The Ctizen News
Clear Lake Clinic brings best of both worldsÂ
Y.C. OROZCO
Clear Lake Clinic brings best of both worlds
 The Clear Lake area has added a new dimension to its already diverse health care and medical community. The AIA Acuherb Clinic and Wellness Center provides the best of both worlds: offering eastern-based treatments and western medical expertise.Â
Posted:Â Thursday, December 6, 2012 2:56 pm
By Y.C. OROZCO
The Clear Lake area has added a new dimension to its already diverse health care and medical community.
With six hospitals, a multitude of clinics, substance abuse centers, physical therapy and mental health facilities, the AIA (American Institute of Acupuncture) Acuherb Clinic and Wellness Center can encompass many of those services.
Its a spa, holistic-based treatment and physical therapy service industry with a strong foundation in medical science.
From acupuncture, four types of message therapy, including rehabilitative, to intensive skin care and reflexology, it may not be the first eastern/holistic-based health care facility in the area, but Acuherb Clinic and Wellness Center is the first facility to provide the best of both worlds – literally.
“Our focus is to bring a holistic approach to residents’ health,” said James Lu, a licensed acupuncturist and physical therapist on staff at AIA Acuherb.
“Not only do we use acupuncture, but we use physical therapy and the combination of eastern and western science to maximize the benefits to our citizens.”
It’s a new concept, he said, and one that he hopes Acuherb can help establish among more conventional health care facilities.
Last Thursday the clinic held its official ribbon-cutting to celebrate its new location at 16300 Sea Lark Rd in Clear Lake after two years established in the area.
“It’s emerging but its not openly accepted yet – people generally either go to western medicine and when it fails they go to eastern medicine,” Lu said. “Here we are trying to use both.”
Lu is a certified acupuncturist and herbalist as are all members of the Acuherb staff, and
Dr. Kenneth Wang is a certified MD at M.D. Anderson. All members of the staff have a background in western medical science.
Chronic illnesses like MS, Parkinsons, mild to severe arthritis currently have no medical cure, and pain management is generally the one option.
AIA Acuherb tries to provide an alternative treatment by boosting the bodies natural resources and hopefully serve as a preventative source before last-option surgery or pain medication addiction.
“We want to educate people about finding a balance in their health care treatment,” said Dr. Wang.
Cerise Giovannetti has been walking with a cane after injuring her foot. She comes to Acuherb for physical therapy. She said that while westerners can be apprehensive about alternative healthcare treatments, the belief in the body’s natural resources is as traditional as aspirin to her.
“This is bringing an awareness of the holistic-ness of all of us,” Giovannetti said. “We are whole beings: we are not just a foot or a head, we are whole. That’s what they treat in eastern culture, this is what they know and we don’t. They can definitely bring that eastern, holistic thinking – the herbs, the movement, the fun and make yourself whole.”
AIA Acuherb spent two years at a smaller location and by expanding, the staff hopes to widen its reach and acceptance.
“This an increasingly accepted kind of healthcare and people are using more integrated healthcare, not just one approach,” said Lu. “We try to utilize everything that is available now to recover from illnesses or any disorder they might have by restoring their health in the shortest amount of time with the least cost of money. That’s the concept we’re trying to bring into this community.”
AIA Acuherb Clinic and Wellness Center is now located at 163 Sea Lark Rd in Clear Lake; for more information, visit www.acuherb.us
