Innovative Project Treats Police Officers With Acupuncture
In what is believed to be the first program of its kind, the El Monte, Calif. city council has approved a pilot project designed to treat members of the city's police department with acupuncture.
"I thought it would be great to show this to law enforcement," said Turner, a graduate of Emperor's College of Traditional Oriental Medicine, in an interview with the Whittier Daily News. "Being in law enforcement, the body takes a beating because you are in a constant fight-or-flight mode, but as police officers, we are trained to be in survival mode, so when the body starts to go, we just ignore it."
Turner will be given an office in the department for six months, and will offer acupuncture and herbal remedies three times a week. At the end of the six-month trial period, city officials will determine whether the program will continue.
Department chief Ken Weldon, who brought the idea to the city council, said he became interested after Turner explained that acupuncture could relieve stress and help injuries heal faster.
"When she asked me, I told here I don't know anything about it ... but if it can help someone, then it's worth it," Weldon explained. "We've always been a very progressive police department, and if we don't try something, we'll never know."
El Monte's police department has 155 sworn officers. Many, such as Sgt. Al Tromp, are friends and former co-workers of Turner, and are looking forward to experiencing the procedure.
"I didn't think the city would go for it, but they did," said Sgt. Tromp. "We were taken by surprise that they approved it, but they are obviously looking to make us feel better, and if it's successful with just a couple of people, it will pay for itself."
ACCHS Brings Back Tuina Program, Plans to Expand Curriculum
The Academy of Chinese Culture and Health Sciences has announced it will reinstate its certificate program in tuina. According to a release on the academy's Web site (www.acchs.edu), the school is finalizing the program's curriculum. Upon approval from the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine and the Bureau for Private-Postsecondary and Vocational Education, the school anticipates enrolling its first group of students in the tuina program this fall.
The academy also intends to expand its curriculum, beginning with the 2004-2005 academic year, and is asking for suggestions from students and advocates of the profession. Interested parties can contact the school at (510) 763-7787, or send an e-mail titled "Expanded Curriculum" to
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