Articles published by Susan Goldstone

A Comparison of Acupuncture History, Education Practice and Licensing in Europe and the United States

2011-10-10T12:44:00.000-07:00

Authors:
Andreas Sandner-Kiesling, MD¹,
David E. Molony, L.Ac., Dipl. Ac., Dipl. C.H. (NCCAOM)²,
Susan B. Goldstone, L.Ac., Dipl. Ac., MSOM, MA³
1 Dept. of Anesthesia, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC
2 Executive Director, AAOM, Catasauqua, PA
3 NCALB Member, Past President of the North Carolina Acupuncture Association, Winston-Salem, NC

Abstract
This review contrasts the provision of acupuncture in the United States versus the practice in Europe (focusing on Germany and Austria). A brief history of acupuncture is provided along with current practice trends. Information regarding educational preparation, licensing and provider groups is highlighted. Efforts of practitioners on both continents to seek acceptance and integration of acupuncture in their national health care systems are outlined. The article concludes with a review of research studies being funded in the United States to determine the efficacy of acupuncture as a viable treatment modality.

Acupuncture history in Europe

Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine comprise a system of health care, which originated in China more than 3,000 years ago. It was introduced to neighboring countries in Asia in the 6th Century, being readily accepted, and by the early 16th Century it had reached Europe. The source of acupuncture information was transmitted to Europe in the 17th through the 19th centuries via Latin translations by Portuguese, French, Dutch, and Danish missionaries, traders, and physicians travelling and working in China and Japan. There was a flurry of primitive acupuncture experimentation by physicians in France, England, Germany, Italy, Sweden, and the United States in the first decades of the 19th century, which did not renew itself in Europe until a century later and in the United States until the 1970's. The most influential impact on the development of 20th century European acupuncture was the work of George Soulie de Morant, a scholar-diplomat engaged in the French diplomatic service in China between 1901 and 1917. Soulie de Morant published articles and French translations of Chinese and Japanese texts to French physicians. He systematically introduced acupuncture theory from the classical texts to the French and European medical community. The commonly used terms "meridian" and "energy" both originated in his texts as translations for the two fundamental tenets of acupuncture: anatomy and physiology. At about the same time, the German University Professor Dr. Franz Hübotter, who had spent quite some time in China, published a voluminous work on Chinese medicine. Unfortunately, his work did not become well known to the public, because there were no German acupuncturists or practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine to utilize his very detailed knowledge. Thus, his work attracted scholars of Chinese studies and historians of medicine. With a background of Chinese studies, he translated the above mentioned terms as "vessels" and "pneuma" [1].

In the 20th century France and throughout much of Europe since the 1950's, clinical acupuncture has codeveloped with biomedical science. Europe has thus served as another influence for acupuncture approaches that integrate into the practice of conventional Western medicine [2]. In the 1950's, the German medical doctor (MD) Georg Bachmann, himself a student of French acupuncture, brought acupuncture to Germany. One of his students, University Professor Dr. Johannes Bischko, a surgeon from the Viennese School of Medicine, began to reestablish acupuncture as medical treatment in Austria. With his experiments and scientific explanations for the effects of acupuncture on the human body, the acceptance and the curiosity into this Traditional Chinese treatment increased among his medical colleagues. Since the early 1970's the demand for acupuncture educational programs has increased.

Education in Europe

In Europe a wide spectrum of Traditional Chinese Medicine is offered today including different kinds of Acupuncture, Herbal Medicine, Tuina, Qi Gong, Tai Ji Quan, Acupoint Meridian Massage, Acupressure, and more. The acupuncture training is offered only (e.g. in Austria) or mainly (e.g. in Germany) for physicians. Great Britain and the Netherlands tend to offer longer acupuncture curricula like in the United States. In Europe usually a standard of at least 120 theoretical and 25 practical hours is required for physicians, held on weekends or more seldom in weekly lecture blocks. After passing one written, oral and practical exam the first Diploma in Acupuncture and Auriculotherapy is earned. The Physicians' Associations and Chambers of most European countries accept these diplomas, which allow offering acupuncture to patients and earning money as an acupuncturist. In Austria, three acupuncture associations this way accredit approximately 1500 out of 5000 acupuncturists. In contrast to Austria, in Germany the Physicians' Associations so far have not accredited acupuncture so any MD, who wanted to, could offer acupuncture. Since the 1980's, insurance companies began to reimburse acupuncture, mainly due to public pressure. After an inflationary increase in acupuncturists (1998: approximately 30,000 MD's practicing acupuncture; the two biggest German medical associations of acupuncture - the DÄGfA , the German Medical Association of Acupuncture, and the DAA, the German Academy of Acupuncture and Auriculotherapy - have approximately 23,000 members) a restriction to practice and a higher educational level was needed. Since the fall of 1999, the Health Insurances require a MD's diploma after 140 hours of theoretical and practical education. Probably, a longer education of 350 hours (Diploma B) in acupuncture will be required in Germany in the year 2001, but that is still shorter than for most other postgraduate education, e.g. psychotherapy.

Acupuncture history and background in the United States

In the United States Benjamin Franklin started to work with acupuncture in the middle of the 17th century. Since the appearance of one article about Acupuncture Treatment of postappendectomy pain and its success in Beijing, China, written in the New York Times in 1971 by the journalist J. Reston, and the visit of President Richard Nixon in China in 1972, there has been widespread enthusiasm for acupuncture. Before that time, acupuncture had been practiced only in Asian communities, discreetly and primarily by and for Asians. In the past two decades, acupuncture has grown in popularity in American medical and scientific communities. In 1993, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) estimated that Americans made 9-12 million visits per year to acupuncture practitioners and spent as much as 500 million US Dollars (USD) on acupuncture treatments [3]. At the same time Dr. Eisenberg, a Harvard researcher and MD, published the results of his survey that revealed Americans spent a conservatively estimated 14.6 billion USD on visits for alternative medical treatments like acupuncture, osteopathy, or massage therapy in 1990. Two thirds of that amount was not covered by insurance [4]. Then, in 1998, Eisenberg released another survey, showing that spending on alternative therapies increased 45.2% between 1990 and 1997, to 21.2 billion USD, with at least 12.2 billion paid out-of-pocket. He estimated that people paid 629 million visits to alternative practitioners in 1997, more than the total number of visits to U.S. primary-care physicians that year. He concluded that the use and the expenditures of alternative medicine increased substantially between 1990 and 1997, attributable primarily to an increase in proportion of the population seeking alternative therapies, rather than increased visits per patient [5].

The introduction of acupuncture as a choice of treatment modalities readily available to the public is in its early stages. Battered by tight-fisted managed care companies and increased competition, more and more physicians are being lured by alternative health treatments - which patients usually pay for out of their own pockets, in cash. It remains difficult to find acceptance for acupuncture or Traditional Chinese Medicine at medical universities. Of 117 American medical schools, 64% teach alternative medicine, either as stand-alone electives or as a part of required courses. Some of the country's most prestigious educational institutions such as Harvard, Stanford, Columbia, and Duke have developed alternative medicine centers at their teaching hospitals [6]. In 1995, an estimated 10,000 nationally certified acupuncturists were practicing in the United States. More than 1,000 new practitioners are certified each year. By the year 2000, that number is expected to double. Currently, an estimated one-third of certified acupuncturists in the United States are MD's [7]. About half of all acupuncturists can be found in California. The high population of individuals with Chinese heritage may explain the wide spread number of acupuncturists and acupuncture schools in that state.

Education and accreditation of acupuncture in the United States

Since the 1970's, guidelines for education, practice, and regulation in acupuncture have been established and implemented. State, regional, and international societies have evolved to represent the interests of affinity groups of practitioners. In 1989, the World Health Organization (WHO) convened a Scientific Group of more than 50 international experts, which developed a series of statements and guidelines on acupuncture relating the basic training, safety in clinical practice, indications and contraindications, and clinical research for physician and nonphysician providers. The training guidelines reflect the minimum hours expected in most member nations and are consistent with regulations enacted in the United States: 2500 hours for nonphysician acupuncturists and 200 hours for physicians. The basic curriculum is founded on the classical tradition of acupuncture requiring a firm knowledge of the acupuncture points and channels and the traditional models of diagnosis and treatment. A basic knowledge of Western biomedical science is also encouraged in the curriculum [8]. It is the responsibility of the accrediting bodies for each profession to establish those guidelines for either group.

In the United States, physician as well as nonphysician practitioners perform acupuncture showing a dichotomy in its medical value system. In 37 American states and the Canadian District of Columbia, the practice of acupuncture is included in the scope of a physician's medical or osteopathic license, and no regulations or restrictions are imposed on medical practitioners. This means they are allowed to perform acupuncture with no additional training. The 15 other states require physicians practicing acupuncture either to demonstrate evidence of participation in training programs of 200 to 300 hours or simply to register with the board of medicine with evidence of formal training. From these loose regulations of physician practitioners, it is clear that the degree of acupuncture training and experience among physicians varies from state to state and individual to individual. Compared to the expected 2500 hours of education for nonphysician acupuncturists it sounds for this group demeaning that 200 hours or no education for physicians is enough to offer Oriental Medicine.

The AAMA with approximately 1,800 members represents the education, legislation, and professional interests of physicians trained in acupuncture. Full membership in the AAMA requires 220 hours of formal training (including 150 hours of video education) and 2 years of clinical experience not stating if this means full or part time. These standards follow the physician-training guidelines established in the constitution of the World Federation of Acupuncture-Moxibustion Societies, an international society guided by the World Health Organization. The AAMA has established a proficiency examination as the first of a two-part board certification examination. Membership eligibility in the AAMA has become the standard of physician credential for state registration, hospital privileges, liability insurance, and third party reimbursement [9].

The practice of nonphysicians is regulated in at least 33 states, and another dozen states have statutes pending. The educational prerequisites and training requirements vary widely from state to state. More than 50 schools of acupuncture exist in the United States. Till today the ACAOM (Accreditation Commission of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine) accredited approximately 30 colleges. To start an education in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine an individual must be at least 21 years of age and a baccalaureate degree from a college or university (BA/Bachelor of Arts, BS/Bachelor of Science, Ph.D./Doctor of Philosophy) is required. The training consists of approximately 2200-2800 hours and is completed within 2-5 years depending on part time or full time studies. The total costs of completing the full-time program are usually about 24,000 USD (16,000-43,000 USD). The training consists of Acupuncture, Moxibustion, Biomedical or Western Sciences (Anatomy, Physiology, and Nutrition), Chinese Herbology, Acupuncture Clinic and Adjunctive Courses like Tuina, Shiatsu, Medical Qi Gong, Oriental Nutrition, Magnet Therapy, Electrotherapy, Business and Ethics. Some schools offer additional education in countries such as Vietnam, China, Korea, or Japan. There are various titles and degrees offered in the United States. Depending on the accreditation of the school by the ACAOM the training ends with a Master's Degree (MAC/Master of Acupuncture, MTOM/Master of Traditional Oriental Medicine, MSOM/Master of Science in Oriental Medicine) or a Diploma (Dipl. Ac./Diploma of Acupuncture) after a NCCAOM (National Commission for the Certification of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine) competency or state licensing exam. The NCCAOM was organized in 1984 to establish nationally recognized standards of excellence in the practice of acupuncture. It's exam includes acupuncture, herbal, point location, and clean needle technique sections [7]. All states except California and Nevada that license nonphysician acupuncturists recognize the national examination developed by the NCCAOM. Procedures for licensure in each state begin upon completion of the educational and examination requirements. A licensed acupuncturist (L.Ac.) is not a degree, but a title granted by the individual states. So for instance in North Carolina, the law states that the use of the title acupuncturist can only be used by licensed acupuncturists, not by MD's, Doctor of Osteopathy (DO) or Doctor of Chiropractic (DC). The licensed New Mexico acupuncturist is granted the title "Doctor of Oriental Medicine"/DOM and enjoys many privileges available to the allopathic physician, such as the ability to order X-rays, CT scans, and various other diagnostic tests for their patients. Rhode Island issues a Doctor of Acupuncture (DA) to its licensees. Some states like Florida consider licensed acupuncturists as Acupuncture Physicians. The abbreviated education programs typically offered to MD's, DO's, DC's, or drug detox technicians are not accredited by the ACAOM. There are two main national societies (the American Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine/AAOM in Catasauqua, PA, and the National Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Alliance in Olalla, WA, each approximately 1300 members), together with many regional, state, and local organizations that represent the interests of the licensed acupuncturist communities.

Acupuncture and the Health Care System of the United States

More than 1 million Americans currently receive acupuncture treatment each year. The number of patients seeking acupuncture treatment in the US is increasing substantially. Because many individuals seek health care treatment from both an acupuncturist and physician, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) recommends that communication between these providers should be improved and coordinated. There is evidence that some patients have limited access to acupuncture services because of inability to pay. The NIH recommends, too, that insurance companies decrease or remove financial barriers to access depending on their willingness to provide coverage for appropriate acupuncture services [10]. An increasing number of insurance companies are either considering this possibility or now provide coverage for acupuncture services. For instance, the insurance company Blue Cross/Blue Shield covers acupuncture treatment in several states. Medicaid, a state health insurance plan, covers acupuncture treatment for substance abuse in several states. [11]. Reflecting public demand, an estimated 70 to 80 percent of the nation's insurers covered some acupuncture treatments in 1996. The cost per treatment typically ranges between 30 and 100 USD but it may be more. MD's performing medical acupuncture may charge more than nonphysician practitioners [12].

Research in the United States

After reviewing the existing body of knowledge, the FDA removed acupuncture needles from the category of "experimental medical devices' in 1996 and now regulates them just as it does for other devices, such as surgical scalpels and hypodermic syringes, under good manufacturing practices and single-use standards of sterility. The FDA requires manufacturers of acupuncture needles to label them for single use only [13].

Over the years, the NIH has funded a variety of research projects on acupuncture with more than 1 Million USD that have been awarded by its National Center of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, and National Institute on Drug Abuse. It included studies on the mechanism by which acupuncture may produce its effects, as well as clinical trials and other studies [10]. Originally founded in 1992 as the Office of Alternative Medicine, the NCCAM facilitates the research and evaluation of unconventional medical practices and disseminates this information to the public. The NCCAM, reestablished in 1998, supports 13 Centers, where researchers conduct studies on complementary and alternative medicine for specific health conditions and diseases [14].

Acknowledgments

We thank Pamela A. Wilson, MS, TRS/CTRS, Recreation Therapist and Co-Chair of the Integrative Medicine Workgroup at Wake Forest University School of Medicine for reviewing this manuscript, sharing her knowledge, and adding a lot of positive input.

References

Hübotter F, Die chinesische Medizin zu Beginn des XX. Jahrhunderts und ihr historischer Entwicklungsgang. Verlag der Asia Major. Leipzig, 1929
Helms JM, Acupuncture Energetics: A Clinical Approach for Physicians. Berkeley, California, Medical Acupuncture Publishers, 1995
Lytle CD, An Overview of Acupuncture. United States Department of Health and Human Services, Health Sciences Branch, Division of Life Sciences, Office of Science and Technology, Center of devices and Radiological Health, Food and Drug Administration. Washington, DC, 1993
Eisenberg DM, Kessler RC, Foster C, Norlock FE, Calkins DR, Delbanco TL, Unconventional Medicine in the United States. NEJM 1993; 328(4): 246-52
Eisenberg DM, Davis RB, Ettner SL, Appel S, Wilkey S, van Rompay M, Kessler RC, Trends in alternative medicine use in the United States, 1990-1997: results of a follow-up national survey. JAMA 1998; 280(18): 1569-75
Wetzel MS, Eisenberg DM, Kaptchuk TJ, Courses involving Complementary and Alternative Medicine at US Medical Schools. JAMA 1998; 280(9): 784-7
Culliton RD, Current Utilization of Acupuncture by United States Patients. National Institutes of Health Consensus Development Conference on Acupuncture, Program & Abstracts, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 1997, Nov 3-5
Guidelines on basic training and safety in acupuncture. World Health Organization, 1999
Helms JM, An Overview of Medical Acupuncture. American Academy of Medical Acupuncture, 1998, http://medicalacupuncture.org/helmsarticle.htm
Acupuncture, NIH Consensus Statement. 1997, Nov 3-5; 15(5): 1-34 (also presented in JAMA 1998; 280(17): 1518-24)
Educational Options in Oriental Medicine, 5th edition. American Association of Oriental Medicine, 1999
National Institute of Health, Frequently Asked Questions About Acupuncture. Bethesda, MD: National Institute of Health, 1997
U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Acupuncture Needles No Longer Investigational. FDA Consumer Magazine, 1996, Jun, 30(5)
NCCAM, Acupuncture Information and Resource Package. National Institute of Health, National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine Clearinghouse, http://www.medicalacupuncture.org/nccaminfo.htm

Published 2000.

Complimentary Medicine Effectively Treats Digestive Disorders

2011-10-10T12:42:00.000-07:00

It's not surprising that common maladies among Americans are found in their gut. All we have to do is examine the diet of the average person filled with preservatives, pesticides, dairy products, sugars, sugar substitutes, saturated fats, margarines, cold and raw foods, alcohol, coffee, iced beverages, just to name a few. Traditional Oriental medicine sees the above list and more as contributing factors to digestive disorders.
Traditional Oriental Medicine not only looks at what we eat, but how we eat and the environment in which we eat. Here are some things to observe in your eating patterns.

Do you eat under stress?

Watching the stock market while eating lunch could be very unsettling to the digestive system. What are you digesting your food or your finances?

Do you return to work immediately after eating? OR do you eat on the job?

Digesting your work along with your food could lead to a very disturbed digestive system.

Do you eat alone?

Socializing while eating promotes a sense of well being and soothes the digestive system as well as the soul.

Do you eat quickly?

If you can't remember what you ate or how it tasted, chances are you need to slow down and allow yourself the pleasure of a leisurely meal. Your body will thank you.

Do you consume digestive aids?

Many people who consume antacids and laxatives in large quantities do not even consider themselves to be suffering from digestive disorders. People don't take the time to think about the negative effects of taking over- the- counter substances to avoid the nasty side effects from eating foods that are not tolerated. They are not thinking about the message that the body is trying to tell them. They take those digestive aids because their one thought is to consume that glass of milk even though they are lactose intolerant. OR they want to devour that piece of pizza even though heartburn generally follows. Why eat something that the body is telling you it can't handle? If your car runs better on high- octane gas verses low, which do you feed it?

How do you know if you have a digestive disorder?

Chronically occurring tiredness after or before eating, heartburn, fullness of the stomach, abdominal bloating, abdominal pain, flatulence, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, nausea, ravenous appetite, lack of appetite, food cravings are all common side effects digestive disorders. If you have any of these symptoms, there is a good possibility that there is an imbalance in your digestive system.

Which Complimentary Medicine treats digestive disorders?

Traditional Oriental medicine is a wholistic medicine that can help create balance to your life while effectively eliminating symptoms associated with patterns of digestive distress. Traditional Oriental medicine treats digestive disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, ulcers, and acid reflux. Naturally, it is also important that you consult with your allopathic physician in order to get a diagnosis based on western medicine.

Though Traditional Oriental medicine has a definite view about what to eat and what not to eat, based on a diagnosis of symptomatic patterns, there is also a certain forgiving element to it. There is a belief that a person can eat anything in moderation. Therefore an occasional piece of chocolate to satisfy that sweet tooth would be fine. Or that occasional glass of wine during that social event could actually smooth out that stressful day that you left behind. Even that occasional steak could be beneficial in building blood. So we are not on a quest for perfection here. We are simply hoping for more awareness that ìyou are what you eatî. In this practice we view food as medicine. Therefore it is important to take responsibility for what is consumed. And if the body says, ìdon't feed me that piece of lemon pieî, it is honored and obeyed. There is a reason why it cannot handle that piece of pie, at least for now.

How can Complimentary Medicine treat digestive disorders?

Through the Oriental Medical diagnosis, the Licensed Acupuncturist will assist you in evaluating your life style, eating patterns and review changes that could improve your health and well being. You will also receive herbal recommendations and a plan for acupuncture treatments, as appropriate.

Oriental medicine is a preventive medicine. So take the first step in achieving optimal health. Fuel your body with the proper foods and nutrients and see how much better you feel. Call Susan Goldstone for a free consultation today.

Published in a Wholistic Magazine, 1999.

Treating Pain with Acupuncture and Herbology

2011-10-10T12:39:00.000-07:00

In Chinese Medicine it is said that 'all pain must have stasis', meaning that where there is pain there is a blockage. Acupuncture and Chinese herbal formulas work to remove the blockage thus relieving the pain.
Medical doctors have become increasingly open to the use of acupuncture for pain relief. In recent Western studies of acupuncture, it has been found that acupuncture reduces pain by triggering the release of endorphins (the body's natural morphine like chemicals); stimulates the nervous system that then releases a chemical that aids in fighting inflammation; and releases other substances that help wounds heal faster and others that promote nerve regeneration.

In 1997, the National Institute of Health recognized acupuncture as a viable medical modality. The NIH came out with a statement endorsing the use of acupuncture for conditions such as carpal tunnel, back pain, post -operative pain, and osteoarthritis.

Pain is generally called a Bi Syndrome in Chinese Medicine. ìBiî means blockage of pathways or channels. In western medical terms Bi Syndromes can correspond to diseases such as rheumatoid and osteo arthritis, bursitis, neuralgia, systemic lupus, gout, traumatic injuries, and fibromyalgia, just to name a few.
Bi Syndrome is divided into four categories:

Hot Bi Syndrome is when joints can become painful, red and swollen and are hot to the touch. Other symptoms may include irritability, thirst, dry mouth and fever. The pain is relieved with cold and is aggravated by warm damp weather (such as the weather we have in North Carolina!!).
Cold Bi Syndrome is characterized by such symptoms as stiffness, stabbing or shooting pain and it is fixed at one site. The pain improves with warmth and is aggravated by cold weather.
Damp Bi Syndrome pain is caused by dampness and it is in a fixed area of the body-i.e. the knee. You will often see swelling at the pain site with possible deformity of the joints. This condition can be aggravated by living in a damp climate, humidity, rain or a damp musty home.
Wind Bi Syndrome is a condition that actually displays symptoms similar to the wind in our environment. It is characterized by movement and change. Pain due to wind tends to arise suddenly and it moves from one area of the body to another. The type of pain can change- it can be a dull achy pain one day and it can abruptly change to a sharp shooting pain the next.

Proper diagnosis is critical in treating pain. When a person begins their treatment at the Acupuncture & Herbology Center, they are carefully diagnosed so that their treatment reflects maximum effectiveness in pain relief. Chinese herbal formulas can also play an important role in one's recovery from pain. A person's diet is evaluated as well. For example, coffee can aggravate pain. Vegetables in the night shade family such as potatoes, tomatoes, green peppers, and eggplant aggravate pain associated to arthritis.

Chinese Medicine is a time honored medical system that has been proven to be effective in the relief of pain. So if you or someone you know is in pain, contact Susan Goldstone for a free consultation. (336) 760-3993.

Published in The Art of Well Being 1999.

About Chinese Herbal Medicine

2011-10-10T12:37:00.000-07:00

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is the world's oldest, continually practiced medicine. It's written history dates back over 2,500 years and its practice is much older than that. The most well known medical modality within TCM is acupuncture. However herbology is an integral practice within this medical model and it is quickly establishing itself as one of the most popular and effective therapies in this country.

Herbal treatment has gained popularity in the West. However most of the attention is around Western folk herbalism which is quite different than Chinese herbal practice. Chinese herbal medicine when practiced as a part of the TCM system, focuses on an individualized diagnosis based on the patterns of a patients condition, disease, emotional patterns and/or constitution. Another words, a Chinese Medical practitioner works on identifying and correcting patterns that are causing the symptoms through herbs and/or acupuncture. This is called getting to the ìrootî of the problem.

Another difference between the two is that TCM patients receive a prescription for individualized herbal formulas. TCM formulas may include 6 to 18 herbs that are crafted to treat your entire system's patterns as well as the symptoms. Western folk herbalism usually focuses on one symptom or disease at a time and uses a single herb or herbs for treatment, much like Western medicine. An example of this would be the Western herbalist's use of a popular single herb called St. John's wort, which can sometimes help with depression. It is very rare that a TCM practitioner will prescribe a single herb for a condition.

Many people assume that Chinese herbs come from China. This is not the case. Quality control standards can be more lenient in China thus many practitioners (such as The Acupuncture and Herbology Center), choose to use Chinese herbs that have been grown and processed in this country where quality control standards ensure safe products.

The traditional way of taking Chinese herbal medicines is drinking a liquid ìteaî prepared by boiling the selected herbs; these teas tend to have a very strong tastes and odors. However in our fast paced society, this method of preparation is changing into a more amenable form of ingestion through pills, tinctures, and powders. These other forms of taking herbs are more palatable and just as effective. Pills, tinctures, and powders are also good for prolonged administration.

Since many people are on medications these days, a common question is whether or not the herbal formulas will interact safely with their medications. A trained TCM Practitioner will know about the contraindications of the formulas and their interactions with other medications. This topic is continually being researched and information is always being updated.

The other question is whether the herbal medicines have any side effects. Keep in mind that the formulas prescribed for each individual are based on diagnostic patterns seen in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Most Chinese herbal medicines have a very low toxicity compared to over the counter Western drugs. Thus there are very few side effects. Your TCM Practitioner will be able to guide you in the herbal process.

TCM herbal medicines treat many disorders including acute and chronic diseases, intestinal flus, common colds, allergies, gynecological disorders, male disorders, autoimmune diseases, chronic viral diseases, and degenerative diseases due to aging, just to name a few. Preventive qualities include promoting the body's ability to heal and recover from illness.

Herbal medicine is a booming business and with this comes cautions for those who are self treating and /or expecting people who are selling herbs to be knowledgeable. Buyer beware! Before accepting advise from a person make sure that they are educated and qualified. There are NO standards for those prescribing herbal medicines in this state in stores or professional practices. Also the consumer should be aware of the quality of herbs. Cheaper is not necessarily a good thing. Also, an herb that is good for one person can be another person's poison. An example is the herb Ma Huang or Ephedra. With proper diagnosis by a qualified TCM Practitioner, this herb combined in a formula can be a lifesaver for those with respiratory illnesses. However, if taken by a person with heart disease or high blood pressure, it could be deadly. This is a good example of the importance of proper DIAGNOSIS before a consumer takes herbs.
Published in The Art of Wellbeing 1999.

What You Need To Know About Oriental Medicine

2011-10-10T12:36:00.000-07:00

Traditional Oriental Medicine is over 5,000 years old. Its origin is in China, thus the term Traditional Chinese Medicine. From the root of this Chinese medicine, many branches have grown out of Japan, Korea, Europe, and most recently, the United States. In November, 1996, the National Institute of Health recognized acupuncture as an effective medical modality. The credibility of this ancient medicine is growing rapidly in this country as medical research proves its efficacy. Yet, when you speak to a Licensed Acupuncturist about the recent medical research proving the effectiveness of their medicine, they will politely and knowingly smile. Why? Because their years of training and experience in this field and the 5000 years that stand behind this medicine have all ready proven how successful Oriental Medicine can be in treating a multitude of diseases. Please refer to the partial list compiled by the World Health Organization, of conditions for which acupuncture is considered appropriate.

Acupuncture is only one modality within Traditional Oriental Medicine. Herbology, diet, nutrition, massage, and exercise are all integral therapies within this medical model. At the Acupuncture & Herbology Center, Susan B. Goldstone, L.Ac. works with each person who comes for treatment in developing individualized treatment plans. She creates an environment where people are encouraged to facilitate their healing process. Susan is committed to assisting people of all ages in establishing optimum health and integrity in their lives.

Susan B. Goldstone, L.Ac., Dipl. Ac., M.A., a native to North Carolina, had a 14 year career as a counselor in rehabilitation and other related areas. She had always had an interest in wholistic medicine and practiced good health by educating herself in wholistic nutrition that included diet and supplements. She then went on to further her education and enrolled in an accredited therapeutic massage school. In the meantime she began taking courses that would enable her to enter a western medical program. Her plan was to become educated in both western and wholistic medicines and act as a bridge between the two.

Then the unexpected happened- she got sick. Through months of western medical treatment the condition worsened. Someone suggested that she try acupuncture. Well the idea of needles didn't do a thing for her, but nothing else had worked. After her first acupuncture treatment combined with herbs all of her symptoms disappeared, never to return. Needless, to say this quick healing doesn't happen for everyone, but it is possible. After this experience, continuing her pursuit in western medicine was ìlike putting a round peg in a square hole.î She quit her job at UNC Chapel Hill, sold her house and move to Santa Fe, New Mexico where she spent 3 years studying at Southwest Acupuncture College. Shortly after graduation she returned to North Carolina and founded the Acupuncture and Herbology Center in Winston- Salem and Greensboro. In addition she is one of seven people in the country that has been accredited to teach a specific oriental medical diagnostic technique of reading pulses. She traveled to Europe this past summer to teach medical doctors this diagnostic modality. Susan frequently gives lectures to students and physicians at Bowman Gray School of Medicine and Baptist Hospital, other medical groups and the public. She still considers herself a bridge between eastern and western medicine, and is committed to educating people about the benefits of eastern medicine.

So how do you go about finding a Licensed Acupuncturist in your area? In addition to running her private practice, Susan B. Goldstone, L.Ac., is also on North Carolina Acupuncture Licensing Board (NCALB). The following are suggested guidelines. When looking for an acupuncturist in North Carolina, you want to make sure that they are licensed by the North Carolina Acupuncture Licensing Board. You are then ensured that the acupuncture practitioner meets the necessary educational and experiential criteria set forth by this state board. A Licensed Acupuncturist in N.C. must be a graduate from an accredited acupuncture college which consists of 3-4 years of Oriental Medical training and be a Diplomat of Acupuncture which requires passing a National Certification Commission for Acupuncture exam. Contact the NCALB to find the most qualified acupuncture practitioner in your area or look under ìacupuncturistî in the phone book and look for the title L.Ac. next to their name. Be aware that not all acupuncture practitioners are Licensed Acupuncturists.

If you have any questions as to whether or not acupuncture could benefit you, a loved one, or a friend, please feel free to call or write Susan B. Goldstone, L.Ac. for a free consultation, (336) 760-3993, Winston Salem, N.C. 27103, email: sgoldstone@triad.rr.com

Published in The Art of Wellbeing 1998.

Traditional Oriental Medicine for Children

2011-10-10T12:29:00.000-07:00

Traditional Oriental Medicine is over 3,000 years old. Its root can be found in China though other Asian countries have adapted this medicine and broadened its scope. Oriental Medicine is based on a life force energy known as 'Qi'. Qi flows through pathways throughout the body. Most acupuncture points are located on these pathways. When there is an imbalance of Qi flowing throughout a pathway, a physical symptom may occur. For example, if there is an excess of Qi, pain may result. If there is a deficiency of Qi, a person may feel fatigued. When children are developing, they pull on their parent's Qi, thus parents will often feel tired from a Qi deficiency (sound familiar!).

As children grow older and more independent (this starts at age 2-3), they begin to establish and recognize their own life force and do not require as much from the parent. Thus it is vital that throughout a child's development, their life force energy, their Qi, is nurtured and supported physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Parents are also advised to be aware of their own energy. Let's face it, as parents, children come first and we often forget our own need for balance and harmony. A harmonic family rhythm is achieved when each member lives from her/his own center.

Traditional Oriental Medicine is a wholistic medicine embracing the body, mind, spirit, and heart. The objective is to treat the root problem thus eliminating the underlying symptoms. There are several modalities within this ancient medicine- acupuncture, herbology, nutrition, exercise, massage, and surveying one's life style. An extensive diagnostic process determines which modalities will be most effective for each individual.

Acupuncture: In China acupuncture needles are used on infants and children. However, in this country, many children have a needle phobia for obvious reasons. If a child is not open to needles, there is a Japanese technique called Tei Shin. This is a gentle and effective technique used to stimulate the acupuncture points without the use of needles. Moxibustion, a gentle heat is also used to stimulate the points.

Herbology: Herbal formulas have been used for thousands of years in Asia. The key to the successful use of herbs is that there is appropriate diagnosis. Herbal use has become very popular. Unfortunately there is little if any diagnosis that is going into the use of herbs. In Oriental medicine, a person is properly diagnosed before a formula is dispensed. Note the key word 'formula', meaning a combination of herbs vs. a single herb. Most conditions and diseases are treated with formulas based on the needs of each individual; thus the proven efficacy of Oriental herbology.

Massage/Tui Na: One of the most effective techniques for children is Chinese massage known as Tui Na. Based on the diagnosis, this technique gently moves the Qi in the appropriate direction.

Nutrition: 'We are what we eat.' Asian philosophy views food as medicine and uses it successfully as an approach to healing and strengthening the body. For example, there are so many children that have an allergen to cows' milk. These children may have an abundance of colds, congestion, ear infections, rashes, and/or digestive disorders. Parents are fearful that their children won't get enough Calcium if they stop drinking milk. There are alternatives: Goat's milk, fortified rice or soy milk (caution: soy can be an allergen), green leafy vegetable, naming a few.

Exercise: Movement of Qi is critical for children, generally because they have so much of it. There are wonderful forms of movement that help children develop a sense of awareness of their bodies: yoga, tai qi and qi gong. These disciplines teach children mindfulness and concentration- quiet movement.

Life Style: Finding balance within chaos is always a challenge but possible. In today's quick pace, it is so important to spend quality time with our children. Even though stress plays a role in most lives, it is important for parents to find ways to leave that stress at the office, or wherever it belongs, so that it's stagnant energy does not seep into the family. As you may have already noticed, children pick up on this stress and act out accordingly. As parents, no one needs to be reminded how quickly our children grow, develop, and change. Find joyful ways of being with your children during these wondrous times. View life through the eyes of your child.

Traditional Oriental Medicine treats childhood conditions such as asthma, allergies, digestive disorders, skin problems, childhood illnesses, sleeplessness, hyperactivity, naming afew. Incorporating Oriental Medicine into your family's lives will help you obtain and maintain optimal health, wellness and balance in the rhythm of your lives.

Published in The Art of Well Being 2001 and Natural Triad Magazine 2004.

Contemporary Chinese Pulse Diagnosis

2011-10-10T12:26:00.000-07:00

As people begin taking responsibility for their own health, there is a growing trend toward finding medical systems that emphasize wellness & prevention. ìPrevention depends entirely on an exquisitely sensitive diagnostic scheme which is capable of accessing the process of disease close to its inception. In our time the only marginally available diagnostic instrument of which I am aware that embodies this art & science of diagnosis is the Chinese pulse.î This is a quote by Dr. Leon Hammer from his book for Oriental medical practitioners, ìChinese Pulse Diagnosis: A Contemporary Approach.î Dr. Hammer, a psychiatrist and master of Chinese medicine has spent the last 35 years compiling information that he gathered from his own diverse experiences & his honorable teacher the late Dr. John Shen. His mission has been to bring back the Chinese pulse & its intricate teachings of the human workings. I am very fortunate to have been a student of Dr. Hammer's for the past decade & I have been given the privilege of teaching this work to other Oriental medical practitioners.

When Chinese medicine came into practice, over 3000 years ago, human kind was unable to look into the body in order to diagnosis. Thus Chinese medical practitioners developed techniques that could diagnose the disease patterns of a person internally through external practices. These practices are still being used today & have been proven to be very effective methods within the Traditional Chinese Medical System. Chinese medicine has several diagnostic techniques that all work together. The tongue is a map of the body- the size the coat, the color, the shape, the cracks all have meaning in this medicine. The color of a person's skin, the tone of a person's voice, the shape of their body, the patterning in & around their eyes, the palpation of certain points, all have specific meaning. Also a person's life story, health & family history are important. The hand is a map of the body in a Korean style & the ear is the map of the body in Auricular therapy. And then there is Contemporary Chinese Pulse diagnosis, a sensitive diagnostic scheme that is capable of accessing the process of disease.
The pulse gives us a road map of a person's health- mental, emotional, physical & spiritual. There are many pulse diagnostic methods within Oriental medicine, but none as detailed as this Contemporary Chinese Pulse method. The process of this particular pulse taking method can take 20-60 minutes. The pulse is located on the radial artery of both wrists. A practitioner rests three fingers on the wrist & reads 22 positions, at least 48 qualities & 3 depths on varied locations within this small region. It gives a picture of the health of each organ as it relates to the whole person. The rate & rhythm are also very important, the pulse being a reflection of the Heart. In Chinese medicine the Heart is the Emperor that rules the entire system. The pulse reading is combined with the other crucial Chinese medical diagnostic techniques of look, listen, feel & ask. After gathering all of the information, the practitioner will develop a complex diagnosis and treatment plan. Treatment could include acupuncture, herbal treatment, modifying diet, exercise, massage, & possible referral to other therapies including an allopathic referral if something of possible concern has been detected.

Through pulse interpretation, questions may be answered such as the strength of a person's constitution- are they a strong robust constitution or one that is more delicate? Did a person start out with a strong constitution but became weaker due of environment, abuse, stress, poor eating habits, excessive drinking or drug habits, trauma or other events? Or were they born into a delicate constitution because of genetics, or complications resulting while in the womb or at birth? (i.e. birth mother sick during pregnancy, breech or cesarean). Has a person had a shock or trauma in their life; a significant illness; a nervous system that has been running on over drive; a life story that has effected their cellular patterning? If the answer is yes to any or all of these questions, the pulse will show a significant disharmony in the organ or organs that are most effected. If these disharmonies or imbalances are not identified & corrected then they could lead to physiological &/or emotional disorders sooner or later.

Let's look at shock as something that can disrupt the rhythms of the body. Most of us have had some kind of trauma or shock in our lives whether physical, emotion or spiritual - the degree is situational as well as how trauma effects each individual. One single event or a series of events can shock one's system & change one's patterning. Look at how the events on September 11, 2001 effected individuals, communities, countries, our world. It has changed our patterning to the core. The pulse will reflect this change. As a practitioner, I can tell you that pulses after this event showed a certain degree of shock in everyone's systems. Practitioners in NYC experienced pulses that expressed very severe shock in individual systems. If gone untreated at an energetic level, this shock could eventually manifest into something greater.

The Contemporary Chinese Pulse views an individual's process in life's continuum; from conception to the present leading into the future. It can reveal the health of a person & where they are heading if they continue on their current course. The pulse helps to identify patterns that need to be changed based on the practice of Oriental medicine, working with the whole person- body, mind, spirit, & heart. It is a remarkable insight into the health of a person & a preventive guide to achieve optimal health now and in years to come.

Susan B. Goldstone, L.Ac, has been practicing Oriental Medical in the Triad for the past decade. She is an instructor of the Contemporary Chinese Pulse Diagnosis System. Susan weaves this system into her diverse practice along with 14 years of counseling experience, massage, craniosacral and lymphatic drainage therapy.

Published in The Art of Wellbeing, 2003.

Integrating the Acutonics Healing System into Practice: A Natural Rhythm

2011-10-10T12:19:00.000-07:00

Integrating the Acutonics system into my Oriental Medical practice has been such an organic process that I wanted to share my experiences with other practitioners who may be questioning how they can incorporate harmonic sound medicine into their practice. This system is easily integrated into any and all complementary or traditional healthcare practices, eastern or western medicine, acupuncture, massage therapy, psychotherapy, naturopathy, nursing, chiropractics, music therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, veterinary, medical physicians, just to name a few.

I first realized that there may be a concern regarding transitioning one's professional practice when a colleague, who had also taken the Acutonics training, was having difficulty integrating this work into her long standing acupuncture practice. Her fear was that patients identified their healing with acupuncture and would not be open to other forms of healing. Also, there was a feeling that healing with sound was moving into a realm that may not be accepted by some patients who were comfortable with acupuncture as a mainstream complimentary medicine.

In addition to the concern about patient acceptance, I recognized that there was another issue that needed to be addressed. And that was how we as practitioners, can get attached to the practice that we have grown to know and how uncomfortable it can be to break from our old patterns even when we know the tools that have been placed in our charge can be powerfully beneficial. All of this led me to do some soul searching on how I integrated sound healing into my own practice.

I was first introduced to sound as a therapeutic modality when I was working with an occupational therapist on Sensory Integration with my 5 year old daughter. There were specific sounds that would invoke chemical changes in the brain that would then alter inharmonic behaviors. After months of listening to specific sounds and frequencies, I noticed a significant shift in her behavior. She was more at ease with herself and her surroundings. She was more present and in her body.

Though I have always had soothing music in my treatment rooms, I began to think how wonderful it be to have sounds that would invoke specific healings in my practice. I began to explore this. I was talking to a colleague who had just found the Acutonics Healing System- a system that merged sound and Oriental medicine. It was a perfect match! I immediately contacted Kairos, home to the Acutonics Healing System. Donna Carey, co developer and author of the book, ìNo Place like Ohmî answered the phone. I explained who I was and my interest in learning about Acutonics. She sent me the book and the Professional Earth Moon set. I immediately began practicing the techniques on family and friends. The results were equally as beneficial as acupuncture and in some cases better.

Then I took Acutonics I: Sound Gates to Meridian Harmonics. When I returned from the workshop I was very excited and felt that I now had the tools to effectively communicate this practice to my patients. I began to introduce this work into my Oriental medical practice. First I would talk to patients about sound healing. If there was an interest, I would give a brief treatment with the Acutonics tuning forks. I would work with the Ohm Unison forks to ground a person on KD 1. Then, depending on the person and their specific condition, I would treat 2 of the Eight Extraordinary Meridians using New Moon 5^th and Ohm Unison, Full Moon 6^th, or whatever was appropriate. I would always ground again with Ohm Unison on KD1. I kept the treatment short and simple, but the results never ceased to amaze me.

Patients were immediately receptive and open to this work. There was a sense of, ìI don't know what this is doing but I feel much better and more myself.î As a matter of fact, when I didn't use the forks on them, I heard about it! After seeing and experiencing the clinical results of the Acutonics I workshop, I was propelled into the Acutonics II: Higher Harmonics and the Inner Nature of Tone workshop.

In Acutonics II: Higher Harmonics and the Inner Nature of Tone workshop, I was taken deeper into the history of sound healing using the more advanced forks, techniques and instruments. Again, once I returned to my practice, I incorporated this work into the treatments. Patients were very excited about the use of high frequency forks used over the body. Their treatments went much deeper. Pain and scars were being successfully treated by the Lower Zodiac forks. Deep emotional wounds were being gently released with the high frequency forks. The Tibetan bowls brought deep transitional shifts.

Menopausal issues were being dispelled. People were experiencing a sense of grounding, a greater sense of self and their connection to something greater. The energetics of my practice shifted and so did I.

One of my own personal/professional energetic shifts was what I call 'my initiation into this work of harmonic medicine.' This happened when I hung up the Acutonics tuning forks in my treatment room. The beauty of the multicolored sounds dangling from their individual places, hung silently waiting to invoke healing with their unique sounds. Needless to say, everyone who came into the room noticed this colorful piece of art hanging on the wall. Some were already familiar with the effects of this sound medicine and were pleased to see the sounds in the room. Others were intrigued by this colorful array of sounds and asked what they were. Everyone commented on our new addition in the room. This engaged us in a conversation about Acutonics. For those who had not experienced the work, we discussed how it could be worked into their treatments. I then ask if they wanted to experience sound medicine. And that was their initiation.

Patients then began to ask for Acutonics treatments. Some wanted full sound healing treatment, others enjoyed the combination of Acutonics with the other therapies that were offered to them- acupuncture and/ or craniosacral therapy. My Oriental medical practice of over 12 years shifted to a Harmonic and Energetic Medical Practice- broader, more expansive, more in line with the traditional roots of ancient Oriental medicine.

My journey with this work has just begun as a practitioner, as a Certified Teacher of Acutonics, as a student, as a mother, as myself. With forks in hand, gongs standing ready, Tibetan bowls beaconing their song, I have embarked in a realm that heeds attention by practitioners and patients. Edgar Casey recognized that sound is the medicine of the future. The future is now.

So my advise to all who embark on this harmonic journey, whatever your healing profession, after you take an Acutonics seminar, display your Acutonics tuning forks. Showing the colors of sound will show the vibrancy of your own true colors as well. Dangle those beautiful sounds for all to see and hear. You know the benefits of these tools. Share this harmonic medicine with those who come to you for healing and guidance. The Music of the Spheres will guide you, will teach you and send you to a place of healing, a place to be healed, a place of one- Ohm.

Published 2004.

Sound Healing for Children: Oriental Harmonic Medicine

2011-10-10T12:15:00.000-07:00

'Mommy I hurt my head, I want the purple tuning fork.' 'Mommy I had a bad day at school I want the pink and red tuning forks.' Mommy my stomach hurts, put a Tibetan bowl on it.' These are the words of a 7 year old Indigo child, a child of the future. A child that needs love, support, guidance, and nurturing, so that she can move forward guided by her light within. She needs protection from the antiquated norms set by society during the industrial revolution, and re-enacted year after year in this nation's public schools. She needs, as all children need, the self confidence, self esteem, vitality, cunning, endurance, love, passion, sociability, and compassion to move through life. Her hide needs to be toughened while her sensitivity to the needs of her self, others and those of mother earth must be heightened, honored and revered yet balanced so that each time she sees/feels someone suffering or when she suffers herself or she sees another fallen tree it will not crush her inner spirit. This is a child who hears the music of the spheres; this is what she says- it is the music in her head unlike any song she knows.

Her healing is the earth's healing. And her healing has been with sound, movement and visual arts. As an Oriental Medical Practitioner of over 16 years, and a counselor of over 29 years, I saw the uniqueness in this child, my daughter, and sought to get her the support that she would need to maintain her spirit yet allow her to move through life and all of its challenges. This support was through SOUND.

I was first introduced to sound as a therapeutic modality by an occupational therapist using sound for Sensory Integration. Working with children, she used specific sounds that invoked chemical changes in the brain, altering inharmonic behaviors. This aided children in connecting with their inner and outer worlds and worked with disorders of sensory processing. After months of observing children listening to specific sounds and frequencies, I noticed significant shifts in them.

The results were so profound that I sought ways to incorporate sounds that would invoke specific healing responses into my own practice. My exploration led me to the Acutonics® Sound Healing System a powerful modality that merges sound and Oriental Medicine; it was the perfect match I call Oriental Harmonic Medicine (OHM). OHM works with the energetic pathways of Oriental Medicine, using the acupuncture points as portals to infuse the body with specific healing frequencies using finely calibrated tuning forks. Children were drawn to this sound healing. The success in treatments led them to be more at ease with themselves and their surroundings; more present and in their bodies; focused at home and school.

We live in the world of our nervous systems. Children have known no other way, the fast pace, the electronic age of toys, computers, cell phones and television. Some children begin their lives hooked up to various monitors, incubators, inhalators. Medications are dispensed like candy. Vaccines are pumped into these small bodies with no concern of the possible side effects. Many children have diets filled with sugar, artificial substances, and foods that have been harvested from naked soil, raised on pesticides, herbicides and fungicides. Animal are pumped with antibiotics and steroids, seafood is contaminated with mercury and other toxins dumped in our oceans. Our waters are also filled with chemicals from industrial waste, farms, and unconscious living.

Is it a wonder why there are such diagnoses as ADD, ADHD, sensory deprivation or excitation, depression, aggression, and mania, problems in auditory and visual tracking, dyslexia, autism, and the like? Why are asthma and other respiratory illnesses on the rise with children, along with obesity and cancer, just to name a few?

Our Indigo Children, what can we do for them? The Tao in its infinite wisdom teaches us to live in harmony with nature, the earth, the stars, the universe, with ourselves. Oriental Medicine in its purity walks this path and works to heal the body, mind and spirit through our energetic wisdom. This is what we can offer our children and this offering can be done through SOUND.

Throughout time and across all cultures, music and sound have been an integral part of ceremony, ritual and healing. We know that when we listen to music or hear certain sounds, it evokes powerful emotions that can pump us up, make us sad, or help us to understand and express our feelings. It is this growing recognition of the power that music and sound play in therapy, healing and life that is giving rise to this new field.

Oriental Harmonic Medicine offers a potent form of healing for body, mind, spirit & heart. It is noninvasive & children enjoy the richness of the tones and healing frequencies of the tuning forks and other sound healing tools such as Tibetan bowls, chimes, gongs. By recognizing and honoring each child as a unique being & nurturing that being, a child will be allowed to grow into their full potential.

OHM honors this process, allowing children a chance for optimal health, awareness and well being.
Case Study: A 6 month old, 11 month old and 3 year old were all treated for chronic and reoccurring ears infections. Within 4-6 treatments the infections cleared up for all three children using a combination of OHM, Craniosacral Therapy, Chinese herbal formulas, and dietary changes. Reoccurring infections ceased as their immune systems strengthened.

Other Studies have indicated the effectiveness of the Sound Healing for conditions such as asthma/respiratory, attention, digestion, reflux, depression, anger, detachment, pain, scar tissue, immune system, headaches/migraines, fatigue, insomnia, detachment, shingles, just to name a few.

The Center for Oriental and Harmonic Medicine (OHM), offers Acupuncture, Sound Healing, a Sound Sanctuary, Herbology, Nutritional Consultation, Craniosacral therapy and counseling. Susan Goldstone has been serving the Triad in her wholistic practice for over 14 years and works with all ages. A Certified Senior Instructor of the Acutonics® Sound Healing System, Susan teaches locally/nationally to professionals and anyone interested in learning, including self-application seminars. www.orientalharmonicmedicine.com. sgoldstone@triad.rr.com.

Published in The Art of Well Being Spring 2006

The Acutonics® Healing System: A Harmonic Approach to Health Care

2011-10-10T08:55:00.000-07:00

At no time in our history has there been a greater desire, interest and need for alternative forms of health care. The Acutonics Healing System answers these needs, by drawing on science, music, metaphysics, ancient truths, philosophical traditions and both Eastern and Western Medicine to create an integrated and harmonic approach to health care and healing. It is a beautiful healing system that can be used by practitioners of all modalities: acupuncturists, massage therapists, energy workers, psychotherapists, chiropractors, veterinarians, physical therapists and medical doctors, just to name a few. It can also be used by individuals in their homes for self healing and healing for family and friends.

Throughout time and across all cultures, music and sound have been an integral part of ceremony, ritual and healing. Today we know that when we listen to music or hear certain sounds, it evokes powerful emotions that can pump us up, make us sad, or help us to understand and express our feelings. It is this growing recognition of the power that music and sound play in therapy, healing and life that is giving rise to the new field of Harmonic Medicine.

I was first introduced to sound as a therapeutic modality when I was working with an occupational therapist on Sensory Integration with my 5-year-old daughter. There were specific sounds that would invoke chemical changes in the brain that would then alter inharmonic behaviors. After months of listening to specific sounds and frequencies, I noticed a significant shift in her behavior. She was more at ease with herself and her surroundings. She was more present and in her body.

Though I have always had soothing music in my treatment rooms, I began to seek ways to incorporate sounds that invoke specific healing responses. As I explored the integration of sound into my clinical work, a colleague who had just found the Acutonics Healing System introduced me to this powerful modality that merges sound and Oriental medicine. It was a perfect match!

The Acutonics Healing System is an energy-based, non-invasive treatment that is similar to acupuncture but without needles. Precision-calibrated tuning forks are applied to specific acupuncture, acupressure, and trigger points of the body to access the body’s Meridian and Chakra energy systems. These tuning forks represent a natural harmonic series based on the orbital properties of the Earth, Moon, Sun and other planets. Their rich resonance and vibration connects with and supports the body’s natural frequencies. It brings us to alignment with the cycles of the Cosmos known since antiquity as the Music of the Spheres.

When the frequencies and intervals of Acutonics are applied to specific points and gateways the sound waves travel deeply into the body along energy pathways, affecting human physiology and reaching places not easily accessed by traditional medicine. Applying the forks stimulates and balances the body’s physical and subtle energy fields to promote healing and inner harmony – to connect us to the original source. It provides access to a deep inner balance by sonically resetting negative cellular patterns. This work is deeply transformational; it can relieve chronic and debilitating illnesses for which Western Medicine and other Complementary Medicines often have no answers. There are thousands of case studies that speak to the efficacy of this new medicine.

The following are examples of some conditions that have been successfully treated by the Acutonics Healing System:

- Stress - Acute & Chronic Pain

- Depression - Fibromyalgia

- Anxiety - Peripheral Neuropathy

- Insomnia - Infertility

- Asthma - Stroke Residuals

- Allergies - Fatigue

- Gastrointestinal Disorders - Environmental Illness

- Irritable Bowel - Migraines

- PMS - Arthritis

- Menstrual Disorders - Tendonitis

- Menopause - Balance

Edgar Casey said that sound would be the medicine of the future. The future is now.
Come experience the healing of sound. Allow yourself to experience that place of harmony, peace and healing that is so often hidden, but waiting to be heard in our hearts, that place of Ohm.

Susan B. Goldstone, L.Ac, Dipl.Ac, LMBT (1457), MA is a certified instructor of the Acutonics Healing System. The courses are taught in the Triad and are open to anyone interested in learning the Acutonics Healing System. It is a valuable tool for practitioners in the healing arts and for the home. Approved CEUs are available for Acupuncturists, Massage Therapists and Nurses.

Susan integrates the Acutonics Healing System into her well-established Oriental Medical practice of over 12 years in Winston-Salem, NC. In addition, Susan brings her expertise in acupuncture, herbology, nutrition, craniosacral therapy, 14 years of counseling experience, and 28 years in health and human services.

This article was published in The Art of Wellbeing, Spring, 2005.