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American Acupuncture

On July 4th Americans celebrate our independence and the first steps to forming a new country. Fighting had already started by the time the Declaration of Independence was signed. The would be nation also had a long road ahead of it if it would succeed in its endeavor. July 4th, however, is the day that the leaders of the 13 colonies galvanized their resolve for something better than what they had. In so doing, they coined some of the most iconic and memorable words in American history.

all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness

America today is still struggling with issues of equality; those issues are deeply tied to the pursuit of happiness. Just like equality and the pursuit of happiness, acupuncture and Asian medicine in America is changing and evolving to meet new challenges.

Just like the declaration of independence is remembered as start of American independence, the travel of President Nixon's reporter James Reston with Nixon to China and his subsequent treatment by acupuncture is remembered as the start of acupuncture in America. However, blood had already been shed in conflict with British troops by July 2nd and vote of the Continental Congress to declare independence. Likewise, acupuncture was already being practiced in California, though illegally, by Miriam Lee and possibly several others.

In 1973 the first states began to license acupuncturists. Currently only Alabama, Kansas, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Wyoming do not have any licensure for acupuncturists. North Dakota passed a practice act for acupuncture and Asian medicine this year, and Kansas is working on passing one next year more info.

American Style

I am often asked by other acupuncturists "What style of acupuncture do you practice?" Since being initially developed in China, acupuncture and the medicine associated with it spread to many near by countries. Each developed in different ways and added unique perspectives of culture, understanding, and their own forms of medicine to it.

I feel that the only honest way I can answer is to say I practice American acupuncture. Just like the founders of our country came from other countries, the techniques that I was taught and that I use were not developed here in America. However, I was taught in America and many of my teachers were American, either by birth or naturalization. Many cultures have contributed to make America what it is today, and many different traditions were blended into my education of Asian medicine. My teachers, the ones I had in school and the ones I still seek out for continuing education and learning, come from China, Japan, Korea, England, and America herself.

Moving Forward

Healthcare in America is undergoing changes that it has never seen before. I hope that one of these changes will be the inclusion of traditional medicines like acupuncture and Asian medicine into the same spaces as modern alopathic medicine.

I wish you all a Phenomenal and safe holiday!

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