Acupuncture alive and well

Where do I begin? The article March 31 from the Washington Post/Ellen Edwards, “On pins and needles,” about acupuncture I find amusing and at the same time of concern. I have practiced acupuncture for 25 years (after a lengthy career in respiratory medicine), loving every minute of it. I have an extensive teaching background in the field, trained in China, and wanted to put my 2 cents in, for what it’s worth.

Acupuncturists get their training at many highly qualified, certified colleges, minimum four years. It is not hard to find a qualified acupuncturist; check the phone book, call them, inquire about training, experience, make a connection.

MDs only need several hundred training hours to be qualified for acupuncture. I believe MDs that make this effort are dedicated. Chinese medicine is not confusing; it’s incredibly accurate, poetic, beautiful.

The pulse-taking mentioned is incorrect. There are three pulses on the radial artery bilaterally, felt at three depths, reflecting pairs of organs to 12 main channels, and much more than I dare to explain here.

I could go on and on; just suffice to say that acupuncture is wonderful, alive and available to those that choose to check it out.

Jeanann Eckert

Spokane