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September 28, 2005
Why I just wrote to my Congressman to co-sponsor HR 818
For those not in the know, HR 818 is the Federal Acupuncture Coverage Act being sponsored by Rep Maurice Hinchey (D-NY). Basically 818 'would add acupuncture to the list of health care treatments available to seniors and the disabled through Medicare and to federal employees and their families through the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program.' You can view the bill at Rep Hinchey's website: HR 818
This bill has never had more than 60 co-sponsors, and has never made it to the floor for a vote (since its first appearance in 1993). Rep. Hinchey currently only has 49 co-sponsors and is searching for more. The AAOM sent out a targeted email to those living in certain districts to write their congressperson to get them to sign on. My rep, Rep Robert Brady (D-PA) apparently signed on to the bill yesterday and was on that list.
There are lots of pro's and con's to this bill. Many say that once Chiropractic was covered under Medicare, the average insurance payout for manipulations went way down. But I think this bill will kick start the widespread coverage by insurance that Acupuncture has long deserved as a valid form of medicine.
For an easy way to write your congressperson to get them to join, you can use the AAOM advocacy site: Link or just go to the House web page: Here
Posted by Admin at 06:26 PM | Comments (1)
September 21, 2005
Acupuncturists squabble over book's authenticity
Few people can get themselves all worked up than Acupuncturist's who think one style, or theory of Acupuncture is authentic or "original." I remember having and seeing a hundred arguments at school over which style was more authentic or true to the 'classics.'
There is a soon to be heated discussion over the new Five Element textbook from the College of Integrated Chinese Medicine in Britain. It's impossible to make a Five Element book without comparing it to Worsley and his work. Some think it's nothing like Worsley, others think it doesn't make enough references to him, and so on.
Don't know if the book's a fun read or not, but the back and forth in the Amazon reviews certainly are: Link
Update: Even on ye good olde TCM Student Message Boards do we have a more light hearted but still slight discussion on the meaning of classical Acupuncture going on: Link
Posted by Admin at 07:08 PM | Comments (4)
September 16, 2005
Why didn't someone tell me this when I was at School?
The Journal of Alt and Comp Med published a randomized trial showing that Acupressure at certain points can either stimulate or relax students while in the classroom. Stimulating points helped with staying awake during dull lectures and relaxing points made it easier to fall asleep.
For Stimming: GV20, BL10/GB20, LI4, St36, Kd1
For Relaxing: Yin Tang, TW17, PC6, Sp6, Lv3
Actually, many of my teachers used to tell me that BL10 was THE point to use before a test to wake up those neurons. Although we all looked like fools before exams. They could have told us to pat GV20 and circularly rub CV6 and we would have thought it was genius. Further proof we Acupuncturists are both right and seriously weird.
SOURCES: Harris, R. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, August 2005; vol 11: pp 673-679.
Posted by Admin at 05:37 PM | Comments (0)
September 14, 2005
Physicians Divided on Impact of CAM on U.S. Health Care
This was an interesting study, done by a research firm I've never heard of (HCD Research and The Louis Finkelstein Institute for Religion and Social Studies of The Jewish Theological Seminary): Link
Basically it says that physicians are just about split down the middle as to whether they think CAM is worthwhile or effective. Acupuncture is the most respected and referred to by physicians (59% thought it could be effective), beating out both chiropractic and massage. Interestingly, massage also beat out chiropractic.
For the actual survey results, go here
Posted by Admin at 11:15 AM | Comments (5)
September 13, 2005
Acupuncture finally getting press, and hopefully a bill in Kentucky
The Courier-Journal of Louisville published this article on the lack of regulations of Acupuncture in the state: Link.
Currently in Kentucky, only MD's and DO's are allowed to practice Acupuncture. There's a small tight nit group of Acupuncturists who are still choosing to practice without licensing. In 2003, they tried extremely hard to get a Senate Bill passed but it never made it out of committee. The Kentucky State Acupuncture Association (KSAA) is optimistic of passage in the state house, but the senate may still elude them.
The one difference, this time, is that it seems the Kentucky Medical Association are the ones pushing for regulations just as much as the Acupuncturists.
Posted by Admin at 12:45 PM | Comments (0)
Donations Update
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Posted by Admin at 11:57 AM | Comments (0)
September 12, 2005
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Posted by Admin at 08:25 PM
September 11, 2005
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