In this issue
Acupuncture 'goes to the dogs'
Study: Acupuncture hels coocaine treatment
AAMA
Newsletter
Serving the American Academy of Medical
Acupuncture
September 2000
Chapter Update
Arizona
Rather than having a big meeting in February as earlier planned, this Chapter has decided its education efforts should be more longitudinal. During the next seven months, the 22 members will schedule an hour at the end of each meeting for speakers from different CAM disciplines to help the membership treat patients. In August, members heard about acupuncture use in Chinese psychiatry and in September, a demonstration from a Tai Chi and Qi Gong master.
New Secretary/Treasurer Geoffrey Gustavsen, MD, reports a balance of $4,000.
Denver
Rocky Mountain Chapter will present Denver Medical Acupuncture Conference, “Japanese Extrameridian—Vessels Diagnosis and Treatment,” by Dexter “Butch” Levy, MD, on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2000 at Porter Adventist Hospital, 2525 S. Downing St., Denver, CO (7 CME by Porter Adventist Hospital). A lecture on symptomatic diagnosis will be from 9-12, followed by a hands-on point location from 1-5 pm. Fee is $100 by Oct. 6 ($125 at the door).
Mail checks (payable to RM Chapter of AAMA) to Alice Brunecky, MD, Alpine Medical Acupuncture, 7050 W. 120th Ave., Ste. 121, Broomfield, CO 80020. For more details, call 303/438-2050.
Florida
AAMA
Board of Directors recently approved the establishment of a Florida
Chapter. Having complied with the necessary requirements, the Board gave
the Chapter $1,000 to assist with organization. With 20 members throughout
the state, Chapter President is Gary DiBlasio, MD (PM&R) in West Palm
Beach; President-Elect is Ron Stern, MD (Pain Anesthesiology) in Palm Bay;
and Secretary/Treasurer is Lam Au, MD, PhD (Int Med) in Miami.
Due to the large geographical area of Florida, officers and directors have used online chat rooms through their website for meetings and member interaction. This Chapter's website address is: http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/floridachapterofaama.
To join, contact Dr. DiBlasio: gdiblasio@yahoo.com
Georgia
As of July 1 in Georgia, non-physician acupuncturists can now be licensed under the supervision of the State Medical Board. Chapter Co-Presidents M. Truett Bridges, Jr., MD, and Henry Frysh, MD, will be meeting with the Georgia Medical Board’s Acupuncture Advisory Committee in October.
Louisiana
This Chapter has planned a meeting in late September at which a new Board will be elected. Other news: Candace Warner, MD, got acupuncture privileges at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge.
Maryland
This Chapter is sponsoring, “Five Elements Acupuncture,” diagnosis and treatment with instructor Glenn Rothfeld, MD, Nov. 11–12, 2000 at Baltimore-Washington International Airport Holiday Inn in Baltimore. Tuition is $300 if paid before Oct. 15. Call Nader Soliman, MD (301/251-2335).
New Jersey
This Chapter held its most recent meeting in September. The topic was, “Political Issues and Reimbursement Updates,” along with case discussions and a paper presentation. For details on this group, contact Allison Averill, MD (aaverill@kessler-rehab.com).
Oregon
Robert Gross, MD, has been selected to join the American Board of Medical Acupuncture, which is the Board that will administer the new Board Certification program. (See the related article on page 1).
Drs. Sharon Melnick and Gene Hong have encountered problems with Altenare, an insurance company that covers alternative medicine for Oregon State employees. Altenare only covers acupuncture services provided by licensed acupuncturists, not by physicians. The provider relations department at Alternare will consider inclusion of physicians if the employer groups specifically ask for this. Otherwise, it will continue to exclude physicians.
At this Chapter’s August meeting, Ed Neal, MD, presented the case of a patient who was 46 with a history of HTN, hypercholesterol and gout. He had sudden loss of vision in his right eye two days before presentation.
With a diagnosis of right retinal artery occlusion, his loss of vision was essentially complete and his prognosis was considered poor. He was told that he would likely to be blind in his right eye.
Dr. Neal confirmed these physical findings at his first visit. The patient also had poorly controlled HTN with BP at 180/110.
Dr. Neal initiated treatment using TCM concepts that the liver, gallbladder and kidney control the eye. TCM would consider this type of sudden loss of vision as a variant of Wind-stroke.
He also used another TCM idea that there are three circles of acupuncture points that ring the openings of the body: There is an inner, middle and outer circle of points that can be used to treat the opening. In this circumstance, the points used were in the inner circle because the disease process was deep within the eye.
The patient was 20% improved by his second visit and able to read large print by his third. Then the patient elected to have right carotid endarterectomy.
Subsequently, Dr. Neal treated scar-related points to improve healing and movement of qi. The patient was medically stationary by his sixth acupuncture visit. Evaluation by his regular physician revealed that his vision had recovered to 20/40 in the right eye.
Pennsylvania
Delaware Valley Chapter has a meeting planned on Sept. 27, “Acupuncture Treatment of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome,” presented by John P. Kohler, MD. The Chapter is also in the midst of a membership campaign and invites all medical acupuncturists in Delaware Valley to join and participate. Send e-mail to Mitchell Krause, DO: mbarry77@world-vue.com or Dr. Kohler: JPK320@pol.net.
Gov. Ridge's office evaluated the documentation for the proposed Acupuncture Licensure Act and did not feel that the law as written should be enacted. The Chapter is willing to meet with all parties to ensure that any change in acupuncture regulation in Pennsylvania is in the best interests of the public as well as medical and non-physician acupuncturists.
Anita Cignolini, MD, presented a symposium on Qi Gong June 5, sponsored by Delaware Valley and New Jersey AAMA chapters, that was well received by participants.
Contrary to prior announcements, Steve Taylor, DO, will not be able to present a program on Craig PENS for the Chapter.
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