Acupuncture in the Military

This morning I woke up to a story on NPR about how the military is starting to use alternative therapies for pain management: The Weight Of War: New Efforts To Treat Pain. Acupuncture is extremely effective at treating pain and often works where other therapies have failed. I am absolutely thrilled that the military is hiring acupuncturists, and I hope to see this trend grow.

I was surprised to learn that soldiers' and veterans' health insurance doesn't cover acupuncture at this point in time unless they go to a military hospital where it is offered. Maybe it's just me, but I think our soldiers and their families should be given every opportunity to receive the best possible medical care. They put their lives and bodies on the line so that the rest of us don't have to. I won't be practicing until 2013, but when I do, I plan on offering reduced rates for anyone who has served in the US armed forces.

Cure for Diabetes?

Recent research is found a "potential cure" for Type I diabetes. The article here. They have found that glucagon suppression may enable diabetics to go without insulin.

This is a topic that is very close to my heart, and I think this news is absolutely thrilling. Insulin-dependent diabetes can become horrendously debilitating, even when the people who have it diligently regulate their blood sugar levels and carefully regulate their diets. It would be absolutely amazing if this works.