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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released its 30 th annual report on the health status of the nation, Health, United States, 2006. The document, prepared by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services for the President and Congress, frames a general picture of…

The American Association of Oriental Medicine (AAOM) and the Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Alliance (Alliance) are continuing their discussions on how to work in a more unified manner to advance the acupuncture profession. Following the initial meeting at the Alliance conference in Keystone, Colo., numerous teleconferences were held between members…

My Sifu once told me an old saying: “Once the dragon lifts its head above water, it opens itself to attack from the gods.” Since I began acupuncture school in the late ‘90s, there has been an industry push to “mainstream” the profession of acupuncture. Numerous organizations have been created…

In the September 2006 issue of Acupuncture Today , my article, ” What Does It Take to Succeed in an Acupuncture Practice? ” created a huge response from readers wanting to know more. I found it quite interesting that of all of the e-mails I received with requests for further…

If you remember my last article, I talked about a system of describing immune system malfunction in four categories, the first three being: constantly getting colds and flues by underreacting to external threats, underreacting to internal threats (e.g., cancer), and overreacting to internal threats categorized by autoimmune diseases. Today we…

The Mid-Autumn Festival has arrived, and the pungent fragrance of blooming osmanthus flowers fills the air as people are bustling about, enjoying the spectacular weather. While most foreigners are beginning to appreciate the taste, aroma and health benefits of Chinese cha (tea), tea art is relatively unknown abroad.

Acupuncture and traditional medicine from around the world were uniquely highlighted at the 15 th International AIDS Conference, held in Toronto in August. More than 26,000 delegates from 170 countries attended the gathering. Featured speakers and guests included President Bill Clinton, Melinda and Bill Gates, and singer Alicia Keys. The…

Acupuncturists and herbalists face a daunting task. The history of Chinese medicine is vast; its conceptual frameworks varied and richly textured. The poetic and evocative language of Chinese medicine has inspired penetrating and profound inquiry into the nature of life in health and disease for more than 2,000 years. Yet,…

The American Association of Oriental Medicine’s (AAOM) annual conferences bring together a panorama of Oriental Medicine professionals who embrace the expanse of Oriental medicine, nationally and internationally. For more than 75 years, the Wigwam, a Destination Resort and Spa, has been a favorite for visitors who yearn for an authentic…

As 2006 draws to a close, I want to take this opportunity to wish you, your families, staff and patients the merriest of holidays and blessingsfor a safe, healthy and prosperous beginning of 2007. I extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who has contributed to the issues of Acupuncture Today…

After 25 years of instruction, the Santa Barbara College of Oriental Medicine is closing its doors. Reasons for the closure are primarily financial and include poor fall admissions and the high-rent/low-income economic reality of Santa Barbara, Calif.

Acupuncture and Oriental medicine practitioners from around the country convened Nov. 2-5, 2006, in San Diego at the Catamaran Hotel for the 18th Annual Pacific College of Oriental Medicine Symposium. New to this year’s symposium was the advanced acupuncture track, offering an alternative to the morning lectures. In choosing this…

The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) has just made a career in CAM research more financially accessible to acupuncturists and other CAM practitioners. The NCCAM, a division of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), has created a career development award for selected CAM clinicians who wish to…

EDITOR’S NOTE: Acupuncture Today Editor Marilyn Allen, Jeannie Kang, LAc (both representing the American Association of Oriental Medicine) and Dr. Brenda Golianu, co-director for the division of acupuncture at Stanford University School of Medicine, recently attended the latest WHO-mediated meeting regarding global standardization of acupuncture point locations. The following is…

First, it is important to convey that the following comments are presented in support of the profession. The AAOM believes that the NOMAA application problems at the U.S. Department of Education pose a serious credibility concern for our profession. In addition, our legislative goals would be impeded by a complex…

When Prince Charles appeared before the World Health Organization recently, he spoke about the need for more utilization of traditional healing methods and emphasized the urgent need for a better balance between man and nature. This brings into focus the need for balance, much of which can be achieved if…

The essence of social entrepreneurship is the understanding that the goal of business is to achieve not only personal financial objectives, but also larger social objectives. People go into business for many different reasons, and some are not satisfied with simply making money. A social entrepreneur wants social gain, which…

Acupuncture appears to have arrived in Japan from China and Korea via Buddhist monks in the sixth century. In the mid 1600s, a blind Japanese acupuncturist named Waichi Sugiyama developed the shinkan (insertion tube). This radical invention allowed for painless needle insertion, and is now used by both blind and…