| 国医节的回顾与前瞻
(作者：陳明 三藩市 )http://singtaousa.com/031811/sq01.php 三月十七日，是中國第八十二屆國醫節。八十二年前的一九二九年，任上海醫院醫務長的醫生余雲岫，早年留學日本，受日本明治維新取締漢醫的影響，主張「廢醫存藥」，他向南京國民政府提出《廢止舊醫以掃除醫事律法之障礙案》。此案經南京國民政府衛生部召開的第一屆中央衛生委員會之議通過，準備正式施行。中醫面臨生死存亡的鬥爭。兵書有云：「置於死地而後生」。國民政府通過廢止中醫法案，把中醫醫務人員推向背水之戰，全國中醫界空前團結，群起反對。結果取得了勝利，並定每年三月十七日為「國醫節」。 中醫是中華民族幾千年來生產生活實踐和與疾病鬥爭逐步形成並不斷豐富發展起來的醫學科學，為中華民族的繁衍昌盛作出了重要貢獻，對世界文明進步也產生了積極的影響。一百多年前隨著華人移民到美國，也把中醫中藥帶到美國。據筆者所知，第一位來美國的中醫師就是黎普泰，他是廣東順德人，一八五四年四月，黎普泰在《金山日新錄》(The Golden Hills’ News)刊登中醫館廣告。以此算起，中醫中藥傳入美國三藩市已有一百六十年。 黎普泰的中醫館最初設在華埠華盛頓街，後遷至都板街夾企李街的錦生堂樓上。黎普泰以中藥治療奇難雜症，名揚遐邇。由於求醫甚眾，他一個人難以應付，便叫他的外甥譚富園來幫忙。 譚富園就讀於北京太醫院，是當時全國唯一的最高中醫學府。一八九零年譚來三藩市，襄助普泰醫館，聲名鵲起。三年後因黎普泰病逝，譚的父親譚子山在廣州行醫，命他回去幫忙，譚富園便回到廣州。 一八九四年，富園攜妻子及三子一女來加州，在南加州的列連埠(Redlands)創立富園醫局(Foo and Wing Herb Co.)。由於富園醫術精湛，妙手回春，聲譽日隆，引起西人醫師的妒忌，在報上攻擊中醫中藥不科學。譚富園把自己的醫案交給記者發表，證明中醫的奧妙，其功效一點也不遜於西醫，甚至有些西醫無法治療的奇難雜症，中醫能夠對症下藥，藥到病除。這場關於中醫是不是科學的筆戰，由於富園既有理論，又有治癒病例醫案佐證，終於取得了最後勝利，為弘揚中醫中藥作出了貢獻。 但是，歧視中醫中藥，並不因譚富園的貢獻而結束。一八九九年創辦金山華人仁濟醫院，只設西醫部，沒有中醫部，當時旅美華人有病多喜歡中醫診治，仁濟與華僑需求有矛盾，一年後停辦。 一九零零年，華人在三藩市創辦東華醫局，一九二五年改為東華醫院，始設立中醫門診。可是，中醫中藥立法的道路，在美國還是十分漫長的。在美國的五十個州中，只有佔人口五十萬的內華達州，於一九七三年四月二十日通過第448號法案，第一次為中醫中藥立法，在法律面前承認中醫中藥的合法地位。而作為中醫中藥的兩大重鎮的加州和紐約州，至今仍沒有取得合法地位。目前中醫中藥唯一生存空間，就是在美國把中藥當作「保健品」經營。「中藥」的經營不是某個人某個組團的專利，藥材舖有商業牌照，就可開舖立市，有合法地位。「坐堂醫」開出保健菜單（處方），自然是合法的。中醫師在美國名不正言不順，美國學界稱中醫中藥為「替代醫學」。美國醫學會的標誌是「蛇」，奧巴馬醫改法案只有「蛇」，而不見有中醫中藥的「龍」。美國只在商業上承認中藥作為保健商品的合法地位，而沒有作為醫療衛生的專業領域承認中醫中藥的合法地位，豈非咄咄怪事。 針灸是中醫的一個科目，而中醫才是主體，目前加州州政府只承認針灸合法，而不承認中醫中藥合法，確是本末倒置，令人費解。 在迎接第八十二屆國醫節的時候，筆者倡議全美國的中醫中藥醫務人員，不分甚麼政治觀點，不論甚麼宗教信仰，大家團結起來，為爭取中醫中藥的立法而鬥爭。在這裡，筆者提出四點建議： 第一，吸取內華達州中醫中藥立法的經驗，以針灸立法為突破口，繼承和發展前輩爭取中醫中藥立法精神。 第二，中醫中藥全體醫務人員團結起來，不要「岐黃相輕」，而要「岐黃相親」。不要「同行如敵國」，要「同行如一國」。兩岸關係不是「一中原則」嗎？我們中醫中藥醫務人員也要樹立「一中原則」，就是爭取中醫中藥立法的原則，一切言行都要以有利於中醫立法為原則。 第三，贊同加州執照針灸醫師公會會長沈華舒的意見「實行學院教育與師徒教育相結合」。中醫傳統教育，是先有師徒教育，後來才發展為學院教育。現在卻出現只重視中醫高等教育，而輕視名中醫的授徒教育。這兩者各有優點，學院重視系統教育，師徒則重視專長教育。前者注重理論修養，後者注重臨床經驗。把二者結合起來，取長補短，培養出一批既有高深的中醫基礎理論素養又有豐富臨床診療技術水平的醫務人員，才能投入美國主流社會，征服美國社會民眾，進而為中醫中藥立法創造充分條件。 第四，把中醫中藥提高到哲學思想和世界觀來認識。過去一些著名中醫稱為「儒醫」，就是他有具有儒家思想的根底。也有一些道觀的道士為名中醫，就是他們具有道家養生的根底。可見，沒有真正認識和領會儒家和道家的哲學思想和世界觀，也就不可能真正瞭解和領會中醫中藥的真諦。中醫中藥是姓「中」，即使你已入了美國籍，但只要你是中醫中藥的醫務人員，你就永遠改變不了姓「中」。中醫中藥是中華民族文化的瑰寶之一，只有維護民族的特色，才有利於中醫中藥的走向世界，而要做到這一點，其根源正是淵源於儒家和道家的思想。 近年來，加州華裔參政人士取得很大的成績，我們希望這些參政的華裔官員和議員，不要忘記支持你們走向政壇的華裔選民。你們最好的回報，就是利用你們力所能及的影響，爭取中醫中藥早日立法。
譚頴秀 – 註册針灸師 http://kaywin.ca/WellnessCentre/LingLanWellnessCentre.aspx 7725 Birchmount Road Unit 29/30, Markham, Ontario L3R 9X3 譚氏曾祖父譚富園公受其父親中醫譚子山之薰陶， 就讀於北京太醫院學習中醫，曾在清朝末年任太醫，後跟隨舅父中醫師黎普泰(第一位到美國之中醫師)，到美國三藩市行醫，再與康有為弟子在南加州的列連埠(Redlands)創立富園醫局。由於富園公醫術精湛，妙手回春，引起西人醫師的妒忌，在報上攻擊中醫中藥不科學化。富園公把自己之醫案交給記者發表，證明中醫之奧妙，其功效一點也不遜於西醫，甚至有些西醫無法治療之奇難雜症，中醫也能夠對症下藥，藥到病除。這場關於中醫是不是科學化之筆戰，由於富園公既有理論，又有治癒病例醫案佐證，終於取得了最後之勝利，為弘揚中醫中藥作出了貢獻。其四子譚少富繼承衣砵在加州行醫，退休後回港飬老。那時譚氏年幼未能跟隨叔公學習中醫，但他留下不少清代名醫陳修園之書籍及治療札記，令譚氏獲益良多。 |
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| 譚氏從小移民來加，初習太極，後醉心於氣功，不斷研習各派氣功如少林禪功、道家氣功及治療氣功(五雷神針和日本靈氣)等。因先祖均是中醫，耳濡目染，便到加拿大中醫藥學院(北京首都醫科大學分校）修讀中醫針灸，畢業後跟隨多倫多中醫針灸臨床學院創始人沈清瑞中醫師學習運用多種臨床針灸療法。譚氏所用之治療針法，不限於傳統針法。她辨証論治，根據不同患者之病患，施以不同療法，例如：薄氏腹針、董氏奇穴、王氏刺血及黃氏耳穴等。譚氏精於氣功，扎針時運用五雷神針指法將氣輸入患者體內，同時配合氣功、靈氣或水晶療法等，推動患者體內之內氣，喚醒患者體內沉睡的臟器起來工作。本着醫者父母心，用心與患者共同對抗病魔，達到理想療效。 | |
Archive for the ‘Articles from online’ Category
国医节的回顾与前瞻
Posted in Acupuncture history in America, Acupuncture History in the United States of America, Acupuncture in USA, Articles from online, 国医节 on November 1, 2019| Leave a Comment »
Reporting Error Revealed in Knee Pain Acupuncture Study, Catastrophe Avoided
Posted in acupuncture clinical trial, Acupuncture in USA, Arthritis, Articles from online, Knee pain, Uncategorized on February 10, 2017| Leave a Comment »
Reporting Error Revealed in Knee Pain Acupuncture Study, Catastrophe Avoided
June 2016 | by Jonathan Gilbert
http://thegilbertclinic.com/reporting-error-revealed-in-knee-pain-acupuncture-study
On October 1st, 2014, the prestigious Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) published a study entitled “Acupuncture for Chronic Knee Pain: A Randomized Clinical Trial”[1]. It was a major study whose results stated that neither acupuncture nor laser acupuncture was useful to patients aged 50 and older with moderate-to-severe knee pain. Enter Dr. Arthur Fan…
In March of 2016 Dr. Fan and associates published a reevaluation of this study. It found serious flaws in its methodology and analysis. Not only that, but when properly evaluated, it appears that the study actually showed significant improvement in patients undergoing acupuncture and laser acupuncture in the clinical trial.
Dr. Fan is a consultant and long term researcher in Traditional Chinese Medicine who has been published in many of the world’s foremost medical journals. He has received numerous awards and commendations including a letter of thanks from the President himself. And thanks to him a grave reporting error was averted and an catastrophe avoided.
What is of interest to this writer is how such a mistake could have been made by one of the most respected, peer reviewed, medical publications in the world? I leave that, along with the link to Dr. Fan’s paper, “Acupuncture is Effective for Chronic Knee Pain: A Reanalysis of the Australian Acupuncture Trial”[2] to your discerning minds. Be well. ♥
Evidence That Dry Needling Is the Intent to Bypass Regulation to Practice Acupuncture in the United States-A High Impact Article published on Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, in August 2016
Posted in Articles from online, Dry needling, Uncategorized, tagged Acupuncture, Dry needling, 针灸, law, legislation, regulation, USA, 干针 on August 18, 2016| 1 Comment »
Dry needling is a short form acupuncture, currently Physical Therapiests and other related professionals want to practice acupuncture under such a name with only 20-30 hours weekend training. This may cause big negative impact to public safety and acupuncture (both traditional and medical) profession.
We just published an article in a known SCI journal–Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine (JACM), which treated this article as a High Impact Article. Please read at(I also attached a copy of Manuscript):
Evidence That Dry Needling Is the Intent to Bypass Regulation to Practice Acupuncture in the United States
Arthur Yin Fan, Ling Zheng, Guanhu Yang Read Now
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Acupuncture treatment for chronic knee pain: study by Hinman et al underestimates acupuncture efficacy
Posted in Articles from online, commentary, tagged Acupuncture, Acupuncture in Medicine, acupuncture trial, chronic knee pain, dosage, methodology flaws, Rana Hinman on April 14, 2015| Leave a Comment »
Dr. Miriam Lee: A heroine for the start of acupuncture as a profession in the State of California. Author: Arthur Fan
Posted in Acupuncture history in America, Acupuncture History in the United States of America, Acupuncture in USA, Articles from online, Dr.Fan's publications, tagged Acupuncture, acupuncture history in America, acupuncture history in the United States, Acupuncture history in United States, 美国, Dr. Miriam Lee, 针灸, 针灸 历史, Li Chuanzhen, Miriam Lee, 历史, 李传真 on March 19, 2014| Leave a Comment »
Dr.Fan’s new article about Miriam Lee published recently.
The beginning of acupuncture in Washington, D.C. and Maryland: an interview with Dr. Yeh-chong Chan
Posted in Acupuncture history in America, Acupuncture History in the United States of America, Acupuncture in USA, Articles from online, Dr.Fan's publications, tagged Maryland, washington DC, YC Chan on April 19, 2013| Leave a Comment »
Fan’s new article “The beginning of acupuncture in Washington, D.C. and Maryland: an interview with Dr. Yeh-chong Chan” was published todayon Journal of Integrative Medicine http://www.jcimjournal.com/articles/publishArticles/pdf/jintegrmed2013028.pdf.
Dr. Yeh-chong Chan (Y.C. Chan) is one of the earliest acupuncturists in the United States (US). He served for seven years in the first acupuncture center in the US, which was established in Washington, D.C. in 1972. In 1979, he moved the clinic to Rockville, Maryland and continued to practice acupuncture there for over 30 years. He is a well-known licensed acupuncturist (LAc), one of the developers of the acupuncture profession, and a scholar of acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). He has treated two US Governors (In the US, the title Governor refers to the chief executive of each state or insular territory and the political and ceremonial head of the state.) and many sports stars. He is the author of books entitled Acupuncture Practice in the United States [1], Dr. Chan’s Cancer Healing, Prevention and Self-healing and others. To record the early history of acupuncture in the US, on September 30, 2012, the author, Dr. Arthur Fan interviewed Dr. Chan, 70 years old, who is still in practice.
19th Century Medical Self-Help
Posted in Acupuncture history in America, Acupuncture History in the United States of America, Articles from online, tagged 19 century, Chinatown, Chinese in USA, Healthcare on March 28, 2013| Leave a Comment »
19th Century Medical Self-Help
Chinese Medical Clinic in Chinatown, c. 1890s
Photo: California Historical Society
Another aspect of the story of the Chinese as medical scapegoats in San Francisco is the effect of public health policy upon the Chinese community itself. Throughout the nineteenth century, city officials were reluctant to finance any health services for the Chinese population even though Chinatown was popularly viewed as “a laboratory of infection.” Early Chinese immigrants realized the necessity of banding together and providing for their own health care needs. In the 1850’s they first grouped together into associations based upon loyalty to dan (family associations) or place of origin (district associations). In the 1860’s, the district associations federated into the Chung Wah Kung Saw, which later became known as the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association, or the Chinese Six Companies. During this period, each of the district associations maintained a small “hospital” in San Francisco for use by their aged or ailing members, a facility usually consisting of little more than a few bare rooms furnished with straw mats.[55] The existence of these hospitals was in direct violation of city health codes, but local officials allowed them to operate. In fact, during the leprosy scare of the 1870’s, health officers ruled that lepers should be “debarred from hospital maintenance” at city expense and that “the Chinese companies should be compelled to maintain them and send them back to China.”[56] Thus, from August, 1876, to October, 1878, known lepers were housed in the so-called Chinese “hospitals”; thereafter, health authorities ruled that all lepers were to be isolated in the Twenty-Sixth Street hospital.
Not only were local authorities ambivalent about admitting Chinese patients to municipal facilities, but they also were hesitant about providing sanitary services within the Chinatown area. Dr. A. B. Stout, a prominent physician and member of the California Board of Health, testified before a congressional investigating committee in 1877 that “the city authorities undertake to clean the city in other parts, but the Chinese are left to take care of themselves and clean their own quarter at their own expense.”[57]
Whenever a major epidemic threatened San Francisco, however, health officials descended upon Chinatown with a vengeance. During the smallpox epidemic of 1876-1877, for instance, city health officer J. L. Meares bragged that not only had he ordered every house in Chinatown thoroughly fumigated, “but the whole of the Chinese quarter was put in a sanitary condition that it had not enjoyed for ten years.”[58] Similar comments were made at the time of the bubonic plague in 1900-1901 when nearly every house in the district was disinfected and fumigated.
In the nineteenth century medical care in Chinatown was largely provided by herbalists and pharmacies in the classic tradition of Chinese medicine. As late as 1900, no Chinese physicians appear to have been licensed to practice medicine in the state of California; in fact, not until 1908 was the Medical Department of the University of California in San Francisco to graduate a physician of Chinese origin.[59] Some Chinese of the merchant class did seek treatment from Caucasian physicians, usually for surgical care not available from Chinese practitioners.[60] In the I880’s a few church missions in Chinatown also began offering the services of white female physicians for pediatric and obstetrical care. Throughout the nineteenth century, however, the vast majority of Chinese were unwilling to consult Caucasian doctors because, as one historian has noted, “the language barriers, the higher fees, and strange medications and methods were too much to assimilate.”[61]
The reluctance on the part of the Chinese to seek medical attention outside of Chinatown accounted in part for their low admission rate to the San Francisco City and County Hospital and to the Almshouse during the last century. An examination of the statistics on admissions to the city and county hospital for the years 1870-1897 reveals that less than .1 percent of the hospital inpatients were of Chinese origin, whereas the Chinese population in the city varied from 5 to 11 percent of the total population. Statistics on admissions to the Almshouse disclose an even lower admission rate: of 14,402 admissions from 1871 to 1886, only 14 cases were of Chinese origin.
Obviously, the low admission rate of the Chinese to municipal facilities cannot be attributed entirely to reluctance to seek Western-style care. An 1881 article in the San Francisco Chronicle, headlined “No Room for Chinese: They are Denied Admission to the County Hospital,” referred to a resolution of the Board of Health, adopted several years earlier, that had essentially closed City and County Hospital to Chinese patients.[62]
The article pointed out that in the fall of 1881 the Chinese consul had petitioned the Board of Health on behalf of an ailing Chinese immigrant who desired to gain admission to the city and county facility. Fearing an influx of Chinese patients with chronic diseases, the board passed a resolution that all Chinese patients who thereafter requested care were to be assigned to a separate building on the Twenty-Sixth Street hospital lot.[63] Apparently, this policy remained in effect throughout the remainder of the nineteenth century. A document dated 1899 noted that the City and County Hospital only opens its doors to a limited number of [Chinese] patients. The remainder of the patients are taken to the small, dismal Charnel-house established by the Chinese Companies, and known as the “Hall of Great Peace,” or else to the Leper Asylum or Pest-House.[64]
Although the ban on Chinese patients at both the City and County Hospital and the Almshouse was common knowledge, city officials continued to claim that San Francisco opened its municipal facilities to the sick and poor of any nationality.[65]
Because of the difficulties inherent in obtaining care at municipal expense, the Chinese community sought from an early date to fund a well-equipped hospital within the Chinatown area. Dr. Stout, in his congressional testimony in 1877, mentioned that the Chinese desired very much to establish a general hospital and a smallpox hospital, similar to those built by the French and German communities. Reportedly, the Chinese were willing “to pay liberally and freely” to establish a hospital, with patient care to be provided by both white and Chinese physicians.[66] (In order to secure approval from the Board of Supervisors for the erection of such a hospital, the Chinese community recognized that their Physicians would have to work in conjunction with state-licensed Caucasian physicians.)
Nothing more is heard of any hospital plans until the early 1890’s when land was purchased in the southern outskirts of San Francisco in the name of the Chinese consul general of San Francisco. Plans were drawn up for a hospital, and funds were collected both locally and from foreign sources. When construction of the hospital was about to begin, “city authorities forbade further proceedings on the ground that the promoters only intended to use objectionable Chinese systems of medical treatment.”[67] It can be surmised that the real objections were to the proposed location of the hospital outside the perimeter of Chinatown.
In 1899, the community planned to rent a house in a “suitable locality” to be fitted up as a hospital and dispensary where only practitioners with American or European diplomas were to be allowed to visit the patients. The dispensary was to give free advice and medicine to indigent clinic patients; the hospital was to consist of twenty-five beds for use by both clinic and paying patients. The Chinese Hospital (Yan-Chai-i-yn) was incorporated under California law in March, 1899. At that time, twenty-one persons (including twelve Caucasians) pledged to become members of the hospital by payment of an annual subscription of $5. Except for the Chinese consul general, the officers of the hospital’s first governing board were to be prominent members of the white community.[68] This project, too, must have been shelved because no further trace of this hospital can be found.
Tung Wah Dispensary, opened in 1900 by the Chinese Six Companies at 828 Sacramento St.
Shortly thereafter bubonic plague was discovered in Chinatown; public officials suddenly were faced with the fact that no health facilities existed in Chinatown for the care of plague victims. As early as May, 1900, the surgeon general of the Marine Hospital Service, Dr. Walter Wyman, suggested that one of the more “substantial” buildings in the area should be converted into a pest hospital.[69] The War Department, on the other hand, preferred to see the Chinese quarantined on Angel Island. Neither plan went into effect, and in April, 1901, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors appropriated funds for the erection of a hospital in Chinatown. The city auditor immediately declared that the appropriation was illegal, and accordingly, the hospital was never constructed.[70]
About the time that plague was discovered in Chinatown, the Chinese Six Companies realized that it was imperative for the Chinese community to organize its own health care system. The result was the Tung Wah Dispensary which opened in 1900 at 828 Sacramento Street. The dispensary, which employed both Western trained physicians and Chinese herbalists, was funded entirely by the Chinese Six Companies, and this dispensary was to be the forerunner of the present-day Chinese Hospital which opened its doors in April, 1925.[71]
In 1900, in addition to financing the dispensary, the Chinese Six Companies instituted legal action to prevent local, state, and national officials from enforcing discriminatory measures aimed at the Chinese. In court, their attorneys won the right for non-licensed Chinese physicians to attend autopsies conducted under the jurisdiction of the San Francisco Board of Health. Similarly, their lawyers forced the courts to end the quarantine of Chinatown as ordered by the Board of Health. In May, 1900, when the U.S. Marine Hospital Service imposed a ban on interstate travel by Asiatics, the secretary of the Chinese Six Companies obtained a restraining order from the U.S. circuit court, arguing that such a ban was unfair class legislation.[72]
Public health officials were infuriated by the legal tactics of the Chinese Six Companies. Dr. J. J. Kinyoun, federal quarantine officer for San Francisco, expressed his indignation in the following statement:
The various injunctions which have been entertained by both state and federal courts … have all conspired to convince the Chinese Six Companies that they in nowise consider the Chinamen amenable to observe or comply with the health laws of the city, state, or United States. The attitude assumed by this powerful corporation forms a good excuse for the individual Chinaman to follow suit and set at naught and defiance any or all rules and regulations which are considered necessary for the sanitary protection of the citizens of this state and country.[73]
Although the Chinese were extremely hostile to the official anti-plague measures, this lack of cooperation stemmed in part from their unfamiliarity with public health procedures. When quarantine of Chinatown was first instituted, the Chinese attempted to prevent door-to-door inspection by locking up their homes and shops.[74] When health officials attempted to vaccinate the Chinese with Haffkine prophylactic serum, riots broke out in Chinatown.[75] Finally, when health officials came into the area to search for victims of the plague, the sick were reportedly hidden in the cellars and “subterranean passages” of Chinatown.[76] Health officials despaired, neither understanding nor sympathizing with the motives of the Chinese. In the words of J. J. Kinyoun: “We never can expect to accomplish in our dealings with this race what we intend to do.”[77] Accordingly, in 1905 after the first episode of the plague had ended, public health officials retreated from Chinatown, unofficially delegating the Chinese Six Companies with the responsibility of caring for the health needs of the Chinese community.
In the years to come, the overcrowded living conditions in Chinatown were to result in a high incidence of tuberculosis. For instance, the average yearly death rate from tuberculosis for the years 1912-1914 was 622 deaths per 100,000 as compared to a citywide average of 174.[78] In 1929, after the introduction of tuberculin testing of cattle and pasteurization of milk, the Chinese mortality rate was 276 deaths per 100,000 as compared to a citywide average of 8 3.[79] Yet, until 1933 no public health facilities existed within Chinatown for the diagnosis or treatment of tuberculosis. One 1915 health report noted the absence of clinics in the Chinatown area and stated as follows: “The Six Companies is probably in a better position than any other group to cooperate with the Board of Health in instituting curative and preventative measures among their own people.”[80] In other words, the city had adopted a “hands off” policy with regards to health care among the Chinese. Not until March 1933, when the Chinese Health Center was established in the nurses’ room at the Commodore Stockton School, would the city attempt to cope even half-heartedly with the tuberculosis problem in Chinatown.[81]
Today, the outright discrimination against the Chinese has ceased. Nevertheless, a continuing phenomenon is the reluctance of many Chinese–particularly among the aged or non-English speaking immigrant groups–to seek health services outside of the Chinatown area. Thus, while members of the Chinese community routinely seek medical care in hospitals, offices, and clinics throughout San Francisco, Chinatown itself continues to present a unique situation for the organization of health services. In one sense, the Chinese ceased being medical scapegoats by 1905; after that date, advances in medical science made obsolete the nineteenth-century policy of condemning the Chinese as “carriers of alien disease.” However, the failure of the City and County of San Francisco to provide health services within Chinatown was to have a more enduring effect. As late as 1967, the only outpatient facility furnishing acute medical services to the Chinese indigent in Health District IV (Chinatown-North Beach) was the Telegraph Hill Neighborhood Clinic, located in North Beach and funded in part by the United Crusade and by the San Francisco Department of Public Health.[82] The city facility–the Northeast Health Center–was housed during this period in the basement of the Ping Yuen Housing complex; a tuberculosis clinic, a well-baby clinic, dental services, an immunization center, and a public health nursing service were all provided in 1200 square feet of converted laundry space.[83] In other words, a paucity of medical services existed in Chinatown as late as the 1960’s; not until the 1970’s was the situation finally remedied.
黎普泰
Posted in Acupuncture history in America, Acupuncture History in the United States of America, Acupuncture in USA, Articles from online, tagged Best Chinese medicine doctor, 黎普泰 on March 24, 2013| Leave a Comment »
| 国医节的回顾与前瞻
(作者：陳明 三藩市 )http://singtaousa.com/031811/sq01.php 三月十七日，是中國第八十二屆國醫節。八十二年前的一九二九年，任上海醫院醫務長的醫生余雲岫，早年留學日本，受日本明治維新取締漢醫的影響，主張「廢醫存藥」，他向南京國民政府提出《廢止舊醫以掃除醫事律法之障礙案》。此案經南京國民政府衛生部召開的第一屆中央衛生委員會之議通過，準備正式施行。中醫面臨生死存亡的鬥爭。兵書有云：「置於死地而後生」。國民政府通過廢止中醫法案，把中醫醫務人員推向背水之戰，全國中醫界空前團結，群起反對。結果取得了勝利，並定每年三月十七日為「國醫節」。 中醫是中華民族幾千年來生產生活實踐和與疾病鬥爭逐步形成並不斷豐富發展起來的醫學科學，為中華民族的繁衍昌盛作出了重要貢獻，對世界文明進步也產生了積極的影響。一百多年前隨著華人移民到美國，也把中醫中藥帶到美國。據筆者所知，第一位來美國的中醫師就是黎普泰，他是廣東順德人，一八五四年四月，黎普泰在《金山日新錄》(The Golden Hills’ News)刊登中醫館廣告。以此算起，中醫中藥傳入美國三藩市已有一百六十年。 黎普泰的中醫館最初設在華埠華盛頓街，後遷至都板街夾企李街的錦生堂樓上。黎普泰以中藥治療奇難雜症，名揚遐邇。由於求醫甚眾，他一個人難以應付，便叫他的外甥譚富園來幫忙。 譚富園就讀於北京太醫院，是當時全國唯一的最高中醫學府。一八九零年譚來三藩市，襄助普泰醫館，聲名鵲起。三年後因黎普泰病逝，譚的父親譚子山在廣州行醫，命他回去幫忙，譚富園便回到廣州。 一八九四年，富園攜妻子及三子一女來加州，在南加州的列連埠(Redlands)創立富園醫局(Foo and Wing Herb Co.)。由於富園醫術精湛，妙手回春，聲譽日隆，引起西人醫師的妒忌，在報上攻擊中醫中藥不科學。譚富園把自己的醫案交給記者發表，證明中醫的奧妙，其功效一點也不遜於西醫，甚至有些西醫無法治療的奇難雜症，中醫能夠對症下藥，藥到病除。這場關於中醫是不是科學的筆戰，由於富園既有理論，又有治癒病例醫案佐證，終於取得了最後勝利，為弘揚中醫中藥作出了貢獻。 但是，歧視中醫中藥，並不因譚富園的貢獻而結束。一八九九年創辦金山華人仁濟醫院，只設西醫部，沒有中醫部，當時旅美華人有病多喜歡中醫診治，仁濟與華僑需求有矛盾，一年後停辦。 一九零零年，華人在三藩市創辦東華醫局，一九二五年改為東華醫院，始設立中醫門診。可是，中醫中藥立法的道路，在美國還是十分漫長的。在美國的五十個州中，只有佔人口五十萬的內華達州，於一九七三年四月二十日通過第448號法案，第一次為中醫中藥立法，在法律面前承認中醫中藥的合法地位。而作為中醫中藥的兩大重鎮的加州和紐約州，至今仍沒有取得合法地位。目前中醫中藥唯一生存空間，就是在美國把中藥當作「保健品」經營。「中藥」的經營不是某個人某個組團的專利，藥材舖有商業牌照，就可開舖立市，有合法地位。「坐堂醫」開出保健菜單（處方），自然是合法的。中醫師在美國名不正言不順，美國學界稱中醫中藥為「替代醫學」。美國醫學會的標誌是「蛇」，奧巴馬醫改法案只有「蛇」，而不見有中醫中藥的「龍」。美國只在商業上承認中藥作為保健商品的合法地位，而沒有作為醫療衛生的專業領域承認中醫中藥的合法地位，豈非咄咄怪事。 針灸是中醫的一個科目，而中醫才是主體，目前加州州政府只承認針灸合法，而不承認中醫中藥合法，確是本末倒置，令人費解。 在迎接第八十二屆國醫節的時候，筆者倡議全美國的中醫中藥醫務人員，不分甚麼政治觀點，不論甚麼宗教信仰，大家團結起來，為爭取中醫中藥的立法而鬥爭。在這裡，筆者提出四點建議： 第一，吸取內華達州中醫中藥立法的經驗，以針灸立法為突破口，繼承和發展前輩爭取中醫中藥立法精神。 第二，中醫中藥全體醫務人員團結起來，不要「岐黃相輕」，而要「岐黃相親」。不要「同行如敵國」，要「同行如一國」。兩岸關係不是「一中原則」嗎？我們中醫中藥醫務人員也要樹立「一中原則」，就是爭取中醫中藥立法的原則，一切言行都要以有利於中醫立法為原則。 第三，贊同加州執照針灸醫師公會會長沈華舒的意見「實行學院教育與師徒教育相結合」。中醫傳統教育，是先有師徒教育，後來才發展為學院教育。現在卻出現只重視中醫高等教育，而輕視名中醫的授徒教育。這兩者各有優點，學院重視系統教育，師徒則重視專長教育。前者注重理論修養，後者注重臨床經驗。把二者結合起來，取長補短，培養出一批既有高深的中醫基礎理論素養又有豐富臨床診療技術水平的醫務人員，才能投入美國主流社會，征服美國社會民眾，進而為中醫中藥立法創造充分條件。 第四，把中醫中藥提高到哲學思想和世界觀來認識。過去一些著名中醫稱為「儒醫」，就是他有具有儒家思想的根底。也有一些道觀的道士為名中醫，就是他們具有道家養生的根底。可見，沒有真正認識和領會儒家和道家的哲學思想和世界觀，也就不可能真正瞭解和領會中醫中藥的真諦。中醫中藥是姓「中」，即使你已入了美國籍，但只要你是中醫中藥的醫務人員，你就永遠改變不了姓「中」。中醫中藥是中華民族文化的瑰寶之一，只有維護民族的特色，才有利於中醫中藥的走向世界，而要做到這一點，其根源正是淵源於儒家和道家的思想。 近年來，加州華裔參政人士取得很大的成績，我們希望這些參政的華裔官員和議員，不要忘記支持你們走向政壇的華裔選民。你們最好的回報，就是利用你們力所能及的影響，爭取中醫中藥早日立法。
譚頴秀 – 註册針灸師 http://kaywin.ca/WellnessCentre/LingLanWellnessCentre.aspx 7725 Birchmount Road Unit 29/30, Markham, Ontario L3R 9X3 譚氏曾祖父譚富園公受其父親中醫譚子山之薰陶， 就讀於北京太醫院學習中醫，曾在清朝末年任太醫，後跟隨舅父中醫師黎普泰(第一位到美國之中醫師)，到美國三藩市行醫，再與康有為弟子在南加州的列連埠(Redlands)創立富園醫局。由於富園公醫術精湛，妙手回春，引起西人醫師的妒忌，在報上攻擊中醫中藥不科學化。富園公把自己之醫案交給記者發表，證明中醫之奧妙，其功效一點也不遜於西醫，甚至有些西醫無法治療之奇難雜症，中醫也能夠對症下藥，藥到病除。這場關於中醫是不是科學化之筆戰，由於富園公既有理論，又有治癒病例醫案佐證，終於取得了最後之勝利，為弘揚中醫中藥作出了貢獻。其四子譚少富繼承衣砵在加州行醫，退休後回港飬老。那時譚氏年幼未能跟隨叔公學習中醫，但他留下不少清代名醫陳修園之書籍及治療札記，令譚氏獲益良多。 |
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| 譚氏從小移民來加，初習太極，後醉心於氣功，不斷研習各派氣功如少林禪功、道家氣功及治療氣功(五雷神針和日本靈氣)等。因先祖均是中醫，耳濡目染，便到加拿大中醫藥學院(北京首都醫科大學分校）修讀中醫針灸，畢業後跟隨多倫多中醫針灸臨床學院創始人沈清瑞中醫師學習運用多種臨床針灸療法。譚氏所用之治療針法，不限於傳統針法。她辨証論治，根據不同患者之病患，施以不同療法，例如：薄氏腹針、董氏奇穴、王氏刺血及黃氏耳穴等。譚氏精於氣功，扎針時運用五雷神針指法將氣輸入患者體內，同時配合氣功、靈氣或水晶療法等，推動患者體內之內氣，喚醒患者體內沉睡的臟器起來工作。本着醫者父母心，用心與患者共同對抗病魔，達到理想療效。 | |
The evidence of Acupuncture:Acupuncture Works
Posted in Acupuncture in USA, Articles from online, tagged Acupuncture, AP and Acupuncture Media Works, Dr. Harvey Kaltsas, evidence, research on February 13, 2013| Leave a Comment »
Please see detail information online(click below) for your reference before, during the acupuncture.
The book author is Dr. Harvey Kaltsas, AP and Acupuncture Media Works
Click to access The-Proof-Ebook.pdf
Table of Contents
Acupuncture Works – the Proof 3
Acknowledgments to: 5
Section One: Purpose and Introduction 6
Purpose 6
Introduction 6
How the studies in this book were selected 8
Section 2: Testimony before the U.S. Senate 11
Special Hearing 11
Acupuncture in the United States 16
The Chinese Example 16
Acupuncture in the Treatment of Chemical Dependency 17
Stroke, Paralysis, and Brain Damaged Babies 18
AIDS 19
Cancer 19
Pain 20
Requests for Congressional Support 20
Conclusion 22
Section Three: Peer-Reviewed Research Studies 23
Allergic Rhinitis 23
Angina Pectoris 25
Breech Birth Version 26
Cancer Care – Improving Quality of Life 27
Cardiac Arrhythmias 30
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome 31
Chronic Venous Ulceration 34
Depression 35
Diabetes 38
Diabetic Peripheral Neuritis and Neuropathy 40
Dry Eye Syndrome 42
Dysmennorhea 43
Dyspepsia 44
Endometriosis 45
Facial Paralysis 46
Fertility Support 47
Fibroids, Uterine 50
Fibromyalgia 51
Gall Bladder Disorders – Cholecystitis 57
Glaucoma 59
Headache 60
Hot Flashes and Post Menopausal Symptoms 65
Hypertension 67
Improved Gait Performance in Geriatric Patients 69
Inflammation 70
Insomnia 72Copyright © 2012 by Dr. Harvey Kaltsas, AP and Acupuncture Media Works
4
Irritable Bowel Syndrome 75
Labor Pain 76
Leukopenia and Neutropenia Induced by Chemotherapy 77
Low Back Pain 79
Lupus 91
Migraine 92
Military Use 97
Musculo-Skeletal Disorders 99
Nausea and Vomiting 100
Neck Pain and Whiplash 107
NIH Consensus Statement – Various Disorders 114
Osteoarthritis of the Hip 116
Osteoarthritis of the Knee 117
Osteoarthritis Pain 124
Peripheral Joint Osteoarthritis 125
Pain 126
Poststroke and Other Forms of Paralysis – Rehabilitation 135
Raynaud’s Phenomenon 138
Restless Leg Syndrome 139
Rheumatic Conditions 140
Rheumatoid Arthritis 141
Schizophrenia 143
Shingles 144
Strength Performance 145
Substance Abuse and Alcoholism 146
TMJ Disorder 151
Tendonitis – Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow) 152
Understanding the Placebo Effect 153
Using Chinese Language Databases in Research 155
Utilizing Acupuncture in Health Care Systems:
the Economic Impact 156
Section 4: Breakthroughs in Understanding 159
How Acupuncture Works 159
Section 5: NFWL Resolution on Acupuncture 161
About the National Foundation for Women Legislators 161
1822年道光皇帝废除太医院针灸一科
Posted in Acupuncture history in China, Articles from online, tagged 道光, 针灸 on January 20, 2013| Leave a Comment »
| 《宫廷医案揭秘：皇家医事》作者：屈维英 |
道光帝废止针灸 |
| 两千多年来，中华医学一直按照自己的传统和逻辑不断发展完善，在19世纪中叶以前取得了辉煌的成就，但到了清代中后期，随着西风东渐对知识界的影响，尤其是以科学技术为强大推动力的西医的迅猛发展，中医的命运开始越来越令人担忧，道光年间皇帝下令取消针灸即是一次提前的预警。
其实，中西医在发展的初始阶段，双方的水平和思路并没有明显的分野，甚至有更多的共通之处。西医也曾有针刺疗法，但其研究和应用水平一直无法与中医媲美。建立在中医经络学说之上的针灸，是医学史上较早出现的一种医疗手段。据先秦时期文献资料记载，以及对考古出土文物的研究，针灸的起源可以追溯到远古的旧石器时代。也就是说，针灸起源于砭石的发现和运用。近年来，各地考古发现的砭石，有刀形、剑形、针形等，多数出于新石器时代到春秋战国时期。后世金属医针的出现，显然是在使用砭石治病的基础上，经过不断改进、发展而来的，其间经过了石针、骨针、竹针、陶针等阶段，在商朝就开始运用金属针具了。 秦、汉以降，随着生产和制作技术的提高，针灸得到了较快的发展，涌现了扁鹊、华佗、涪翁、郭玉等针灸圣手。魏晋时期，祖籍甘肃灵台的皇甫谧对针灸学首次进行了大总结，写成了我国现存最早、并以原本形式传世的第一部针灸学专著——《针灸甲乙经》。唐朝，出现了彩色经络穴位图和独立成科的针灸教学。宋元时期，针灸学得到长足发展，仅北宋就有三十余种针灸学著作问世。翰林医官尚药奉御王惟一研制了闻名国内外的“针灸铜人”。所铸铜人与成年男子体形相等，体表刻穴657个，浑然一体，可谓创举。王惟一同时撰成《新铸铜人腧穴针灸图经》，该书不仅当时刊刻印行，还刻石立于相国寺仁济殿内，成为中国针灸史上新的里程碑。 到了明代，针灸学继续向前发展。公元1443年，明朝政府特指定专人仿照宋人式样另行铸造过针灸铜人。在这时期出现了不少针灸专著，如徐凤的《针灸大全》，汪机的《针灸问对》，尤其是高武先后编纂成的《针灸节要》和《针灸聚英》二书，汇集了16世纪初以前十余种针灸文献的理论与治疗经验，同时记述了高武本人的学术观点，对某些迷信说法进行了批判，是一部重要的针灸专著。16世纪末叶，名医杨继洲在祖传《针灸玄机秘要》一书的基础上，结合自己的医疗经验，于1601年编纂刊行《针灸大成》，全面论述了经络、穴位、针灸手法与适应症等，介绍了应用针灸与药物综合治疗的宝贵经验。 但清代中期随着鸦片战争的爆发和国力的衰退，针灸学却受到了一次前所未有的贬斥和打击。 道光二年（1822年），道光帝下令废止针灸，理由很简单，针灸是对皇上的不尊重。据《太医院志》记载：“奉旨：针灸一法，由来已久。然以针刺火灸，究非奉君之所宜。太医院针灸一科，著永远停止。”这次事件固然是由于道光帝对中医治疗方法的无知，有一定的偶然性，但对后世的影响却颇为剧烈。此后的中医所遭遇的诘难更多，以至于只能在夹缝中生存。 1914年北洋军阀统治时期，教育总长汪大燮就主张废除中医中药，遭到全国中医药界的强烈反对，各地中医组织了“医药救亡请愿团”进行斗争。在全国人民的反对下，消灭中医的政策虽未得逞，但当局这种民族虚无主义的错误主张并未改变，且愈演愈烈。1925年，全国教育联合会申请把中医课程列入医学校规程，建议在医学校内设中医一科或设中医学校，也遭到国民党政府的拒绝。 1929年2月，国民党政府召开第一次中央卫生委员会议，通过了余岩等人提出的“废止旧医以扫除医事卫生之障碍案”，使摧残消灭中医的活动达到高潮。余岩在他的所谓《医学革命论》中写道：“我国旧医之理论，荒唐诞怪，无可掩饰，惟有听其沦丧而已耳……欲保存国萃，于药方尚有一线之望”。他还把针灸、按摩等我国长期以来行之有效的治疗方法，与巫觋星卜等迷信活动混为一谈，说什么：“国药实效，应该研究，旧医谬说，应该打倒，”极力主张消灭中医。余岩的“废止旧医案”遭到全国人民的强烈反对，虽未核准执行，但不到半年，国民党政府有关机构连续发布关于中医药的政令，限制和取消中医，如教育部下令全国各地的中医学校一律改称中医传习所，卫生部下令将中医医院改为医室，并禁止参用西药西械。 1933年，国民党政府拟订《国医条例（草案）》，在讨论时，汪精卫极力反对，他诬蔑“国医言阴阳五行，不重解剖，在科学上实无根据；至国药全无分析，治病效能渺茫”，并主张“凡属中医不许执业，全国中药店，限令歇业”。国民党政府歧视、限制中医的民族虚无主义政策，虽未达到消灭中医的目的，却使祖国医学受到严重的摧残。到1949年，中医中药事业已到了奄奄一息的地步。 中华人民共和国成立后，中国共产党和人民政府十分重视中医中药的保护和发展，早在1950年第一届全国卫生工作会议上，就将“面向工农兵、预防为主、团结中西医”，定为我国医疗卫生工作的三大方针。1958年，毛泽东进一步强调说：“中国医药学是一个伟大的宝库，应当努力发掘，加以提高。”随之，数以万计的中医医生被邀请到国家医疗、教学、科研机构工作，并对几十万在职中医进行了培训提高，中医药院校也蓬勃发展起来。 目前，全国已有中医学院30所，中等中医学校55所。著名针灸学家皇甫谧的巨大雕像已耸立在甘肃中医学院。从上世纪九十年代起，全国已有中医硕士、博士授予单位数十个。独具特色的中医中药学还在世界上得到广泛应用和传播。实践证明，中国医药学是一个伟大的宝库，它在现代医学科学发展的进程中，所起的作用越来越重要。尤其在现代医学重新重视人的整体观念和人体免疫功能以及滥用抗生素的环境条件下，中医中药的优势和重要性正在突现出来，它必将对全人类的医疗保健事业做出更加杰出的贡献。 现代医学竟然对人体经络学说一无所知。近二三十年来由于针刺麻醉的成功，针灸术才引起国际上的普遍关注。针灸作用机理的研究已经成为当代国际医学界饶有兴趣的课题。然而经络是否存在呢？众说纷纭，竟成了“千古之谜”。1988年10月27日，在“国际经络生物物理研讨会”现场观摩会上，中国科学院生物物理研究所副研究员祝总骧让一名“病人”仰卧在床上，两名医生，一手持听诊器，一手持小锤，在全场几百双眼睛的注视和摄像机、照像机镜头前，通过敲打和辩听，准确迅速地测出一个又一个的人体穴位。连接穴位，组成14条高度敏感的线，恰好与两千多年前中国古代医学家绘制的经络图基本重合，从而雄辩地证明，人体经络现象是一种客观存在，中国古代医学家建立的经络学说是科学的。 人体经络学说的证实，揭开了生物学、医学和人体科学的重大变革的帏幕。古老的针灸术正在以一种崭新的姿态奋发崛起。它已跻身于世界科学中最先进的行列。可以预见，古老的针灸术将在医疗、免疫、人体特异功能等研究方面大显身手。 |
Dr. Ralph Coan: a hero in establishing acupuncture as a profession in the United States
Posted in Acupuncture history in America, Acupuncture History in the United States of America, Acupuncture in USA, Articles from online, Dr.Fan's publications, History, tagged Acupuncture, acupuncture history, acupuncture history in America, acupuncture history in the United States, Arthur Fan, Maryland, Ralph Coan, washington DC, Ziyi Fan on January 18, 2013| 1 Comment »
Dr. Ralph Coan: a hero in establishing acupuncture as a profession in the United States
Journal of Integrative Medicine: Volume 11, 2013 Issue 1
http://www.jcimjournal.com/jim/FullText2.aspx?articleID=jintegrmed2013007
1. Arthur Yin Fan (McLeanCenter for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, PLC. Vienna, VA22182, USA )
2. Ziyi Fan (McLeanCenter for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, PLC. Vienna, VA22182, USA )
DOI: 10.3736/jintegrmed2013007 Fan AY, Fan Z. Dr. Ralph Coan: a hero in establishing acupuncture as a profession in the United States. J Integr Med. 2013; 11(1): 39-44. Received July 23, 2012; accepted August 25, 2012. Open-access article copyright ? 2013 Arthur Yin Fan et al. Correspondence: Arthur Yin Fan, PhD, MD, LAc; Tel: +1-703-499-4428; Fax: +1-703-547-8197; E-mail: ArthurFan@ChineseMedicineDoctor.US
Figure 1 A recent photograph of Dr. Ralph Coan This photograph was taken during the interview. He had recently partially recovered from a stroke while also suffering from heart disease.
1 Introduction
Dr. Ralph Coan is not well known to the general public. Originally, we had wanted to interview him as he was the medical director of the first acupuncture center in the United States that opened in the early 1970s[1]. We wanted to know more about that center’s history. Prior to visiting Dr. Coan, we found an article written by Dr. Sherman Cohn that mentioned Dr. Coan. The article noted that Dr. Coan was the founder of the American Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, which is the national association of acupuncturists and Chinese medicine practitioners in the United States[2]. While interviewing Dr. Coan on February 18, 2012, it became apparent that he truly is a leading light in establishing acupuncture as a profession in the United States.?Dr. Coan is 75 years old and retired several years ago from his busy medical practice in Kensington, Maryland, USA. As he had recently partially recovered from a stroke while also suffering from heart disease, he could not talk much (Figure 1, Dr. Coan was in the interview). To collect further information about him, we also consulted his former colleagues and relatives, and researched articles written about him.
2 An acupuncture believer
“I put an advertisement in the Washington Post stating Looking for a Physician Position. To my surprise, I immediately got a call in the same day. He said, ‘Are you interested in working in an acupuncture clinic? If so, please come.’ I was not familiar with acupuncture before this. However, I had to get a job to support my family after I left the United States Army. At that time, most of the medical doctors (MDs) and politicians did not believe in acupuncture; some media treated acupuncture as a ‘quack’ profession. I started the work with great suspicions. It was at the beginning of 1973.” Dr. Coan recalled 40 years later.
Dr. Coan graduated from the Georgetown University School of Medicine in Washington, D.C. in 1963 as an honors student, had a one-year internship in the University of Chicago Hospitals, and completed his residency at WalterReedArmyHospital in Washington, D.C. He joined the United States Special Army and served at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, in the Canal Zone, Panama, at Lowry Air Force Base, Colorado, and Walter Reed in Washington, D.C. In 1972, Dr. Coan left the Army after serving for eight years due to the end of the Vietnam War. He was one of the three earliest staff physicians, with six Chinese medicine doctors or acupuncturists, to work for the Acupuncture Center of Washington, the first legal acupuncture center in the United States[1]. At that time, Western-trained MDs performed the diagnoses and decided which patients needed acupuncture, and the Chinese medicine doctors would perform acupuncture treatment under the MDs’ supervision. The first MD director of the Center was Dr. Arnold Benson, a New York internist and one of the three founders. Dr. Coan became the second MD director a year later, since Dr. Benson was busy and could not work full-time. As the staff director and co-founder, Dr. Yao Wu Lee recalled that Dr. Coan worked part-time initially, then became a full-time doctor, and at last, served as the MD director, while Dr. Chingpang Lee, a Chinese medicine doctor, served as the office manager.
“I was not sure whether acupuncture was safe and effective, so I wanted to do a little research by myself before I finally decided to work there. I collected the contact information of the first 50 contiguous patients and examined them — the Center had an official copy; I collected by myself secretly. Over approximately two months, I called all of those patients. The results were very encouraging: more than 80% of the patients told me that they got better without any obvious adverse effects. I became a believer, so I decided to work full-time there. I stayed in that Center for approximately 10 years.” Dr. Coan said.
At that time, there were very few acupuncture clinics, and patients came from throughout the United States as well as from many other countries. The Center was immensely popular and had to split into two separate clinics: the Acupuncture Center of Washington and the WashingtonAcupunctureCenter. At their peak popularity, both clinics saw about one thousand patients per day. Within one year, there were thirteen acupuncture clinics open in Washington, D.C., leading it to become a capital of acupuncture. The acupuncture business was so successful that buses full of patients came from New York, New Jersey, and other cities daily to visit the Center[1]. Such scenes and the effectiveness of acupuncture amazed many open-minded MDs like Dr. Coan[2]. However, the booming acupuncture business aroused anxiety and unease within conservative Western style medical institutions and drug manufacturers. In 1974, the Washington, D.C. Board of Medicine gave the Center orders to close acupuncture offices six times. To save the acupuncture profession, as well as the Center, the directors decided to respond. From mid-1974 to the early 1975, they were involved in two lawsuits in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. The court conducted a serious hearing on acupuncture. Judge Fred Ugast listened to the testimonies of the Washington, D.C. Board of Medicine, the Acupuncture Center of Washington and WashingtonAcupunctureCenter, as well as the public for three months. Dr. Coan was one of the key MDs who attended the hearing and played an important role[2,3].
Dr. Coan remembered very clearly, “One day I was in court. I testified that in Washington, D.C. there were no MDs or dentists trained in acupuncture. It is impossible to get rid of acupuncturists in an acupuncture practice, because they are the experts. Then, Judge Fred Ugast let the doctor who was in charge of the Washington, D.C. Medical Board in. The judge asked him, ‘Dr. Robinson, your regulation wants to limit the right to practice acupuncture to licensed physicians and dentists in Washington, D.C. Do you know how many Western-trained doctors in Washington, D.C. were trained in acupuncture? How many patients need acupuncture everyday?’ The doctor replied, ‘I don’t know.’ Then the judge said, ‘Oh, you can go now.’”
“I predicted that we would win the case. At last, the judge announced that the new Washington, D.C. regulation which wanted to limit the right to practice acupuncture to licensed MDs and dentists is unconstitutional. The rights of physicians to choose proper treatment based on his best judgment, acupuncturists to perform acupuncture, and patients to get professional acupuncture services have been protected. So, acupuncturists could continue to perform acupuncture as long as it is under a MD’s supervision.”
Dr. Coan was a diligent doctor and held at least six qualifications in subspecialties of internal medicine, such as endocrinology and infectious diseases, which is many more than what doctors today may have. He worked with those acupuncturists in his office from 1972 until late 1990s. He said, “I am a believer of acupuncture, although I did not insert any acupuncture needles into any patient. When my family members were sick, I always suggested them to use acupuncture first. Acupuncture works!”
3 A pioneer in acupuncture research
There was very little acupuncture research reported in the 1970s and 1980s, Dr. Coan was one of the pioneers in conducting acupuncture clinical trials. When I mentioned his name to Dr. Lixing Lao, a well-known researcher in acupuncture and Chinese herbology, and a Chinese medicine doctor at the Center for Integrative Medicine of the University of Maryland, he gave Dr. Coan very high praise, “Dr. Coan was an important acupuncture researcher with historical status. His two papers in acupuncture clinical trials on neck pain and low-back pain have been cited by many researchers today.”
In mid-September, 1973, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) held a special workshop for acupuncture scientific study. Dr. Benson and Dr. Coan reported their clinical observation of acupuncture’s effectiveness in 36 cases of rheumatoid arthritis (RA)[4] which was conducted by Dr. Coan.
The presentation at this NIH meeting showed that during the first six weeks after the center was established in December 1972, there were 64 patients with RA who were treated with acupuncture. The first follow-up was conducted three months later. They were able to contact 55 patients, of whom 36 had been given 5 to 24 acupuncture treatments (average 6.6). Of the 36, 25 patients (69%) reported improvement, including less need for pain medications and in some cases, reduction of the nodules which occur on arthritis sufferer’s joints. Of 19 patients who had fewer than 5 treatments, only 5 cases (16%) reported improvement. The second follow-up was conducted six months later, which showed continued improvement by 16 of 27 patients (59%) from the original group. The average age of patients in this study was 55 years, and they had been suffering from RA for an average of 11.5 years.
Many newspapers in the United States reported this news, which encouraged more patients to try acupuncture.
An article entitled The acupuncture treatment of low back pain, a randomized controlled study[5] was reported by Dr. Coan and his colleagues in 1980. The study was conducted within the Acupuncture Center of Washington and Acupuncture Center of Maryland.
Acupuncture treatment was effective for the majority of patients with lower back pain, which was shown by the use of short-term controls and long-term controls, although the latter were not intended in the study design. After acupuncture, there was a 51% pain reduction in the average pain score in the immediate treatment group. The short-term controls and the delayed treatment group showed no reduction in their pain scores at the comparable follow-up period. Later, the patients in the delayed treatment group were also treated by acupuncturists, and 62% of patients reported less pain. When these two treatment groups were compared at 40 weeks with long-term controls (inadequate treatment group), the inadequate treatment group still had the same pain scores, on the average, as when they enrolled in the study. Both treatment groups, on average, had 30% lower pain scores. Furthermore, 58% of patients in the treatment groups felt that they had definitely improved at 40 weeks, while only 11% of the inadequate treatment group felt definite improvement at 40 weeks. There was a significant difference between the groups.
Another article entitled The acupuncture treatment of neck pain, a randomized controlled trial[6] was reported in 1981 by Dr. Coan and his colleagues.
Thirty patients with cervical spine pain syndromes, course of disease 8 years on average, were assigned randomly equally into treatment and control groups. After 12 weeks, 12 of 15 (80%) of the treatment group felt improvement, some dramatically, with a mean 40% reduction of pain score, 54% reduction of pain pills, 68% reduction of pain hours per day and 32% less limitation of activity. Two of 15 (13%) of the control group reported a slight improvement after 12.8 weeks. The control group had a mean 2% worsening of the pain score, 10% reduction in pain pills, no lessening of pain hours and 12% less limitation of activity.
Such study design may be seen as flawed if judged by today’s criteria. However, they were considered impressive by the researchers at that time, especially the studies were the first time in history endorsed by NIH, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the American Medical Association (AMA), whichis the main stream medical society. The reports had been documented in the United States Congress in 1979 and was one of key documents used for FDA relabeling acupuncture needle as a medical device from an investigational device in 1994. The later two studies were conducted by local acupuncturists and MDs using their own money, time and labor, with great difficulty, and totally followed the restrict NIH clinical trial rule (control, and random) at that time, which might be the only case in the United States medical research history. Dr. Coan was invited to give lectures throughout the United States. Such studies do therefore have some value. Dr. Coan said, “Acupuncture is a process of a needle piercing the body, to some extent, it is similar to a small operation. As a clinical doctor, I strongly believe it cannot be compared with so-called ‘sham’ acupuncture (which is used as a placebo, mimicking that in medication’s clinical trials; however, it is a real piercing or similar to that). We used the methods of comparing the effectiveness and adverse effects before and after acupuncture in the same patient group, or between the treatment group and waiting-list group. Like an operation, how can we compare the cut of a scalpel with the ‘sham scalpel cut’?”
I agree with him. Indeed, acupuncture is very different from medication; the design of the study should not be the same as the drug model, the so-called “golden criteria”.
4 A key person in establishing acupuncture as a profession in Maryland
“I was an MD who had witnessed so many patients getting better after acupuncture treatment and became an acupuncture believer. In the 1970s, I had strong motivation — I felt that I should do something to push the acupuncture profession forward in the United States. I decided to change something at the local level first. I convinced ten more local acupuncturists, and established a professional organization Acupuncture Association of Washington Metropolitan (AAWM). I was its president for more than 10 years. We met every Saturday morning to share news with each other and discuss the role of the acupuncturists. One day, we met in SuburbanHospital (which was the affiliated hospital of NIH). We were aware that the first quarter of each year is the legislation season in every state, so we decided to remove the obstacle in law for acupuncture in Maryland.” Dr. Coan recalled.
The members of AAWM included local acupuncturists mainly from Hong Kong and Taiwan of China and Korea, such as Grace Wong, In-Su Kim, Hansheng Gu (Hanson Koo) and Sumei Zhang. They met once a month in China Garden Restaurant on Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, Maryland. The basic procedure was: ate lunch together (about half hour), and then discussed something new and what needed to be done — like most societies today but we met more often and sometimes held seminars. Maryland was one of the earliest states that allowed acupuncturists to practice acupuncture (Fan notes: similar to the nurses working under the supervision of MD, without license) in the United States in 1973. However, in the early 1980s the Board of Medicine with the conservative Western-trained doctors did not want acupuncturists to have a license and wanted to deprive the acupuncturists’ rights. During 1981 to 1982, Dr. Coan and his colleagues were involved in acupuncture licensing legislation in Maryland.
“At that time, there was a five-person committee representing the Governor and State of Maryland in the hearing. The MD’s representative who attended that hearing was a very, very famous neurosurgeon from JohnHopkinsHospital, a ‘top guy’ in the Western medical field, who did not like acupuncture and tried to block the acupuncture licensing legislation.” Dr. Coan reminisced about the great achievement, “I am a nasty person. I knew him well and I knew he would oppose acupuncture. So I brought three local patients who had surgery from him, which is a secret weapon I used later all the time.” The neurosurgeon told the committee: “acupuncture is just a no-use therapy, especially for neurological issues, such as spinal disc problems that cause back pain and sciatica; only surgery could cure such disorders.” Then it was Dr. Coan’s turn. Dr. Coan brought out patients and asked them, “Do you know that doctor (the neurosurgeon)?” The patients replied, “We were patients of his and had operations from him.” “Did the operations help?” Dr. Coan asked. “No, after the operation, the pain got worse. However, acupuncture stopped the pain.” one of patients replied. The surgeon felt embarrassed and left the hearing immediately. And then Dr. Grace Wong, Dr. Coan’s partner and a well-known acupuncturist, made testimonies for acupuncture. So, acupuncture licensing legislation was passed very smoothly and successfully in Maryland in 1982 [Fan notes: due to the special political environment in Maryland, the Acupuncturist Licensing Act was changed to Acupuncturist Registering Act in 1982. So, the legislation passed in that year was the Acupuncturist Registering Act. The Acupuncturist Licencing Legislation was passed at last in 1994, 12 years later].
“You should understand it is so important to bring patients with you when you try to make testimonies in court and convince people about acupuncture. The patients will give you great support,” Dr. Coan said.
Dr. Lixing Lao once was Dr. Coan’s colleague. He recalled, “I participated in the events of AAWM, because I taught a point-locating class for National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) acupuncture examination preparation for the Tai Sophia Institute in 1986 as a part-time job, while I was a PhD candidate of physiology in the University of Maryland. Tai’s teaching, focusing on five-element acupuncture from England, is very different in content from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the main stream of current Chinese medicine. Dr. Yin-sue Kim attended that class and invited me to participate in Dr. Coan’s monthly events. I actually joined them in 1987. One day, we got interest to start an acupuncture school with focus on TCM in Maryland. So, several people became involved in this topic. After the normal meeting completed and other acupuncturists left, we discussed the school issue. The school was started in late 1991, and the first class was in 1992.”
The school was called the Acupuncture School of Maryland, and later, Maryland Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine (MITCM). After eight years of preparation, the school was initially started in a Catholic elementary school where it held lectures in the evening. After several years, it moved into a professional building in Bethesda, Maryland, which was very close to a metro station, and had all lectures during normal hours. “I was the founder and the first president of the school, and ran the school by myself for two years. My daughter worked there as a secretary.” Dr. Coan said. According to Dr. Lao, Dr. Coan spent a lot of energy, time, and even his own money for the school. Before the school could become financially independent, Dr. Coan lent his money to the school for support. The teachers at the school, mostly from mainland China and well-trained in TCM, included Drs. Lixing Lao, Jingyuan Gao, Eugene Zhang, and more. “Dr. Lao and Dr. Gao were fantastic teachers and scholars, when I was the president there, I attended their lectures for two years. I should give them my heartfelt praise,” Dr. Coan said. The first graduates were twelve students in December 17, 1994. MITCM was very sound in its academic and financial condition. It was a prestigious TCM school on the east coast. However, it closed at the end of 2002.
During the 1980s to 1990s, Drs. Coan, Wong, Lao and Bob Duggan (the founder of Tai Sophia Institute) worked as the main board members in the Acupuncture Board of Maryland for many years. The Board is a state government agency that is in charge of acupuncture licensing and administrates acupuncturists’ practice.
5 The founder of the American Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
Almost ten years passed from the opening of the first acupuncture center of the United States in 1972. In more and more states, such as Nevada, Maryland and Massachusetts, acupuncture legislation got passed. More and more patients considered acupuncture as an option, and more and more students studied acupuncture and Oriental medicine in the United States and became acupuncturists. These led to the birth of a national organization for the acupuncture profession[2].
Dr. Coan and Louis Gasper, PhD, were co-founders of the American Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (AAAOM). Dr. Gasper, who died in 2004, was a professor at Los AngelesInternationalUniversity. They sent letters nationally to invite people to attend the first AAAOM meeting at the Los AngelesInternationalUniversity on June 27, 1981. Neither Dr. Coan nor Dr. Gasper practiced acupuncture; however, they are acupuncture believers. The 75 attendees included MDs and dentists who used acupuncture, acupuncturists (non-MDs), and MDs who did not use acupuncture themselves but supervised acupuncturists, like Dr. Coan, as well as friends of acupuncture or those with interest in acupuncture, like Dr. Gasper. The first board was elected at that meeting, and consisted of seven members: two MDs, four acupuncturists, and another doctor without indicating designation. Dr. Coan served as the treasurer. At that time, MDs were the largest groups represented at that meeting. The second AAAOM meeting, held at the Del Coronado Hotel in San Diego in March, 1982, had a much higher attendance than the first. Most of attendees were acupuncture and Oriental medicine (AOM) practitioners. In the third AAAOM meeting, held at the Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C. in May, 1983, non-MD AOM practitioners strongly protested MD members’ intentional delay of AOM development, tension between the MD acupuncturists or supervisors, and the non-MD practitioners surfaced without resolution, resulting in all of the MD members walking out of AAAOM except for Dr. Coan. In that difficult time, Dr. Coan was elected as the new president of the AAAOM, which just became AOM practitioners’ own organization. “I was president of the second board and then vice-president of AAAOM for over ten years. During those years, I helped thirteen states finalize acupuncture legislations,” Dr. Coan said.
“I gave testimonies in person in twelve states’ hearings for acupuncture legislation, gave testimony over the phone for Alaska (I did not go there, it is too far),” Dr. Coan said. He wrote the name of thirteen states for us on a paper with his hand, slight-shaking due to the stroke: Alaska, Delaware, Maryland, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.
“In Utah, there were twelve MDs who were strongly against acupuncture that attended the acupuncture legislation hearing. A representative of the AMA came too. The side that is in favor of acupuncture had only two people in attendance: one acupuncturist and me. The MDs tried to make the law to block all non-MD acupuncturists to perform acupuncture. The reason is that such non-MD acupuncturists had not had the appropriate medical education as MDs. I asked, ‘In your MDs’ clinics, there are nurses who use needles. How many years were these nurses required to study in Nurse Schools?’ They replied, ‘Three years.’ ‘Acupuncturists have education and training for four to six years, longer than the nurses. If the nurses have right to use needles, acupuncturists should be overqualified to use the needles under the supervision of a MD.’ I protested. And then, a MD stood up and said, ‘acupuncture is not useful to treat carcinoma. Acupuncture will cause carcinoma patients delay in getting the right treatments. So, acupuncture will harm patients.’ I stood behind the sponsor who wanted to introduce the acupuncture legislation and gave him the reply of our side. He responded according to my words, ‘Okay, you said acupuncture harms patients. Could you call your clinic and let your secretary use expedited mail to mail me a real medical record which indicates that acupuncture harmed your patients by tomorrow? I will pay the shipping fee.’ The doctor could say nothing. So we won the hearing, and acupuncture legislation passed.” Dr. Coan smiled, “Acupuncturists should remember, never say you could treat cancer (by acupuncture only, although you may help such patients to some extent). In the hearings, the MDs always used this as an example to block acupuncture legislations.”?Regarding Vermont, Dr. Coan said, “During the hearing there were also only two people in favor of acupuncture: a local acupuncturist and me. We won. The weather there that year was extremely cold, and this lady (the acupuncturist) had no money to pay for a hotel for me. So, I stayed in her house, without any heating, for one night. I used ten cotton blankets. That is an unforgettable experience.”
“In 1988 in Virginia, there were five surgeons in attendance who tried to block legislation which allows acupuncturists to practice acupuncture; I went there with In-Su Kim, a Korean acupuncturist, to fight with them,” Dr. Coan recalled. According to a report from a newspaper[7], at that time in VirginiaState, the law made by MDs only allowed licensed MDs to practice acupuncture. Such MDs only had 100 hours of study and 100 hours of practice in acupuncture training. The acupuncturists, mostly with 4 to 6 years extensive training, could not practice acupuncture. Dr. Coan protested in the statehouse, “This law is unjust, unfair, and immoral.”
Per the arrangement of Dr. Coan, on June 22, 1979, George Brown, Jr., an acupuncture skeptic, had acupuncture during a hearing in Congress of the United States. Dr. Grace Wong, Dr. Coan’s partner, did acupuncture on him for smoking cessation; it was very successful. At that time, Brown was the Chairman of the House Science, Research, and Technology subcommittee. It was a breaking news, reported in many newspapers[8].
As another pioneer in the acupuncture profession, Dr. Finando, commented on Dr. Coan[9], “He campaigned and lobbied anywhere and everywhere to lobby for acupuncture.” Not only did he campaign and lobby for acupuncture anywhere and everywhere, his mother influenced by him, also became a volunteer lobbyist for acupuncture.
It is true that Dr. Coan is a great hero of the acupuncture profession, even though he did not insert an acupuncture needle in any patient. He is an MD, but he has contributed his dedication and whole life to support and promotion of acupuncture; all of this as a volunteer.
6 Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank Dr. Lixing Lao, Dr. Yick-chong Chan, Dr. Sherman Cohn, Ms. Judy Coan-Stevens and Mr. John Coan who provided some detail information about Dr. Ralph Coan, and Ms. April Enriquez for English editing. The interviewer was Dr. Arthur Yin Fan.
7 Competing interests
The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
References
1. Fan AY. The first acupuncture center in the United States: an interview with Dr. Yao Wu Lee, WashingtonAcupunctureCenter[J] J Chin Integr Med, 2012, 10(5) : 481-492.
2. Cohn S. Acupuncture, 1965-85: birth of a new organized profession in the United States (pt. 2). Am Acupuncturist. 2011; Spring: 22-25, 29.
3. Superior Court of the District of Columbia Civil Division. Civil action No. 11005-74. Urie, Coan v. Washington. cited by the records: Lewis v. District of Colombia Court of Appeals (1978). [2012-06-26]. http://www.tx.findacase.com/research/wfrmDocViewer.aspx/xq/fal.19780427-0003.dc.htm/qx.
4. Sawislak AB (UPI). Two-third of 36 patients treated with acupuncture had pain relief. Williamson Daily News, 1973-09-20 (15).
5. Coan RM, Wong G, Ku SL, Chan YC, Wang L, Ozer FT, Coan PL. The acupuncture treatment of low back pain: a randomized controlled study[J]. Am J Chin Med, 1980, 8(1-2) : 181-189.
6. Coan RM, Wong G, Coan PL. The acupuncture treatment of neck pain: a randomized controlled study[J]. Am J Chin Med, 1981, 9(4) : 326-332.
7. Criticism of acupuncture laws called racist by Asian groups. Afro-American. 1988-08-16(3C). [2012-06-26]. http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=LEpAAAAAIBAJ&sjid=WvUFAAAAIBAJ&pg=2980,674502&dq=ralph+coan+in+su+kim&hl=en.
8. How to prevent mildew. The Spokesman Review. 1979-06-23(10). [2012-06-26]. http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=yeURAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Ie4DAAAAIBAJ&pg=5438,3626027&dq=wong+grace+acupuncture&hl=en.
9. Finando S. AOM pioneers and leaders 1982-2007, a commemorative book of challenge and courage. Vol. 1. AAAOM, NCCAOM, CCAOM & ACAOM. 2007: 29-32. [2012-06-26]. http://www.aaaomonline.info/docs/pioneers_and_leaders_vol1.pdf.
只能称针灸师 美国加州业者推立法为中医师正名
Posted in Acupuncture history in America, Acupuncture History in the United States of America, Acupuncture in USA, Articles from online, History, tagged Acupuncture, acupuncture legislation, acupuncturist title, california, SB628 on January 10, 2013| Leave a Comment »
只能称针灸师 美国加州业者推立法为中医师正名
中新网9月10日电 据美国《世界日报》报道，美国加州中医界将州参、众议会通过的SB628法案视为一大胜利，在该法案下，拥有博士(Dr.)学位的合格针灸师可改称为针灸医师。中医界表示，他们下一步是推动“中医师”头衔，中医师在美国一直以针灸师名义行医。
在SB628法案下，凡取得针灸师执业资格前，已获得博士学位者，其正式职衔可改为“针灸医师”。无博士学位者则续称为“针灸师”，在回学校进修取得博士学位后，职衔可改为“针灸医师”。
事实上，从针灸师升格为针灸医师的背后是中医界十几年的努力。中医政治联盟主席刘美嫦表示，过去西医批评中医教育水平不够，所以中医界逐步推动硕士和博士学位，并且同时从立法角度为医师正名。她说，根据目前加州针灸管理局的规定，针灸师完成硕士学位即可获发针灸师执照，要提高为医师就得通过更高的学位考试。
全美有3万合格针灸师，一半在加州。
针灸与东方医学学院院长巫文硕说，据他了解，美国之所以用针灸师而非中医师的头衔，是因为在尼克松访问中国前一年，一名纽约时报记者到中国采访时，染上肠胃炎开刀，当地医师以针灸为他麻醉，他回到美国后大篇幅报导针灸，所以美国人对中医的概念就是针灸。
巫文硕指出，美国针灸师的行医范围包括中药、推拿、太极、气功，这都是法律允许的，实质上等同于中医师。他认为，名正言顺固然重要，但提升中医的内涵更重要，与其争取正名，还不如努力将学生水平提高。(赖至巧)
美国针灸大事年表
Posted in Acupuncture history in America, Acupuncture History in the United States of America, Acupuncture in USA, Articles from online, History, tagged Acupuncture, United States on January 7, 2013| Leave a Comment »
美国针灸大事年表
| [日期：2012-06-20] | 来源： 作者： http://book.th55.cn/a/201206/8138.html | ] |
图书馆目录中的针灸记载
美国l802～1871年的医学杂志目录中曾经列出过针灸［213］。
早期针灸临床试验记载
1825年在宾夕法尼亚州的监狱里，针灸曾经作为实验治疗方法，用于治疗犯人患者的各种疼痛病症，取壬导较好的疗效。当时监狱的犯人还经常接受药物实验疗效，此类临床试验后来被抨击为违反人权的典型事件，受到广泛的批评［214］。1826年出版的《费城医学和物理科学》杂志曾经发表过针灸治愈风湿性心脏病的病例报道［215］。
早期使用针灸著名案例
哈维．库兴(Harvey Cushin9，1869～1939年)在《奥斯勒传》中提到，美国现代医学教育之父奥斯勒医生曾尝试用针灸为一位加拿大麦吉尔大学(McGill University)的董事治疗腰痛，结果失败，没能争取到这位蒙特利尔富有的糖业加工大亨为学校的捐款［216］。
早期美国医学教科针灸书记载
1876年，詹姆斯．哈亲森在费城出版的名为《医学理论和实践》的教科书中提到针灸疗法［217］。
1892年，奥斯勒医生曾经在他编著的《内科教科书》中建议用针灸治疗坐骨神经痛和腰痛［218］。
最早报道中国针灸的美国记者
《观察》画报于1957年10月1日发表了摄影记者菲利浦·哈瑞顿 (Phillip Harrington)的配图文章，题目为“红色中国墨守古老医学”，其中提到作者在访问北京儿童医院时，看到中国医生使用针灸治疗疾病，文中还刊出针灸照片[88]。
第一位赴新中国采访的美国电视记者罗伯特·科恩(Robert Carl Cohen)于1958年拍摄了一部题为“红色中国的内幕”纪录片，在介绍中国医疗状况时，其中有现代医院和传统针灸的内容［219］。
真正第一篇实地报道中国广泛使用针灸治疗各种疾病的，是美国记者杜尔丁，他在采访美国乒乓球队访华的同时，于l971年4月24日在《纽约时报》发表了“天津医生说他用针灸治好了很多病”一文[220]。
第一个美国记者发自新中国的针刺麻醉报道
托平于1971年5月24日在《纽约时报》发表了“中国人使用针刺麻醉进行心脏手术”的报道［221］。
第一个美国科学家代表团访问新中国并参观针灸
1971年5月，耶鲁大学的高尔斯顿(Arthur Galston)教授和麻省理工学院的西格纳(Ethan Signer)教授在访问越南时，获得访问中国的邀请，成为新中国第一批应邀访华的美国科学家，2人在访华期间参观了针刺麻醉手术[21]。
第一个美国杂志报道针刺麻醉
1971年6月7日，美国《新闻周刊》报道了耶鲁大学的高尔斯顿教授和麻省理工学院的西格纳教授访问中国，参观了针刺麻醉手术。文章刊登了经络穴位图，解释为“神经中心图” ［21］。
第一个美国记者在新中国接受针灸治疗
1971年7月17 日，《纽约时报》记者赖斯顿于北京“反帝医院”(协和医院)因阑尾炎住院并接受常规阑尾切除手术，第二天(18日)，赖斯顿因术后腹胀腹痛接受了李占元医生的针刺和艾灸治疗。赖斯顿住院期间，将自己的治疗经历写成“现在让我告诉你们我在北京的阑尾切除手术”一文，发表在1971年7月26日的《纽约时报》上，此文被公认为美国针灸热的导火索［9］。
第一个美国医生代表团访问新中国并参观针刺麻醉
1971年9月，应中国中华医学会邀请，由4位知名美国医生及他们的夫人组成的美国医学代表团首次访问新中国，受到中国医学界的高规格接待。4人是美国前总统艾森豪威尔的私人医生，世界著名的心脏病专家，麻省总医院和哈佛大学的教授怀特(Paul Dudley White)医学博士；密苏里大学健康科学院院长达蒙德(Grey Dimond)医学博士；纽约爱因斯坦医学院社区健康教授赛尔德(Vietor Sidel)医学博士；纽约西奈山医学院耳鼻喉科退休名誉教授罗森(Samuel Rosen)医学博士。代表团在中国多家医院参观了针刺麻醉手术［29］。
《美国医学会会刊》第一次报道针刺麻醉
1971年12月，达蒙德医生在《美国医学会会刊》(JAMA)发表了“针刺麻醉”一文，美国正统医学杂志首次报道中国针刺麻醉［26］。
《科学》杂志第一次报道针刺麻醉
美国科学界的顶级学术杂志《科学》于1972年1月发表关于中国针灸和针刺麻醉的报道［54］。《科学》杂志在1972～1975年间至少发表过9篇关 于针灸的报告和评论文章。
美国第一家针灸中心
由纽约执照西医师本森(Benson)医生于1972年夏在纽约曼哈顿开设名为“曼哈顿针灸中心”。中心雇用了数位亚裔针灸师，当时需求针灸的患者众多，来自美国及世界各地的患者预约排到一年之后。但因为当时针灸师在纽约州尚未取得合法地位，政府管理部门以“非法行医”下令取缔，“曼哈顿针灸中心”于当年ll月关闭［69］。
美国第一次针刺麻醉手术
美国第一次针刺麻醉试验手术于l972年4月由专业麻醉医师刘医生(wei Chi Liu)在芝加哥威斯医院(Weiss Memorial Hospital)完成。患者是一位31岁的麻醉护士，他自愿请医生采用针刺代替常规药物麻醉切除自己的扁桃体，手术十分成功。手术病例报道发表于l972年《美国医学会会刊》[222]。
第一本针灸杂志
《美国针灸》杂志(American Journal ofAcupuncture)于1973年创刊。
第一本中医杂志
《美洲中医》杂志(American Journal of Chnese Medicine)于1973年创刊。
第一个中医针灸立法
1973年4月内华达州通过了美国第一个法案承认中国医学为“专业职业”，州立法委员会几乎全票通过将针灸、中草药及其他中医疗法合法化。此法案出自州参议院448号提案，经由参众两院通过，州长签字生效。法案要求成立独立的州中医管理委员会，允许没有医生执照的专业人士申请针灸、中草药和中医执照，合法行医［115,116］。
第一个官方机构承认针灸为医学治疗方法
在美国各官方机构中，国家税务局(IRS)最先于1973年承认针灸治疗为医学治疗方法，规定纳税人用于针灸治疗的费用可以作为医疗花费报税。
美国针灸热的最高潮
美国大众画报《人物》周刊于1974年4月15日图文并茂刊登了一组包括电影明星、节目主持人和大牌运动员在内的多位美国家喻户晓的名人照，文章的题目为：“名人和平民都得到了针灸的帮助”，《人物》荟萃名人针灸故事的报道被认为是美国针灸热历史最高潮的标志［118,119］。
美国第一个针刺麻醉评估报告
“美国针刺麻醉研究组”于l974年5月1日赴中国参观考察3周，访问了北京、上海、广州等城市，参观了l6家中国医院，考察观摩了48台针刺麻醉外科手术。1976年，美国科学院正式出版了题为《针刺麻醉在中华人民共和国》的评估报告［124］。
第一个针灸戒毒中心
1972年香港医生温祥来(Hsian9—Lai wen)等首先发明耳针戒毒疗法，其研究论文于l973年发表于《亚洲医学》杂志。1974年纽约林肯医院史密斯(Michael 0．Smith)医学博士建立了第一个设立在美国医院的耳针戒毒中心。
第一个美国针灸学校
美国第一个针灸学校“新英格兰针灸学校”(New England School of Acupuncture)于1975年创办。
第一个全美针灸资格考试
美国第一个被广泛接受的全国统一针灸资格考试由非盈利机构“全国针灸资格考试委员会”(NCCA)举办，该机构创办于1982年，后更名为“全国针灸及东方医学资格考试委员会”(NCCAOM)。
第一次官方承认针灸针为医疗器具
美国国家食品药品管理局(FDA)于1996年正式将针灸针列为医疗器具，在此之前，针灸针被归为医疗实验用器具。
第一个国家补充替代医学机构
按照美国国会的要求，美国国家健康研究院于l991年成立替代补充医学办公室(OCAM)，是美国建国以来第一个官方补充替代医学机构。该机构于l991年升级为补充替代医学中心(NCCAM)，在中心资助和研究的项目中，中医针灸和中药一直占有很大比例。
第一次国家科学评估——健康研究院针灸听证会
美国国家健康研究院于l997首次召开“针灸听证会”(Concensus conference，即“共识讨论会”)，对针灸疗法作出了科学评估。专家评审委员会最后得出结论：针灸治疗一些病症确实有效［165］。
Virginia Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine 
46 Reviews / Testimonies of McLean Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine
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