Learn the what, why, and how of period tracking with our student, Ally Magill. Ally recently presented a class on menstrual cycle tracking and the Chinese Medicine perspective on our Facebook live. Check out the presentation or read our blog for key takeaways!

Disparities in Healthcare

Of the many things brought to light during the Covid pandemic, U.S. healthcare disparities are among the most disheartening. The virus has made visible the vast inequities that plague our healthcare system, as well as the many other contributing factors that manifest in poor health outcomes that disproportionately affect Black, Indigenous, and Latino populations.

Racial and ethnic disparities in the healthcare setting gives rise to serious moral and ethical dilemmas – healthcare is simply not available equally to all segments of the population in the United States.

According to CDC data, Indigenous Americans have suffered the highest death rates from the pandemic with 1 out of every 390 people (total population) dying from Covid. One in 555 Black Americans have died, …

Art by Amanda Phingbodhipakkiya.

AIMC, Berkeley’s President Yasuo Tanaka issued the following statement today (March 17th, 2021):

AIMC Berkeley stands in solidarity with the Asian & Asian American community and denounces the disturbing rise in race-based hate crimes towards members of this community. We are heartbroken by the violence perpetrated against Asian women in Atlanta yesterday, and condemn the xenophobic and racist behavior that has been increasing at an alarming rate. Many of our beloved teachers & supervisors are Asian elders; we are particularly disturbed the targeting of Asian elders in racist attacks across the country & particularly here in the Bay Area. We acknowledge that while we are seeing a relative increase in violence, prejudice and crimes against Asian …

Herbal medicine is just one way we treat the individual, not the symptom. Read our blog to learn more about how it can help those who have been affected by COVID-19!

We’ve approached the one year mark of restrictions on our day to day lives due to COVID-19. What’s more, we’ve arrived at springtime: a time known to 5 Element Theory as an era for movement, growth, and change. All things considered, you wouldn’t be alone if you find yourself experiencing wide emotional swings from hope to frustration to despair and back to hope again.

If you’re feeling a little stuck, flustered, or bored, you may have what we Acupuncturists diagnose as “Qi Stagnation”. Qi stag, as its known shorthand, can show up as depression or irritability, pain or discomfort that comes and goes, a sense of bloating in the belly, PMS, or a stifled feeling in the chest or throat.

Luckily, you don’t need …

Today, on International Women’s Day, we’re celebrating the legacy of Dr. Miriam Lee. She was a pioneer in the field of Acupuncture in the U.S., and helped legalize & popularize the practice. All California Acupuncturists owe her a great debt of gratitude & respect for our right to practice this medicine.

Good Trouble

Dr. Miriam Lee was a nurse, midwife, & acupuncturist in Asia before coming to the US. In her book Insights of Senior Acupuncturist she shares,

“When I first came to California acupuncture was illegal. I worked on an assembly line at Hewlett Packard and attended church, building a life for myself in this country where my medicine was against the law.”

Seeing the suffering of members of her community, she began to provide acupuncture …

We’ve loved hosting virtual events & sharing the wisdom of East Asian & Integrative Medicine in our social media & on our blog.

What do you want to learn from us next?

…

We’ll miss the usual fun and camaraderie in the student lounge around Lunar New Year. We’ve got a few suggestions to help everyone get in the spirit and welcome the year of the Metal Ox.

With the recent rise in violence against Asian Americans and the state of the economy, it is more important than ever that we stand up in support of our local Asian communities. Be sure to support local restaurants & businesses in Oakland and San Francisco’s Chinatowns.

Here are some of our free virtual event suggestions:

Wednesday February 10th, 6:45-8:45pm

History of SF Chinatown

Join the Chinese Historical Society of America for a tour of San Francisco’s Neon Chinatown.

Thursday-Saturday February 11th-13th, Various Times

Culture & Dance

Watch the Nai-Ni …

It’s been three years since our first Doctoral Cohort began. We wondered, “what are our graduates doing with their Doctoral degrees?” It turns out, they’re pushing our field forward by teaching, publishing books, working alongside physicians in hospitals, physical therapy clinics, & integrative medicine clinics, founding their very own wellness centers, and even growing organic herbal medicine to make our field more sustainable.

Teach

Many of our doctoral graduates are teaching or supervising Clinic Interns right here at AIMC. The list includes Dr. Nishanga Bliss, DAIM, DSc., LAc.; Dr. Hideko Pelzer, DAIM, LAc.; Dr. Joyce Kwok, DAIM, PT, LAc.; Dr. Jody James, DAIM, LAc.; Dr. David Caruso-Radin, DAIM, LAc.; & Dr. Christine Tarradelles, DAIM, LAc.

Dr. Jody James is the most recent …

What makes AIMC a great place to begin your career in acupuncture and herbal medicine? Read this blog to find out!