Oriental medicine practitioners met from March 28-30 for the 8th Annual Southwest Symposium in Austin, Texas to hear distinguished speakers and learn about the latest products and services. An opening statement was made by Academy of Oriental Medicine at Austin (AOMA) President Will Morris, LAc, OMD, who spoke of building the community of dialogue in Chinese medicine.
Paul Pitchford's presentation, "TCM and Nutrition: Healing With Whole Foods," discussed changing diet and building a foundation for dietary transition. Pitchford is a teacher and nutrition researcher. For Friday's lunch, he consulted with the Hyatt chef to create a seasonal vegetarian meal for attendees.
Saturday's lunch included a presentation by Honora Wolfe, Dipl. Ac., "The Practice of Herbal Medicine in America: What's Next?" Wolfe answered questions pertaining to starting and improving an herbal dispensary. This topic is particularly significant in light of the FDA's recent ruling regarding good manufacturing practices for herbal and dietary supplements.
On Sunday, Matt Callison, MS, LAc, taught a class on treating running injuries. The audience was able to watch on the big screen, via close circuit, as Callison demonstrated various techniques. He also brought volunteers from the audience to be treated, allowing attendees to receive both the benefit of continuing education and relief of their hamstring strains.
Sunday's lunch featured Acupuncture Today Editor Marilyn Allen's class on ethics. When not serving in her editorial capacity, Allen is a practice-management consultant. She also is a consultant to the California State Board of Acupuncture for questions regarding health insurance coverage and malpractice insurance.
Next year, the symposium will again be held in Austin, March 6-8, 2009. For more information on next year's symposium, as well as supplemental course material from the 2008 event, please visit www.aoma.edu/southwest-symposium.
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.
Migraines are unilateral, throbbing headaches, often with concurrent nausea, photophobia, and phonophobia. Approximately 10% of the global population suffers from migraines, with women more than three times as likely as men to experience them. Medication remains a mainstay treatment option, making nondrug alternatives critical to safer practices. New research suggests auricular acupuncture may be one such alternative.
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How much training in gua sha did you get in acupuncture school? If it was not much more than an introduction, now is the time to revisit this powerful healing modality. I’ve found gua sha to be one of my go-to skills to address myofascial dysfunction, all sorts of pain, limited range of motion, and even to promote general well-being. Let’s discuss the keys to effective gua sha treatment, which I hope will get more acupuncturists using it in the clinic.