regard to educating Western physi- cians about the effectiveness of acupuncture. She receives only 1-2% of her acupuncture patient refer- rals from medical doctors and about the same percentage at her school’s acupuncture clinic. “The allopathic community still has resistance [to acupuncture] in general, but they are referring more patients for certain con- ditions, like pain management, that drugs or surgery have been unable to resolve. Most of my patients became frustrated with a system that was not serving them and decided to try TCM for themselves.”
Holland agrees: “There are in- creasing numbers of allopathic physi- cians who recommend acupuncture, but mostly because patients request it. There are excellent books, articles and research papers available that have helped to demystify this ancient medicine. [TCM] is going through a maturation process and is being as- similated into the modern world.” Although many insurance carriers
do not cover acupuncture services, several companies in Arizona will. Alex Holland notes that “Some may allow a minimum course of treat- ment or cover a minimal percentage of care. However, more employers are offering health care allowances to their employees. Individuals can choose how to spend their health credits, and acupuncture is one of the most common choices.” Jean Hard- esty-Prater adds that, due to demand, many insurance companies are in the process of creating co-pay strategies, and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) budgets.
Acupuncture in Tucson The number of acupuncture treat- ments a patient requires varies accord- ing to the health condition(s) treated. Some patients may require one ses- sion while others may gain the most benefit from a series of sessions. During a 20-40-minute acupunc-
ture session, while the patient rests comfortably on a massage table or in a reclining chair, the acupuncturist inserts fine needles at specific points along the patient’s body, just under
20 Tucson
“Traditional Chinese medicine has a deep, rich heritage that lends itself to a profound understanding of the human condition.”
the surface of the skin. Acupuncture is usually painless although, occasion- ally, patients may feel a slight tingling sensation when the acupuncturist inserts a needle.
Most licensed acupuncturists
offer private acupuncture sessions, where the patient relaxes during treat- ment in a private room. Sessions are reasonably priced at $40 to $70. For those interested in receiving acupunc- ture for a reduced price, in a peaceful space with up to eight people, two Tucson clinics, Desert Bloom Commu- nity Acupuncture and Tucson Commu- nity Acupuncture, offer sessions on a sliding scale, from $10 to $40. “The ancient physicians in China
acknowledged the interconnectedness of all things,” reflects Alex Holland, ”and sought balance through modera- tion, adaptability and being in touch with the natural flow of the environ- ment. Traditional Chinese medicine has a deep, rich heritage that lends itself to a profound understanding of the human condition. As practitioners, we honor this lineage and carry it into the future.”
Jean Hardesty-Prater,
M.Ac.O.M.,
L.Ac., is the Dean of Admissions and an instructor for the Arizona School of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine in Tucson. She holds a BA in Fine Arts from Smith College and a master’s degree in acupuncture and oriental medicine from the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine. She is a licensed acupuncturist and a certified Qigong instructor. Visit stillpointenergetics@
gmail.com or call 520-837-9003.
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