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Amy Yeostros, MPH, Dipl. Ac., Dipl. Ac.A
Nationally Board Certified (NCCAOM) Acupuncturist
My journey toward the practice of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) began as an undergraduate at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst where I studied Chinese history and Mandarin Chinese. While in college, I also worked with Cambodian and Vietnamese refugees who had resettled in the United States after the Vietnam War. They were the first people to introduce me to the concepts and practice of this wonderful medicine. After graduation, I spent two years living, working and studying in Mainland China and Taiwan. While my studies focused primarily on Chinese language, I also learned a great deal about Chinese medicine by living among people who used it as a primary form of healthcare.
I returned to the United States and completed my Master's degree in Public Health (MPH) at Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine in New Orleans, Louisiana. After earning my MPH, I worked as a health educator at the HIV Outpatient Program of Charity Hospital where I met many people with HIV who were interested in using Chinese medicine as a way to help manage the disease. I began researching Chinese medicine for my clients and learned how it was helping thousands of other people around the country but unfortunately, access to TCM was extremely limited in New Orleans. This experience was a large part of what motivated me to pursue formal training in Traditional Chinese Medicine.
I received my training in Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) at the Midwest College of Oriental Medicine in Chicago and went on to do post-graduate studies at the China-Beijing International Acupuncture Training Center in Beijing, China. I was also fortunate enough to apprentice and study with several very talented and experienced acupuncturists in Chicago and I continue to study with experienced teachers around the country.
Before leaving for post-graduate studies China, I had been offered exciting opportunities to practice in Chicago. So, after completing my studies in Beijing, I returned to the Windy City. Still connected to my love of public health, I contracted with two grant-funded programs to provide acupuncture and TCM to women with cancer and chronic illness, senior citizens, Asian-Americans, and people with HIV. While working with the patients in these programs, I found success in treating a wide range of illnesses including complications from Multiple Sclerosis, Fibromyalgia, HIV disease, chronic and acute pain and gastrointestinal disorders.
In Illinois, I also developed a private practice that focused primarily on treating women with health challenges such as endometriosis, uterine fibroids, menopausal symptoms, fertility problems and challenges during pregnancy, labor and delivery and postpartum. I also found that when combined with psychotherapy, acupuncture could assist survivors of sexual abuse and other trauma to work through pain syndromes and body issues.
I returned to New Orleans and have been practicing here since June 2002. I am committed to working with patients to reach their health-related goals and to expand access to acupuncture and Chinese medicine in the greater New Orleans area.