ACUPUNCTURE AND ORIENTAL MEDICINE

This bronze figure showing acupuncture points is a reproduction of one cast in 1443 A.D., during the Ming Dynasty of China.

Ou’s Acupuncture, Massage & Herbs

Auto, Sports, and Work Injuries—Pain Management

Li-Chun Ou, L.AC.,QME.,Ph.D.

3905 Grand Avenue. Oakland, CA 94610

Tel: (510) 420-0463 Fax: (510) 595-3893

Acupuncture and Oriental medicine is one of the newest primary health care professions in California. The potential benefits of acupuncture are widely recognized, and it is being increasingly integrated with mainstream health care. Since the 1970’s, when acupuncture and oriental medicine first became available in the United States, more than 15 million Americans have tried it. The risk of side effects is low and the potential benefits are high.

What is Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine?

The theory and practice of acupuncture is based on Oriental Medicine (also known as Traditional Chinese Medicine), a comprehensive natural health care system that has been used in Asian countries for thousands of years to preserve health and diagnose, treat and prevent illness.

Acupuncture treats health conditions by stimulating “acu-points” found at specific locations on the surface of the body. Acupuncturists stimulate the acu-points by inserting very thin needles through the skin to produce physiological effects. Other methods are also used to stimulate acu-points, such as heat or finger-pressure.

The general theory of acupuncture is that proper physiological function and health depend on the circulation of nutrients, substances and energy called Qi (pronounced “chee”) through a network of “channels” or “meridians”. This network connects every organ and part of the body, providing balance, regulation and coordination of physiological processes.

Pain and ill-health result when the flow of Qi through the body is disrupted or blocked by many things, including disease, pathogens, trauma/injuries and medication (side-effects), as well as lifestyle factors such as overwork, poor diet, emotions, lack of rest and stress.

Stimulation of the appropriate acu-points through acupuncture treatments helps to restore sufficient, continuous and even flow of Qi and other nutrients throughout the body, thereby restoring health and balance to the body, while relieving pain and other symptoms.

The acupuncture uses a sophisticated and complex system of diagnostic methods that take into consideration the person as a whole, discerning the body’s pattern of disharmony rather than isolated symptoms. The aim is not only to eliminate or alleviate symptoms, but more importantly to treat the underlying cause, increase the ability to function and improve the quality of life.

Endorsement by the National Institutes of Health

In November 1997, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) convened a panel of 12 distinguished physicians and scientists to review the history, licensing, pratice and current status of clinical research on the effectiveness of acupuncture. The first formal endorsement of acupuncture by the

NIH stated: “ There is sufficient evidence of acupuncture’s value to expand its use into conventional medicine and to encourage further studies of its physiology and clinical value.”

The panel determined there is clear evidence that needle acupuncture is effective for post-operative, chemotherapy and pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting, and for post-operative dental pain. Other conditions for which evidence is good but further substantiation is required include: post-operative pain, myofascial and lower back pain, addition, stroke rehabilitation, carpal tunnel syndrome, osteoarthritis, headache, tennis elbow, fibromyalgia, menstrual cramps and asthma. The panel noted the World Health Organizationhas identified more than 40 conditions for which acupuncture may be helpful. The panel found that one of the advantages of acupuncture is that the incidence of adverse effects is substantially lower than that of many drugs or other accepted medical procedures used for the same conditions. To read the NIH Consensus Statement, go to

Conditions Treated

Treatment efficacy depends on the severity and nature of the condition being treated. Acupuncturists are trained to identify conditions that may require referral to a specialist, so it is important for you to provide detailed information about your condition so that important medical problems are not overlooked.

If you are under the simultaneous care of different health practitioners, it is important to keep all of them informed about your treatments to ensure there are no adverse interactions among treatments.

The following is a list of health conditions commonly treated by licensed acupuncturists.

  • allergies/asthma
  • anxiety/depression
  • arthritis/joint problems
  • back and neck pain
  • bladder/kidney problems
  • childhood illnesses
  • constipation/diarrhea
  • colds/influenza
  • cough/bronchitis
  • dizziness
  • drug/alcohol/smoking addiction
  • effects of chemotherapy
  • fatigue
  • gastrointestinal disorders
  • headache/migraine
  • high blood pressure
  • immune system deficiency
  • sciatica/leg/knee pain
  • musculoskeletal injuries
  • tendonitis/bursitis elbow
  • carpal tunnel syndrome
  • stress/tesion
  • paralysis/numbness
  • rhinitis
  • sinusitis
  • skin problems
  • menopausal discomfort
  • pre-menstrual syndrome
  • sexual dysfunction
  • infertility (male/female)

Information of practitioner:

Li-Chun Ou, L.AC.,QME.,Ph.D. ,OMD.

*Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine. Specialization includes pain management, occupational and physical therapy, internal and external traditional medicine, and female – related physical problems.

Professional Experience:

1986-2006 Ou’s Acupuncture & Herb Center, Oakland.

2005 Bay Area Comprehensive Spine & Sports Medical Group, Oakland

1998 East Bay Comprehensive Spine & Sports Medical Group, Berkeley

1986 Tri – Services Military General Hospital, Taiwan, R.O.C.

1985 Medical Center of China Medical College, Taiwan, R.O.C.

1984 Municipal Kaohsiung Chinese Medical Hospital, Taiwan, R.O.C.

1983 Medical Center of China Medical College, Taiwan, R.O.C.

1981 Highland Hospital, Oakland

Education:

2006 Present Doctor of Oriental Medicine, South Baylor University, U.S.A.

2000 Doctor of Philosophy in Oriental Medicine Research Advancement, America Global University, Wyoming, U.S.A.

1997 American Institute of Acupuncture Orthopedics & Traumatology, California, U.S.A.

1986 Institute of Chinese Medical Science, Taiwan – MS in Medicine, Taiwan, R.O.C.

1976 China Medical College, Taiwan – BS in Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine and Modern Pharmacology, Taiwan, R.O.C.

1976 Apprenticeship in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture with 3 old Masters.

License & Certificate:

1971 Acupuncture Research Institute, Taiwan

1996 QME, Qualified Medical Evaluator by Industry Medical Counselor of California

1985-1991 National Certification of Acupuncturist, U.S.A.

1981 California License Acupuncturist, California

1979 Doctor of Chinese Medicine, Taiwan, R.O.C.

1976 Pharmacist, Taiwan, R.O.C.

Disposable Needles Only

Most Insurances Accepted

More than 25 years of Experiences to services you

Questions are encouraged