Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Organization Gains Momentum at National Women Legislators Conference
Posted on Oct. 2, 2009
The American Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (AAAOM) made an historical step forward at the National Foundation for Women Legislators (NFWL) conference held Sept. 3-7, 2009. By informing key leaders about acupuncture and Oriental medicine, the organization gained increased recognition for their profession.
AAAOM members made a strong statement by demonstrating first-hand the effectiveness of acupuncture and Tui Na. Throughout the conference weekend, 25 doctors of Oriental medicine and licensed acupuncturists provided more than 100 treatments to elected officials.
Representatives from the organization also delivered two keynote speeches, educating the audience about how acupuncture and Oriental medicine (AOM) can help solve America’s health care crisis. AAAOM Public Member/Counsel Michael Taromina, JD, spoke passionately about the economic benefits of including AOM professions in mainstream health care; and AAAOM President Emeritus Claudette Baker, LAc, DiplAc & Herbs (NCCAOM), spoke from a clinical perspective, outlining what conditions can be treated with AOM, and illustrating how AOM can alleviate the burden of chronic and acute primary care in the U.S.
“You can’t duplicate this access,” said Bekah Christensen, Executive Director of AAAOM. “Our providers had person-to-person interaction with key decision-makers all in one place, all at one time.” According to Christensen, it was an invaluable opportunity to educate and inform the women legislators about acupuncture and Oriental medicine, as many were not previously familiar with AOM. “The strongest tool we have in communicating the effectiveness of acupuncture and Oriental medicine is demonstrating them first-hand.”