Twig & Needle

Acupuncture & Chinese Herbal Medicine

I hold a Master's Degree in Oriental Medicine from Southwest Acupuncture College as well as a Bachelor's of Science in Biology from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana.  I moved to Iowa City from Ward, Colorado in September of 2003 to open my practice.

I chose to practice Eastern medicine over Western medicine because it treats the whole person; mind, body, and spirit.  I also believe in the patient being an active participant in achieving and maintaining their own health.  I am a general practitioner of TCM though I have a special interest in women's health, digestive health, and Chinese herbal medicine.

Alphabet soup anyone?

What do all those letters behind my name stand for anyway?  I am glad you asked.  In the state of Iowa to become a licensed acupuncturist (L.Ac.) you must complete a three year graduate program in Chinese Medicine, and pass the national acupuncture exam which is administered by the National council for the certification of Acupuncturists and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM).  Diplomate of Oriental Medicine (Dipl. O.M.) denotes that the practitioner has passed the NCCAOM exams for acupuncture, Chinese herbal

medicine, and biomedicine.

In Iowa, Medical doctors, osteopaths, chiropractors, dentists, and podiatrists can legally practice acupuncture with 0-100 hours of training.  Comparatively, most TCM school curriculums are 2800 + hours.  The above medical practitioners are not required to pass any exams or to alert the state that they are practicing acupuncture.

About Alice Spitzner Claussen, L.Ac., Dipl.O.M