Colorado Rockies Pitcher Jason Hammel Turns To Chinese Medicine

Well readers, this story is as much about listening to your wife as it is about the benefits of acupuncture for sports stars. As a side effect of cholesterol lowering medication,  Rockies' pitcher Jason Hammel's arm was feeling dead and he was suffering from a lack of energy. His wife suggested (insisted on?) acupuncture, clearly a smart woman.  Read Hammel's account here...

""My wife suggested

Acupuncture Relieves The Harsh Side Effects of Cancer Treatments

Until we find a cure for cancer, we have to continue to find ways to make the existing treatments more bearable and effective. Studies have shown that acupuncture cuts post-chemotherapy fatigue by 31 percent, cuts hot flashes by 50 percent and cuts overall cancer pain by 36 percent. In this article and video, the patient reported that acupuncture also helped with her nausea, her motor skills and

Soldiers In Afghanistan Are Getting Incredible Results With Acupuncture

The Military seems to be becoming a big fan of acupuncture and it's many benefits. I just read another article today on the use of acupuncture to treat injured soldiers. This time it is on a Marine Corps base in Afghanistan. Here are some excerpts from The Miami Herald article.

CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan -- The U.S. military is applying an ancient Chinese healing technique to the top modern

Volunteer Acupuncturists Return To Haiti

Last year I wrote about the volunteer acupuncturists who went to Haiti after the catastrophic earthquake hit. They provided more than 4,500 treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder and pain management. This happened through the combined efforts of Acupuncturists Without Borders (AWB) and Pathways to Wellness.  Now a year later AWB is returning to Haiti this spring with the help of a $20,000

Happy Valentine's Day!

"Love doesn't make the world go round, love is what makes the ride worthwhile." 
Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806-1861) English Poet

Helping Soldiers With Acupuncture

In the military magazine, Stars and Stripes, I read a report about doctors treating injured soldiers with acupuncture while they are being transported from Ramstein to the States.  The doctors hope to control the soldiers' pain during the air evacuation.  This is all part of a study about  battlefield acupuncture.

The article quotes Air Force Dr. (Col.) Richard Niemtzow, who said that he hopes

Acupuncture after joint replacement surgery

During the past year I've seen several patient after total joint replacement surgery. Acupuncture  helped relieve pain and assisted their progress towards regaining strength and range of motion through better performance during physical therapy sessions. There were no cases of infections and the scars healed well.

A study was conducted by Raj K. Sinha, Deidre Braun,  and Robert Murphy and published in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery - British Volume, Vol 90-B, Issue SUPP_I, 184. They concluded that acupuncture indeed "reduced narcotic usage and improve physical therapy after total joint replacement."  See the complete article:

POSTOPERATIVE ACUPUNCTURE DECREASES NARCOTIC REQUIREMENT AFTER TOTAL HIP AND KNEE REPLACEMENT

 More studies need to be done on this subject, but my experience has been so positive that I encourage those needing joint replacement to seek treatments from a licensed acupuncturist for help with pain relief and optimal healing.

Another Top-50 Mention

We are proud to announce Sonography Technician named Acupuncture News one of the top blogs by a pro. They also list top sites and blogs by area, specialty, and groups. Check it out here!

Hawaii Has it Right & Needs to Keep it That Way!

Acupuncture certification in Kentucky took several battles to get through the legislature, and while our minimum standards for practice are not as rigorous as they are in other states, at least we restrict other allied health professionals from practice unless they have the same level of training. Except MDs, of course. Even in New Mexico where I still maintain my DOM license, the minimum standards that require the entire NCCAOM certification series, a full MSOM degree, and a live clinical exam exempt MDs from having even a modicum of real training. PTs ("dry needling"), DCs ("meridian therapy"), or MDs ("medical acupuncture") are allowed to practice in many states with token training hours citing that acupuncture is somehow in their scope of practice even though no formal education is provided. By that rational, I should be able to call myself a nutritionalist and a psychologist since I took classes in those disciplines as part of my APRN and TCM training.

Much as passing the NCLEX and graduating from an AACN-accredited school are the minimum for state licenser as an RN and passing the all three USMLE exams and graduating from an ACGME accredited medical school are required for MD licensing, NCCAOM certification and masters-level training from an accredited ACAOM school should also be the minimum requirement for state licenser (with one nationally recognized credential, thank you).

States like Hawaii have it right. Everyone has to attend a 3200+ masters degree program to be eligible for licenser regardless of other degrees, licenses, or certifications. This regulations helps ensure safe standards of practice and the consumer can feel confident that their provider is qualified provided they are licensed.

Hawaii should be the national model.

Unfortunately, a new bill has been proposed that will damage the credibility of the profession by letting unqualified practitioners be eligible to practice without adequate training. For a profession gaining support for mainstream use in healthcare as the result of increased research, this action is embarrassing and a hazard to safety and efficacy. Not only does Hawaii need support to maintain their current standards, we all do.

Acupuncturists to fight bill they say will lower standards

Acupuncture Gives Hope To Patients With PTSD

PTSD are the initials that stand for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, a severe type of anxiety disorder. PTSD results from a person witnessing or being involved in a traumatic event that causes intense fear, helplessness or horror, such as, a natural disaster (think hurricane Katrina), rape, childhood abuse, a tragic accident, or war.

Diagnostic manuals say that signs and symptoms of

Royal Support For Alternative Medicine

An Indian newspaper just reported that Kate Middleton shares Prince Charles's interest in alternative medicine.  The soon to be princess (whose wedding gown will be copied all over the world) has let charities who use alternative treatments know that she may be willing to be their patron. Go Kate!