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Steiner Leisure: Accupuncture At Sea Steiner Leisure offers an excellent program called Acupuncture at Sea for passengers in need of the ultimate in relaxation and healing. Licensed acupuncturists are employed with Steiner and sail from port to port providing acupuncture and holistic health care to passengers. This program started over two years ago and has been a huge success since its introduction. Steiner is currently working with five cruise lines-Princess, Royal Caribbean, Holland America, Carnival, and Norwegian. Most notably, Steiner set up a successful acupuncture program on the Freedom, the largest cruise ship in the world. Steiner has endeavored to bring Chinese medicine to the public in a mainstream fashion. The success of the program has been astounding. Passengers aboard the ships have been overwhelmingly receptive to trying acupuncture and sticking with it throughout their cruise time. Acupuncture now seems to be a permanent presence aboard the ships. Upon treatment, passengers generally have questions about how acupuncture works. They are nervous, excited, and have heard various truths and untruths about acupuncture. It is up to Steiner's onboard acupuncturists to calm patients, dispel fears and myths, and above all, educate. Steiner trains their L.Ac.s to explain the principles of acupuncture in simple, basic terms in order to put the first-time client at ease. “We accomplish this through education,” said Stephanie Kimber, L.Ac., Manager of Oriental Medicine Programs at Steiner Management Services. “When I hire acupuncturists, I inform them that they will be teachers as well as practitioners. We have found a very receptive audience in cruising populations all over the world. Often, they are people who have neglected their health, preferring fast food to cooked foods, medications to lifestyle changes, and sedentary activities to exercise. On the cruise ships, we are able to face these issues head on through presentations and a great deal of patient contact. Based upon the acupuncturist's enthusiasm, a great deal of intrigue and excitement about Chinese medicine can be created.” Passengers who elect to receive acupuncture typically receive bodywork before the actual treatment, which helps to relax the patient both physically and mentally. L.Ac.'s initially treat basic conditions such as facial rejuvenation, smoking cessation, weight loss, stress reduction, and pain management. However, as a relationship is developed between practitioner and patient through repeated treatments, more specific conditions may be treated. “People heal faster when they are on vacation and are also more receptive to trying new things,” said Kimber. “Conditions that may take a month on land, often take only a week on the ship to resolve.” In order to provide the best care to their passengers, Steiner carefully screens and hires the most qualified practitioners to practice as a part of their Acupuncture at Sea program. In recent years, Pacific College graduates have had the opportunity to be a part of this program. “We have had the privilege of working with several PCOM graduates,” said Kimber. “Wendy Miyashiro and Georgette Young are both PCOM graduates that have been successfully working at sea for over a year. In my experience, PCOM graduates are some of the most proactive, effective, and passionate practitioners to work with.” While traveling aboard a ship full time and practicing the art of Chinese medicine may not be for every practitioner, it serves those with a sense of adventure. The opportunities to hone “people skills” are great considering the vast assortment of clients an L.Ac., will encounter on a day-to-day basis. People from all countries and walks of life will look to the acupuncturist to be an ambassador of Chinese medicine. Upon returning to dry land, the L.Ac will have immense experience to bring to an existing practice or starting his or her own. Steiner Leisure has pioneered a program that has flourished and brought much needed health and relaxation to thousand of cruisers around the world. Acupuncture at Sea is a fantastic program that will undoubtedly continue to grow. As long as there is need to “get away from it all”, so too will there be a need for acupuncturists to help the passengers do just that. For more information contact
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