5 Books to Read Before Starting Acupuncture School

"As an intern in the student clinic at AOMA, patients routinely ask why I’m immersed in this field, what the needles are doing, and about this word 'qi' that keeps coming up. If you find yourself asking these questions, or are considering a life dedicated to Chinese medical practice, I recommend the following resources to help build your understanding of this medicine before attending acupuncture school..."

• Read the article on AOMA's blog
• Learn more about AOMA's graduate programs
• Contact AOMA Admissions

Kimberly's TCM Reading List

We asked Kimberly Meier, MAcOM student and Library Student Worker, to pick out some of her favorite TCM books and SHE DID NOT DISAPPOINT! Both current students and alumni both have borrowing privileges, so if it's been awhile since you've used the library, go say hello and be the first to check out one of these gems.

• Read the article on AOMA's blog
• Learn more about AOMA's Library
• Contact the AOMA Library

AOMA Blog Throwback: February '19

How Auricular Acupuncture Can Help with Opiate Use Disorder

Previously published, Galveston County Daily News, Jan 23, 2019

The use of auricular (ear) acupuncture for substance abuse, alleviating withdrawal symptoms, behavioral health, and pain management is a safe, widely researched, and long-standing adjunctive treatment modality. Learn more about it in this great blog post by Victor Sierpina, M.D.!

• Read the article on AOMA's blog
• Request an acupuncture appointment at AOMA's Clinics

AHM Corner: Stress Relief Kit

Almost everyone experiences stress at some time in their life; to help you relax, AOMA has specially curated this one-of-a-kind Stress Relief Kit! It contains a stress relieving TCM tincture, Bach's Rescue Remedy pastilles, a votive candle, a mala bead bracelet, incense, Blue Poppy's Spirit Quieting massage oil, and a special surprise gift! 

The Stress Relief Kit is available for purchase online or at either AOMA Herbal Medicine store location. The cost is $50 if you pick it up curbside or $60 if you want it shipped right to your door.

• Buy the Stress Relief Kit
• Schedule a stress-relieving acupuncture appointment

What's Coming Up @ AOMA?

FREE acupuncture appointments for NEW PATIENTS in March!

Have you always wanted to try acupuncture but just haven't gotten around to it? Well, March is the time to schedule! During the month of March, AOMA is offering FREE acupuncture appointments for new patients at our North and South Student Intern Clinics. Schedule your appointment today, and don't forget to tell a friend!

• AOMA North Clinic: 512-467-0370
• AOMA South Clinic: 512-693-4373
• Request an appointment online

AOMA in the Community: Upcoming Community Classes

March 27th: TCM 101 with Phil Garrison

Stay tuned: class description, registration information, and more details to come!

TCM Eating for the Season

Our February recipe of the month comes from Food and Wine.com and includes yin-building, heart-healthy TCM superfoods that are perfect for a happy and healthy February!

Warm Potato and Arugula Salad

• 1 1/2 lbs. organic red potatoes, scrubbed
• 3 1/2 tbsp. olive oil
• salt & freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tbsp. grainy mustard
• 2 1/4 tsp. sherry vinegar
• 1/2 small sweet onion, thinly sliced
• 4 cups organic baby arugula

Instructions: 

1. Preheat the oven to 425°. Cut the potatoes into 1/2-inch wedges. Scatter the potato wedges on a large rimmed baking sheet, drizzle with 1 1/2 tablespoons of the olive oil and toss until coated. Season with salt and pepper and roast for about 25 minutes, until browned and crisp.
2. In a small bowl, whisk the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil with the mustard and vinegar and season with salt and pepper. In a large bowl, toss the potatoes with the onion and arugula. Top with the dressing, toss again, and serve right away.

• Potato: Increases the body's yin aspect, improving receptivity and a nurturing, compassionate nature; rich source of vitamins B6 and C, potassium, niacin, pantothenic acid, lysine, and dietary fiber (eat the skin!); can help to reduce all inflammations. Boiled potato peel dressings can promote healing and reduce infection in skin wounds.
• Arugula: Bitter vegetable; clears damp and stagnation and cools heat in the liver while tonifying and vitalizing the kidney, lungs, and heart; especially helpful for weight loss, inflammation, constipation, and aiding in digestion.

Sources: FoodandWine.com, Healing with Whole Foods; The Encyclopedia of Healing Foods

Meet AOMA's New Librarian!

Rita Terrell, MSIS

I attended AOMA as a student for several years, working at the library from January 2014 to April 2019. I am back now as the Librarian since January 2021 after David York retired. I first came to AOMA to study Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture, like many of us. I started experiencing health issues and used my library research skills to search for answers beyond Western Medicine. I had received my Master’s in Information Science from the University of North Texas in 1994. Since it proved difficult at times to sort through and apply what I found as a health coach, I then wanted to study TCM and help others with health issues as a practitioner. I didn't have my first acupuncture treatment until my first term in school. I was having an adverse reaction to gluten that I had mistakenly eaten at a friend's wedding, and I wanted to be in class. So, I went to the North student clinic, which got me in quickly, and experienced needles for the first time...the treatment helped so much as I was able to get to the 2nd half of my class. Dr. Song was my clinic supervisor and gave me the support and confidence to do the initial one. I have also seen the positive response to treatments and herbal medicine in my own time as a student intern. I gave two treatments to my mother for an ankle sprain that was not healing in a timely manner and, along with herbal medicine, the sprain resolved.

It is just me and my cat, Greyson, at home. I have a niece, Megan, who lives in Austin and my mother, Gretchen, lives in Georgetown. My sister, Teresa, and my other niece, Ryan, live in Fort Worth. I do pet-sitting as work and as something I enjoy in my free time. I have had a love of animals and their care since I can remember. I do much reading in holistic health, essential oils, and nutrition. I like to keep up with entertainment news, watch (good!) science fiction and classic movies, and play online word games. I like to volunteer at various places or events...and after the pandemic, look forward to that. I advocate for acupuncture, for the school and for our student and professional clinics. When I tell people where AOMA is located, they recognize that, but haven't really known what it is all about. We just need to get the word out! 

My favorite part of being at AOMA is that I was able to learn from dedicated professors and supervisors, navigated classes and clinics, was mentored by David York, and now am in a position to support the entire campus with education goals and information services. I get to pay it all forward! My favorite thing about AOMA’s campus is the sense of community, the focus on healing that drew us together, and the support we have of each other – as a student, and now as the Librarian.