About Acupuncture
Acupuncture treatments involve placing hair-thin needles of varying lengths into certain areas of the skin. The number of slender needles – as few as three, as many as 20 – and the length of time they are kept in place depends on the ailment being treated. During the treatment, the needles may be twirled, warmed or electrically energized to intensify healing effects. Some patients may feel a tiny prick when the needle is inserted. Others feel a tickle. But many patients don’t feel a thing.
Acupuncture sessions generally run for 45 to 60 minutes. Patients lie on a padded table, and soothing music plays in the background. Some patients say they feel an electrical sensation during a treatment, which is good – because that means healing energy is moving through the body. But most people end up falling asleep on the table.
Shared Acupuncture Medical Appointments Make Ancient Therapy More Accessible
To increase accessibility for patients, and to address the concerns over the costs of this treatment, which is sometimes not covered by health insurance, Shared Acupuncture Medical Appointments (SAMA) are now available. This method allows group of patients to receive treatment at the same time in one room.
Currently, SAMA is offered at the Cleveland Clinic Lyndhurst Campus, at the Center for Integrative Medicine.
SAMA works the same way as traditional acupuncture, except that patients remain fully clothed, and simply roll up their pant and shirt sleeves while sitting in recliner chairs. Multiple people can be treated at one time. The cost of each SAMA treatment is $40, whereas a private acupuncture treatment, where the patient is alone in a treatment room, oftentimes needing more extensive treatment or techniques, is $100.
For both SAMA and private visits, the patient needs an initial consultation which costs $100. During this initial visit, medical conditions to be treated will be discussed, and a treatment plan will be formulated that is specific to each patient.
Acupuncture is a complement to traditional medicine
Acupuncture works nicely as an adjunct to your traditional treatment plan. For example, many patients undergoing chemotherapy also use acupuncture as a way to lessen the side effects associated with chemotherapy. Acupuncture has also been used as a complementary therapy in the treatment of allergies, asthma, sinusitis and infertility, and is used in conjunction with physical therapy for rehabilitation from serious injury.
In Ohio, acupuncture practitioners must be licensed, possess a master’s degree and be able to demonstrate proficiency in both a classroom setting and in a clinical environment. Plus, all licensed acupuncturists must pass board exams in Eastern and Western medicine. Search the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine website at nccaom.org for licensed acupuncturists in your area. You can also visit your state’s medical board website to be sure that the acupuncturist has a valid medical license with no disciplinary actions.
Acupuncture
Jamie Starkey, L.A.c
Lead Acupuncturist, Center for Integrative Medicine
Jamie earned a Bachelors degree in Biology, University of Toledo, and a Masters level degree in Acupuncture, American Institute of Alternative Medicine. She further enhanced her clinical training by completing a Clinical Internship at Guang AnMen Hospital in Beijing China, Acupuncture and Moxibustion Outpatient Department, an affiliate of the China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine. She is a Diplomate of Acupuncture, National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM), and holds her acupuncture license from the Ohio State Medical Board. Additionally, she is a Level II Reiki Practitioner. Jamie has served as the Secretary of Ohio Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (OAAOM) 12/06-12/08 and a member Ohio Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (OAAOM) 12/05-Present.
Jamie offers Acupuncture here at the Cleveland Clinic with a focus on women’s health, oncology, acute/chronic pain management, stress-related disorders and acupuncture clinical research. “I take great pride in being a clinician of Traditional Chinese Medicine. I strive to help patients discover the ability their body has to heal itself when properly supported and brought back into a balanced state of health and wellness.”
Frank Caruso L.A.c.
Frank has earned a Masters Degree in Chinese Medicine from Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in San Diego, California. He is Nationally Certified in Acupuncture, Licensed by the Ohio Medical Board and a Member of the American Acupuncture Council, the Ohio Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, and the American Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. He has studied in China on several occasions receiving training certificates from the teaching hospitals of ChengDu and NanJing Universities.
He has practiced Acupuncture with the Center for Integrative Medicine at the Cleveland Clinic since 2006. His interests are in pain management, migraine headaches, sports injuries, stress related disorders, and general wellbeing.
Frank believes a multi-disciplinary approach to health care is very important and encourages open dialogue between doctors and patients on choosing and utilizing the many types of tested, therapeutic options available.
Ed Dea, M.A.c., L.A.c., L.M.T.
Ed has been a practitioner of the Eastern Healing Arts for more than 25 years. He attended the New England School of Acupuncture (NESA) in Boston, MA., and the Traditional Acupuncture Institute (TAI) in Laurel, MD, graduating from TAI with a Masters Degree in Acupuncture. He is licensed by the State of Ohio Medical Board and certified by the National Commission for the Certification of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM).
Ed offers exceptional personalized care through an integrated and wholistic approach to health and healing. He practices traditional Chinese and Japanese styles of acupuncture to address both acute and chronic conditions. Treatments are tailored to honor the uniqueness of each individual, while empowering you to better care for yourself in the process.
Susan Deng, L.A.c.
Susan Deng recently joined Cleveland Clinic’s Center for Integrative Medicine, bringing more than 16 years of experience using acupuncture to manage a full range of medical conditions, including: musculoskeletal disorders, nervous system disorders, fibromyalgia, pain, anxiety, depression, sciatica, arthritis, diabetes, chronic low back pain, heart disease, weight loss, smoking cessation, migraine headaches, chronic fatigue syndrome, insomnia, and more.
Ms. Deng practiced medicine in China before coming to the United States. She is a graduate of the Sun Yi San University of Medical Science, in Guanzhou, China, where she majored in General Medicine. After graduation, Susan spent eight years as a physician at the Guangdong Rehabilitation Hospital in Canton, China. She continued her education earning her Diploma in Acupuncture and Herbology from the Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, in Canton, China.
After Ms. Deng came to the United States, she earned a Diplomate of Acupuncture, National Certification Commission for Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM), and she was awarded her Acupuncture License from the Ohio State Medical Board. Ms. Deng is a lifetime member of the Ohio Association of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine (OAAOM).
Ann Driscoll, L.A.c
Joie Hill, M.A.c, L.A.c
Joie began her career in the healing arts as an acupressure massage therapist over 10 years ago. She forged a path as an acupuncturist by completing her M.Ac. from Traditional Acupuncture Institute (TAI) in Maryland. Prior to joining the Center in 2009, she practiced acupuncture at the Baltimore Women’s Prison, primarily as a NADA practitioner, with an emphasis on drug addiction and recovery. She is Nationally Certified in Acupuncture and licensed by the Ohio Medical Board.
Yanming Huang, PhD, L.Ac
Yanming Huang studied at Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China, for five years and received his medical degree as an honor student. After graduating from the medical university, he enrolled as a graduate student at Tongji Medical University, China. During his three year graduate program, YanMing completed his training and thesis to earn his Master of Medicine degree. For several years, he held a staff position as a physician at The Hospital of Tongji Medical University. Subsequently, Yanming left China to study at the University of Leuven, Belgium where he earned his Ph.D. in Medical Science. He is also licensed as an acupuncturist in Belgium.
He has published chapters in several books and over thirty original articles on Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine in peer-reviewed journals.
Yanming is certified by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM), and licensed by the Ohio Medical Board as an acupuncturist. He has experience with patients who have diverse backgrounds and various conditions. He offers Acupuncture here at the Center for Integrative Medicine at the Cleveland Clinic. Specialties include pain disorders, stress, menopause, infertility and other chronic conditions.
Tamara Macdonald, L.A.c.
Tamara holds a BA from the University of Hawaii, Manoa, an MA from Miami of Ohio in Oxford, a 4 year Doctorate in Natural Medicine and a 3 year Masters of Acupuncture from Bastyr University in Kenmore, Washington. Additionally, she completed her Acupuncture studies in Chengdu, China. She is board certified through the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture (NCCAOM), holds her Acupuncture License from the Ohio State Medical Board and her Naturopathic Physician License through the Washington State Department of Health. She is a member of the Ohio Chapter of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP), and is the Cleveland Chapter President of the American Holistic Medical Association (AHMA).
Tamara offers Acupuncture here at the Cleveland Clinic with an emphasis on pain management and women's health issues. Tamara enjoys incorporating a holistic approach in helping people achieve their health goals.
Jared West, L.A.c
Jared West obtained a bachelor's degree from Earlham College and a Masters level Acupuncture degree from the American Institute of Alternative Medicine where he graduated summa cum laude. He is certified as a Diplomate of Acupuncture by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM). Jared is also a Licensed Acupuncturist by the Ohio State Medical Board. Jared currently serves on the executive board of the Ohio Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (OAAOM) where he is also a member. Jared was first introduced to Chinese Medicine in 1991 when he began studying qi gong and tai qi. He traveled to China in 1995 to continue this study. His appreciation for the breadth of Traditional Chinese Medicine continues to shape his practice today.
"Acupuncture is foremost a holistic medicine. It is extremely effective at addressing specific conditions such as migraines, back pain, allergies, and infertility. However, the greatest benifit of acupunture is its ability to improve all of the aspects of a patient's health. My goal is to help you find that place of greater balance and well-being." - Jared West
Jared specializes in the treatment of stress related conditions, addiction recovery, sports therapy, and pain relief.
Inpatient Acupressure
Jamie Starkey, L.A.c
Lead Acupuncturist, Center for Integrative Medicine
