Acupuncture & Massage Blog

Renee Skuban is a graduate of the Acupuncture & Massage College. She holds both a Diploma in Massage Therapy with a Shiatsu Certification and a Master’s Degree in Oriental Medicine. 
Upon graduation, Skuban was appointed to the Florida Board of Acupuncture by former Florida governor Jeb Bush and served for two years as Vice Chair of the Board. At present she is employed as the clinical manager at AMC’s Intern Massage Clinic and also works part-time in the professional Clinic at the College.
An interview with Skuban:
How did you get started in alternative medicine?
I got started in alternative medicine when [...] Continue Reading…

Acupuncture and other complementary therapies are increasingly being integrated into conventional treatment programs at hospitals, health and wellness centers. A sampling of programs may include acupuncture, massage therapy, hypnosis, stress management, and nutritional counseling.
Millions of individuals have turned to acupuncture to treat everything from back pain and allergies to migraines and arthritis. Based in traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture is moving into the medical mainstream on a rising tide of new research studies and case stories.
Health professionals are recognizing the importance of melding conventional and complementary medicines. There is increasing evidence that acupuncture is a cost-effective treatment option, and its [...] Continue Reading…

On June 23 call your representatives and ask them to support HR 646, The Federal Acupuncture Coverage Act. Acupuncture & Massage College is asking the AOM community—practitioners, students, schools, state associations, and our patient community—to flood the phone lines.
Call your congressional representative and ask him or her to co-sponsor HR 646. Call your senators and ask them to co-sponsor a companion bill to HR 646. Call the President at (202) 456-1111 and ask him to include HR 646 in the Healthcare Reform Act.
Congressman Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) has reintroduced legislation that would make acupuncture a covered service for Medicare and [...] Continue Reading…

President Obama is working with Congress to pass comprehensive health reform to control escalating health care costs, guarantee choice of doctor and assure affordable health care for all Americans.
If health cost growth persists, the Congressional Budget Office estimates that by 2025, one out of every four dollars in our national economy will be tied up in the health system.
The Administration believes that comprehensive health reform should: Guarantee choice of health plans, invest in prevention and wellness, reduce long-term growth of health care costs for businesses and government, end barriers to coverage for people with pre-existing medical conditions, and [...] Continue Reading…

A massage practice’s success relies on regularly acquiring new clients or getting your client base to book appointments on a repeat basis, either weekly or monthly. As a massage therapist, you must build trust with potential clients so that they will not hesitate to call to make an appointment.
Your website content can strengthen your ability to not only find new clients but also to turn them into repeat clients. The information on your site must be comprehensive, knowledgeable and educate the potential client about different types of massage and the health benefits massage therapy offers.
Your site content [...] Continue Reading…

Shiatsu for Wellness
Shiatsu, a form of Oriental therapy based upon traditional Chinese medicine principles, promotes health and strengthens the body’s healing abilities. Shiatsu works to improve overall health by affecting the internal energy system.
Therapy results in increased vitality, energy and stamina. Shiatsu is beneficial in the treatment of several health conditions including: Poor posture, joint problems, sprains, arthritis, sciatica, acute and chronic neck and back pain, sinusitis, and bronchitis.
Shiatsu therapy releases toxins and muscle tension, stimulates the immune system and allows the individual to de-stress. Some of the immediate physical benefits of Shiatsu are regulation of the [...] Continue Reading…

Bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical used to make plastics, plastic additives and epoxy resins, is found in a variety of products including baby and water bottles, food and beverage can linings, sports equipment, medical and dental devices, CDs and DVDs, and household electronics.
Tests indicate that the chemical leaches out of food and liquid containers, especially when exposed to heat.
BPA is an endocrine disruptor which mimics the body’s own hormones, causing adverse health effects. BPA can cause behavioral changes in infants and children, trigger the early onset of puberty in females and is associated with heart disease, diabetes and [...] Continue Reading…

Since November 2002, the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine (ACAOM) has engaged in a process to evaluate the likelihood that the AOM profession might eventually transition to a first professional doctorate (FPD) for entry into the profession.

The AOM community has been discussing over a period of time the issue of AOM practitioners being recognized as Oriental medicine and acupuncture doctors. Several health care practitioners have already adopted the doctor title, including physical therapists, chiropractors, nurses, and naturopaths. Many allied health care professions now have their four-year training programs recognized as first professional doctorates.

In February 2008, after convening [...] Continue Reading…

A successful massage therapy practice requires you to become aware of what and where you want to be. Begin with visualization—write a paragraph that describes your ideal week, “I have 18 clients a week in my appointment book, each for a one-hour session. My clients value health awareness and what my massage therapy can do for their health. I have one new potential client calling weekly to inquire about my services.” Write another paragraph that outlines your definition of success.
Determine your client target markets and develop your business plan; review it weekly.

Assess where you are now in relation to [...] Continue Reading…

Individuals who consume excess amounts of cheese, low-fiber grains, eggs, fried potatoes, tomato products, and red meat have an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, according to a new study published in Diabetes Care.
Study results found that a diet pattern containing these particular foods can produce increased levels of two proteins in the blood, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 and fibrinogen. These proteins are indicators of inflammation in the body’s system and are linked to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes.

Of the 880 middle-aged study participants, those who followed this diet pattern had higher blood levels of these two [...] Continue Reading…