Eastern Medical Center Expands Into Europe

Eastern Medical Center is in an expansive WATER & WOOD phase. That means we are growing. And in order to continue to grow the clinic, I travelled to Europe to research state-of-the-art facilities in London and Scotland. We are expanding Eastern Medical Center’s database of ideas and influences to grow into a world-class healing retreat.

Our research began earlier this year by hiring a communication and spa consultant, Gary C. Smith. Thus far, we have made presentations at Anabhuti Center, San Ramon Valley Care Center, Sun Valley Toastmasters, Coldwell Banker Realtors, Kiwanis of San Ramon, Foothill High School Health Quest and Paris Beauty School.

We attended a workshop by Efrem Korngold, author of Between Heaven and Earth, to determine the direction of other Chinese Medicine centers. That workshop further inspired our presentations, adding a 30-slide PowerPoint presentation on Chinese Medicine delivered to Foothills High School before 1,600 students in March.

Our brainstorming sessions concerning established Chinese Medicine clinics in Europe gave us these questions:

Dr. Shen of Eastern Medical Center visits acupuncture facilities in London and Scotland.

• How do they function? What are the differences?
• What office systems are they using?
• What is the public’s response to Chinese Medicine?
• What new-age modalities are in use (such as phototherapy, detox bathes, light modalities)?
• How are the offices using Feng Shui?
• How eclectic can a center be?
• Do they implement continuing education?
• How do they market their clinic?
• Are there speaking opportunities in Europe?

We definitely found speaking opportunities because they are interested in what we are doing. The buildings are different; everything is very old, but the environment — the calm Feng Shui of the offices and the incredible need for record keeping — are similar. The free health care systems in Europe are not as “free” as advertised. With the freedom comes a very high tax base.

All the clinics were very curious about new modalities such as phototherapy and needleless acupuncture. Patented herbal remedies seem to be in all clinics; the old-fashioned herb shop look is fading. Places like Henry’s Herbs in Oakland are becoming rare in London.

Cross marketing (aligning primary care physicians with Chinese Medicine) is the wave. There is no conflict or competition for patients, much like what we are experiencing here in Pleasanton.

Educating the public was a priority in all the clinics we visited. I was especially impressed with AcuMedic Centre, where doctors have been trained in both Western medicine and Chinese medicine, so they are able to advise with a balanced viewpoint. They have more than 30 years of experience and offer knowledge to both the medical profession and the general public.

I spoke to groups at LCTA College & Clinic in London, a private college offering full courses in Chinese Medicine. They are a non-profit, which is an odd way of setting up a clinic, but it works very well for them in the kinds of services and education they offer to the students and the public.

I am extremely rested and eager to be back at the clinic. We are very excited to share the results of our research through our website, our newsletter and our blog. I will be sharing more stories and detailing tips for how I handled jetlag.

It is our wish to change health care in America — to truly change health care into wellness.