Alternative Medicine Going Mainstream

Posted September 03, 2009 by Acupuncture & Massage College

Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine is one of the most rapidly growing health care professions in the United States, according to the National Acupuncture Foundation. Health professionals are recognizing the importance of melding conventional and complementary medicines.

More medical schools are offering course work in acupuncture. At the University of Miami’s Center for Complementary Medicine, researchers are studying the use of acupuncture to treat drug addiction, Parkinson’s disease and cancer.

The number of health care professionals studying acupuncture has been steadily growing. Licensed acupuncture practitioners are discovering new career opportunities as integrative providers within mainstream medicine.

Acupuncture has become increasingly utilized by conventional practitioners as the underlying mechanisms of acupuncture are better understood. Traditional Chinese medicine theory determines illness as resulting from imbalances or blockages in a person's Qi, or vital energy. The flow of energy is restored when acupuncture needles stimulate certain points within meridian channels that traverse the body.

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.

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.

There is increasing evidence that acupuncture isa cost-effective treatment option, and its use has become widespreadin general practice, pain clinics and rheumatology and physiotherapy departments.

Acupuncture has been determined to be based on modern physiological principles. Many conventional physicians believe acupuncture stimulates the nervous system. The opioid and other neurotransmitters involved in needle stimulationaffect pain perception, mood and health.

Acupuncture & Massage College’s Oriental Medicine program includes comprehensive training in acupuncture, moxibustion, Chinese herbology, Tui Na, Oriental nutrition, biomedical sciences, and clinic. The Oriental Medicine curriculum prepares graduates for national exams and graduates can apply for licensure in most states that license and regulate acupuncture and Oriental medicine.

For information about Acupuncture & Massage College’s Oriental Medicine and Massage Therapy programs call Joe Calareso, Admissions Director, at (305) 595-9500.

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