Posted on Mon, 19 Apr 2010 09:06:32 by Terrance

My intention is to educate you on the struggles of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).

First, and probably most important, is the licensing and schooling for Acupuncture Physicians (A.P.). In our state, Florida, most well established schools require at least some college degree for entrance. It is important that one realizes that in the state of Florida, Acupuncture Physicians are licensed as Primary Healthcare Providers. A fact that most people do not know, as I well found out on my many seminars I give in regards to TCM and your Health. Other states will vary; please check with your Board of Acupuncture.

Although I have been involved in Western Medicine as a Trauma Nurse in the ER setting, I have been involved in Alternative Medicine since 1974. My peers laughed at me for studying and finally traveling to China to study this wonderful Medicine, which our society calls Alternative, when in fact it has been around for more than 5,000 years! It is only now that I see MD's utilizing Alternative Medicine, such as herbs, diet, juicing, etc., merely because they have been told that the public spent 3 billion seeing "Alternative" practitioners. Once again, money being the motivating factor.

I say to anyone:

1. If you choose to see an acupuncturist / herbalist, make sure they are licensed in your state AND that they have had 3-4 years of studies, NOT a mere 100 to 300 hour course in acupuncture, as most MD's, OD's and Chiropractor's have. Remember these people did not study acupuncture till they saw the $$$$.

2. Most Acupuncturists will have a designated title, showing that they have had the proper schooling and training to treat various illness. Here in Florida, you could see either Lic. A. or A.P. Someone stating they are an "acupuncturist" needs further investigation. Also, most of us have taken a National Board Certification, designated as Dipl. NCCA. Please ask questions, it pays to know how versed this person is before they needle you.

3. If you look in the Scope of Practice for MD's, OD's and Chiropractor's, nowhere does it mention they utilize needles for the purpose of healing patients. Whereas our scope of practice does mention our use of needles and other modalities for the practice of healing. These MD's, OD's, and Chiropractor's should stick to the medicine they were interested in initially. You cannot learn acupuncture in a 100 to 300 hour course! This is a Medical system that requires hours of study, practice and restudy on a daily basis.

I have now met a Chiropractor here in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, that has gone back to school to study Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), for the full three years and he will get licensed appropriately and be able to treat his patients correctly. LEAVE THE ACUPUNCTURE TO THE ONES THAT HAVE STUDIED THIS AND THE OTHER COMPONENTS OF TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE. I applaud this Chiropractor.

This is a wonderful Medical System with it's own language, symbology and over 5,000 years of human experience. Most people do not know that this Medicine has three components:

* acupuncture
* herbal medicine
* tuina (a form of massage)

To study Traditional Chinese Medicine, one must have studied all three of these components. Ask your "acupuncturist" if they had schooling in these areas and if not, make sure that they learned their acupuncture over at least two years. If not, you should find a real Acupuncture Physician (A.P.).

As for me: my background is quite extensive with:

* a Bachelors of Science in Medical Technology, specializing Hematology and Chemistry
* a Bachelors of Science in Nursing, specializing in Emergency Medicine
* Licensed Massage Therapist
* License Colon Therapist
* Acupuncture Physician

Putting all of this together, I studied in Beijing, China, and here in the USA to finally be an Acupuncture Physician and Diplomate with the NCCA, I specifically help people with acute and chronic pain and Internal Medicine. I have an affection for those fighting their battles with Cancer's, utilizing herbs to decrease the awful side-effects of Chemo and Radiotherapy.

There is much more going on with my practice but that's a good overall view. My main purpose for right now is to inform all you wonderful people and to reduce the chance of falling into the hands of the wrong "acupuncturist".

Visit our Interactive Message Board and post questions for me to answer or comments you have about Traditional Chinese Medicine. Or just visit and have a look at what others before you have posted.

Herbal medicine is very Patient Specific and I remind you of a saying in TCM:

"Same illness different treatment . . .

Different illness same treatment"

Thank you for your time, W. Young, A.P.

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