by Kelly Williams

The Eastern School of Acupuncture and Traditional Medicine, located in the historical Madison Building in Montclair, is New Jersey’s first and only accredited acupuncture school. Founded in 1997, the Eastern School’s mission is to offer professional training, education and services in acupuncture, Traditional Oriental Medicine and traditional healing modalities that enhance the health and well-being of the greater community.

Their three-year program provides students with the skills to pass state and national exams in order to become a licensed acupuncturist. During the third year of the program, the student interns treat patients in the Eastern School Clinic, which is open to the public. Students are supervised by a licensed acupuncturist and treat a variety of conditions including but not limited to allergies, indigestion, fatigue, insomnia, stress, back pain and headaches. Patients do not need a referral to receive treatment.

The Eastern School also offers community education classes in tai chi and qigong that are open to the public. Tai chi is a self-paced series of movements and postures that have a low impact on muscles and joints. Great for all ages, tai chi can improve posture, reduce stress, improve respiration, provide better balance, improve circulation and increase flexibility and stamina. Tai Chi courses are offered on Sunday mornings from 8 to 9 a.m.

Qigong is a form of meditation in movement that balances the flow of life energy around the body. It is becoming more widely used in complimentary medicine as an aid in healing, as well as a preventative measure against disease and illness. Benefits include lower blood pressure, inner organ health and an enhanced immune system. Qigong courses are offered on Saturday mornings from 8 to 9 a.m.

The faculty at the Eastern School of Acupuncture and Traditional Medicine offers their acupuncture students a hands-on, personalized education that consists of small class sizes of 10 to 15 students. To enter the acupuncture program, students are required to have 60 college credits in any field or topic. New Jersey acupuncture licensing requires that students hold a bachelor’s degree at the time of taking the state exam; however students without a bachelor’s degree often seek licensing and employment in New York or Pennsylvania. The student body at Eastern is ethnically diverse, ranging in age from 23 to 73. Although the Eastern School has students with medical backgrounds such as chiropractic and nursing, many students that attend are changing careers and have backgrounds in culinary arts, business, law enforcement and education.

Initial treatment at the clinic is $45; all treatments thereafter are $35. To make an appointment call 973-746-2848. For more information and pricing, visit EasternSchool.com.

Kelly Williams, MS Ed, can be reached at [email protected].