12 Reasons to Get Acupuncture in 2012     

1)  It works (most of the time for most stuff)

2)  It feels good

3)  It reduces stress   

4)  It improves your health   

5)  It is safe

6)  It is natural 

7)  It is fun and interesting  

8)  It can improve your appearance

9)  It helps cure what ails you 

10) It prevents small problems from becoming larger 

11) It can help get you out of pain

12) It is extremely cool

Okay that is MY list. I was inspired to make it after I came upon 

this article "12 Reasons to Get Acupuncture in 2012" and its parent website Acutake.com. It is a new year after all, and that always a good time to be reminded of what is good for us and why.

I like this list of 12 reasons because it is not the usual list would expect (like those I have listed above) but reflect instead some basic premises and qualities of Chinese Medicine that may be more subtle that we can take to heart and be inspired by. Take a look and see what you think.

Also, I especially like the site Acutake.com too. From the site:  

"Understanding acupuncture does not come from reading clinical trials. Understanding acupuncture is achieved partly through learning about theories and treatment strategies, and mostly through stories about how acupuncture is being practiced and changing people's lives in the real world."

This is also what I have been trying to do with this newsletter. So, here is another worthy site to visit while you are surfing the web. I think it is a treasure of important information and is worth checking out.

Not only is it a new year on our western calendar, but this last Monday, January 23 marked the beginning of the Chinese lunar year 4709, year of the Water Dragon.

Dragon years are considered especially important as the dragon is especially auspicious.

Dragons are mysterious and untouchable figures of Heaven, legendary beasts of great power and authority (with the head of an ox, muzzle of a donkey, eyes of a shrimp, horns of a deer, body of a serpent, and feet of a phoenix). Chinese emperors throughout history have identified with dragons as they attempted to embody dragon qualities.

Dragons represent new beginnings, good fortune, power, wealth, ambition, success, and reward. They have great vitality and creativity and govern growth and change. They are a bit mysterious and unpredictable too as they move, appear and disappear like thunder and lightning and the whirlwinds of Heaven.

Dragon years overall are dynamic, full of growth and change, and ambitions pursued in these years often come to successful fruition. These years can be unpredictable too so clear focus on goals and attention to detail is very important!

If you want to share in more of the New Year's celebration click here. For a description of what to expect out of the year (just for fun) (and I would take issue with the declaration from this link that 2011 was "meat and potatoes"), click here.

Since I began acupuncture school in the early 80's, I have been a full time observer of Chinese Medicine, not only as a practitioner knowing the medicine intimately, but as a member of this culture. Over the years I have been heartened as I have watched acupuncture and Chinese Medicine slowly come around to greater and greater acceptance. It is indeed a wise and supremely practical medicine, and I am happy to report that it is finally getting a bit of credit in this country.

And, despite its greater acceptance, effectiveness and safety, in the two years I have been providing insurance billing services, I have found that it is the extremely rare policy that covers acupuncture. So, despite its performance, access to its services for many people is limited and fees are paid out of pocket.

We now have the opportunity to change this.

In 2010 the Obama administration passed the Affordable Care Act, a law designed to provide all Americans with decent and affordable health care coverage. Starting in 2014, all health insurance plans will be required to offer what are referred to as "Essential Health Benefits".  An EHB is defined as a service that should be made standard, such as emergency and maternity services, prescription drugs, and preventative tests and wellness care, etc.  

Acupuncture, in my opinion, should be included in this list but is not yet guaranteed to be a part of these services.

The Department of Health and Human Services is now soliciting public opinion on what to include in this EHB package. If you would like to see acupuncture covered in this package, PLEASE click here. You can sign a petition or write a short letter. It is quick and easy and can make a big difference. (And it needs to be done by January 31rst!)

THANK YOU!