News & Events, University News

Five Branches Admissions Fund Scholarship

Every term, Five Branches University offers its incoming students three scholarships per campus in the amounts of $500, $750, and $1,000.

To qualify for scholarship submission students must:

  • Have applied for financial aid (even if you don’t believe you qualify)
  • Have no family or other organization financial contribution
  • Minimum GPA of 3.00

 A one-page only statement of purpose essay along with a cover letter, which includes your name and current address, and phone number must be submitted to the admissions office (Santa Cruz or San Jose) by or before Orientation Day.  Please note that late applications will not be reviewed.

The Scholarship Review Committee will review all applications based on the above criteria and the strength of the statement of purpose essay and announce the winners within four (4) weeks.  Scholarship awards will be applied towards the winners’ next term tuition.

University News

A Successful Spring 2022 Outdoor Wellness Event

This past Saturday, under the supervision of Dr. Juan Li, our interns have had the pleasure of giving back to the community through TCM diagnosis and TCM acupuncture/acupressure services at our San Jose campus. Not only have we had the opportunity to provide complementary treatments we also had the pleasure to promote TCM health and wellness to our guests. Five Branches University would like to thank all of our participating patients, faculty, interns, and staff who have come together to make this outdoor wellness event possible!
Interviews, University News

Doctor & Senior Professor Lucy Hu, LAc: A Life Dedicated to Service

Twenty-seven years later, Dr. Lucy Hu is still teaching at Five Branches University and treating patients in the University’s health clinics, her private clinic in Palo Alto, and consulting with Stanford University pediatricians on difficult cases. She is the embodiment of the hero physician, tirelessly pursuing excellence to be of service to so many in need.


Continue reading »

Twenty-seven years later, Dr. Lucy Hu is still teaching at Five Branches University and treating patients in the University’s health clinics, her private clinic in Palo Alto, and consulting with Stanford University pediatricians on difficult cases. She is the embodiment of the hero physician, tirelessly pursuing excellence to be of service to so many in need.


Continue reading »

University News

Five Branches University’s Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Master of Traditional Chinese Medicine Dual-Degree Program Receives Seven-Year Re-Accreditation by ACAOM

Five Branches University is proud to have earned the highest level of institutional and programmatic re-accreditation, 7-years, for its Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine (DTCM*) and Master of Traditional Chinese Medicine (MTCM*) Dual-Degree Program in Santa Cruz. In parallel, the Postgraduate Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Program in San Jose is now fully accredited by ACAHM, the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine. We congratulate the Board, administration, faculty and students of Five Branches for this double accomplishment and recognition, and thank you for your contributions to the continued growth and development of the University.

* Degrees title change notice: DTCM is now known as DAcHM , MTCM is now known as MAcHM. Click here for more details.

University News

Five Branches Clinic: Treating Pain with Acupuncture

There has been an epidemic in the world of pain relief, too many people are using opioids as pain relievers and there is a danger of forming a dependency on these opioids. But what exactly are opioids? Opioids are a class of drugs often used medically to treat pain. Medications that are considered opioids are hydrocodone, methadone(meth), oxycodone, morphine, and codine.
These are highly addictive substances and when patients cannot acquire opioid prescriptions for pain, they often resort to buying opioid drugs illegally because they are much less expensive.

[apss-share]

Continue reading »

University News

Careers Open to Acupuncturists: Newsletter, March 2021

Subscribe To Our Newsletter | Want to share your story? Please contact us: newsletter@fivebranches.edu

Many Careers are Open to Acupuncturists

Did you know there are a multitude of career opportunities for acupuncturists, including starting your own private practice, joining an integrative medical facility, getting hired at Kaiser or Sutter or Modern Acupuncture, getting hired at a spa or yoga studio, teaching at a university, working at an herbal dispensary, or even traveling the world to assist in dire situations for Acupuncturists Without Borders?

Our practitioners are equipped with paramount levels of education for acupuncture, herbal formulation, Chinese dietary advice, and even marketing skills, so you can get started on your career path right away.

We encourage you to consider what type of practice you might want to have once you are an acupuncturist (and keep in mind our DTCM/DAOM/Bridge Doctoral programs offer added benefits since employers often prefer more initials after your name)! Visit Paths to TCM for more information on the many different transformations your career can take, and has already taken our alumni.

Adding Healthy Oils to Your Diet Can Reduce Depression

In addition to acupuncture and herbs, what other measures can help us through the ‘winter blues’ as we also face an ongoing pandemic? One way is adding more healthy fats to your daily diet, and eating a wide variety of vegetables instead of sticking with the same few ones.

Dietetics research suggests that extra virgin olive oil and fish oils (heavily featured in the Mediterranean Diet) help combat depression, and the positive effects lasted longer if people also committed to eating many different types of greens, nuts, seeds, and beans (Parletta et. al. [2019] A Mediterranean-style dietary intervention supplemented with fish oil improves diet quality and mental health in people with depression, Nutritional Neuroscience, 22:7, 474-487).

In Traditional Chinese Medicine we say colloquially “Eat a rainbow every day,” which references a variety of plant sources. One possibility for a side dish is lightly steamed rainbow chard tossed with cold-pressed olive oil and sprinkled with diced olives (both black and green) and fresh basil.

A Special Point for Pregnancy Anxiety

The pandemic has made most aspects of life far more challenging, and heightened emotions expected with becoming pregnant may be even more complex right now. If you or a loved one is pregnant (the patient in this photo was three months along), consider acupressure for Pericardium 4.

Located between palmaris longus and flexor carpi radialis about five inches from the wrist, P4 helps alleviate depression, grief, and fear of people. Coronavirus has sparked additional worry during pregnancy, including transmissibility concerns and a lack of community support. Even the pandemic aside, anxiety is common during pregnancy but your doctor may caution against taking medications if possible.

When stressed, press and hold this point ten times in a row to increase circulation within the energy pathways; acupressure can also be used preventively first thing each morning to avoid developing the symptoms.

University News

Education Continues: Newsletter, February 2021

Subscribe To Our Newsletter | Want to share your story? Please contact us: newsletter@fivebranches.edu

Education Continues During A Pandemic

Embracing the safety and the well-being of students and faculty in providing patient-care, education at FBU continues with high safety measures and careful adoption of various formats, including online education to achieve teaching objectives to promote upkeep of clinical skills and knowledge.

On February 21 at 2pm Pacific time, join us for

  • General information about the program
  • A graduate and a senior student testimonials
  • Clinic operation in light of the COVID-19 regulations
  • Small groups for Q & A

Spotlight on a Current Student: Frederica Crafts

Our current student Frederica has enjoyed giving free acupuncture at fairs, such as MLK Youth Day in January 2020, just prior to the pandemic temporarily halting our usual events where faculty and students assist underserved populations

At that event longtime professor Mariposa Bernstein had students set up a circle of chairs and treat patients with auricular (ear) points. Frederica says “This unique opportunity gave me the experience of working with a vast array of individuals, many of whom had never experienced the healing nature of acupuncture. It was wonderful to come together as a community and expose people to m odalities that they may never have the opportunity to experience.”

One of the rewards we can have as acupuncturists is a real-time view of the stress relief our treatments provide. The pace of modern life is extremely taxing. Frederica noticed that at the health fair, “Children were cared for, mothers were listened to and relieved, fathers shared healing time with their children. It was a day that has shown me just how important it is to participate in community gatherings.”

Five Branches is looking forward to getting back to our outreach programs which have always been lively and rewarding; for now, please stay safe and focus on cultivating daily routines that work best for your family.

 

Service Updates: Our Clinics Are Open

We offer affordable acupuncture at both our Santa Cruz and San Jose clinics, as well as virtual Telehealth sessions for those who wish to speak with their clinician from the comfort of their homes. To make an appointment please give us a call; unfortunately, we cannot accommodate walk-ins at this time. Below you will find our current hours and contact information:

Santa Cruz Clinic
200 7th Ave #115, Santa Cruz, CA 95062

(831) 476-9424| SC Clinic

Service Hours:
Monday 9:00am – 6:00pm
Tuesday 9:00am – 6:00pm
Wednesday 9:00am – 6:00pm
Thursday 9:00am – 5:00pm
Friday 9:00am – 5:00pm
Saturday & Sunday Closed

San Jose Clinic
1885 Lundy Ave, San Jose, CA 95131

(408) 260-8868 | SJ Clinic

Service Hours:
Monday 9:00am – 7:30pm
Tuesday 9:00am – 5:00pm
Wednesday 9:00am – 7:30pm
Thursday 9:00am – 7:30pm
Friday 9:00am – 5:00pm
Saturday & Sunday Closed

Giant Hot Pot Broth Being Made

Winter is upon us, and a cozy delicious soup you can enjoy is a traditional Chinese hot pot (made with beef tallow, vegetables, spices, herbs, beans, and so on) but you have never seen it cooked in a cauldron this big before! It is mesmerizing.

Notice the range of Chinese herbs from our pharmacopeia being added one by one. Each Chinese herb in a decoction, formula or stew has a specific function in our medicine, such as reducing blood pressure or assisting with weight loss!
Image Source