by Dr. Greg Sperber

The question of accepting insurance is a big question for an acupuncturist. There are lots of pros and cons:

by Z’ev Rosenberg, L. Ac.

“The constancy of the internal milieu is the essential condition for a free life.”

by Whitfield Reaves, OMD, LAc,  and Chad Bong

Hamstring strain is a common injury to all athletes and active individuals, and it is the most commonly strained muscle of the hip.^[i] The biceps femoris is on the lateral aspect of the hamstring group, and is the most

by East Lewis Haradin, L.Ac.

Like Chinese Medicine, aromatherapy has been around for thousands of years. Ancient cultures from all over the world have used various forms of aromatherapy ranging from the burning of incense to utilizing the extracted oils from various plants, herbs and flowers. These ancestors used aromatherapy because they understood the healing properties of essential oils and the aromas that come from them. This article aims to provide a general understanding of how aromatherapy works and ways in which you can incorporate aromatherapy into your practice.

by Kathy Padecky, AS, CMT, Aromatherapist, CBS

Massage is perhaps the oldest and simplest of therapeutic treatments. In traditional cultures, it is accepted that everyone can benefit from massage. Massage is widely used in Chinese medicine, and a range of massage techniques have been developed over the long course of the evolution of Chinese medicine. Tui Na is one example: it’s a very safe technique, and one of its major applications is relieving chronic pain. Massage can be used effectively for a myriad of ailments, as it adjusts and regulates the qi circulation to maintain health.

by Ted Kardash, Ph.D.

By Felice Dunas Ph.D.

While reading a Harvard Business Review article on Authentic Leadership (leadership that includes the wholeness of self rather than just ambition based endeavors), I was intrigued by research addressing the importance of a strong support network for leaders. By loving and being loved, by leaning and being leaned upon, leaders fly higher, bringing more goodness and transformation into the world. Without people a leader can be loved by and completely feel love for, the leader’s wings are clipped and their power to positively influence the world is limited. This inspired me to think that we are all leaders and need to feel loved to optimize our effectiveness.

The American Chinese Culture and Education Foundation (ACCEF) is a non-profit, national charity organization in the United States, formed for the goal of reaching out to mainstream society to promote the awareness of traditional Chinese culture. With education in mind, ACCEF also strives to sponsor under-privileged children in rural areas of China, donating time, money, and supplies to Chinese schools.

Pacific College of Oriental Medicine (PCOM) in San Diego has begun the process of joining forces with ACCEF to create a bridge for academic and cultural exchange with three Chinese TCM universities. San Diego PCOM faculty member and ACCEF board member Lily Chang arranged an April 2011 trip to China for representatives of Pacific College to meet with ACCEF members, and with officials from the Chinese universities. The visit lay the foundation for PCOM to be the first ACCEF educational partner involved in a study abroad program that will allow students to learn about traditional Chinese medicine at the geographical source of its development. In addition to taking these first steps towards creating future educational opportunities, PCOM and ACCEF have joined forces on a scholarship available for San Diego-based PCOM students who participate in ACCEF activities.

Marianne Chalmers, a 2010 Pacific College of Oriental Medicine New York alumna, lives 90 minutes away from Joplin, Missouri, where a tornado struck on May 22, 2011, leaving a devasting path of destruction in its wake. According to National Weather Service records, the recent Joplin tornado was the deadliest twister in more than 60 years. The tornado left a 13-mile long trail of destruction, killing 142 people and leaving close to 8,000 homes decimated.

Armed with her Masters in Traditional Oriental Medicine (MSTOM) and a long interest in AcupuncturistsWithout Borders (AWB), Chalmers responded to the call for volunteer acupuncturists. Chalmers became pivotal in getting the AWB training and on-site venue set-up, as well as organizing and scheduling volunteer participation. Volunteer acupuncturists and massage therapists (who provided acupressure treatments) work 8 - 10 hours a day on site, and treat between 35-40 people daily.