ACUPUNCTUREBy: Jordan Engel

Senior Project Fall 2014

OUTLINE OF PRESENTATION

• Research Paper• Physical Project• What I've learned though the process• Successes• Challenges• Mentor Reflection• Conclusion

RESEARCH PAPER

• Thesis: The use of Western vs. Alternative medicine is a controversial subject about which is more beneficial. Acupuncture, a type of holistic medicine has been used since ancient times, and is healing for both humans and animals.

• Facts:

• Acupuncture is a form of healing that considers the whole person -- body, mind, spirit, and emotions -- in the quest for optimal health and wellness.

• Acupuncture originated in China, being first mentioned in documents dating from a few hundred years leading up to the Common Era about 6,000 BCE.

HOURS:

• Mentor:

• October 4th, Hours: 1 pm - 4 pm : Open House at Student Acupuncture Clinic.

• October 16th, Hours: 3:30 pm - 5 pm : I worked with Peter Shea at his office in Asheville.

• October 27th, Hours: 4:00 pm - 4:40 pm : Mentor interview.

• December 11th, Hours: 3:30 pm - 5:30 pm : Worked on product. Practiced.

• December 12th, Hours: 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm : Finished my product.

HOURS:

• Product:

• October 17th, Hours: 4 pm -5:30 pm : Acupuncture points; Ear

• November 12th, Hours 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm : Worked on product. Researched more about how to connect it all together.

• December 1st, Hours: 4 pm -5 pm : Acupuncture points; Headaches

• November 13th, Hours 3 pm -4 pm : Researched more.

• December 15th, Hours 6 pm-7:30 pm : Practiced needling

fruit. Took pictures.

• December 17th, Hours 6 pm –

7 pm : Put everything together.

Practiced

PRODUCT:

• My final product was learning the basics of how to perform acupuncture in order to improve/relieve headaches or migraines.

PRODUCT:

PHYSICAL PRODUCT:

• Video 1

• Video 2

WHAT I’VE LEARNED THROUGH THE PROCESS

• General uses for acupuncture• How and where to insert an acupuncture needle • Points to help with migraines and headaches• Process of choosing the right practitioner• How to become a professional acupuncturist • History of acupuncture • Differences between Western and Alternative medicine

SUCCESSES• I accomplished a lot during this

process:• Being able to needle myself• Being able to needle others• Learning acupuncture points

and what they mean.• Being able to identity my

diagnosis • Grasping my mind around the

ideas of meridians, yin and yang, and the five elements.

• Writing an 8 page paper on acupuncture.

• My product slightly changed throughout the process. I had some problems with finishing my product as well.

• I had some issues trying to meet with my mentor.

• What would you do differently?• I would try to meet with my

mentor more.• I would start working on my

product sooner.

MENTOR REFLECTION

• Mentor: Peter Shea.

• Peter currently teaches at Daoist Traditions Acupuncture College and owns/runs Mountain Oasis Health with his wife.

• Helped me with understanding acupuncture better. Taught me how to needle. Showed me points. Taught me massage methods.

CONCLUSION

Future: My goal is to graduate from high school, spend 2 years at AB-Tech, transfer to Western Carolina University and get my bachelors in Nursing, specifically gerontology. After getting my degree in Western medicine I wish to focus on alternative medicine and possibly go into acupuncture.

Reflection: I liked everything about my project. Alternative medicine has been a big part of mine and my families life and was very interesting to learn more about it and acupuncture. I really enjoyed working with my mentor and learning how to needle myself and others.

SENIOR PROJECT

ACUPUNCTUREBY: JORDAN ENGEL