(From L-R) Kaitlin Condon, Acupuncture Skills Club (ASC) vice chair, Robin Fan, MD (China), LAc, ASC club advisor and faculty member, Kristine Plasky, ASC chair.

As part of Self-Care Week, NUHS Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (AOM) Clubs offered a day of free stress reduction activities to students, faculty and staff on campus in Janse Hall.

On Dec. 1, the Acupuncture Skills Club (ASC) provided free auricular acupuncture and ear seeds for relaxation and cessation under the supervision of Robin Fan, MD (China), LAc, club advisor and faculty member.

“Ear seeds” are literally seeds of the Vaccaria hispanica plant that are placed over an acupuncture point and are held in place with a tiny patch of adhesive (like a clear bandaid). They can then be stimulated anytime the patient feels the need, in this case, stress, addiction urges, or bouts of anxiety.

Due to a good turnout, AOM students Priyanka Borkar and Olivia Muzones joined in, providing some treatments and helping the AOM Club stay on schedule.

“We were just thrilled that we could provide some of our guests with their first taste of what acupuncture could offer and remove any fears that they may have had for the modality,” said Kristine Plasky, chair of the ASC. “We hope they will visit our Whole Health Clinic or ASC meetings for more.”

Patients relax after receiving auricular acupuncture, which is performed while patients are lying down. After 20 minutes, the needles are removed and ear seeds are applied.

Other activities included a guided Tai Chi and Qi Gong session led by Jason Labedz, chair of the Tai Chi Club, along with meditation and hot tea service hosted by the Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Student Association (AOMSA).

For the Tai Chi and meditation sessions, students set up the room with Himalayan salt tea lights, freshly washed Falsa blankets and ocean sounds. They also provided a hot tea bar, which included assorted blends by Pukka, a Chai tea by Vadham, and a fermented puerh tea. The club opened with some breathing techniques, moved into seated Qi Gong, and then completed a round of Baduanjin, another form of Chinese exercise. Students and other participants also discussed some Tai Chi concepts and how to establish some meditative space and practices at home.

“All in all, it was a really fulfilling experience that I think was a great way to provide a taste of what our clubs can offer students,” Plasky said.