.38 Special
Posted October 16th, 2007 by pindoctor
The post regarding ABORM brought up some challenging issues regarding specialized licensure for our profession. In my experience, specialized training and licensing creates both inclusion and division.
In 2003 I was trained, along with four other acupuncturists from around the US, in a hybrid form of Micro-Acupuncture for the treatment of various degenerative eye diseases. Since then, I have become known amongst Minneapolis acupuncturists as one of the go-to guys for clients with vision problems.
We were trained and "licensed" with a fancy diploma by an Arkansas acupuncturist. He taught us the simple protocol that has helped hundreds of people go from near blind to being able to read and drive again. It is one of those truly miraculous acupuncture treatments in many cases.
The dark side of this "special licensure" was having to fork over a substantial portion of our income (indefinitely) from doing the treatments to this acupuncturist and we also had to sign a confidentiality agreement stating that we cannot share the protocol we learned.
While the five of us who learned the technique shared a nice Micro-Community, we were an island. I have had many acupuncturists ask me about the procedure and have felt absolutely handcuffed and rotten and unethical about not being able to disclose this information that can transform lives.
Within the last couple years, our Micro-Community has frayed and the little snot on the east coast has decided to deny referring to the office on the west coast apparently out of fear of losing a client. (Keep in mind that there's an estimated 20 million Americans with degenerative eye diseases.)
So, what happens when acupuncturists start getting a bunch of special licenses and diplomas? What happens when we start NEEDING a bunch of special licenses and diplomas?
In my Micro-Example, we no longer remain a unified community dedicated to common goals. Secrets are kept and sold, and clients don't get well because someone said so and so can't treat such and such because of this and that.
My suggestion is to abort the likes of ABORM before they become the bastard children of the acupuncture profession holding guns to our heads. Metaphorically speaking, of course.
Mats Sexton, L.Ac.
Re: .38 Special
Hey, I too remember actively attempting to get information about training with this European acupuncturist in Arkansas 3 years ago. I tried and tried. I contacted the east coast guy, and then was referred to the west coast lady. I understand that it's essentially a hand protocol? I also understood that people are made to fly to Ark. and stay for weeks at a time at great expense to be seen by this "healer." How ironic that an acupuncturist who's suppossed to be committed to helping patients, could be so exclusionary and yes, greedy. What's he afraid of? There really is enough work to go around people! Wow, 20 million people with eye problems, now that's amazing. Would love to learn this procedure some day.
Re: .38 Special
To Michael and Lumiel and others,
If interested, contact me with your address. I can officially neither confirm nor deny that I'll give you the info because of so and so and this and that but...
Mats
Re: .38 Special
Wow, I remember hearing about this guy about 3 years ago and wanting to take the training. I have a strong interest in vision health because I've had some vision training, have been myopic since age 10, and wrote my best case study on macular degeneration.
This selfish, fearful attitude (of your east coast snot) has gripped so many teachers and even reached proportions to attract the media. Hey, look at Microsoft.
Maybe you could look at your non-disclosure agreement to look for some loopholes. Even if you cannot reveal the protocol itself, perhaps you could discuss some of the principles, with a clear conscience. Some of the apunks on this site are bright enough to figure some of it out, I'll warrant.
Re: .38 Special
so tell us the special protocol...lol
Re: .38 Special
I have to wholeheartedly agree with Mats. Health care should be accessible and affordable - not hamstringed by profit-driven micro-groups. Let's transform communities, not just a select few.