Question about learning acupuncture

[Guest guest]

Hello there. I live in Colorado and have been considering learning

acupuncture, but I know an acupuncturist who feels that many

acupuncture schools are going downhill, mainly due to watering down of

the curriculum. He feels that the AMA is becoming more successful in

pushing to be TCM's primary regulating body and so much of the

curriculum is starting to give way to a more westernized approach.

 

I am still trying to get ahold of other acupuncturists in the area who

can provide more input on this.

 

The deal is, given that learning acupuncture is a huge investment of

time and money, I do not wish to get involved in any sort of program

if this is the case, or if I will have to deal extensively with AMA

restrictions and regulations in the future.

 

I was wondering if any of you have any suggestions or input regarding

this, and/or if perhaps I am simply misinformed.

 

Thanks in advance for any help.

[Guest guest]

Kyle,

 

We are still defining ourselves after 5000 years of care and learning. They are

still translating texts never before translated by current intelligent and

independent eyes and minds. My experience is you can find what you are seeking.

There are many teachers and practitioners who are dynamic and integral to

teaching the Classics.

 

The investment is both financially and energy intensive but if it is in your

heart to use acupuncture to help your fellows you will find it rewarding in many

ways.

 

The AMA never has and never will govern TCM or any other Chinese medicine/art in

my experience and mind. What has happened though is that as " Westerners " seek

out alternatives, the MD's, hospitals, healers and educators have asked

themselves if and how to integrate care as acupuncturists (and their partners in

healthcare) in an country where allopathic medicine is the standard. This is a

personal choice and the individuals contribute to the groups actions as a whole.

 

In my experience if you choose to have your clients pay out of pocket and work

in a state that designates you as a primary provider of healthcare you will have

incredible freedom in how you learn, treat patients and develop a practice.

 

You're asking really important questions but never believe the people that claim

a system is any particular way. Even in rigidly structured systems (which

acupuncture and Chinese medicine is not) there are always individuals that can

profoundly effect the system.

 

If you are comfortable in the vanguard, or as I like to say, " the point of the

spear " , you will find it easy to find your space, keep your integrity, help the

client and make your mark. Even if you choose to be more inclusive and

cooperative in your approach you will be a great benefit to clients that need a

person with passion, integrity and hope in our growing experience.

 

These clients will sense your values and agendas and respond accordingly. We

know when someone is deeply rooted in healing and when someone is otherwise

motivated. Even this is not so always cut and dry but people sense a pratitioner

with these qualities.

 

In Health

Pete Doyle

-

Kyle

Chinese Traditional Medicine

Sunday, June 29, 2008 6:47 PM

[Chinese Traditional Medicine] Question about learning acupuncture

 

 

Hello there. I live in Colorado and have been considering learning

acupuncture, but I know an acupuncturist who feels that many

acupuncture schools are going downhill, mainly due to watering down of

the curriculum. He feels that the AMA is becoming more successful in

pushing to be TCM's primary regulating body and so much of the

curriculum is starting to give way to a more westernized approach.

 

I am still trying to get ahold of other acupuncturists in the area who

can provide more input on this.

 

The deal is, given that learning acupuncture is a huge investment of

time and money, I do not wish to get involved in any sort of program

if this is the case, or if I will have to deal extensively with AMA

restrictions and regulations in the future.

 

I was wondering if any of you have any suggestions or input regarding

this, and/or if perhaps I am simply misinformed.

 

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Checked by AVG.

Version: 7.5.524 / Virus Database: 270.4.3/1524 - Release 6/28/2008 7:42

PM

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

On Sun, Jun 29, 2008 at 3:47 PM, Kyle <mikazo_2000 wrote:

 

> Hello there. I live in Colorado and have been considering learning

> acupuncture, but I know an acupuncturist who feels that many

> acupuncture schools are going downhill, mainly due to watering down of

> the curriculum.

>

 

 

 

 

 

 

I think that each school goes through phases in which they improve and get

worse. Overall, I would say that the better schools are reaching upward, not

downward.

 

He feels that the AMA is becoming more successful in

> pushing to be TCM's primary regulating body and so much of the

> curriculum is starting to give way to a more westernized approach.

>

 

 

 

 

 

There are those who would like to see a more westernized approach, but the

AMA has nothing to do with it. They are not our regulatory body.

 

I am still trying to get ahold of other acupuncturists in the area who

> can provide more input on this.

>

The deal is, given that learning acupuncture is a huge investment of

> time and money, I do not wish to get involved in any sort of program

> if this is the case, or if I will have to deal extensively with AMA

> restrictions and regulations in the future.

>

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In every profession there are forces that seek to restrict and regulate, as

well they should. And in every profession there are forces that seek to

encourage and expand, as well they should. The internal organs are said to

have the same relationships. See " five phases " or " five elements " .

 

The AMA is not our boogie man as far as I can tell. I've spent the last few

months responding to the portion of our profession that does seek to

Westernize our practice. They make a good case in stating that better

biomedical understanding will allow for greater job opportunities in

conventional health care. I have a certain amount of agreement with that

particular case.

 

However, to make that case, rather than simply stating the benefits of being

bilingual (TCM and biomedicine) to stimulate job opportunities working in

hospitals or existing clinical settings, they seek to disprove the existence

of the acupuncture channels and channel qi. I think that's a huge mistake

and most of the profession really resents these individuals amongst our

ranks.

 

Some of us have trouble " thinking TCM " . There are a significant number of

practitioners who can get good enough to take and pass a licensing exam, but

never really adopt TCM thinking. They see acupuncture as predominately

affecting the nerves, vascular system, lymph and hormones. Many who have

trouble adopting TCM thinking were practicing some sort of biomedicine prior

to TCM (or in their case, more accurately " acupuncture " ). MDs, some nurses,

chiropractors, and naturopaths have a greater hurdle in TCM thinking than

those coming from a massage or martial arts background.

 

I can't really complain about how they practice. Acupuncture and Oriental

medicine have always been a foundation upon which individuals can adopt and

make it their own. Some people take that into the biomedical model and that

is a testament to the flexibility and uniqueness of AOM. However, when they

turn around and say that everybody else's practice is based on metaphysics

or fantasies, that kind of infuriates me.

 

But I do not believe that this is a larger trend that undermines the future

of AOM as we know it. Not if I can help it, anyway.

 

-al.

--

, DAOM

Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional.

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

<snip> I know an acupuncturist who feels that many

> acupuncture schools are going downhill

 

> The deal is, given that learning acupuncture is a huge investment of

> time and money, I do not wish to get involved in any sort of program

> if this is the case, or if I will have to deal extensively with AMA

> restrictions and regulations in the future.

 

Why not talk to some other acupuncturists in your area, and visit the

schools that you might attend? Some suggestions: Get treated in the school

clinics, sit in on classes, talk to students who are attending the schools,

and get a feel from being there first-hand. Check the NCCAOM website, check

the AAAOM website, check your state association website, and keep reading

all you can about the field.

 

The NCCAOM does have one module for the board exam that is Western medicine,

so it is a requirement that some Western medicine be taught. However, the

AMA doesn't regulate TCM.

 

Learning some Western medicine helps us interface with others who might be

treating our clients, and helps us to help our clients, who are primarily

familiar with Western medicine. In some states, acupuncturists can do things

like give injections and order routine bloodwork, however most states don't

allow that. Even if your scope of practice would allow injections and

bloodwork, you're not required to do that.

 

Don't let the Western medicine requirement scare you off of this field, if

you really have a strong desire to learn acupuncture.

 

Jeri