Fwd: [PCOM Alumni] Medical Acupuncture Vs. L.Ac. Acupuncture

Guest · 2008-09-12T14:42:00+0000

The below message is being forwarded, with permission from the author, regarding a grassroots movement in the works regarding educating the public on the differences between " medical acupuncture " and the system of medicine that we practice. I think the message is a good one and I think there is something we can all do to make sure that the public continues to have access to acupuncture as it is practiced within a complete system of medicine by competent health care practitioners and not something reduced to cookbook protocols. Please take a moment to read the message below and I hope you feel inspired to act in some way. One of the suggestions doesn't require any more than adding a simple link to your practice website. Joy ________ Joy Keller, LAc, Dipl.OM Board Certified in Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine Ramona Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine Clinic Phone: (760) 654-1040 Fax: (760) 654-4019 www.RamonaAcupuncture.com <http://www.ramonaacupuncture.com/> ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Elie Goldschmidt <pokerboy729 Fri, Sep 12, 2008 at 9:17 AM [PCOM Alumni] Medical Acupuncture Vs. L.Ac. Acupuncture Alumni PCOM <alumni Hi, Please read below how we can do some FREE easy things to help. In the past 2 years the PCOM alumni list has discussed Amaro and medical acupuncture at least 5 times! But still, " medical acupuncture " has been on the rise and if we continue to sit still and do nothing we can lose A LOT! In the past I have heard " it doesn't matter because we will give the better treatment and will thus get the patients " . That may have been the case several years ago, but as they get stronger in their message, this will change. They have certified more medical acupuncturists then there are L.Ac.s In 10 years we will be out-numbered by a HUGE percentage! Even IF we agreed on a shorter version of study for other medical professions, shouldn't WE (AAAOM or someone) be the ones to decide who and how. They have a strong voice with the public and are educating them about acupuncture and where to go get treatments…to medical acupuncturists! They even have a strong voice in " our " newspaper " Acupuncture Today " . More insurance companies pay for their acupuncture services and not ours, even for the same patient! That's just not right! In relation to L.Ac.'s or Chinese/traditional acupuncture. * " **Western Acupuncture methods are faster and the period of treatment is not very long - this form of therapy is a combination of both western and eastern practices. " * This is one way medical acupuncture is educating the public. I often see their answer to the question " *who is able to practice acupuncture* " answered with " *In some countries one has to first become a medical doctor and THEN get certified in acupuncture* " . Is that their agenda for the USA? If we do nothing, is it possible in 10-15 years all new acupuncturists must first get their MD license. We will be phased out. They are already on their way with the International Academy of Medical Acupuncture giving out " Fellowship " (FIAMA) and Diplomate (Dipl.Ac.) status. I have no doubt if we do nothing they will develop a certification for TCM as well. (Did someone here say that some are even using L.Ac.??) Are the AAAOM and NCCAOM doing anything about this? I think someone said here that acupuncture isn't even recognized as a valid profession! Who's fighting to get us recognized? John Amaro's article said " acupuncture is an established part of many professions and cannot be claimed by any specific group " . If we do nothing, acupuncture WILL be owned by a specific group…THEIR GROUP! One L.Ac. said " They don't sit for the NCCAOM, they don't know squat about acupuncture (most anyway), and they have literally begun to take business away from me. Think about it. What patient when given the choice between plain old acupuncturist, and MD acupuncturist would choose the former. " Another " the public needs to be educated, what about coming together and finding a way to educate, maybe start a campaign or something? " Another " It seems that many within our profession live in a state of denial and feel that we should just accept what we have and hide under our rock. " Well, it sounds like most of us would like to do something. And I told myself I do NOT want to talk about this again next year without doing anything! This is why I started the website Medical Acupuncture Facts http://www.medicalacupuncturefacts.com it was actually posted here several days ago while I was still putting it together. Word may already be starting to spread and I am not done with it. For those of you who feel the same regarding " medical acupuncture " and would like to help, please do because I need you, and *we all need each other on this one*! PCOMer Jamie K has been helping already and I am using my SEO knowledge to eventually get in their faces in the search engines. Don't worry I am NOT asking for money. I will cover all website expenses. But I do think we can " take them on " via the internet, although it will be tough so I really need everyone who can to help out. This is what can help us: -Articles! We need good articles for content on the site. Send me ANYTHING you can write about including the differences between medical and traditional acupuncture, comparison charts, why choose an L.Ac, why not go to MD acupuncture, one liners, info regarding laws, etc etc.. Education is key! Not about what acupuncture can do and it's benefits, This is only for specific medical acupuncture and traditional acupuncture comparisons and info. -Link to http://www.medicalacupuncturefacts.com from your website. This will also help us in the rankings. My goal is for Medical Acupuncture Facts to appear high up in the search engines to " take away " from their traffic, come to us, and then go to you! Kind of what they are trying to do to us in the clinic. Jamie and I already got our links up. Even better if you can link from your homepage. If not, any page is still good. This is important, please do this. Oh one more tip... If you can link from the words Medical Acupuncture to http://www.medicalacupuncturefacts.com that would be great too! -Join our Facebook group on Medical Acupuncture Facts http://www.new.facebook.com/group.php?gid=30776571422 Let's stick together on this and maybe we will be able to make some big changes in the future. -If you are part of any other relevant groups, post something there for others to help get involved. -Would love some of you who are knowledgeable in legislative issues (Mike, Jon etc) (I am not) to join and maybe we could do something about their Dipl. Ac. Status and more. It would be nice if our organizations do something regarding this. P.S. Regarding the " acupuncture superstition " article. Thank you for the help. I sent a letter to the editor and another PCOMer did one too. Don't worry, it was all educational, and no attacks. Sometimes It's nice to get more " harsh " about them here in this group since we know this is just among us and we have each others support. Thank you, Elie -- TCM Directory Acupuncture & Resources Expand Your Practice & Business! Profiles, Blogs, Pictures, Videos, more! http://www.tcmdirectory.com Build Your Acupuncture Practice Through Your Website Distance Learning CEU's Approved! http://www.acupuncturebusinessschool.com/buildingyourpracticethroughyourwebsite.\ html Acupuncture Clothing & Accessories http://www.cafepress.com/acupunctureshop _____________ Alumni mailing list Alumni http://mail.pacificcollege.edu/mailman/listinfo/alumni <http://www.RamonaAcupuncture.com>

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September 12, 2008 in Ayurveda, Health and Wellbeing

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