One of the longest nerves in the body is known as the vagus nerve (VN). The VN is the 10th pair of cranial nerves that originates at the brain stem in the medulla oblongata. This nerve is part of the parasympathetic nervous system, which is a part of the ANS. Research suggests ear acupuncture can activate the VN.
AOMA Clinic Celebrates Anniversary
In May, the Academy of Oriental Medicine at Austin (AOMA) announced the one-year anniversary of the creation of its student acupuncture clinic. Located at the People's Community Clinic, the acupuncture clinic has provided comprehensive health and wellness care to low-income children, along with medically underserved and uninsured adults in the Austin area.
"Austin really is at the forefront of alternative medicine," said Karen Nunley, LAc, a clinical supervisor at AOMA. "The PCC student acupuncture clinic is the only integrative health care student clinic in central Texas, offering patients both Western and Oriental medicine. We are so proud to offer acupuncture to all of Austin."
At the acupuncture clinic, AOMA student interns provide acupuncture services under the supervision of a licensed acupuncturist. While the majority of patients are seen for pain relief, the clinic offers a variety of services, including diet and lifestyle counseling, in addition to traditional Western therapies offered at PCC.
"From our standpoint, the student acupuncture clinic has been a very positive addition to the care available to our patients," added Dr. Louis Appel, the clinic's medical director. "In particular, for chronic pain, we have very few resources to offer our patients, and for many of those patients, acupuncture has become a very helpful option."
The student acupuncture clinic is located at 2909 North Interstate Highway 35 in Austin. For more information, visit www.aoma.edu.