The Acupuncture and Herbology Clinic
Clinic Philosophy
The Acupuncture and Herbology Clinic is a patient based practice that was established in 2002 to provide patients with affordable, yet exceptional, natural healing alternatives to health issues and concerns through the practice of Traditional Oriental Medicine.
To accomplish these goals the Clinic utilizes the many elements of Traditional Oriental Medicine. Oriental Medicine is a 3000 year old evidence based medical system that includes the application of Acupuncture, Chinese Herbal Medicine, nutritional counseling, and environmental management. The diagnosis and treatment(s) administered to patients are based on the theory and practice of Oriental Medicine.
“Facts which at first seem improbable will stand forth in naked and simple beauty”
Galileo Galilei
Oriental Medicine is based on the natural patterns of nature. We are a product of these natural patterns and all living organisms are dependent upon these patterns and on the influences of our environment (Nature). The laws of physics and mathematics explain our universe in an ordered and balanced way. Just as Newtonian physics established that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction, the same principles apply to how we live and our resulting health. In Asian theory, the good health of a human being is ultimately related to achieving balance and harmony. These patterns and principles of health have been documented and studied for thousands of years and provide a safe and logical way to restoring health. How can you expect to achieve optimal health when you are consuming institutionally manufactured chemically treated foods and other synthetic chemical products? The tools involved in achieving good health are found by following the principles of nature that the earth has established over it's life span, i.e., the seasons, nature’s organic products, and sound sustainable environmental management.
In today's medical community many patients are discontented with their health care as their need for individual care becomes increasingly unaddressed due to the growing commercialization of health care. As a result, this can leave one feeling as if their health concerns are not being properly, or fully addressed.
At the Acupuncture and Herbology Clinic considerable time is spent with our patients in consultation and treatment. All aspects of the patient's health and related concerns are taken into consideration. Prior to the first treatment, a comprehensive consultation takes place wherein all of the patients needs can be voiced and addressed. This consultation generally runs from 60 to 75 minutes. Acupuncture treatments run approximately 60 minutes.
Why you should consider our clinic
Training, credentials and experience are important when considering health care and you deserve the highest level of training and experience available. Today there are many "integrated" medical practices offering both allopathic and alternative medicine, which profess to offer Acupuncture. This is a wonderful development which illustrates the growing popularity and success of Oriental Medicine. However, many of these integrated clinics do so without the true ability to offer the full compliment of what Traditional Chinese Medicine has to offer, and unfortunately they generally lack sufficient training in Oriental Medicine, their specialty is western Medicine; they are educated and trained to be MD’s, not Oriental Medicine doctors.
The Dalai Lama was asked what surprises him the most? He replied “Man – because he sacrifices his
health in order to make money. Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health. Then he is so anxious
about the future that he does not enjoy the present; the result being that he does not live in the present or
the future; he lives as if he is never going to die, and then he dies having never really lived.”
The Dalai Lama
Training and certification
Training and certification are the keys to exceptional Oriental medical care. Certification in Oriental Medicine is monitored by the National Certification Commission on Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM), there is no substitute organization. Certification in Medical Acupuncture is a quick way for MD’s to practice Acupuncture without proper Oriental Medicine schooling or training. At a minimum, your providers should be board certified by the NCCAOM in Acupuncture, Chinese Herbal Medicine, and Oriental Medicine. Preferably they should be certified in Oriental Medicine (covers Acupuncture, Chinese Herbal Medicine, and Biomedical training) or have Doctorates in Oriental Medicine from accredited schools. Training and certification are the only measures that you are seeing a skilled medical provider. Seeing an acupuncturist who is not board certified in Oriental Medicine is a waste of your resources. Those committed to the profession will have the highest training and certification available. Check carefully, before you choose your provider.
This is not about which modality (western or eastern, biomedical or alternative) offers the best care, it is about education, training, experience, and certification in Oriental medicine. Be sure to check provider credentials, there are no substitutes.
You should know that Acupuncture is just one element of the practice of TCM, it also includes Chinese Herbal Medicine, Chinese nutritional counseling, moxibustion, Tui Na, Qigong therapies, Tai Chi, and Feng Shui. Mastery of Oriental medicine takes a lifetime of training, practice and dedication. You should make sure that your health care provider has the highest level of training, certification and experience that is available.
Did you know that in Virginia, due to state legislative pressure, MDs, Chiropractor's, and DOs can practice Acupuncture with only 200 hours of training.. Recently, the Virginia state legislature has allowed Chiropractors, and Physical Therapists to perform something called “Dry Needling”. This frankly is a further insult to our profession, and it is like allowing a plumber to be your Cardiologist. Please don’t waste your time and money on such therapies. Education and experience are your only guarantees for sound and effective Oriental Medicine interventions.
In states such as California, New Mexico, and Oregon you cannot practice Acupuncture unless you have the education, training and Board certification to do so. Currently, the entry level requirement to practice Acupuncture alone is a four year undergraduate degree plus 3200 hours (9-11 semesters, 3-4 years) of education and training in an accredited Oriental Medicine School, and the successful completion of Acupuncture, Chinese Herbal, and Oriental Medicine Board examinations administered by the NCCAOM. We have the highest level of credentials and training that are available in Oriental medicine today. Please refer to ”about us” for more information on our credentials.
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