The Luo Down, Fall Issue, September 2008
A Special Vessel of Communication Between Channels
- Hara: li dove zampilla la vita
- What’s Up Doc?
- Autumn: A Time of Letting Go
- A Fall Recipe
- Annual Alumni Survey
- Some Student Ethical Questions
- Annual Student Clinic Census
- Clinical Corner
- News From the Albuquerque Clinic
- Pregnancy Self-Care
- Middle Jiao Theory For Treating Coronary Artery Disease
- “Open-Access” Research on the Web
- Li Shi Zen “Dry” Books
- News from Boulder
- How Our Garden Does Grow
- Welcome Aboard!
- News for NMSL Borrowers
- In the News
- The Graduate Herb Garden
- The Graduate Herb Garden Membership Form
- SWAC Alumni Association Registration Form
Hara: li dove zampilla la vita:
Hara: The Place Where Life Gushes
In April of this year, I had the great privilege of being one of three guest lecturers at the 20th International Shiatsu Congress in Montesilvano, Italy. The theme of the conference was The Hara, Where Life Springs. While I am not a Shiatsu therapist, this was a wonderful opportunity to teach principles of Oriental therapy, only using touch, to both diagnose and treat the person. My particular topic was the “The Abdomen, the Source of Life: The Navel, the Gate of the Spirit,” which I adapted from my book, The Art of Palpatory Diagnosis, translated into Italian as, Palpazione in Medicina Orientale.
Four hundred and eighty students, Shiatsu practitioners and teachers from all over Italy attended the one-week conference. In Italy, Shiatsu is a very popular treatment therapy. Only MD’s can practice acupuncture and there are no schools of Oriental Medicine apart from Shiatsu programs so they really liked learning about the classical Chinese and Japanese theory and practice of abdominal therapy.
As Oriental medicine acknowledges, prevention is the highest form of treatment. Thus the emphasis on feeling around the navel to determine energetic blockages and how to treat them by hand with just five possible points, KI 1, LR 4, KI 6, KI 3 and KI 7 were taught.
The benefits of using abdominal palpation, are for everything that Oriental medicine can treat. Additionally we explored the superiority of navel treatment for the following conditions:
1. Treating the early patterns of a illness before one develops, that is preclinical imbalances.
2. All deficiency illnesses, including jing deficiency illnesses.
3. Inflammatory disease (any disease ending in “itis”)
4. Blood stagnation illness (on the rise due to prescription drugs and environmental contamination), and
5. Musculoskeletal, physical, mental and emotional illnesses.
The navel CV 8, Spirit Gate, is the place where the root energy is stored. By treating the navel, all the organs in their physical and energetic dimensions are treated. The practitioner can diagnose quickly, accurately and astutely and the patient can be taught how to self diagnose and treat themselves as well.
I must say it was really an overwhelming experience to see the participants all sitting on mats and blankets without chairs on the hotel conference room floor almost motionless for the two, 3–4 hour sessions apart from a flurry of hands and then great excitement in learning how to treat blockages or deficiency in the navel area.
They felt greatly empowered to learn this level of treatment and even Anthony, my husband, and school President, as my assistant, rediscovered the joy of learning and teaching students hungry to understand the human condition.
The students were so enamored with the navel that they had an art display of several abdomens crafted of navel oranges, suns and other symbols and gave me many gifts for teaching this “spirit” medicine.
I cannot wait to go back to Italy and check on their progress in accessing the power of the navel. It is truly a place not only where all the 8 extraordinary meridians meet, but where intercultural minds meet as well. And, who knows, maybe the next SWAC campus will be in Rome!
What’s Up Doc?
Anthony Abbate, D.O.M, President Answers the Question:
Why Doesn’t Southwest Acupuncture College Offer a Doctoral Program?
Approximately thirty years ago, when Oriental medicine colleges first organized to standardize training in the profession and seek recognition through the US Department of Education, we found that our programs were not developed enough to be considered by them to be entry level Doctoral programs, what are called first professional programs. At the time, the best we could get was approval of an entry level Master’s program and so we began there. After another ten years of developing Master’s level programs, many of the educational providers felt that the programs had matured sufficiently to be considered Doctoral level. Discussions about changing our recognition from Master’s level to Doctoral level began and have continued till this day.
Many schools, for one reason or another, are opposed to moving ahead with seeking recognition for first professional clinical doctorate programs, that is entry level to the profession as a doctoral level program versus a Masters as is currently in place. While I hear different rationales for not moving ahead, I suspect the main reason for the opposition is the concern of needing to meet slightly higher standards, or of not getting approval by state departments of education. In many states, the requirements for offering doctoral degrees are very stringent and the process to obtain that privilege is rigorous, painstaking and time consuming. In many cases it could take several years or more. In some states it would be relatively easy to secure this approval and this would create a significant advantage to those schools in the “easy” states while creating a significant disadvantage to those in a “difficult” state. Southwest Acupuncture College has always fought for the change in entry level and will continue to do so.
In the meantime, a group of educators decided that it would be best to create a post-graduate Doctoral program. The biggest problem with this is that according to the US Department of Education’s standards, a post-graduate program has to be significantly different than the entry level program. It can’t just be more of the same…it has to be different. It took the national associations, including the Accreditation Commission about ten years to find a way to make this post-graduate program different but they finally decided that it would be through requiring specialization.
The crux here lies in the difference between the post-graduate and the first professional degree program. For about four years now the Accreditation Commission has allowed schools to offer these post-graduate doctoral programs and several schools do. These programs are not accredited. The Accreditation Commission has yet requested approval from the US Department of Education and will be unable to do so for at least another 1–7 years. Southwest Acupuncture College has chosen not to offer this type of program for the following reasons:
1. Since these are post-graduate programs versus first professional degree programs, they are not accredited and there is no financial aid available.
2. Since these programs are not accredited, students attending such a program cannot get their loans deferred for attendance.
3. Not only is there no federal money available to attend these programs but also anyone with a previous loan will have to pay back their loans while they attend the post-graduate doctoral program. Ninety percent of all our students need financial aid to attend the entry-level program. It is very unlikely that they would be able to continue through the post-graduate doctoral program at an additional cost of approximately $25,000.00.
4. No state, licensing body or certification agency requires a post-graduate doctoral degree in order to practice. Completion of accredited entry-level programs is all that is required.
5. An entry-level first professional doctoral program is inevitable and we do believe it will be approved eventually. We do not know what will happen to the post-graduate doctoral program when the entry-level doctorate becomes available. We do know that most individuals entering the profession would prefer a first professional clinical doctorate rather than an entry-level Masters and a post-graduate Doctorate.
6. When there is the first professional degree, the programs will be accredited and financial aid will be available.
In preparation for that day, the college will continue to put a first professional degree doctoral program on the drawing board, anticipating the faculty, courses and resources that will be needed to achieve that level of education.
Autumn: A Time of Letting Go and Valuing the Gift of Life
As late summer comes to a close, The Earth, the Great Mother bears its last fruits and vegetables, the sun moves farther away from the horizon and the leaves begin to change color. The leaves drop to the ground returning to enrich the earth and promote the next cycle of growth/harvest. The air begins to get crisper and lighter as the days linger preparing us for the down turning energy of autumn.
Yearly, nature unconditionally surrenders to this ritual of creating and letting go as we live ourselves in this calculated driven society. What can we learn from the leaves changing color and falling gracefully to the ground to return as food for the soil?
Autumn is the season when we can let go of old belief systems, thoughts, emotions, and material belongings that no longer serve us. By letting go of the old, we clear the way for the new, a new cycle of life. Also, it is important to honor all that is precious and valuable in our lives by giving thanks for what is important to us – friends, family and health.
The process of letting go can be difficult due to the length of time one has held onto mental and emotional baggage. This process releases grief, a deep form of sadness that weighs heavy on the upper chest where the heart and lungs are housed. The need to cry or sob from this deep heartfelt space cleanses and frees the spirit of the Po. In our society, grief is quelled and as practitioners we must create a safe space for our patients’ to experience grief to support their healing.
With each cleansing sob, we breathe in pure air to inspire the process of letting go and valuing our precious life. The spirit of the Po is equally driven by inspiration and acknowledgement by the heavenly Qi. The spirit of the Po is rooted in living a just and righteous life of rhythmic order.
Ways to live in harmony with the autumn season:
•Go through your closet, desk, garage, and any cluttered storage area and discard what you no longer need by donating, selling or recycling what might be of value to others.
•Do a mental inventory: Examine attitudes (prejudices, envy, jealousy, hatreds, resentments, fear) stored in your psyche. When possible, contact those with whom you harbor old “stuff”. Attempt to resolve hurtful old issues and then let them go.
•Acknowledge those you love, recognize and praise others for who they are and their accomplishments, thank strangers when appropriate; do random acts of kindness daily.
•Maintain a practice that integrates breathing, reflecting, and meditating daily. Take time out each day to reflect on your daily activities, feelings,and thoughts. Acknowledge yourself and your life daily.
I leave you with the spirit of LU 9, Very Great Abyss. On the physical level, it resolves phlegm, regulates the Lung qi, tonifies Lung qi and yin and promotes the circulation of blood and influences the pulses and vessels. On the mental and spirit levels, LU 9 connects the quality, purity and essence of the heavenly father by lifting one’s spirit into the light. This point replaces instability and chaos with nourishment, security and love. It penetrates to the deepest level of the spirit through the breathe of life (prana).
A Fall Recipe
With the start of the fall semester and fall and winter around the corner, I began to think about delicious and warming recipes to nourish me in the coming months. One of my favorites is Ma Po Tofu. This dish seems to have it all. It is nutritious, warming to the middle Jiao and the whole body, tonifies kidney yin and yang, tonifies and moves the blood, and is beneficial to the lungs. What more could you ask for. Enjoy!
1 lb bean curd
2 tbsp salted black beans
3 green onions
3 garlic cloves
4 chili peppers
3 tbsp oil
1 tbsp grated ginger (optional)
¼ lb ground pork or beef
1 tsp salt
1 cup broth
1 tbsp cornstarch
1 tbsp soy sauce
½ tsp pepper
2 carrots sliced (optional)
Simmer the bean curd in water for 3 minutes. Drain and cut into bite sized pieces. Soak the black beans in water for 20 minutes. Drain. Chop the green onions, garlic and peppers. Heat the oil in a large wok, add the pork, salt, and black beans. Stir over the heat for 3–4 minutes. Add the pepper, green onions, (carrots) and garlic. Fry for 2 minutes before adding ½ of the broth, and bean curd. Let simmer for 4 minutes. Mix the remaining broth with the cornstarch and soy sauce. Pour into the wok. Bring to a boil, and simmer for 2-3 minutes. Ginger can be added at the end to taste.
High Alumni Satisfaction and Passage Rate on State Exams Continue!
Southwest Acupuncture College Annual Alumni Survey 1983 – 2007
Annually the college conducts its alumni survey as a mechanism to stay in contact with alumni and as an evaluative mechanism for the college. This year we conducted a cohort study covering the first graduating class to the last. Like most surveys, results are contingent on correct addresses from up to almost 25 years ago, as well as alumni who respond and the sample size. This year we significantly revised our survey to include new questions such as styles of treatment used, modalities used, and more detailed content on practice management. Passage rates on exams are comparable and very high from all three campuses.
Since in the past, Practice Management has been listed as an area students would like more training in, we asked for more specifics on the course content. Like all evaluations, we will use this feedback to incorporate into the current class, perhaps creating more than one practice management course. Students greatly enjoyed The Qi of Business workshop held this summer in Santa Fe and felt it revolutionized their thinking about their practice. Plans are being made to offer it in Boulder, and on an ongoing basis at interested campuses.
Those survey results are summarized below:
Albuquerque CampusThe school recently conducted an Alumni Survey for Albuquerque graduates between 1995 and 2007. Sixteen alumni from the Albuquerque campus responded to the survey.
Of the 16 respondents, 13 are currently practicing in small cities from 20,000 or less to metropolitan areas with populations greater than 1,000,000. Many of the cities have from 1 to hundreds of practicing acupuncturists. Eleven have been practicing for less than 1 year. Two have practiced between 1 to 10 years, 1 has practiced more than 10 years.
Three alumni treat 10 or less patients per week, 10 treat between 11 and 30. Monthly figures reflect 3 alumni treating less than 40 patients monthly; 10 treat between 41 and 120 monthly. This results in 1 treating between 100 and 200 annually; 1 between 201 to 400; 11 greater than 400. Average fee per patient is $65.
Offering pro bono service is minimal. Four indicated 5% or less of their practice is pro bono; 4 stated that between 6%–10% of their practice is pro bono and 8 checked that it is not offered. Sliding scale is provided among 25% of the 16 alumni with a range between $5 to $75.
First year annual gross income ranges from a loss to $25,000 for 7 of the alumni; between $26,000–$50,000 for 1. First year net income ranges from a loss to $15,000 for 5 alumni; and between $16,000 to $30,000 for 1. Current gross income ranges up to $50,000 for 5 alumni; between $51,000 to $100,000 for 1. Current net income ranges up to $50,000 for 4.
A majority (11 out of 16) of alumni began their practice as a self-employed practitioner, 1 as an employee and 1 as an independent contractor. The startup practice usually began in a leased office separate from their home (7 out of 16); 5 began in their home; and 1 owns an office separate from their home. The approximate cost to run their practice ranges up to $50,000 a year for 11 of the alumni. One of the alumni spent $5,000 on the purchase of an office.
Many alumni began practicing promptly after graduation. One began within 1 month; 2 within 3 months; 6 within 6 months and 3, 6 months to 1 year.
A variety of illnesses were treated by the alumni. The approximate percentage of each category are as follows: OB/GYN 5% to 20%; Pediatrics 1% to 10%; Internal Medicine 20% to 60%;Physical Medicine 5% to 90%; Psychoemotional disorders 3% to 30%; Weight loss/Stop smoking/Addictions 1% to 10%; Sports Medicine 1% to 5%, General 5% to 80% (including diabetes and hypertension).
Four out of the 16 felt that they were very well prepared upon graduation to practice. Seven felt well prepared, 3 felt adequately prepared and 2 were poorly prepared. The areas they felt that they were well prepared for were biomedical clinical science, case history/examination/intake, diagnosis, prognosis, acupuncture treatment, herbal treatment, patient counseling, patient referral and practice management.
Alumni were well prepared after graduation to treat with the modalities of moxa, scalp acupuncture, auricular, single herbs (loose/granular) and patents. Most described their practice style as either mostly all Chinese acupuncture (64%), or a mix of Chinese and Japanese acupuncture (19%).
The Alumni felt that the following subjects should be emphasized in Practice Management: Managing a practice (81%); billing insurance (69%); and marketing a practice (63%) and accounting (38%).
The alumni felt very well to fairly well prepared to take their state and national exams. All 16 took the NCCAOM acupuncture exam and passed on the first try, except for 1, who passed on the second try. Eight took the NCCAOM herbs exam and passed on their first try except 1 failed and 1 passed on the second try. Seven took the NCCAOM biomedical exam and passed on their first try. Two took the NCCAOM bodywork exam and passed on their first try. Ten took the New
Mexico State exam and 9 passed on their first try, except 1 passed on the second try.
The alumni are very active in many organizations. Some are: NCCAOM, AAOM, OMANM, American Acupuncture Council, FSOMA (Florida), Business Network International, New Mexico Nurses, New Mexico Acupuncturists, and the Idaho Acupuncture Association.
Some of the general comments made by the alumni included being extremely well prepared to practice; the voices of my teachers are with me in the clinic everyday; SWAC provided a great foundation and outstanding teachers.
Boulder CampusThe school recently conducted an Alumni Survey for Boulder graduates between 2000 and 2007. Fourteen alumni from the Boulder campus responded to the survey.
Of the 14 respondents, 12 (86%) are currently practicing in small cities from 20,000 or less to metropolitan areas with populations greater than 1,000,000. Many of the cities have from 1 to hundreds of practicing acupuncturists. One of the alumni has been practicing for less than 1 year, 11 have practiced between 1 and 10 years. One is still taking nationals and 1 is overseas.
Three alumni treat 10 or less patients per week, 7 treat between 11 and 30 and 2 treat between 31 and 50 patients per week. Monthly figures reflect 3 alumni treating less than 40 patients monthly; 7 treat between 41 and 120 monthly and 2 treat over 150 patients. This results in 1 treating between 100 to 200 annually; 2 treating between 201 to 400; 9 treating over 400 patients annually. Average fee per patient is $65.
Offering pro bono service is minimal. Five indicated 5% or less of their practice is pro bono; 1 stated that between 6%–10% of their practice is pro bono, 1 stated >10% is pro bono and 5 checked that it is not offered. Sliding scale is provided among 36% of the 14 alumni with a range between $5 to $100.
First year annual gross income ranges from a loss to $25,000 for 6 of the alumni; between $26,000-$50,000 for 1; and between $51,000 to $100,000 for 1. First year net income ranges from a loss to $15,000 for 5 alumni; and between $51,000 to $100,000 for 1. Current gross income ranges up to $50,000 for 7 alumni and between $51,000 to $100,000 for 2 alumni.
A majority (11 out of 14) of alumni began their practice as a self-employed practitioner. One began as a partnership. The startup practice usually began in a leased office separate from their home (6 out of 14); 2 began in their home; and 5 own an office separate from their home. The approximate cost to run their practice range up to $50,000 a year for 11 of the alumni. One of the alumni spent $40,000 on the purchase of an office.
Many alumni began practicing promptly after graduation. Five began within 1 month; 4 within 3 months; 1 within 6 months and 2, 6 months to 1 year.
The alumni treated a variety of illnesses. The approximate percentage of each category are as follows: OB/GYN 2% to 50%; Pediatrics 1% to 50%; Internal Medicine 10% to 65%; Physical Medicine 5% to 85%; Psychoemotional disorders 1% to 80%; Weight loss/Stop smoking/Addictions 1% to 10%; Sports Medicine 5% to 75% and General 2% to 45% (facial rejuvenation, headaches, anxiety/depression, cosmetic and acne/allergies).
Two out of the 14 felt that they were very well prepared upon graduation to practice. Eight felt well prepared, 3 felt adequately prepared, and 1 was poorly prepared. The areas they felt that they were well prepared for were biomedical clinical science, case history/examination/intake, diagnosis, prognosis, acupuncture treatment, herbal treatment, patient counseling, patient referral and practice management.
Alumni were well prepared after graduation to treat with the modalities of moxa, scalp acupuncture, auricular, single herbs (loose/granular) and patents. Most described their practice style as either a mix of Chinese and Japanese acupuncture (58%) or mostly Chinese acupuncture.
The Alumni felt that the following subjects should be emphasized in Practice Management: Managing a practice (up to 50% had this opinion); billing insurance (64%); and marketing a practice (50%) and accounting (50%).
The majority of the alumni felt very well to fairly well prepared to take their state and national exams. All 14 took the NCCAOM acupuncture exam and passed on the first try. 13 took the NCCAOM herbs exam and passed on their first try except 2 failed. Eight took the NCCAOM biomedical exam and passed on their first try.
The alumni are very active in many organizations. Some are: Acupuncture Association of Colorado, American Association of O.M., American Massage Therapy Association, and Acupuncture Association of New York.
Some of the general comments made by the alumni included a desire to see the school advertise their clinic more to gain more patients, more herb clinical work and disease classes and students should follow a practitioner from early on.
Santa Fe CampusThe school recently conducted an Alumni Survey for Santa Fe graduates between 1983 and 2007. Twenty-six alumni from the Santa Fe campus responded to the survey.
Of the 26 respondents, 24 (92%) are currently practicing in small cities from 20,000 or less to metropolitan areas with populations greater than 1,000,000. Many of the cities have from 1 to hundreds of practicing acupuncturists. Fifteen of the alumni have been practicing for 10 or less years and 11 have practiced 11 years or more with one having practiced for 22 years. One alumni practiced 2 years, but quit because of insufficient funds to maintain practice. Two of the alumni are presently on maternity leave.
Five alumni treat 10 or less patients per week, eleven treat between 11 and 30 and 6 treat between 31 and 50 patients per week. Monthly figures reflect 4 alumni treating less than 40 patients monthly; 15 treat between 41 and 120 monthly and 5 treat over 150 patients. This results in 5 treating less than 500 annually; eight treating between 500 to 1000; eight treating between 1000 and 1500; and 1 treating over 1500 patients annually. Average fee per patient is $72, with 3 alumni charging between $100–$150 for first treatment.
Offering pro bono service is minimal. 4 indicated 5% or less of their practice is pro bono; 1 stated that between 6%–10% of their practice is pro bono and 17 checked that it is not offered. Sliding scale is provided among 50% of the 26 alumni with a range between $5 to $100.
First year annual gross income ranges from a loss to $25,000 for 10 of the alumni; between $26,000–$50,000 for 4; and between $51,000 to $100,000 for 1. First year net income range from a loss to $15,000 for 4 alumni; and between $51,000 to $100,000 for 1. Current gross income ranges up to $50,000 for 4 alumni; between $51,000 to $100,000 for another 4; and between $101,000 to $500,000 for 9 alumni.
A majority (14 out of 26) of alumni began their practice as a self-employed practitioner. One began as a partnership; 3 as assistants or associates; 1 as an employee; 2 as independent contractors; and 2 under a LLC or 40/60 commission arrangement. The startup practice usually began in a leased office separate from their home (14 out of 26); 3 began in their home; and 3 own an office separate from their home. The approximate cost to run their practice range up to $50,000 a year for 10 of the alumni; between $51,000 and $100,000 for 3 and over $100,000 for one alumni. One of the alumni spent $85,000 on the purchase of an office.
Many alumni began practicing promptly after graduation. Three began within one month; 2 within 3 months; 8 within 6 months and 7 six months to one year.
A variety of illnesses were treated by the alumni. The approximate percentage of each category are as follows: OB/GYN 10% to 70%; Pediatrics 2% to 25%; Internal Medicine 1% to 30%; Physical Medicine 5% to 70%; Psychoemotional disorders 3% to 30%; Weight loss/Stop smoking/Addictions 3% to 25%; General 5% to 75% (including treatment of pain and cosmetic acupuncture).
Seven out of the 26 felt that they were very well prepared upon graduation to practice. Ten felt well prepared and 9 felt adequately prepared. The areas they felt that they were well prepared for were biomedical clinical science, case history/examination/intake, diagnosis, prognosis, acupuncture treatment, herbal treatment, patient counseling, patient referral and practice management.
Alumni were well prepared after graduation to treat with the modalities of moxa, scalp acupuncture, auricular, single herbs (loose/granular) and patents. Most described their practice style as either mostly all Chinese acupuncture or a mix of Chinese and Japanese acupuncture. The alumni felt that the following subjects should be emphasized in Practice Management: Managing a practice (up to 77% had this opinion); billing insurance (between 50% to 67%); and marketing a practice (between 54% to 100%) and accounting (33% to 100%).
The alumni felt very well to fairly well prepared to take their state and national exams. All 26 took the NCCAOM acupuncture exam and passed on the first try, except for one. Seventeen took the NCCAOM herbs exam and passed on their first try except one failed and one passed on the second try. Five took the NCCAOM biomedical exam and passed on their first try. One took the NCCAOM bodywork exam and passed on their first try. Ten took the New Mexico State exam and passed on their first try, except one failed. Two took the California exam with one passing and one failed on both attempts.
The alumni are very active in many organizations. Some are: NCCAOM, ABORM, AAOM, ASRM, American Acupuncture Council, North Carolina State Board, Indiana Acupuncture Association, FSOMA (Florida) and New Hampshire State Organization and Association of Professional Acupuncturists (Pennsylvania).
Some of the general comments made by the alumni included high marks on great training; grateful to teachers; high ethical standards; a wonderful program, invaluable palpation skills taught, request to provide more hands on learning; more clinical use of herbs, prognosis; a well-rounded, balanced curriculum; very knowledgeable and personable teachers.
Some Student Ethical Questions
As a student of Chinese medicine, you may encounter some troubling ethical situations specifically related to your position as a medical practitioner in training. This article will address some of the concerns that may arise during your education and allow you the opportunity to think about how you would respond in these situations.
What if I see a student, faculty member or administrator doing something “unethical”?You will encounter many positive role models during your education. However, it is possible you may see some behaviors or actions that are troubling or offensive. Because of “team hierarchy,” you may feel unable to confront someone who you perceive is “above” you, or more concerning, in control of your clinical or classroom evaluation and academic progression. However, you do still have several duties in this case. Ideally, you could talk with the student, faculty member or administrator about what you observed. Everyone has a unique perspective and the student, faculty member or administrator may have a rationale for the behavior that is unknown to you. Approaching them honestly may allow him or her the benefit of the doubt and open up a dialogue between you. The nature of the observed “unethical” act determines what your obligations are. In the simplest cases, it can be a matter of treating it as a lesson in how NOT to be an unethical practitioner. In more complex instances, patient care may be in jeopardy and you would have an obligation to report the behavior. You should speak with your supervisor/faculty member, the clinic director, or your academic dean or campus director if you need to make a judgment call about what to do in an ethical situation. Talking about the situation with other students rather than consulting someone who has the “authority” to handle the situation is generally not constructive.
Other students have access to an exam. Should I look at it? Everyone else is looking!In one survey of western medical students done in the late 1980’s, 58% of the students reported cheating at least once in a while in medical school. There is, unfortunately, a general cultural acceptance of cheating as being “just the way that it is.” On the contrary, cheating is an example of unprofessional and unethical behavior.
It represents a lack of fairness, lack of integrity, and can foreshadow lying in other contexts that can eventually affect patient care. As a member of a profession, you are accountable for your own behavior and for the behavior of your colleagues. If you have concerns about cheating, please consult a faculty member or your academic dean or campus director.
One of my classmates “parties” all the time, and I’m sure he/she was still under the influence while in clinic/class today. What should I do?Impaired students become impaired practitioners. You are entering a profession that carries an obligation to its members for self-regulation. As a student, your classmate has an opportunity to seek help before serious harm comes to himself or herself, or to one of his or her patients. Once licensed, you will have a legal obligation to report colleagues to your state’s acupuncture licensing board if they are unable to practice medicine with skill and safety. You are obligated to speak with a faculty member or your academic dean or campus director if you are aware of a student who is under the influence of drugs or alcohol while on campus.
It is important to recognize that if you call yourself a “doctor” while still a student, you are misrepresenting yourself. It is your responsibility to tactfully explain that you are a student, not a doctor. Also, whether or not you can legally be called a “doctor” will depend on the laws of the state(s) where you will eventually practice. For example, graduates from our program who choose to become licensed in New Mexico can legally be called a “Doctor of Oriental Medicine” while a graduate who becomes licensed to practice in Colorado is a “Licensed Acupuncturist.” A person licensed in New Mexico may not legally refer to themselves with the state conferred title of “Doctor of Oriental Medicine” in practice, other than seminar teaching, outside of the state of New Mexico. It is important for practitioners to be aware of the laws regarding titles conferred in the state(s) in which they practice. Of course, if you have earned a Ph.D., M.D. or other doctoral degree, you can be addressed as “Dr. Smith” without the concern of misrepresentation, just so you are clear as to what “flavor” of doctor you are representing.
In conclusion, the above situations are, unfortunately, not uncommon and may occur over the course of a student’s education. The purpose of this article was to present them as “food for thought” before they may arise unexpectedly or in a time-sensitive situation. It is helpful to think through what you would do and become familiar with some respected opinions on how to handle them before being faced with a “crisis” situation.
Southwest Acupuncture College
Annual Student Clinic Census
June 2007 – June 2008
The college’s in-house clinical services continue to serve their local communities by providing not only low-cost, affordable health care, but medical services that are both comprehensive and compassionate. In the following charts we see the numbers of patients treated and some basic demographics, as well as the conditions that they are being treated for. As always, the number of patients treated is contingent upon the number of students enrolled at the college.
In addition to the college’s clinics, we treat several thousand patients as well pro bono at our varied externships serving children, the elderly, teenagers, adults and other needy segments of the US population.
Thank you students, supervisors, clinic managers, students doing work study jobs, herb orderers and Clinic Directors for your consistent hard work in the service of caring.
Southwest Acupuncture College
Annual Student Clinic Census,
June 2007–June 2008
Close To 20,000 Patients Served
| Campus | No. of Patients | No. of New Patients | No. of New Female Patients | No. of New Male Patients | Age Group | No. of Patients | Top 10 Illnesses Treated |
| Albuquerque | 6,712 | 531 | 372 (70%) | 159 (30%) | 1–10 | 9 | 1. Back Pain |
| 11–20 | 15 | 2. Shoulder Pain | |||||
| 21–30 | 64 | 3. Neck Pain | |||||
| 31–40 | 58 | 4. Stress | |||||
| 41–50 | 94 | 5. HIV | |||||
| 51–60 | 121 | 6. Headache | |||||
| 61–70 | 98 | 7. Foot Pain | |||||
| 71–80 | 55 | 8. Leg Pain | |||||
| 81–90 | 17 | 9. Sciatica | |||||
| 91–100 | 0 | 10. Insomnia | |||||
| Total Possible Patients | 6,925 | 100% | |||||
| Actual Patients | 6,712 | 96.90% | |||||
| Boulder | 8,083 | 736 | 519 (70%) | 218 (30%) | 0–1 | 2 | 1. Back Pain |
| 1–10 | 4 | 2. Joint Pain | |||||
| 11–20 | 39 | 3. Fatigue | |||||
| 21–30 | 166 | 4. Stress | |||||
| 31–40 | 296 | 5. OB/GYN | |||||
| 41–50 | 112 | 6. Knee Pain | |||||
| 51–60 | 142 | 7. Headaches | |||||
| 61–70 | 95 | 8. Sinusitis | |||||
| 71–80 | 38 | 9. Depression/Anxiety | |||||
| 81+ | 8 | 10. Allergies | |||||
| Total Possible Patients | 9,554 | 100% | |||||
| Actual Patients | 8,803 | 85% | |||||
| Santa Fe | 3,118 | 304 | 225 (74%) | 79 (26%) | 1–10 | 8 | 1. Shoulder Pain |
| 11–20 | 25 | 2. Lower Back Pain | |||||
| 21–30 | 47 | 3. Back Pain | |||||
| 31–40 | 41 | 4. Neck Pain | |||||
| 41–50 | 55 | 5. Stress | |||||
| 51–60 | 72 | 6. Knee Pain | |||||
| 61–70 | 48 | 7. Hip Pain | |||||
| 71–80 | 55 | 8. Leg Pain | |||||
| 81–90 | 8 | 9. Allergies | |||||
| 91–100 | 0 | 10. Anxiety | |||||
| Total Possible Patients | 3,324 | 100% | |||||
| Actual Patients | 3,118 | 95% |
Clinical Corner
The Co-Existence of Kidney Yang Xu with Heat
Students frequently ask the question “How can a patient have kidney yang deficiency and also be hot?” This is a good question that merits reflection as the answer will influence the treatment plan. We commonly see this scenario in patients whom we could call complex.
If we are diagnosing a patient with Kidney Yang deficiency they have symptoms such as cold feet, cold knees, weak legs, undigested food in the stool, weak low back, tendency to curl up, feel cold, are tired, have a pale swollen wet tongue, and deep weak pulse amongst other things. Yet deficiency does not preclude one from also being hot. Heat can arise from exogenous invasion (hot weather, wind, saunas), miscellaneous causes of illness such as hot spicy foods, alcohol, even cold raw foods and damp foods that are difficult to break down digestively can become hot as stagnation. Liu Wan-Su’s Theory of Similar Transformation reminds us that any of the six stagnations (Liu Xu) – Qi, Blood, Dampness, Phlegm, Food, Fire – can become hot because the host qi (body) is yang.
Liver Qi stagnation, which may arise from or be independent of Kidney Yang Xu, can produce heat in the body. Kidney Yang deficiency is a leading cause of Liver Qi stagnation, whereby both Qi and blood can stagnate and heat engendered. So the treatment principle will be to tonify the Kidney Yang, which will thereby move the stagnation.
A complete medical history helps in revealing the etiology of the “heat” so that life-style factors can be addressed or the internal dynamic altered. As always we must differentiate the pattern and order the treatment principle. Resist treating and diagnosing symptomatically. Most of these clinical scenarios describe chronic conditions and as such necessitate root treatments.
News from the Albuquerque Clinic
It’s been a great semester in the Albuquerque clinic. During some shifts, we’ve been running at full capacity, with all our treatment rooms filled and an herb clinic running to boot. Thanks to Nancy Pelosa, with a lot of help from Patti Howe, Erin Pehl, and Phil Snyder, it has all gone very smoothly. I am always so impressed by the calm, good-humored professionalism with which Nancy and her crew keep the clinic functioning in the face of a dazzling variety of scheduling and supply demands generated by the enormous variety of clinic types that we offer.
I recently had an opportunity to visit the S.A.F.E. House externship, and was delighted to see how sensitive and dedicated our interns are under Dr. Meyer’s expert tutelage. S.A.F.E. House offers a truly amazing array of services to the women and children it serves, and I am delighted that we can contribute to their efforts.
I am also excited that we are adding a new type of internship clinic to our offerings. Starting in September, Friday morning will include a walk-in clinic shift. The goal is two-fold: On the one hand, we want to serve patients who are unable to book an appointment in the regular clinic shifts as soon they would like, and we want to make room in our scheduling for patients who have acute conditions that would benefit from timely attention.
On the other hand, it will be a great opportunity for interns to learn to move quickly and smoothly through interviews and treatments, dealing with whatever conditions walk in the door, and serving as many patients as we can during the shift. I think it will be an amazing experience for interns, and a much-needed service for our patients. (I will be supervising that shift, so if you hear gasping sounds coming from the clinic, it will be me trying to keep up!)
As always, my thanks to all you students, supervisors, and staff through the years who have made our clinic the amazing thing that it is. My greatest joy, as Clinic Director is to watch our program evolve and unfold. It is especially exciting to see how the opportunities that open up and deepen our clinical program mirror the developing status of complementary medicine in our society. I think that SWAC is beautifully situated to participate in that development and to help shape the role that we can play in healthcare. I would love to hear from any of you, dear readers, about what you especially like(d) or wish(ed) for in our clinic program, and what ideas you have for new directions we might take. You can email me at Hilary@acupuncturecollege.edu.
I can’t wait to see what will happen next!
Pregnancy Self-Care
Pregnancy is a joyous time and it is truly a precious time in a woman’s life. But it also can be a time of uncertainty and worry. There are hundreds of books and articles that discuss how to deal with pregnancy in a healthy manner with regular medical care, suggestions from experts on diet and exercise, and a host of other advice. In my opinion, besides the above, self-care is more important than anything else to help you to stay centered and to enjoy your pregnancy.
Basic Self-Care for pregnancy is simple and life changing.
1. Let’s start from the Five Centers of Wellness first:
Good health consists of five different domains that must be individually strong as well as balanced overall. They are Nutrition, including food, drink, and supplements (pre-natal vitamins for example); Movement, including exercise as well as movement that brings you joy; Mind, the state of your mind, including your stressors and your perceptions; Spirit, a feeling of connection to self, to other beings, and to an entity larger than yourself (such as nature); Sensation, including sensuality (touch, taste, vision, hearing and smell) and sexuality. All five are important and your needs within a given center are constantly shifting—especially in pregnancy. The way you move, your appetites and food preferences, your stress level, your sense of connection to yourself and to nature—all will be impacted across the arc of this experience and all will vary from trimester to trimester, and even from day to day. So my first advice for pregnancy Self-Care is paying attention to all five of your Centers of Wellness. It is very important.
2. Pregnancy Massage.
Needless to say, pregnancy will bring changes to your body and create some aches, such as muscle cramping, joint pain, etc. A pregnancy massage, also called prenatal massage, is a great way to nurture your mind and your body. Many pregnant women report that after a massage they feel much calmer and more relaxed. My second advice is getting pregnancy massage once in a while. Pay attention to your need to find a massage therapist who specializes in this field. There are also several books and videos that can teach you and your partner how to do it yourselves.
3. Cope with minor disorders with Traditional Chinese Medicine.
I am always asked if we can use acupuncture and herbs during pregnancy to treat disorders, and my answer is always a solid yes! As practitioners, you should know what points and what herbs are contraindicated during pregnancy (all in your textbook and/or in your notebook for sure), so avoid using them. Plus with a careful and correct diagnosis, acupuncture and herbs can certainly become a strong tool for you to help a pregnant woman. For example:
Morning Sickness
By using acupuncture, PC 6 (Nei Guan) is a crucial point to apply, even using acupressure. Auricular points, such as Stomach, ShenMen, are also good choices. Of course we should differentiate, women can help nausea due to stress, and then I add LR 3 (Tai Chong) to work with PC 6(Nei Guan); if combined with external pathogen invasion, I add TE 5 (Wai Guan). For minor situations, only 1–3 treatments are needed. As for herbs, Zi Su Ye (Perilla), Bai Zhu (Atractylodes Rhizome, White), Sheng Jiang (Fresh Ginger) usually work very well. If the woman has heat, consider adding Huang Qin (Scute Root).
Lower Back Pain and Stiffness
If you have concerns using needles on the patient’s back, consider using acupressure, such as A-Shi points, or points along the Bladder channel and points on or near the tailbone. There is no need to apply heavy pressure or large strokes, remember, pregnant women are sensitive; sometimes Reiki works very well. Of course, as I mentioned before, prenatal massage can help a lot. As for herbal treatment, Du Zhong (Encummia Bark) is very good, especially if you find out that the woman has some signs of Kidney Qi deficiency. You surely want to fully inspect her situation and add some other herbs to help, such as Tu Si Zi (Cuscuta), together with middle-jiao strengthening herbs, such as Bai Zhu (Atractylodes Rhizome, White).
Constipation
If you follow pregnancy diet suggestions which you can find it in almost every pregnancy book (such as drinking enough water and eating vegetables, etc), you probably won’t have difficulty with bowel movements. But as we know, with the growth of your baby, the pressure on intestines are increased, so bowel movement may slow down during the last trimester. My acupuncture advice is TE 6 (Zhi Gou) for minor situations, and acupressure will work greatly. Apply acupressure before the time of bowel movement or when you sit on the toilet! Works great! I rarely prescribe herbal formula for constipation during pregnancy, since nutrition therapy will work well and safely, such as celery, cucumber, apple, and enough water!
Above are some of my experiences and advice of Self-Care during pregnancy. I strongly emphasize number 1 above because imbalance happens when your attitude changes.
In conclusion, I highly recommend using Hypnotherapy to have a natural birth. It will help you so much, not only physically, but also spiritually.
Middle Jiao Theory for Treating Coronary Artery Disease
Cardiovascular diseases are the number one killer in America. One of the major diseases in this group is coronary artery disease (CAD). There are many causes of CAD, however, the major contributions of the disease are patients’ diets and life styles.
From Chinese medical theory, the Heart governs the Blood and the Blood Vessels. Qi and Blood circulation need the functions of warming and propelling of Heart Qi and Heart Yang. Normal function of Heart Qi depends on the nourishment of Zong Qi (gathering Qi) which originates from Spleen and Stomach Qi. Heart Blood is nourished by Ying Qi which also originates from Spleen and Stomach Qi. Spleen and Stomach deficiency leads to Zong Qi and Ying Qi insufficiency and affects the Heart causing Heart Qi and Heart Blood deficiency.
When Spleen and Stomach decrease their transportation and transformation functions due to Middle Jiao Qi deficiency, it produces the phlegm-damp retention inside. This turbid phlegm follows channels up to the Heart and Chest, and blocks Heart and Chest Yang Qi leading to Heart Blood Stasis and causing Chest Bi syndrome (Xiong Bi). So it is important to regulate Spleen and Stomach functions for treating coronary heart disease. Clinically, there are seven common treatment strategies for this purpose.
When the symptoms of coronary heart disease become better after the treatment, it is always finished up with the formulas of strengthening Spleen and Stomach to stop the source of phlegm-damp production, such as Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang (Six Gentlemen Decoction with Aucklandia and Amomum), Shen Ling Bai Zhu San (Ginseng Poria and Atractylodes Macrocephala Powder).
1. Phlegm heat in Gallbladder and Stomach
a. Manifestation: Insomnia, dream-disturbed sleep, palpitations, depression, tightness in the chest, bitter taste in the mouth, nausea, poor appetite, yellow greasy tongue coating or thick white dry tongue coating, slippery and wiry pulse.
b. Treatment principle: Clear Gallbladder and harmonize Stomach, transforming phlegm-heat.
c. Formulas: Sheng Mai San (Generate the Pulse Powder) plus Wen Dan Tang (Warm the Gallbladder Decoction) modification.
d. Prescription: Dang shen, Mai men dong, Wu wei zi, Zhu ru, Ban xia, Chen pi, Fu ling, Zhi ke, Dan shen, Shi chang pu, Yu jin, Shan zha, Mai ya, He shou wu.
2. Spleen and Heart Yang deficiency
a. Manifestation: Chest tightness, palpitations, dizziness, nausea, poor appetite, abdominal distension and bloating, fatigue, chills, pale tongue, wiry and tight pulse.
b. Treatment principle: Warm Middle Jiao and transforming phlegm-damp.
c. Formulas: Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang (Poria, Cinnamon twig, Atractylodes macrocephala, and Licorice Decoction) plus Gua Lou Xie Bai Ban Xia Tang (Trichosanthes fruit, Chinese chive, and Pinellia Decoction).
d. Prescription: Gui zhi, Bai zhu, Gua lou shi, Ban xia, Xie bai, Hou po, Huang qi, Dang shen, Dan shen, Shan zha, Chuan xiong, Fu ling, Zhi gan cao.
3. Chest Yang Qi deficiency
a. Manifestation: Oppression and tight feeling in the chest, obesity, pale complexion, shortness of breath or wheezing with movement, pale and swollen tongue, white greasy coating, wiry and slippery pulse.
b. Treatment principle: Ease Chest and activate Chest Yang, expel phlegm.
c. Formulas: Zhi Shi Xie Bai Gui Zhi Tang (Immature bitter orange, Chinese chive, and Cinnamon twig Decoction) plus Gua Lou Xie Bai Ban Xia Tang (Trichosanthes fruit, Chinese chive, and Pinellia Decoction) modification.
d. Prescription: Ban xia, Gua lou shi, Zhi shi, Hou po, Gui zhi, Xie bai, Dang shen, Huang qi, Dan shen, Shan zha, Hong hua.
4. Phlegm damp retention Chest
a. Manifestation: Oppression and stuffiness in the chest, epigastric distention, poor appetite, nausea, heaviness in the head, foggy mind, loose stools, greasy tongue coating, moderate pulse.
b. Treatment principle: Transform dampness and strengthen Spleen.
c. Formulas: San Ren Tang (Three-nut Decoction) modification.
d. Prescription: Xing ren, Bai dou kou, Yi yi ren, Huo xiang, Ban xia, Hou po, Shi chang pu, He ye, Hua shi, Fu ling.
5. Spleen and Heart Qi deficiency
a. Manifestation: Dull ache in the chest, dizziness, palpitations, sallow complexion, fatigue, dreams (overthinking and vivid dreams), pale red tongue, thin white coating, thin or weak pulse.
b. Treatment principle: Tonify Spleen and nourish Heart.
c. Formulas: Gui Pi Tang (Restore the Spleen Decoction) modification.
d. Prescription: Dang shen, Huang qi, Zhi gan cao, Long yan rou, Dang gui, Suan zao ren, Bai zhu, Fu shen, Shi chang pu, Yu jin, Chi shao, Ge gen, Mu xiang.
6. Qi deficiency and Blood stasis
a. Manifestation: Dull ache and oppression feeling in the chest which comes and goes, worse with exertion, pale complexion, palpitations, spontaneous sweating, pale purple tongue, deep choppy pulse.
b. Treatment principle: Tonify Qi and invigorate Blood Stasis.
c. Formulas: Ju Yuan Jian (Lift the Source Decoction) plus Bu Yang Huan Wu Tang (Tonify the Yang to Restore Five Decoction) modification.
d. Prescription: Dang shen, Mai men dong, Wu wei zi, Huang qi, Tao ren, Hong hua, Chi shao, Shi chang pu, Yu jin, Dan shen, Chuan xiong.
7. Food stagnation
a. Manifestation: Dull ache and oppression feeling in the chest, worst after eating, distention in the abdomen and epigastrum, bad breath, thick greasy tongue coating, wiry slippery pulse.
b. Treatment principle: Descend and regulate Stomach Qi, drain dampness.
c. Formulas: Bao He Wan (Preserve Harmony Pill) plus Ping Wei San (Calm the Stomach Powder) modification.
d. Prescription: Shan zha, Cang zhu, Ban xia, Lai fu zi, Shen qu, Hou po, Chen pi, Dan shen, Chuan xiong, Xiang fu, Fu ling, Zhi gan cao.
“Open-Access” Research on the Web
As the college continues its commitment to work on electronic acquisitions and resources, for library and home use, this article aims at helping students and faculty begin to access the wealth of on-line materials.
In this article:
I) We see sites offering free access to journal articles specifically on Oriental Medicine,
II) move to resources for botanical studies,
III) mention a few open-access medical journal sites, and
IV) offer a list of “megasites” that open up a world of research on the internet in both conventional and alternative medicine.
It is my hope that this information will be useful as an entry into subscription-free research on the web.
I.
www.cmjournal.org/home Chinese Medicine, the official journal of the International Society for Chinese Medicine.
www.acupuncture.org.uk/content/library/documents.asp British Acupuncture Council research documents.
www.acupuncuretoday.com Free online access to some articles.
www.itmonline.org/articles.htm Articles available from the Institute for Traditional Medicine.
www.acubriefs.com Acubrief’s purpose is to make available the most comprehensive database of references on acupuncture in the English language. A searchable database, providing references to and summaries of articles.
http://acupunctureinmedicine.org.uk/volindex.php A peer-reviewed, international journal, published four times a year. It presents a scientific approach to acupuncture. All articles are available on-line, usually with free access.
http://chinesemedicinetimes.com/ The Chinese Medicine Times (CMT) network includes the ejournal, forum and the online encyclopedia for Chinese medicine and acupuncture, CMTpedia.
II.
http://herb.umd.umich.edu/ A site dedicated to Native American ethnobotany providing a searchable database of foods, drugs, dyes and fibers of Native American peoples, derived from plants.
www.ethnobiomed.com/ Free access articles from the Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine.
http://www.ethnobotanyjournal.org/ Free access to articles via PDF from Ethnobotany Research and Applications, A journal of plants, people, and applied research.
http://www.herbmed.org/ An interactive, electronic herbal database—provides hyperlinked access to the scientific data underlying the use of herbs for health. It is an impartial, evidence-based information resource provided by the nonprofit Alternative Medicine Foundation, Inc. This public site provides free access to 30 herbs.
http://ejournal.sinica.edu.tw/bbas/ Free access to articles via PDF format from Botanical Studies, an international journal published by the Institute of Plant and Microbial Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan.
http://www.abc.chemistry.bsu.by/current/fulltext.htm Free full text journals in chemistry, biochemistry, biotechnology, food technologies, etc.
III.
http://www.aafp.org/online/en/home.html Site of the American Academy of Family Physicians. Free full-text articles from the journals: American Family Physician, Family Practice Management, and Annals of Family Medicine.
http://content.nejm.org/ Free full-text articles from the New England Journal of Medicine.
http://medicine.plosjournals.org PLoS Medicine is an open-access, peer-reviewed medical journal published monthly online by the Public Library of Science (PLoS), a nonprofit organization.
http://nccam.nih.gov/camonpubmed/ This site provides for searches within Pubmed that are limited to complementary and alternative medicine.
www.lib.uiowa.edu/hardin/md/ej.html This site uses the search capabilities available at Pubmed to compile a list of subject searches (e.g. AIDS, Crohns Disease, Eczema).
www.freemedicaljournals.com A site dedicated to the promotion of free access to medical journals over the internet. A list of 430 titles, also organized by specialty.
IV.
http://www.pitt.edu/~cbw/altm.html The Alternative Medicine Homepage, created and maintained by the University of Pittsburgh medical librarian. An easy way to begin searching internet resources.
http://scholar.google.com/ Magnificent search engine for scholarly articles. I searched “acupuncture” and “tennis elbow” producing 1110 items. Click on the link to the article. You could reach an abstract, or, if available on the web, the complete article. Google Scholar provides a simple way to broadly search for scholarly literature. From one place, you can search across many disciplines and sources: peer-reviewed papers, theses, books, abstracts and articles, from academic publishers, professional societies, preprint repositories, universities and other scholarly organizations.
www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov This is the U.S. National Institutes of Health free digital archive of biomedical and life science journal literature. You can browse the journal list, an impressive array, or search by keyword. I typed in “acupuncture” and the search came up with 2719 articles, 2690 of which were free. Journals whose articles are available here include Chinese Medicine, BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, and Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine: eCAM. Articles are cross-referenced with links to many of the referenced materials.
http://highwire.stanford.edu/lists/freeart.dtl Highwire Press is the largest archive of free full-text science on Earth. My search for “acupuncture” came up with 5838 articles, many including citation maps.
http://library.georgetown.edu/newjour/ Remarkable list of journals and newsletters on the internet. The complete archive includes 21,862 items. The list is searchable, with links to the journals.
http://www.doaj.org/ This service covers free, full text, quality controlled scientific and scholarly journals. They aim to cover all subjects and languages. There are now 3501 journals in the directory. Currently 1196 journals are searchable at article level.
Enjoy the world of information available on-line!
Li Shi Zhen “Dry” Books
Dr. Shizhen Li was born in 1518 (Ming Dynasty) and died in 1593. He was born in a doctor’s family, and his father and grandfather were all doctors. As a child, Shizhen Li was very smart and loved reading. At the age of 14, he passed the entry level of the state exam on the road to become a government official. But he hated the corruption and hypocrisy in the feudal government, so he decided to devote himself to a medical career. As we all know, Shizhen Li later became a famous doctor. His books include “Grand Materia Medica” and “Pin Hu Mai Xue (The Pulse Classics by Pin Hu Master)”, which are so valuable and we are still using. He also wrote “Pin Hu Mai Xue (The Pulse Classics by Pin Hu Master)” which we use as a textbook on pulse study.
Dr. Li loved reading, especially medical books, but he did not have much money to buy books because he always helped poor patients without charging them. He had to borrow books to read.
Dr. Li had a neighbor, who was a quack doctor but very rich. The quack doctor always liked to pretend to be a good doctor, and talked all day long about medicine to show off himself. He also spent lots of money to buy many medical books to put on the shelves in his office to show how knowledgeable he was. But, he never read them himself, neither would he lend the books to anyone else including Dr. Shizhen Li.
One summer, just after monsoon season, the quack doctor asked his servants to move books from his office to the yard to dry them in the sun. The big yard was packed with all kinds of big expensive valuable medical books. The quack doctor walked around in the yard quite pleased with those books. It looked like he was telling everyone “See, how knowledgeable I am. ”
Dr. Li passed the quack doctor’s yard while on his way to see a patient. He saw the scene and decided to make fun of the quack doctor. He walked into the yard, unbuttoned his shirt, and started drying his belly in the sun. The quack doctor was confused and asked Dr. Li, “What are you doing?” Dr. Li answered, “I am drying my medical books in the sun. ” The quack doctor was even more confused, he asked “Where are the books?” Dr. Li patted his belly and said, “All my books are inside here. ” The quack doctor knew that Dr. Li was satirizing him, and he became speechless and so ashamed that his face turned red.
News from Boulder
Boulder Welcomes New Staff
This past year has seen a transition in our administrative team, with long time Administrative Assistant, Tina Gentry moving into the Clinic Manager position. Our sincere congrats to Tina in taking on this critical job. Greeting 900 patients each month and managing over 150 students and supervisors is a big job!
We welcomed Heather Lang into our Administrative Assistant position. Heather has over ten years experience in administration as well as running her own home business. She brings an accomplished attitude with a tremendous sense of humor. She is really the backbone of how things get done on our campus and delivering the work with a chuckle keeps everyone in good spirits.
SWACupuncture at AVP Pro Beach Volleyball
Since 1995, local support teams for the pro beach volleyball tournament at their Boulder events have included acupuncture provided by Boulder’s campus director, Valerie Hobbs. At the event held over July 4 weekend, both Valerie and 2002 SWAC graduate Allison Suddard were on site to provide acupuncture with the integrated medical support team. On hand were an MD, chiropractors, physical therapists, and massage therapists, all of whom specialize in sports applications. The University of Colorado hosted the event, and four sand volleyball courts were erected on Folsom Field. The event marked the first time many athletes had a chance to try acupuncture, and it was so well received, it is hoped that the AVP will consider an expansion to offering acupuncture at more AVP events.
Campus Director Activities
Valerie Hobbs, Boulder Campus Director, continues to serve on the Professional Ethics and Disciplinary Committee for the National Commission for the Certification of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. Last fall, she was elected to the Executive Committee of the Council of Colleges for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. Current issues in front of the council involve development of doctoral level degrees, involvement with Integrative Medicine consortia, and FDA restrictions on dietary substances, including Chinese herbs.
The issue of the adoption of acupuncture techniques by western biomedical practitioners through adoption of western medical language description of the techniques (also known as “dry needling”) remains an area of continued work for our Boulder campus director. Two articles on the issue have appeared in the Qi Unity Report, anon-line journal, published by the American Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.
“My concern about the issue is twofold,” states Hobbs: “First and foremost, the education requirements are minimal, and certification requirements – at least in the state of Colorado – don’t even exist. So I have a concern about public safety, and public perception about effective practice. Secondly, I am very concerned that what may come to pass is an erosion of the dynamic nature of the integration of acupuncture with western science. In legislative hearings, in order to exempt western practitioners from acupuncture licensure, definitions of techniques in western science language are being interpreted as distinct and separate from acupuncture. Acupuncture is being re-described as being solely based on energetic principles, and tied exclusively to meridian dynamics. While this is true for a large part of what acupuncturists do, there is also a large segment of advancement made in functional acupuncture, described in both TCM and western terms. I’m concerned that if acupuncturists get forced into an “energetic definition” corner, we may no longer be able to adopt techniques and tools described in western science terms. This would be a significant loss in term of integrating medicine. ”
How Our Garden Does Grow
In the spring of 2007, the Boulder Campus received a $1000 grant through High Falls Garden for our Chinese Herb garden. Our small but mighty herb garden was designed by local herbalist Garima Fairfax, and originally landscaped in 2002.
This past summer we enjoyed the full bounty of the work in progress. Garima has again graciously headed up the renovation project. The grant was used to introduce soil amendments, create seating suitable for garden meditation, plant new species medicinal herbs, labeling, and fencing. Our elective class in Western Herbal Medicine Making, held in the summer of 2008, helped provide the labor to renovate, plant and weed the space, creating a renewal and beauty that definitely benefits the eye and calms the spirit. Under Garima’s direction, there remains funding for more expansion next year.
Graduating classes for the past three years have had a graduation photo taken in the garden, and a dedicated cadre of students meet daily for morning qi gong. Platycodon grandiloquent – jie geng, Mint (Mentha haplocalycis – Bo he), and Motherwort (Leonurus – yi mu cao) are all abundant. Mugwort (Artemesia argi – Ai ye) is really taking over.
In our limited space, we have been able to provide an appreciation for the plants, but our hopes and dreams do include a space to demonstrate harvesting and drying.
Our garden gives us the ability to have direct connection with about twenty different species of medicinal plants, and gives us the ability to see how we can appreciate the growing life force of the medicinals, even in a business park setting.
Welcome Board!
Hello. I am happy to be a part of the SWAC family. I come to SWAC with 15 years experience in post-secondary education, most of that time in financial aid, with 3 years as Registrar. I originally come from Fort Worth, Texas. I moved to Phoenix, Arizona in 2000, and lastly moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico in 2003. I am married and I have a 15 year old daughter. I like to read, spend time with my family, and I am a reality TV junkie. I look forward to working with the staff, faculty, and students here at SWAC.
News for New Mexico Student Loan Borrowers
For all new loans originated after July 1, 2008, New Mexico Student Loans (NMSL) will be charging 1–2 percent origination and insurance fees for Stafford loans and 3–4 percent origination and insurance fees for Graduate Plus loans. This will apply to loans processed by NMSL, as well as those loans disbursed by the organization’s full-service lending partners [Bank of the West, Citizens Bank of Clovis, and Bank of the Rio Grande].
This means that students will be disbursed 99%–98% of the amount they borrow for Stafford loans and 97%–96% for Graduate Plus loans because fees will be deducted from their loan at each disbursement. For students borrowing $20,500 this translates into a deduction of $205.00 to $410.00.
In the News
1. In August of 2008, the college received it 5th re-accreditation by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM). Thanks to all students, staff, faculty, alumni and Board of Advisors for your participation in this 18 month self-study process.
2. Southwest Acupuncture College has a new look. Check out our new website at www.acupuncturecollege.edu. On-line applications are available. Coming soon, on-line transcript request and payment, and a virtual tour of all campuses.
3. Thank you to Barbara Smith for a donation of $50 to the future Albuquerque Graduate Herb Garden.
The Graduate Herb Garden
Dear Alumni,
Just as you are the seeds of Oriental Medicine in the United States, we ask for your patronage in helping us bring this seed of an idea to birth. Your support will enable future graduates to receive a more comprehensive education in pharmacology and, we hope, better patient care as a result of our live outdoor Chinese botanical garden. The purpose of the garden is as educational and functional as it is aesthetic. We plan to integrate it into the school environment to educate students and patients in the care and appreciation of medicinal plant life. Classes in Botany, Advanced Prescriptions and Pharmacology will teach student plant physiology, preparation, and chemistry.
Donations will be used to purchase correct strains of seeds from China, books and tools for harvesting and preparation of plant care, statuary, benches, trees, fountains, and other physical needs and the establishment of the soil and gardens for cultivation. All money donated for this purpose will be put into a special fund only for the realization of this project. The first herb garden was established in May 2002 and is doing well. We have also received donations for Santa Fe and Albuquerque that have partially been implemented. If you would like to contribute to the Graduate Herb Garden, please fill out the membership form below:
Graduate Herb Garden Membership Form
If you would like to contribute to the Graduate Herb Garden, please fill out the membership form (click here).
SWAC Alumni Association Registration Form
Please click here for the SWAC Alumni Association Registration Form.