchill Memorial Trust fellowships are awarded to enable UK citizens from all walks of life to acquire knowledge and experience abroad.

In the process, they gain a better understanding of the lives and different cultures of people overseas. Upon their return, their effectiveness at work and their contribution to the community is enhanced greatly. For many the fellowship has been life changing and provided them with 'The chance of a lifetime'.

Churchill fellows can be of any age and in any occupation. Everyone has an equal chance; a lack of qualifications is not a bar to an award as every application is judged on the worth of the individual and the merit of the project.

Jonathan Tarr was awarded his fellowship in 2004 to research how Traditional Chinese Medicine is used in the treatment of Cancer in China.
Jonathan Tarr is pictured after his award was presented to him by the Queen at Buckingham Palace June 6th 2006.

For your chance email office@wcmt.org.uk or visit the website at http://www.wcmt.org.uk

Society of Auricular Acupuncturists
Tel: 01189 773 433 
Email: mail@auricularacupuncture.org.uk

Bruce R. Rosen, M.D., Ph.D., of Harvard Medical School and Director of the Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging at Massachusetts General Hospital, presented 'Neurobiological Correlates of Acupuncture: Modern Science Explores Ancient Practice' earlier this year at the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), in its Distinguished Lectures in the Science of Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

Dr. Rosen’s research focuses on the development and utilisation of physiological and functional nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques and the application of this technology to solve specific biological and clinical problems.

The techniques that he and his colleagues have developed in functional imaging are used by hospitals throughout the world to evaluate patients with stroke, brain tumors, dementia, and mental illnesses.

In his lecture, Dr. Rosen discussed what NMR techniques reveal about the effects of acupuncture on the mind and body, as well as the insights that these diagnostic techniques have provided regarding how acupuncture affects localized neural activity, neurochemistry, and analgesia.

Such studies hold the promise of increasing our understanding of the neurobiology of acupuncture and our ability to integrate this ancient healing technique with evidence-based medicine.

http://nccam.nih.gov

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