American College of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine Partners with Montrose Clinic To Help HIV/AIDS Patients.

HOUSTON -- American College of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine (ACAOM) has partnered with Montrose Clinic to offer acupuncture to their patients. With the new agreement, ACAOM will fulfill one of its missions to provide service to the community by providing acupuncture treatments to HIV and AIDS patients. A United Way funded agency, the Montrose Clinic provides low- or no-cost health, social, educational, and clinical research services to individuals in the greater Houston area affected by HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and Hepatitis C (HCV), or those who are at increased risk.

The mission of Montrose Clinic is to provide preventive and primary health care to underserved communities. ACAOM faculty has begun treating patients with HIV/AIDS related symptoms including peripheral neuropathy, depression and other related disorders. Initial treatments have been very encouraging, with many experiencing relief to their symptoms. "Before I began acupuncture, I had developed severe peripheral neuropathy in both feet and hands," says Fidi Cisnero, a current patient. "The pain was so intense that I had to quit my job and was only able to walk with the assistance of a cane or wheelchair. My experience with acupuncture, along with exercise and recommended nutritional supplements had allowed me to regain control over my life. I am able to walk and work out in the gym again. I have even begun looking for a job again." "By providing this service, the patients can combine acupuncture with some of the services that they are already receiving," says John Paul Liang, director of Planning and Development at ACAOM.

Montrose is not the first clinic that ACAOM has partnered to offer a more integrative approach. They currently cooperate with Memorial Hermann/Houston Baptist University Wellness Center, which is affiliated with Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital, Rice University Health and Wellness Center, University of Houston Clear Lake Health Center, and Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital Outpatient Clinic. Services at Montrose are also available to anyone who needs health care, vision care, women's health services, or wellness services, including fitness and nutrition. "Montrose Clinic has always been an active in the promotion and provision of quality healthcare services and education," says Kate Mahan, director at Montrose Clinic. "We are proud to include acupuncture as a service available to our clients and look forward to the benefit it will surely offer our community." A combined approach may decrease/eliminate the consumption of medication, relieve the side effects, or treat cases in which medication has not provided any relief. Patients are still strongly encouraged to follow their physician's advice and recommendations. For more information regarding ACAOM, please visit www.acaom.edu. For more information about the Montrose Clinic, visit www.montroseclinic.org or call 713-830-3000.