BC Lions Jackson trades practice for acupuncture: B.C. Lions' quarterback Jarious Jackson didn't participate
in practice Monday, but his head coach doesn't feel there's any reason to be
overly concerned. ed. How cool is it that so many professional athletes are open about how much acupuncture helps them stay in playing shape?
I apologize for not blogging as much as I should for the past couple of weeks but man o man I've been swamped lately. So here's some news stories that I think are worth at least a peek to tide you over. Enjoy! - Amy
News is news but occasionally something sometimes jumps out and bites you in the nose. Take this title from the News Journal out of Delaware:
No sting in law say acupuncture practitioners: Many acupuncturists believe national certificate is enough - read the article here(ed.)
In fact this is a story trying to help make the case that Delaware needs update it's laws and allow practitioners to be certified by the state. Delaware is currently one of eight states that still do not have laws on the book to allow anyone to practice. This is possibly a sign of the loosening of the AMA stranglehold or just a terrifying sign that some places refuse to keep up with the times. I'll leave it to you to decide which.
Speaking as someone who suffers from seasonal allergies, this article is a great relief:
The study by the World Health Organisation Collaborating Centre of
Traditional Medicine at RMIT found acupuncture could be a safe and
effective treatment for persistent allergic rhinitis, which affects 16
per cent of Australians. - read the rest here.
Doesn't it just warm your heart to read about new studies and reports? It says that the world is looking for a cure and finding acupuncture to be that cure.
I also found this one, while we're talking about trends:
More and more African Americans are seeking alternative means of
maintaining healthy lifestyles and combating diseases. One such
alternative is acupuncture and acupressure. - read the rest here.
So it isn't just acceptance as a whole but maybe even a widening of the patient base. Either way we see more and more people turning to AOM and that in and of it self is a great thing!
The love of money is the root of all evil. - I Timothy ch6 v. 10; cf Proverbs 606:45
I have always been supportive of however an acupuncturist wants to make his or her money. Coming from my background working for the AOMAlliance I was instructed from my first moments stepping into this community that we have to be tolerant and respectful of everyone's beliefs, even when they are not respectful of ours. We, of course, weathered the storm of to doctor or not to doctor by saying it should be a personal choice, same with insurance. Some find it more comforting and better business to take insurance and some prefer to stick to what they feel is their roots - an unconventional and grass roots movement of medicine. And I support everyone of those people because what should really matter to any of them should not be how they make their money but how they treat their patients. All acupuncturists whether they wear a white coat or birkenstocks are healers and that's what they should be first.
So what's inspired this preachiness from your newsy editor? Two things:
I saw this story today and have to wonder about laser s and anything really. But then I am of a generation where lasers were always weapons and I suppose I have a prejudice.
If you are like most smokers who, aside from being concerned about
weight gain and stress after quitting are frustrated with failed
options, you may have neglected to explore a new technique to quit
smoking - laser therapy. - read the rest here (ed.)
The other problem I may have is that despite my amazing love and respect for acupuncture, I did quit smoking cold turkey. But I would love to know from any of you if acupuncture could help me stop wanting to smoke. Even after 3 years I still crave the movement and familiarity of it even if the smell of it makes me sick.
So tell me what you think . . . .do you think lasers will help people stop smoking? And do you think acupuncture would help me stop wanting to smoke?
I saw this little tidbit in the Maui News recently and thought I'd share:
MICHAEL HOWDEN, Lic.Ac., was elected chairman
of the Hawaii State Board of Acupuncture at the board’s August meeting.
He served on the board from 1995 to 2000 and was reappointed this year
by Gov. Linda Lingle.
Howden has been an acupuncture provider at the Outpatient Clinic at
Kula Hospital for more than 10 years and has also served as an
accreditation site visitor for the Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
Commission, the national accrediting body for acupuncture colleges. Source
I'm sure Hawaii will benefit greatly from this addition.
