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http://groups.yahoo.com/group/acupuncture/messages/1401?viscount=100




--- In acupunctureforum@yahoogroups.com, "n1jcx2" <n1jcx2@y...>
wrote:
> Hello everyone...
>
> I find myself at one of life's many crossroads. At the tender,
> young age of 38 I find myself wishing to change careers (many
reasons
> behind this which I can share privately for those who care). I've
> long had it in my mind to study "alternative medicine" (read:
> chiropractic, acupunture, or the like) after having fairly in-
depth
> experience with it over a course of several years both as a
patient
> and as an observer. I personally experienced tremendous relief
at
> the hands of a chiropractor, and long-lasting healing of painful
> disorders at the hand of an acupuncturist/herbologist (forgive my
> terminology, I'm being specific in how I voice these experiences
> because of my current education in these matters.) I also
personally
> witnessed the benefits of alternative/oriental medicinal practices
as
> they applied to my wife who eventually died of cancer. Her pain
was
> mitigated greatly at times through acupuncture.
>
> A little about myself: I've been employed in the computer field
> for several years, have been self employed, made my first million,
> lost it, and am rebuilding that again... In other words, I've been
> around the block a little. I'm also a single dad of 4 kids.
>
> I find myself exceptionally interested in acupuncture and the
study
> of TCM. I think that the study and application of TCM and "me"
makes
> a good fit. Generally speaking I think I could succeed quite well
at
> this endevor. A question comes to mind, however, in what I have
> observed over the years about a 'separation' of chiropractic and
> Acupuncture. I have met several acupuncturists/TCM Doctors, and
> several Chiropractors who also "use acupuncture" as part of their
> therapy. Never have I seen one person who is "good" at practicing
> both.
>
> My question is: Why not? At one time I was seeing a chiropractor
at
> the same time that I was receiving acupuncture treatment. My
> acupuncturist (a D.O. -- but we'll leave that discission alone at
> this time) thought that this was a good thing, but also that he
could
> help the adjustments I was receiving have more effect and last
> longer. My chiropractor, on the other hand, tried to apply
> acupuncture as part of my treatment with him with poor success.
It
> was obvious to me that while he was a competent chiropractor, but
a
> mediocre (at best) acupuncturist. Why have I never met a good
> chiropractor who is also a good acupuncturist (or vice versa)?
>
> Is there a fundamental difference in approach or doctrine? Is it
> a 'western thing'? Something else?
>
> I'd personally be interested in -- over the longer haul --
> studying/practicing both if they complement each other the way I
(in
> my uneducated way) see them. For the time being, I am leaning
> strongly towards TCM/Acupuncture.
>
> Thanx for your thoughts,
>
> Michael Dow
> Houston, TX