Heroes of Acupuncture
As I said before, I am not a historian. But I am dedicated to giving honor and thanks to those who came before us. People like Miriam Lee, Bob Flaws, Ted Kaptchuk, Misha Ruth Cohen, Satya Ambrose, Heiner Freuhauf, Joseph Helms and so many others literally wrote the books on acupuncture in the United States. Without their pioneering efforts, it is unlikely the acupuncture profession would exist as it does today.
And The Heroes of Acupuncture are: |
- No Safety Net of legal protection, safety regulations, or practice guidelines.
- No Internet to do research, find resources, or order essential materials including needles and herbs.
- No Network of acupuncture associations and organizational meetings to discuss techniques, challenges, or political issues.
Most of us today cannot imagine working without pre-sterilized needles ordered off the internet, and pre-mixed herbal formulas with "GMP" stamped on the packaging.
Our Heroes of Acupuncture had to figure out how to acquire these materials on their own. I remember a professor saying they used to make acupuncture needles out of guitar stings. Thank goodness some things have changed! But let's not forget what they went through and how they forged our path.
All of these trailblazers deserve our gratitude.
Heroes of American Acupuncture
Help complete the list of Great Acupuncturists who have helped to establish and promote acupuncture in America. We wouldn't be here without them!
And the HEROES of Acupuncture Are...
Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...
Jong-hwan Ree, O.M.D. 
As a young boy, Jong-hwan Ree was abducted from his family and forced to serve on the front lines of the Korean War, as a food runner. He claims if it …
Dr.Yao Wu Lee established the first acupuncture center in United States in 1972, with Dr.Arnold Benson, Mr.Charles Newmark
The first acupuncture center in the United States: an interview with Dr. Yao Wu Lee, Washington Acupuncture Center http://www.jcimjournal.com/en/index.aspx …
William H. Khoe
There are countless stories of how my uncle treated me from simple disease as the common cold to mumps and even whiplashes. He was so trusting to me, …
Lok-Yee Kung
Lok Yee Kung made Nevada the first state in the union to legalize the practice of acupuncture and oriental medicine in 1973. There may be other firsts …
Dr. Leon Hammer, M.D.
I encountered Dr. Hammer's first book, Dragon Rises Red Bird Flies in my first semester of acupuncture school. It was not a casual read; I found there …
Kiiko Matsumoto
When I entered acupuncture school, I had no idea it was such a deep and broad profession with so many different perspectives and interpretations. I just …
Dr John H. F. Shen
Somehow, early in my practice about 10 years ago, I was lucky enough to come into contact with Dr. John Shen. At the time, I didn't know that this was …
Dr. Richard Niemtzow
His protocols work. I never meet someone who could treat a patient who's pain was a 10/10 and get it down to zero in just a few minutes. He can do this …
Janet Konefal
Janet Konefal is the 1st person who ever did acupuncture on me. Last I knew she was at the Univ. of Miami School of Medicine. I met her at an NLP workshop …
Dr. Miriam Lee
Dr. Miriam Lee is my hero. Her book, Insights of a Senior Acupuncturist , overwhelmed me when I first read it as a student. For such a little book, …
John Ottaviano, Dr. Stephen Rosenblatt, and Dr. David Bresler Not rated yet
I was introduced to California Acupuncture College by John Ottaviano in 1979. He was among the founders. He had an acupuncture practice where he treated …
Robert Doane Not rated yet
He is the only acupuncturist who is running a clinic and seeing 600+ patient visist a week. His acupuncture, Chinese herbal and clinic management skills …
Dr. Miriam Lee: A heroine for the start of acupuncture as a profession in the State of California Not rated yet
Dr. Miriam Lee: A heroine for the start of acupuncture as a profession in the State of California (authors are Arthur Yin Fan, Ziyi Fan) was published …
Dr. Shingo Fukinbara Not rated yet
In 1972, I John L. Stump, a former high school Biology teacher was accepted to Palmer College of Chiropractic. There I was in a class of over 400 new …
Dr. Ralph Coan: a hero in establishing acupuncture as a profession in the United States Not rated yet
McLean Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, PLC. Vienna, VA 22182, USA. Correspondence:Tel: +1-703-499-4428; Fax: +1-703-547-8197; E-mail: …
Dr. Wu: A beautiful, moving and meditative song — In memory of Dr. Jing Nuan Wu, a pioneer of acupuncture and a Chinese medicine doctor in the United States. Part 2 Not rated yet
http://arthuryinfan.wordpress.com/2012/08/24/dr-wu-a-beautiful-moving-and-meditative-song-in-memory-of-dr-jing-nuan-wu-a-pioneer-of-acupuncture-and-a-chinese-medicine-doc …
Dr. Wu: A beautiful, moving and meditative song — In memory of Dr. Jing Nuan Wu, a pioneer of acupuncture and a Chinese medicine doctor in the United States. Part 1 Not rated yet
Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine: 2012; 10(8): 837-840. Correspondence: Arthur Yin Fan, PhD, MD, LAc. Tel: +1-703-499-4428; Fax: +1-703-547-8197; …
Dr Leon Hammer Not rated yet
I was a newly graduated acupuncturist in 1982 in Australia.I attended a conference where an American Doctor Dr Leon Hammer was a keynote speaker. His …
Colton Oswald, BA, TCMD, R.Ac Not rated yet
In my last year of school, Colton seemed to be on this spiritual journey like never before - and he was taking me and anyone who wanted to come along for …
Cathy Delis, Bob Flaws Not rated yet
Cathy Delis , was one of my first instructors at Emperor's College of TCM in Santa Monica, CA, and inspiration in my practice of acupuncture and Chinese …
Koei Kuwahara, Stephen Brown, Brenda Loew, Sarah Bayer, Shouchun Ma, Jeffrey Yuen, John Chen...thanks for asking! Not rated yet
All these great, masterful practitioners and whole hearted human beings have shed so much light...have pointed the way so assiduously...Thank you my heros! …