| 中文 | English | |
|
|
|
|
|
American
College of Traditional Chinese Medicine
From 1973 when Maryland was the first state to officially certify the practice of acupuncture, this profession is now legal in 41 states throughout the nation and the District of Columbia. The United States is now home to 56 TCM acupuncture educational institutions: 35 are accredited by the National Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Alliance to provide a Master’s degree in TCM acupuncture. The American Association of Oriental Medicine, TCM’s professional organization, has a membership of 1,400.
Acupuncture has been found to be a very effective treatment modality for patients living with HIV or AIDS. In 1992, ACTCM’s Community Clinic contracted with the AIDS Office of the San Francisco Department of Public Health to provide medical care to people living with HIV or AIDS in San Francisco. Clinics are held at the College’s teaching clinic and four health care agencies throughout San Francisco which treat approximately 475 patients a monthly. Acupuncture helps deter nausea and vomiting which are frequent side effects of chemotherapy, radiation therapy and HIV-combination drug therapies. It has proven effective in treating HIV-positive patients suffering from numerous gastrointestinal tract related disorders, helping patients comply with complex treatment plans.
Chinese medicine has the status of primary health
care in California with Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine in the United States has emerged at an unprecedented rate with an expanding scope of responsibilities. The NIH reported that in 1997 more than one million Americans receive acupuncture each year. Choosing to become a Traditional Chinese Medical Practitioner at this time provides numerous opportunities for those individuals interested in joining an exciting health care movement with opportunities for tremendous growth. For Further Information about the
|
|
Copyright © 1999-2000 TCM-Online
Beijing All rights reserved |
Located
on the hills of San Francisco’s most beautiful district, Potrero Hill,
the American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, known as ACTCM,
has quietly been making a remarkable contribution to America’s health
care. Each year, the College grants approximately fifty Master of Science
degrees in Traditional Chinese Medicine to tomorrow’s practitioners. These
graduates are trained in this 4,000-year-old medical system, alongside
contemporary Western treatment approaches, to provide a comprehensive,
holistic medical education. For more than 20 years these graduates have
entered our nation’s health care system. They are working as clinical
researchers, private practitioners, alternative health care providers
and treatment specialists in hospitals and public and private clinics.
Chinese
medicine follows a fundamental element of nature, the idea of balance
and harmony. The practice of Chinese medicine blends both art and science.
The oldest book of this medicine, the Nei Jing (Internal Classic), dating
from 3500 years ago, teaches the practitioner to look systematically at
a patient to describe, diagnose, and treat an illness. The measurements
that a practitioner takes are not linear and fixed, but more dynamic because
the human body is constantly changing and striving to attain the homeostasis,
or balance, of the organ systems that keep us healthy. In Chinese medicine
disease occurs when there is an imbalance between the two major aspects
of our body - the Yin and the Yang. To treat a patient, the practitioner
becomes an artist, blending herbal prescriptions and acupuncture point
combinations. The use of acupuncture points is based on a practitioner’s
knowledge of the meridian system and the flow of qi (energy) and blood
within a patient’s body. Specific points are chosen and manipulated to
free any blockages in the meridian system to promote the body’s own qi
and promote healing. Herbal formulas are tailored to treat the patient’s
particular condition and body constitution. Herbs are used as a synergistic
ally to restore harmony in the patient and thus restoring the balance
of Yin and Yang. 
Traditional
Chinese Medicine in the United States has gradually become integrated
into our nation’s Western-style health care. Acupuncture and Traditional
Chinese Medicine is currently being used to treat stroke victims, addictions,
nerve damage, gynecological disorders, infertility, and HIV. Acupuncture
can be used to treat virtually any medical problem, such as respiratory,
eye, mouth, gastrointestinal, neurological and musculoskeletal problems,
and is very effective in pain management. 
ACTCM,
founded in 1980, has made pioneer contributions to the advancement of
TCM. Not only was ACTCM the first college to received accreditation for
its Master’s of Science Degree Program in Traditional Chinese Medicine,
but their graduates have consistently ranked the highest in state and
national exams. ACTCM’s dedication to the advancement of Traditional Chinese
Medicine mirrors a flourishing movement taking place across the United
States to increase the professional stature of this medical system. 
The
Federal government and international health organizations are also increasing
their support for the advancement of TCM acupuncture. Acupuncture is now
accepted by most health care plans, Worker’s Compensation Insurance, and
State health care reimbursement. California – ACTCM’s home state – has
passed numerous bills that recognize acupuncturists as primary care providers
and require all group insurance and nonprofit hospital service plans to
offer acupuncture coverage as well as requiring Worker’s Compensation
Insurance to include acupuncture. Last year, the White House created the
country’s first Commission on Complementary and Alternative Medicine to
research its therapeutic benefits. The National Institutes of Health (NIH)
developed the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine
and allocated more than $100 million in grant support for rigorous complementary
medicine science projects. On an international level, The World Health
Organization (WHO) has established two Traditional Chinese Medicine research
centers at the State University of New York at Stonybrook and the University
of Illinois at Chicago. 
ACTCM
provides comprehensive medical education. The College’s Master of Science
in Traditional Chinese Medicine Degree is a three-year academic program
comprised of 12 quarters of full-time study. Courses are offered in human
anatomy, human physiology, physics, chemistry, biology, diagnostics and
all acupuncture treatment modalities. In addition, students learned Chinese
herbology and Tui Ma (physiomassage), Qigong (breathing exercises), Tai
Chi (energy moving exercises) and nutrition classes.
licensed
practitioners exercising responsibility for diagnosis, treatment and the
use of herbs and other non-drug substances. California acupuncturists
are allowed to practice as primary physicians and are licensed by the
Acupuncture Board with operates under the jurisdiction of the Department
of Consumer Affairs.