Acupuncture & TCM Articles
Acupuncture Articles
by John A. Amaro L.Ac., Dipl.Ac.(NCCAOM), DC
 Dr. Amaro is an internationally known author, lecturer and practitioner beginning his practice of Acupuncture and Chiropractic in 1971. He has led 13 diplomatic Acupuncture study tours of The People's Republic of China escorting more than 500 doctors and practitioners. He has personally studied Acupuncture in nine separate Asian nations.
He has received Certification in Acupuncture through the Columbia Institute of Chiropractic in 1973. This was one of the first Acupuncture postgraduate education programs for physicians in North America commencing in 1972.
He has been certified by the Waseda Acupuncture College in Tokyo, Japan in 1974 and graduated from the Chinese Medical Institute, Kowloon, China in 1976. He had previously taken postgraduate studies at the Tai Chung Medical School Taipei, China 1973.
"NOW THAT WE HAVE IT, WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT" ?
John A. Amaro L.Ac., Dipl.Ac.(NCCAOM), DC
Never before in the history of humankind has there been such an overwhelming interest in NATURAL HEALING as we are currently experiencing. Referred to as 'Alternative or Complementary Medicine", it is a field in which the medical profession has been reluctantly forced to accept due to the startling statistics that millions of dollars more are being spent out of the pocket of countless Americans for natural therapies as opposed to third party paid insurance, HMO and PPO conventional medical care.
Chiropractic, Acupuncture and Herbal Therapy are without question the most popular and most often referred to by the media, "Complementary" procedures. Those of us in the Chiropractic profession, have never had a more positive time to "seize the opportunity" of the countries new found interest in Natural Healing.
Besides Chiropractic, it behooves all D.C.'s to become not only aware, but proficient in Acupuncture. Remember, "Acupuncture is a principle not a technique", therefore, even the non-invasive "Meridian Therapy" approach is available for virtually every D.C. The patients who are currently seeking competent practitioners in Acupuncture is truly overwhelming. I have never seen more new patients than we are right now!!!!!!!.
The Acupuncture profession is aggressive and effective at the legislative level. More states than not have laws specific to Acupuncturists for their legal practice. There is more and more talk about Acupuncturist becoming "Doctored" . Since there are more three year acupuncture colleges in just three States than there are Chiropractic colleges in the world, I feel that is reason for concern, especially considering the fact, manipulation is a vital part of Acupuncture practice. I repeat an earlier comment " It behooves all D.C.'s to become not only aware, but proficient in Acupuncture". It would be a sin to be "replaced" at this stage of our existence. Knowledge of Acupuncture at this time is not only timely but absolutely necessary.
Without question one of the most important areas of "Complementary Medicine" is "Herbal Therapy". Not only are herbs extremely effective but they are extremely easy to use. One need not be an herbalist to use scores of herbs for countless conditions, either as individual or formulated herbs. Herbal therapy as practiced internationally is simply a "this for that" type of approach. In other words, you use "this" herb for "that" condition. As long as a practitioner knows what condition they are treating, it is as simple as referring to a "Materia Medica" which is nothing more than a reference list as to what specific historic formulae is to be used for a specific health problem.
Everyone knows what Aloe Vera is used for even if they know nothing about Herbology. If Madison Avenue advertising executives would have promoted "Queen of the Meadow" or "Burdock Root" as they did Aloe Vera, the health of millions may have been quite different. Herbs are extremely easy to use as well as being extremely effective. Throughout history, there has been a multitude of herbalists who have come before us who have established scores of herbal formulae's for hundreds of conditions. I personally see no reason to "re-invent the wheel"! Take advantage of those laboratories which produce marvelous Western herbal formulae's which are so easy to use. The only thing which may be more powerful are Chinese Herbal Formulae's.
I refer you to two articles I wrote published in the November 20, 1995 issue of "DYNAMIC CHIROPRACTIC" titled "Contemporary or Traditional Chinese Medicine" as well as the January 1, 1996 issue "Beyond Ginseng, The New Popularity Explosion of Chinese Herbs". If you failed to read these articles, send a stamped, self-addressed envelope and we will see you receive them.
Without question, one of the most significant healing approaches now available to us and one which has received accolades of praise and respect from the media as well as the medical profession, is the area of Chinese Herbology. The only problem is until now, in order to use Chinese Medicine, required extensive background in a variety of Asian healing arts other than herbology. However, the response to Chinese Herbs may be unparalleled in condition response. Working on the same basic principle of energetics as Acupuncture and many will say as Chiropractic, Chinese Herbs as well as their Western counterpart, may very well be the usual "medicine" of the future.
In the January 1, article of "DYNAMIC CHIROPRACTIC" I stated "It is my recommendation, that Western doctors unless extremely well versed in ancient and Traditional Chinese Medicine, utilize some of the incredibly effective formulae's available to the Western practitioner without having to become immersed in the myriad of details and complications which is required of the herbalists". The best part is that now, a select few of the worlds most respected Chinese Medicine laboratories, are producing patent Chinese Herbs for the Western practitioner which are available in this country.
Besides being ridiculously easy to use, they are affordable and readily available. One only needs a simple reference sheet of "what formulae" is used for "which condition". Utilizing this approach to Chinese Medicine is not only incredibly effective, a practitioner in most cases can achieve the same clinical response as the "Master Herbalists". Remember, these are the same herbs and combinations they use.
In my 25 years of clinical practice, I can truly say I have never experienced healing results of the magnitude I am currently experiencing by using patent Chinese Herbs.
There are a variety of laboratories offering these herbs, however, I definitely have my favorites. Which ones ? Send a request, I'll give you my list.
So now that we have this incredible interest in holistic healing for the first time in history with every magazine, newspaper, and television show bombarding us with this awareness of Chiropractic, Acupuncture, and Chinese and Western Herbs, "WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT" ? ? ? ? ? The future of Healing is in our hands.
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