Scientific acupuncture is not Classical acupuncture. It does borrow the classical function of points however. But through experience, we extend that knowledge base. For example, we know that LU1 is the most adaptogenic point on the body. It also can down regulate the immune system. But only if the LU pulse is deficient. We learn new functions and uses for points by palpation. Similarly, that is how I found that SP4 is a key point to treat menopause along with SP6 and KI3. We let the body tell us what it needs.

Scientific acupuncture is not “Modern Acupuncture” or “Medical Acupuncture”. They emphasize research that shows that classical acupuncture works to treat certain conditions. That is all well and good but that does not make doing acupuncture modern or medical. It is still classical acupuncture. Just under a new name. To make you think it is somehow better. Using scientific acupuncture, we make classical acupuncture treatments work better and more reliably because we know why it works and then can do the treatment in a way that makes it work better. We also have new treatments that work better than classical techniques or can do things that classical acupuncture knows nothing about. For example how to use electricity to stop a degenerative process or to treat inflammation. We also know about Frequency Specific Microcurrent (FSM) which can do things acupuncture can’t and can do other things that can be done with acupuncture or electro-acupuncture but without using needles at all. Scientific acupuncture is superior because we know not only that acupuncture and electro-acupuncture works but why. And we can treat more conditions and some like inflammation faster and quicker and both with and without needles. Unfortunately, not many (indeed almost none) acupuncturists know scientific acupuncture. That is why I wrote my book. And now started this website. To teach it. To let practitioners what is out there. There are some clinics out there that call themselves scientific acupuncture. But they are not doing things as I lay out here. My clinic is the only true scientific acupuncture clinic at the present time. Ask then what makes them different. If they cannot explain things the way I do. You will know they are not truly scientific.

And we let the body tell us what it needs. How? You might ask. You just have to know how to ask it. First there are the symptoms. You ask the patient appropriate questions. What are you feeling? What does it feel like? What makes it better or worse? Do the symptoms appear at a certain time of day? Where does it hurt? And so on. Then you can look at the tongue to see what chronic problem might exist. Whereas feeling the pulses tell you more acute problems since it can change more rapidly. Even a thought can and especially emotions can change the pulse in an instant. Then by palpation of points, you can confirm your tentative diagnosis and find out which points might help. We even let the body tell us how frequently to treat. Starting at twice a week at first is usually adequate. But if there is improvement but the treatment is not holding, we know to go to three times a week usually only for one two two weeks. Once the treatment holds without backsliding, we know we can stretch out the time between visits. Usually it goes twice a week, then once a week, then every other week then once a month. At that point the treatment will usually hold on it’s own. Only if it acts up does the patient need to come back again. And all with no drugs. And usually with no side effects. Now if you needle too strongly, especially on a weaker patient (giving the nervous stystem too much stimulation), you can cause “needle shock” causing symptoms of sweating and wooziness and a feeling that they might faint. In 30 years, I have had only one person actually faint.

Scientific Acupuncture goes beyond “Classical Acupuncture”, “Modern Acupuncture” or “Medical Acupuncture” by using techniques based on the ways acupuncture affects the body scientifically. It is a view that sees beyond the trees and looks at the whole forest. It goes far beyond the idea it is just endorphins and brain chemistry. It looks at how acupuncture affects the nervous system. I also go into various bio-electrical phenomena that turn out to play a huge role and are not even talked about. This knowledge has allowed me to make up new treatments that have proven to work clinically, further showing the validity of my views. This knowledge has allowed me to successfully treat conditions that left other practitioners (both Western and Chinese) scratching their heads. Every acupuncturist should know what I know. Writing my book was my attempt to share that knowledge.But I can’t do it all by myself. Every practitioner and every school has to educate themselves too. Only then will my goal of making acupuncture a true science and bringing it into the 21st century be realized.