FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  
Contact: Catherine Niemiec, 602-274-1885

Two Specialty Medical Colleges in Phoenix Team Up to Fight the Flu

Colleges Host Public Discussion on Flu Prevention and Treatment Successes in Other Countries

November 11, 2009 – Phoenix Institute of Herbal Medicine & Acupuncture (PIHMA), the Valley’s only Oriental Medical College, and the American Medical College of Homeopathy (AMCH), the nation’s first full-time homeopathic medical school, are teaming up to host a series of public discussions regarding cold and flu prevention, and treatment successes from around the world within the sciences of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine (AOM) and Homeopathic Medicine. 

Included in the discussion of successful flu treatment successes will be the historical and ongoing use of Oriental Medicine in China and of Homeopathic Medicine in Canada for the flu.  For example, Chinese hospitals have found that using a simple herbal formula consisting of only four herbs to treat H1N1 is more successful than Tamiflu.   “We have found that Tamiflu is not sufficient, and it also weakens the body and has adverse affects on body tolerance,” states Tu Zhitao, Dean of the Research and Education department at the Beijing Administration of TCM.  

The two forms of medicine have a long history of treating cold and flu-like symptoms with extremely high effectiveness throughout the world.  Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (AOM) has a 4,000 year history of treating all forms of chronic and acute illness, including influenza and the more recent SARS and avian flu outbreaks.  Separately, Homeopathic Medicine (HM) has a 200 year history of treating pandemic influenza.  During the 1918 flu epidemic, US homeopathic hospitals were reported to have a mortality rate of 1% as compared to conventional hospitals which had mortality rates of 30-60%.

The discussions, open to the public, will feature a panel discussion consisting of PIHMA  President, Catherine Niemiec, J.D., L.Ac., and AMCH President, Dr. Todd Rowe, MD, MDH, and will be moderated by Author and retired ASU Science Professor Dr. Dennis Clark.  The public and students from both colleges will be able to ask questions regarding the history of use of the medicine, the methods and theories behind treatment, how everyone can stay healthy during flu season, and should one get sick, the best methods for recovery using integrative medicine. Discussion dates and locations are as follows:

December 9, Wednesday at 7 pm at PIHMA College & Clinic, 301 E. Bethany Home Road, A-100

January 13,  Wednesday at 7 pm at AMCH, 1951 W. Camelback Rd., Suite 300, Phoenix

The use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) has grown at a phenomenal rate over the past few years as more and more people turn toward Oriental Medicine which has proven to be more effective and often cost less than conventional medicine.  In 2005, a National Institutes of Health (NIH) study found that patients made more visits to CAM providers than conventional medical doctors, paying more than $12 billion out-of-pocket a year.  In 2008, the NIH found that spending had nearly tripled to $33.9 billion a year. 

“It is for this very reason that so many college students and professionals from a variety of backgrounds are exploring career changes, to become Licensed Acupuncturists (L.Ac.), which have the highest training in this medicine, or Homeopathic Medical Doctors,” said Catherine Niemiec, J.D., President of PIHMA. “The acceptance and use of Oriental medicine and Homeopathic Medicine is at an all-time high. Even the military and court systems have caught on that this medicine is inexpensive yet exceptionally effective. 

“This event will be an excellent opportunity for the general public to explore and learn about forms of medicine that are extremely effective in treating cold and flu-like symptoms, cost effectively, at a time when the dangers of exposure and illness are at an all-time high and our current western medical system appears unable to fully meet the nation’s needs. These CAM medicines are a great adjunct to any western medical protocol,” said President Todd Rowe, MD, MDH of AMCH.

ABOUT PHOENIX INSTITUTE OF HERBAL MEDICINE & ACUPUNCTURE

Founded in 1996, PIHMA is the largest Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine college in AZ with over 130 current students and 90 graduates, with a plan to expand the number of seats for admission to the 2010 class.  PIHMA employs an innovative academic model allowing working adults to attend classes in the evenings and on alternating weekends and includes opportunities for overseas internship experience at Chengdu University in China or at the London College of Traditional Acupuncture in England.  Additionally, PIHMA maintains partnerships with Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine, American College of Medical Homeopathy, Southwest Center for HIV and AIDs, and local homeless shelters. 

ABOUT AMERICAN MEDICAL COLLEGE OF HOMEOPATHY

Located in Phoenix, Arizona, the American Medical College of Homeopathy is the first full-time homeopathic medical school in the United States in operations since the 1920's when Homeopathic Medical Schools outnumbered allopathic medical schools.  AMCH offers a variety of training programs from introductory to a full time homeopathic medical school including, a Doctor of Homeopathic Medicine degree, a Practitioner Certificate Program, introductory courses, homeopathic research, and an on-site clinic open to the public.