John A. Amaro, DC, L.Ac.
INTERVIEW
Founder International Academy of Medical Acupuncture and Pioneer of Acupuncture in America
The American Chiropractor
Dr. John Amaro, DC, LAc, FACC, FIAMA, Dipl. Med. Ac, Dipl. Ac (NCCAOM) is an internationally known author, lecturer, and practitioner who began his acupuncture and chiropractic practice in 1971. He has led 13 diplomatic study tours of the People’s Republic of China, escorting more than 500 doctors and practitioners. He has personally studied acupuncture in nine separate Asian nations.
He is a 1969 graduate of Cleveland University of Chiropractic and received his certification in acupuncture through the Columbia Institute of Chiropractic (New York Chiropractic College) in 1973. He was certified by the Waseda Acupuncture College in Tokyo, Japan in 1974 and the Chinese Medical Institute in Kowloon, China in 1976. He studied at the Tai Chung Medical School in Taipei, China in 1973. He received diplomate status from the Shanghai Research Institute of Acupuncture in 1980 and received a diplomate (Dipl. Ac.) from the National Commission for the Certification of Acupuncture (NCCA) 1985, which has added the designation “OrientalMedicine, ” making it the NCCAOM.
Dr. Amaro was awarded the prestigious Fellow of the American College of Chiropractic (FACC) in 1997. He has served on the editorial board of The American Chiropractor magazine since 1980. He has been a columnist for the international publication Dynamic Chiropractic since 1988, as well as a columnistfor Acupuncture Today. More than 300 of his articles have been published internationally.
As president and head professor of the International Academy of Medical Acupuncture, he has presented more than 1,800 educational symposiums in more than 43 years ofteaching globally.
He was appointed by the governor of Arizona to serve in the development and creation of the Arizona State Board of Acupuncture, serving as its first chairperson.
Dr. Amaro has served on the graduate school faculty of seven colleges and universities and has lectured at Los Angeles University of Health Sciences, Shanghai Medical University, Beijing Medical University, and the Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine in the People ’s Republic of China.
Since 1973, he has appeared in more than 100 television and radio interviews and more than 100 magazine and newspaper interviews in North America, Australia, Europe, and Asia.
He developed the electro-meridian imaging (EMI) diagnostic computersoftware for acupuncture electronic diagnosis, which has taken medical scientific acupuncture to a new level of development. He was the innovator and developer of the acupuncture jet lag treatment approach, which has been accepted internationally as a way to combat ill effects experienced during and after transcontinental and oceanic flights.
Dr. Amaro is the founder of the International Academy of Clinical Acupuncture and the International Academy of Medical Acupuncture. More than 30,000 physicians and assistants have graduated or taken specific postgraduate work in Euro7 Asian acupuncture there.
He has sewed as a consultant to the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners, which established the first national certification examination specific for the chiropractic profession. In addition, he is a founding member of the American College of Chiropractic Acupuncture of the American Chiropractic Association.
He brings to the podium a level of expertise that few have attained. He has been described as one of the nation ’s most dynamic speakers. In addition, patients from four continents have visited his personal clinic for treatment in Carefree, Arizona.
TAC: How have you seen the use of acupuncture in the clinical setting since the time you began teaching these courses?
JA: The first acupuncture programs I personally taught were in 1973, but I had practiced it since 1971. The national press on acupuncture was very complimentary and promising, and patients from throughout the US and beyond clamored for this treatment. Since DCs nationally were forbidden to use needles, as that was defined as a “surgical” procedure, DCs primarily focused on noninvasive techniques, which were very accepted, usual, and customary in both the Republic of China (Taiwan), Japan, and throughout south Asia. The entire philosophy and approach to acupuncture through these two nations is very different from what is known today as traditional Chinese medicine, which was only developed in 1956 as a treatment approach for herbalists. As a result of the interest and speed of treatment through noninvasive approaches, I and many of my professional colleagues saw our practices explode to well over 100 treatments per day.
As acupuncture legislation developed within the chiropractic profession, numerous states, which previously denied the use of
■ ■ As a result of the interest and speed of treatment through noninvasive approaches, I and many of my professional colleagues saw our practices explode to well over 100 treatments per day. ï Ï
needles as a treatment approach, expanded the scope of practice and accepted needle stimulation in acupuncture. However, this addition to the practice of acupuncture with needles was much more time consuming, and many practices saw a major decline in the number of patients they could serve because needles within acupuncture created major time constraints that were
previously not seen with strictly nonpenetrating procedures. Acupuncture today is practiced primarily with needle stimulation within the profession, however if these same practitioners only would endorse and promote the use of noninvasive therapy, their practices would explode with new patients as well as satisfied treated patients.
TAC: Are chiropractors treated in a similar fashion to other professions when using acupuncture as an intervention?
JA: Unfortunately, the DC profession has had its trials with acceptance in general. As far as the general public is concerned, there is absolutely no difference between a licensed acupuncturist (LAc), an MD, or a DC when it comes to the practice of acupuncture.
Despite the hard and dedicated work of the American Chiro-
practic Association, it appeals there is an extreme amount of work and acceptance to be realized nationally regarding the chiropractic profession in general. There aie still some 20 states that do not allow acupuncture to be practiced. However, what needs to be realized is that if a state allows physiotherapy as paid of the scope of practice of a DC, they can perform “noninvasive acupuncture” with predictable expectations and incredible practice growth and success.
TAC: What are the different ways that chiropractors use acupuncture in their clinics today?
JA: Since 1975, low-level laser stimulation has been mainstream within the profession, however it appeal s to be gaining more popularity in the past 10 years, more than ever before. Needles aie still popular, and if they ai e inserted shallowly without pain or discomfort, they will allow for very successful treatment with a host of conditions.
When I graduated from college in 1969, DCs treated virtually everything. The profession was not a musculoskeletal profession, as we see today. With acupuncture as a focus, patients with a variety of visceral and organic conditions will seek the benefits of acupuncture because its reputation is that it is effective in multiple applications.
TAC: Can chiropractors receive reimbursement through insurance for acupuncture?
JA: Yes. However, as we are all aware, the insurance industry has changed dramatically over the past several years, and what was once unquestionable coverage for a procedure is now being scrutinized. Many in the profession, including myself, utilize acupuncture as a cash practice with the patient being reimbursed should coverage be available.
TAC: Has the delivery of acupuncture changed in any way since it began taking hold in the 80s?
JA: Other than much more interest, as over 30 years of success has passed in the US, acupuncture, other than laser, is being practiced much like it has for over 2,500 years.
TAC: How do you see chiropractic changing in the next 20 years?
JA: Chiropractic has changed so much regarding its general application and mentality that I hardly recognize it from how it was presented and practiced when I began my practice in 1971. Everything in nature is an evolution, and I believe the changes we will see will be dynamic and positive for the profession and general public. Our profession has many talented, dedicated practitioners with a multitude of ideas, which ai e still being developed deep within the recesses of the mind of those who will make considerable change. It will be exciting to watch what develops.
TAC: How do you see acupuncture changing in the next 20 years?
JA: If the profession is blessed, as I believe it is, acupuncture will stay intact as it is now. However, I see a trend for many in the profession to eliminate the extremely confusing and difficultto impossible-todescribe concepts of traditional Chinese medicine in favor of the style of acupuncture that was introduced to the DC profession in the early 1970s, namely Taiwanese, Japanese, and Southeast Asian acupuncture. This would be a major plus because it is an exceptional style of acupuncture with predictable clinical response.
TAC: Any personal favorite patient stories?
JA: There are not enough pages that The American Chiropractor can devote to this question if they allow me to submit a favorite story every month for the next 30 years. As a professor of acupuncture at the International Academy of Medical Acupuncture, I am very well known by my past students to elaborate the teaching of this topic with numerous stories, which never seem to be repeated. Having practiced for 45 years, I can easily recall not hundreds but literally thousands of cases that stand out in my mind as being unique. I would love to expound on a personal favorite story, however I truly do have thousands, all of which are significant. Allow me to say, acupuncture, when added to a practice, will astound even the most staunch critic as the successes aie dramatic and seen daily.
TAC: Any final words for our readers?
JA: Every DC, regardless of style of practice, will benefit by the addition of the “principles” of acupuncture, be itnoninvasive styles or with shallow needle insertion. If the reader has not previ-
^ ^ Many in the profession, including myself, utilize acupuncture as a cash practice with the patient being reimbursed should coverage be available. 5 5
ously considered acupuncture, this is a perfect time to investigate adding this important dimension to your practice. It is quick, easy to apply, and extremely effective. The number of conditions that respond to acupuncture in concert with chiropractic have no limits. For those readers who took a program years ago, I strongly suggest refreshing your academics and skills. As your enthusiasm soars, so will your practice success and satisfaction.
Earning your Fellowship (FIAMA) and Diplomate (Dipl. Med. Ac) in Medical Acupuncture will, without question, ensure your future success in all aspects of your practice. ES9
You may contact Dr. John Amaro. International Academy of Medical Acupuncture Inc.
John A. Amaro, DC, L.Ac., FIAMA, Dipl. Med. Ac. PO Box 1003, Carefree, Arizona 853 77 800-32 7-1113, Dr A maroIf I AMA. edu
