Paid off your student loan yet? If average student-loan debt for graduates of AOM programs in this state is an indication of the nationwide reality, you're not even close.
An analysis of 500+ programs at 57 institutions in Oregon reveals that graduates of Oregon College of Oriental Medicine (OCOM, which offers a Master of Acupuncture, Master of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine and Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine) carry an average student-loan debt of $159,504. Graduates of National University of Natural Medicine (NUHM; originally a naturopathic college, but now also offering a Doctor of Science and Master of Science in Oriental Medicine) carry average debt of $231,702.
Here are the state's top 10 debt-generating programs based on the analysis of U.S. Dept. of Education data:
#1: Oregon Health & Science University (dentistry, first professional degree) – $276,675
#2: NUNM (alternative and complementary medicine and medical systems, first professional degree) – $231,702
#3: Oregon Health & Science University (medicine, first professional degree) – $221,089
#4: Pacific University (clinical counseling and applied psychology, doctoral degree) – $209,599
#5: Pacific University (pharmacy, pharmaceutical sciences and administration, doctoral degree) – $199,228
#6: Pacific University (optometry, doctoral degree) – $180,654
#7: University of Western States (chiropractic, first professional degree) – $169,703
#8: Oregon College of Oriental Medicine (alternative and complementary medicine and medical systems, master's degree) – $159,504
#9: Oregon State University (veterinary medicine, first professional degree) – $155,786
#10: Willamette University (law, first professional degree) – $154,190
Acupuncture, a key pillar of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), has been practiced for thousands of years to promote healing and restore balance within the body. However, with rapid technological advancements reshaping health care, acupuncture is entering a new era. The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics is revolutionizing diagnostics, treatment precision, education, and research – enhancing patient outcomes like never before.
Interestingly, although lots of attention has recently been given to the role psychedelic medicines employed in therapy could play in healing PTSD and trauma generally, new research has just been published showing acupuncture can also be of significant help in alleviating this widespread disorder, and may act similarly to psychedelics on a particular quality of our brains to heal and remodel themselves: neuroplasticity.
Long COVID has challenged conventional medical paradigms. There is certainly a growing need for therapies that bridge traditional pharmacology with integrative strategies. Among the more unconventional options, nicotine – delivered via low-dose transdermal patches – has surfaced as a potential tool. While the idea may sound wacky, emerging evidence and clinical anecdotes suggest it warrants exploration.
