Dr. Barrett's Mission Statement

He says:

Traditional acupuncture theories and practices are not based on the body of basic knowledge related to health, disease, and health care which has been widely accepted by the scientific community. Moreover, schools that teach traditional Chinese medicine do not prepare practitioners to make adequate diagnoses or provide appropriate treatment. This Web site provides information about acupuncture that is difficult or impossible to find elsewhere.

What he should be saying:

Traditional acupuncture theories and practices are not based on Western views of the body and basic knowledge related to health, disease and health care which has been widely accepted by the scientific community. Schools that teach TCM do prepare practitioners with knowledge of Western diagnoses and the accompanying symptoms and how to effectively treat them. Teachers warn students to never diagnosis a Western illness themselves(an area in which they are not fully trained), yet to offer possible treatments for preexisting diagnoses that have been made by a MD. The importance and distinction between going to be Western doctor and Eastern acupuncturist is that you do not expect a Western diagnosis from an acupuncturist. However, you do expect them to understand the nature of your illness and this is an area in which they are trained.