Acupuncture & Massage BLOG

Every week we get over 250 inquiries from prospective students for entry into our Acupuncture program. Many of them are from high school students who are just looking into it for future reference. There are many others who are in dead end jobs that want to train to become Acupuncture Physicians. I would like to address those students.

For openers thank you for your inquiry. We are at a place in time where this profession is about to burst forth upon the American healthcare system. Like gangbusters. When I got started in 1978 there was only one school of Acupuncture, today there are over 50 such schools. Should you decide to go into this profession I’d say to you, your future looks good, in fact very good. But do not delay as time passes the cost of entering and graduation from Acupuncture colleges is going up up up.

At the present time the cost of graduating from a four year Masters Program is within the range of $36,000 to $53,000. And for the most part you may be able to get financial aid in the form of federal loans and some grant monies also.

At the Acupuncture and Massage College we do our best to design our programs to fit the working student. That means we have classes both day and night. All students have the opportunity to sign up for either class and they are allowed to make changes during the semester. That is if you are a day student and you need to take care of business on Wednesday morning you can easily attend the night class to make up your missed class. The opposite is also true. As I said we have developed a curriculum to meet the needs of the working student.

Another feature of our program is that our classes are based upon a modular system. At any one time you will be taking only one class per month. It makes thing less stressful. I remember going to Hunter College in 1973 and taking three classes each semester. Having to study for three different subjects all at the same time. And having to take three mid-terms and three final exams, in a word stress full. Well we have made it much simpler. One class per month, still covering three classes or 12 academic credits per semester. Plus credit for attending the clinic portion of your program. Interested give us a call.

Our next class begins January 7th, 2008. To be eligible for that class you will need to be able to provide your documents that show 60 college credits or an AA degree. For further information call Joe Calareso at 305.595.9500

Individuals pursuing a medical or health profession career might like to consider the field of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and acupuncture. Although acupuncture colleges typically teach TCM acupuncture practices, some schools vary in their focus and incorporate methods from Japanese, Korean and Western medical acupuncture. Presently, 50 schools are either accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM) or are accreditation candidates.
Accreditation by ACAOM ensures schools maintain standardized education in acupuncture and Oriental medicine. Accredited schools also provide the training necessary to obtain licensure in most states. Admission requirements at accredited schools include 60 semester credits at the baccalaureate level, with specific science courses. Individuals receiving training to become an acupuncture physician complete a graduate level program that lasts from three to four years. The length of the program is determined by the training of the individual institution.
Training usually consists of a solid foundation in Chinese acupuncture, Western sciences, nutrition, Oriental bodywork, clinical practice, and herbal medicine. Common course topics include: Beginning to advanced acupuncture, point location and techniques, physical examination, supervised clinical practice, and Chinese herbal medicine. Additional courses may include business management and marketing. Training in the field of TCM requires respect with regards to Oriental medicine tradition and is rigorous. Most schools require completion of the core curriculum.
Annual tuition costs vary among acupuncture schools, typically ranging from $10,000-$15,000 per year. Often there are additional costs for attended seminars and texts. Many acupuncture schools offer Pell Grants, direct loans and other forms of financial aid. Presently, over 7,000 students are enrolled in accredited programs. The field of acupuncture has become one of the fastest growing health care professions. The median salary for acupuncture physicians is $45,000.
For information about acupuncture schools contact Joe Calereso at the Acupuncture and Massage College at 305.595.9500. For information on health and wellness call Dr. Richard Browne at (305) 595-9500.

CAM-ORIENTED PRIMARY CARE PROVIDERS RESULT IN HIGH PATIENT SATISFACTION

Patients visiting holistically-oriented physicians who serve as primary care physicians (PCPs) have lower utilization costs and higher patient satisfaction levels than patients treated by conventional medical doctors according to a study published in the May issue of the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics.

“This study confirms that integration of allopathic and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) providers can positively impact patient quality of care while limiting overall costs. This approach to patient care has great potential to improve the U.S. healthcare system,” said study coauthor James Winterstein, DC. Researchers found that over the course of the seven-year study, patients visiting CAM-oriented PCPs had 60 percent fewer hospitalizations, 62 percent fewer outpatient surgical cases and 85 percent lower pharmaceutical costs when compared with total network HMO utilization rates and costs.

The CAM doctors treated and managed cases ranging from upper respiratory tract infections and allergies to headaches, orthopedic and other medical conditions. “Our most recent analysis supports earlier findings that patients visiting CAM-oriented primary care physicians experienced fewer hospitalizations, underwent fewer surgeries and used considerably fewer pharmaceuticals than HMO patients who received traditional care,” said Winterstein. “We have demonstrated that it is possible to deliver CAM-oriented primary care in a highly regulated environment without compromising either quality or safety.”

Patients reported on the quality of care received through the use of annual patient satisfaction surveys. The integrative CAM patients consistently rated their experiences more positively than did members enrolled within HMO conventional medical plans. In the United States, 36 percent of adults are using some form of CAM. For chronic conditions, such as recovery from an illness or surgery, CAM can be more effective than allopathic health care.

If you are considering incorporating CAM into your health care contact Dr. Richard Browne, Acupuncture Physician, at (305) 595-9500 for a free initial 30-minute consultation.

PTSD MAY INCREASE HEART RISK IN OLDER MEN

A study of male veterans of World War II and Korea suggests that a higher level of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms may increase risk of incident (new cases) coronary heart disease (CHD) in older men. Conducted by Laura D. Kubzansky, Ph.D., of the Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, and colleagues, the prospective study is the first to document an association between PTSD symptoms and future heart disease. The study appears in the January issue of the Archives of General Psychiatry.

Using two measures of PTSD, the Mississippi Scale for Combat-Related PTSD (questionnaire taken in 1990 by 1,002 study participants) and the Keane PTSD scale (1986, 944 participants), the researchers analyzed health record data on 1,946 men enrolled in the Veterans Administration Normative Aging Study, a long-term research project tracking Boston-area vets. The researchers tracked men who met PTSD diagnosis criteria and PTSD symptoms in men who weren’t diagnosed with PTSD. Most had “low to moderate” levels of PTSD symptoms. Follow up of incident CHD was analyzed through May 2001.

The authors found that for each increase in symptom level, the men had a 26 percent increased risk for non-fatal heart attack and fatal CHD combined and a 21 percent increase when angina was factored in (Mississippi PTSD scale). The findings were replicated with data from the Keane PTSD scale. “These data suggest that prolonged stress and significant levels of PTSD symptoms may increase the risk for CHD in older male veterans,” the authors write. “These results are provocative and suggest that exposure to trauma and prolonged stress not only may increase the risk for serious mental health conditions but are also cardiotoxic.”

The continual release of adrenaline prompted by PTSD symptoms may wear down the cardiovascular system. “The burden of war may be even greater than people think,” said Kubzansky. “This pattern of effects suggests that individuals with higher levels of PTSD symptoms are not simply prone to reporting higher levels of chest pain or other physical symptoms but may well be at risk for developing coronary heart disease.” For information on acupuncture for the treatment of PTSD symptoms, contact Dr. Richard Browne at (305) 595-9500.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. It can be used as long as credit is attributed to the author by including the following section :

“Written by Rev. Dr. Richard Browne

http://www.amcollege.edu

http://www.acupuncturistmiami.com”

College Bound? Think About it.

According to government stats only 54% of all students entering four-year colleges graduate with a degree. That means 46 % spend from one year to three years in colleges only to end up with a large debt and no real career to help them pay it off. Where are we going? Nobody knows for sure, yet the educational experts are constantly upgrading and revamping the educational standards and competency as if that can make an impact to solve the problems of retention.

The experts say the blame lies on the high schools, or in some cases the students themselves.

At the high school level the drop out rate of kids who aren’t graduating is well over 50%. You may well ask what’s the matter with this institution? The fault lies in the educators. But at the college level people say what is the matter with these students? We gave them a chance to improve themselves and they show no responsible.

While student lack of responsibility is a factor, the institutions must assume some of the blame. It seems that getting the students in the doors of the colleges is the most important objective, as oppose to getting them to graduate.

Florida State University reports on First Time In College students (FTIC) indicated that 16% of all freshmen do not return. On the average that is an incurred debt of at least $15,000. At the same time University of New Mexico reports that of its 10,500 student base over 2300 are listed as undecided for a major. Most of these students will drop out before graduation day arrives.

Before entering college students should have an idea of where they want to go in life. Liberal Arts is an expensive major. Besides the 46% of college students who do not graduate we have another situation to consider, how many people who go to college and graduate actually are employed in a field in which they majored. I studied accounting and philosophy while in college. Today I work as an Acupuncture Physician. My wife studied science (premed) and graduated with a BS, today she is the Executive Director of the Acupuncture and Massage College. I could list hundreds of cases of college graduates who are employed in areas that are far removed from their major in college. So I ask the question what is the real value of a college education?

Richard Browne is the President of the Acupuncture and Massage College (AMC). AMC offers a Master Degree program in Oriental Medicine and a Diploma program in Massage Therapy. For more information Call 305-595-9500

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. It can be used as long as credit is attributed to the author by including the following section :

“Written by Rev. Dr. Richard Browne

http://www.amcollege.edu

http://www.acupuncturistmiami.com”

LONG TERM PAIN MAJOR HEALTH ISSUE AMONG VETERANS

More than half of veterans in pain (54 percent) said that they have been in pain for more than 10 years, according to a survey of 753 veterans and members of the military released on Friday by the American Pain Foundation in honor of this weekend’s Veterans Day observance.

On a scale of 0 to 10, 70 percent rated the intensity of their pain between 7 and 10, on a daily basis. “The intensity and life-long implications of chronic pain among wounded soldiers is a major concern,” said Chester “Trip” Buckenmaier III, MD, Chief, Army Regional Anesthesia and Pain Management Initiative at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

Long term pain was found to be highly correlated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression in veterans. Nearly one-third (29 percent) indicated they suffer from a combination of pain, depression and PTSD. Close to one-third (32 percent) felt that asking for pain treatment compromised their status as a member of the military or their career in the military. Two-thirds (64 percent) indicated their pain was directly related to their military service.

As part of the endeavor to raise awareness of chronic pain affecting veterans, the American Pain Foundation has launched the “Freedom from Pain” campaign. Print and radio ads running across the country through the holiday weekend will direct veterans and members of the military to the American Pain Foundation (www.painfoundation.org) as a resource for pain management.

Acupuncture is effective in treating chronic pain conditions, decreasing pain by increasing endorphins, which block pain signals sent to the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord). Your primary health care provider may recommend acupuncture treatment as a pain management component in addition to physical therapy or medication. Acupuncture treatment can ease pain and may reduce dependency on prescription drugs.

In response to this health crisis facing our veterans the Acupuncture and Massage College will institute a month long service to our veterans FREE Acupuncture treatment at our Community Cliinc beginning Tuesday November 13th. For more information please call 305-595-9500. Veterans with proper ID will receive FREE consultation and Acupuncture treatment at our clinic in Miami.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. It can be used as long as credit is attributed to the author by including the following section :

“Written by Rev. Dr. Richard Browne

http://www.amcollege.edu

http://www.acupuncturistmiami.com”

HOOKAH SMOKING TREND BECOMING HEALTH EPIDEMIC, SAYS RESEARCHER

The recent trend among college kids toward using waterpipes, or traditional Middle Eastern hookahs, for tobacco smoking may be just as harmful to them as smoking cigarettes. Several “hookah bars”, or shisha cafes as they are known in parts of the Middle East, have opened in New York, Los Angeles, and other areas throughout the United States, especially near college campuses.

Christopher Loffredo, Ph.D., Director of the Cancer Genetics and Epidemiology Program at Georgetown University Medical Center has published several studies on hookah use. His research group authored a recently released World Health Organization monograph, which includes findings on “this significant and spreading epidemic of waterpipe smoking”.

Hookah smokers expose themselves to higher levels of nicotine, tar and carbon monoxide than cigarette smokers, because the smoking session is very long and is seen as a social activity, lasting up to three hours, said Loffredo. “People who use these devices don’t realize that they could be inhaling what is believed to be the equivalent of a pack of cigarettes in one typical 30-60 minute session with a water pipe, because such a large quantity of pure, shredded tobacco is used.” Anti-tobacco groups have yet to develop appropriate educational outreach programs to address the health risks associated with the new national trend.

Acupuncture can effectively treat tobacco addiction through a tailored smoking cessation program that calms the nervous system, strengthens will power and minimizes nicotine cravings. A twice weekly, five-week program can reduce the irritability and restlessness commonly associated with withdrawal. Treatment combines auricular acupuncture and selected body points to influence organs and energetic pathways associated with smoking.

Chinese herbal supplements can assist with controlling withdrawal symptoms. A Lung Yin Tonic such as Ophiopogonis Combination (Mai Men Dong Tang) can be used to prevent cravings. Bupleurum plus Dragon Bone and Oyster Shell (Chai Hu Jia Long Gu Mu Li Tang) is a formula commonly prescribed to prevent relapses and reduce irritability. Lobelia Tea (Ban Bian Lian) or Green Tea can minimize nicotine cravings.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. It can be used as long as credit is attributed to the author by including the following section :

“Written by Rev. Dr. Richard Browne

http://www.amcollege.edu

http://www.acupuncturistmiami.com”

AMC hosts Acupuncture Day with Free lectures and treatments

On Saturday October 28 the Acupuncture and Massage College held its annual Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Day festivities. This event has been a tradition at the college for the past four years. In attendance were approximately 40 to 50 individuals from the Miami community. The event stared at 10 AM and closed at 4 PM.

The seminar began with an introductory talk by the college president Dr. Richard Browne, followed by a wonderful Taoist meditation. Dr. Browne has been a student of the famous Taoist Master Mantak Chia so he taught the introductory Taoist Meditation the Inner Smile.

Being that the event was geared to educate the general public on the art and science of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine most of the lecture were given by second and third year students.

Dr. Danilo Bravo an MD from Nicaragua gave a presentation on Hypertension. David Colon a PA gave a talk on the Five Element theory. Anjili Brahmbhatt spoke on the Eight Principles. Maria Blanco a local practitioner gave a presentation on Feng Shui and Dr. Gordon Xu one of our Clinical instructors closed the program with a discuss on Chinese herbs. All the attendees were treated to a lunch and mini massages.

The Acupuncture and Massage College sponsors bi-monthly lecture on Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine which is always free to the public. If you are interested in joining us for the next presentation call (305) 595-9500 for further information.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. It can be used as long as credit is attributed to the author by including the following section :

“Written by Rev. Dr. Richard Browne

http://www.amcollege.edu

http://www.acupuncturistmiami.com”

National Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Day

The Acupuncture and Massage College will be hosting a fantastic day of FREE seminars to celebrate the National Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Day. In addition to FREE seminars we will be offing FREE mini massages and a FREE lunch. Tell your friends and come join us in the celebration Saturday October 28th from 10AM to 3PM. It is advised that you call to reserved your space.

Originally this national day of celebration was set at October 24th, however due to the fact that it fall on a Tuesday we have scheduled Saturday October 28th. as the best time to have our community come and have some fun with us. We will also have a tarot card reader, an astrologer and a feng shui advisor at hand. In addition this year we have decided to offer one FREE consultation and Acupuncture treatment to all participants. The Free consultation and treatment can be arranged for the following week or within the next 30 days at our low cost Community Clinic.

In the United States, the use of acupuncture and Oriental medicine is at an all-time high. According to a recent study conducted by the National Institutes of Health’s National Center for Complementary & Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), an estimated 36 percent of U.S. adults use some form of alternative therapy, and 25 percent have tried acupuncture. According to recent research, 64 percent of physicians have referred patients to certified practitioners of alternative therapies, including acupuncture and oriental medicine.

To join our celebration or for more information please call (305) 595-9500.

AMC’s Massage School

The AMC was founded in 1983 under the name of the Acupressure Acupuncture Institute. In 1987 the AMC established its first Massage School as part of its diploma programs. As we developed the program for our massage school we ask ourselves a few questions. Our first questions was what courses are now being offer by the existing massage schools, and what new and unique programs we would want to offer in our new massage school.

In 1987 there were approximately 15 massage schools in the state of Florida. Today there are over 50 licensed massages schools in our state. From the time the vocational schools discovers that there was a high demand for the study of massage therapy many many vocations massage schools made the change over to either a Massage Therapy program or the just bought out an existing Massage Schools.

When you decided to check out Massage Schools I am sure you had no idea there were so many massage schools to choose from. Your first question must be which Massage School is best for me. What is it that you are looking for in a Massage School?

My advise to you is to know that not all Massage Schools are for you, there are many Johnny come lately Massage Schools that have pop up to grab for your dollars and there are Massage Schools that have been around for over 20 years that offer Massage Therapy programs with excellent academic and clinical components.

At the AMC our Massage Schools we aim to provide you with an intergration of both eastern and western ideas of Massage Therapy. We want to train people who want to excel in the art and science of Massage Therapy. We are seeking professionally minded people who not only want to be the best but also want to cash in on this fantastic opportunity to get into the American healthcare system.

Our Massage School will provide you with a solid education with instructions in the western biomedical sciences: Anatomy and Physiology, Musculoskeletal Anatomy and Pathology. In addition you will be introduced to three modules of Massage Therapy. With over 120 hours of Japanese Shiatsu. This is our specialty. We offer the Hoshino method of Shiatsu. Hoshino Therapy is a specialized art form that was introduced to the United States by the late Professor Tometzo Hoshino in 1975. At the time he was 73 years old, he past at he age of 95.

You will also get the opportunity to study and practice Swedish massage, which as you will soon realize is the main stay of 99.9% of all other Massage Schools and consequently most Massage Therapist. When you graduate from our Massage School and go out into the business world you will have already developed a specialty technique, which will make you stand out from the crowd.

We will also give you additional instructions in Medical Massage techniques. These three courses in Massage Therapy will enable you to be truly employable. Our graduates are usually an asset to their place of employment. Being able to perform the basic Swedish massage as well as Medical Massage and finally being well rained in Shiatsu will give you an edge over the competition.

Some of the other classes in our Massage Therapy program includes Aromatherapy. Hydrotherapy, Ethics, State Law and Practice Management. Our massage training is conducted at our spacious 7200 square feet facility. Classes are held both day and night so as to be available to those who are early rises and to those who have to continue working while still in school. One of the best features of our Massage School is our modular schedule. Most of our classes are scheduled for a one-month period. That means you will never have to study more than one subject at a time. Isn’t that fantastic. We feel strongly that this is the model for the future in education.

Are you looking for a new and exciting career? Give us a call at 305-595-9500 and ask for Joe Calareso. You can be on your way to a new and profitable future tomorrow.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. It can be used as long as credit is attributed to the author by including the following section :

“Written by Rev. Dr. Richard Browne

http://www.amcollege.edu

http://www.acupuncturistmiami.com”