Erica Joy Siegel

MSTOM, NCCAOM, Acupuncture Physician

Joy Vision Acupuncture is the only Acupuncture practice in the NE Florida region specializing in the complementary treatment of eye diseases with the Acunova Protocol. We can also help treat and manage almost any health imbalance.

Improving quality of life is our goal. Using acupuncture and the Acunova protocol, has a proven track record of achieving this goal.

Erica Joy Siegel is the author of
The Acupuncture Point Functions Charts and Workbook

About Erica

Erica Joy Siegel advanced through rigorous training for practicing Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine. After studying for over 3,200 hours and seeing over 1,100 hours of patients in California, she continued her studies in China. Since that time she had 2 successful practices in Indianapolis for 15 years before moving to Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. Her former practices were Indy Acupuncture & Health Services and Indy Downtown Community Acupuncture.

Masters of Science in Traditional Oriental Medicine (MSTOM) from Pacific College of Health & Science (formerly Pacific College of Oriental Medicine) in San Diego, California (2005). Erica was trained in a 4 year Graduate level Master’s program to primary health-care competence focusing on the integration of Eastern and Western medicine. Pacific College of Oriental Medicine was selected as one of the best colleges of traditional Chinese medicine in the U.S. by Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) World newspaper.
Diplomate of Oriental Medicine (Dipl. OM). National Certification Commission for Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) creates a five-module exam for acknowledgement of being a Diplomate in OM. NCCAOM accreditation is recognized by the state of Indiana’s Medical Board as proof of proficiency in acupuncture. Being a Diplomat of OM shows competency at practicing and integrating Acupuncture, Chinese Herbology, Biomedical Theory, Chinese Medical Theory, and Point Location.
Acupuncture Physician (AP). Erica is currently licensed in the state of Florida, and previously licensed in Indiana and California.
International Certification of Medical Training from Chengdu University Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, China. Training included acupuncture and herbal medicine.
Trained in the Acunova Protocol. Erica traveled to Minneapolis, Minnesota to train with Mats Sexton, one of the few American acupuncturists trained under Dr. John Boel in Denmark. Then she went on to train under Dr. John Boel directly to learn all of his Acupuncture related discoveries.

Founder and owner of Indy Acupuncture & Health Services and Indy Downtown Community Acupuncture (2006-2021)
Treatment of patients at Children’s Hospital of San Diego, San Diego Hospice and in conjunction with the University of California-San Diego (UCSD) where Erica maintained her own patients in concurrence with Western medical physicians
Treatment of patients in Acupuncture and Herbal divisions of the Chengdu University Hospital for TCM in China, where she earned a certificate in International Medicine awarded by the Chinese Government’s Department of Medicine
Treatment of patients in the private practices of highly regarded practitioners in San Diego, California; Ken Luke, orthopedic and musculoskeletal acupuncture treatment pioneer; and Marley Wexler, who has over 30 years clinical experience in pain management techniques for acupuncture and was mentored by Dr. Richard Tan, originator of the famous Balance Method for acupuncture
Participated in a Research Study on “The Effects of Acupuncture on Post Breast Cancer Symptoms” with Dr. Peter Johnstone at Indiana University (IUPUI)
Has given many lectures on the topic of Traditional Chinese Medicine; at Indiana University (IUPUI) in Professor Nancy Barton’s classes, Marion University and various support groups
Technical Advisor for ‘Acupressure and Reflexology for Dummies’ by Wiley Publishing, 2007
Author of The Acupuncture Point Functions Charts and Workbook, Singing Dragon Publishing, 2019

Testimonials

FAQ

WHAT IS ACUPUNCTURE?

Acupuncture is a modality used for the treatment and management of diseases or conditions through the stimulation of certain body points (acupuncture points) using pre-sterilized, disposable, filiform needles. Numerous biochemical and neurological mechanisms for acupuncture’s actions have been identified. These include the release of various neurotransmitters and modulation of chemicals that influence pain such as bradykinin, enkephalins, endorphins, dynorphins, Substance P, dopamine, GABA, nitric oxide, and serotonin. Regulation of the activity of pain sensation via Aδ , Aβ and C fibers has been documented, as well as changes in the brain’s processing of information at the neocortical, limbic, and brainstem levels. Acupuncture has been postulated to alter purinergic signaling as well.

WHAT DOES ACUPUNCTURE TREAT?

Acupuncture is part of a comprehensive medical system and can be used for a wide variety of conditions. Acupuncture’s use for pain is widely known. There is strong modern evidence of effectiveness for over 50 conditions and it has traditionally been used as part of a treatment regimen for many more. Acupuncture has also been shown to be very safe when delivered by a qualified provider. Many of the top medical institutions in America now incorporate acupuncture into their patient’s care, including the Mayo Clinic, Johns Hopkins, and the Cleveland Clinic.

ACUPUNCTURE CAN HELP:
EENT problems
Musculo-skeletal problems
Circulatory system problems
Reproductive problems
Digestive system problems
Respiratory system problems
Nervous system problems
Psychological problems
Auto-Immune system problems

Call, email or schedule online for a complimentary consultation to determine if acupuncture is likely to help your condition.

DOES INSURANCE COVER ACUPUNCTURE?

We do not bill insurance. It is pay at time of service. Acupuncture is covered by some insurance companies and plans. We can give you an invoice with all the necessary codes on it which you can send to your insurance company to get reimbursed if you have coverage and have met your deductible or can go towards your deductible.

WHAT ARE THE TRAINING AND NATIONAL BOARD REQUIREMENTS FOR ACUPUNCTURISTS?

All acupuncturists must graduate from an accredited school prior to beginning their practice. In most states practitioners will have taken national, third party accreditation exams to earn their acupuncture license, while some states have their own proprietary assessment procedures. In total, acupuncturists must complete over 1900 hours of coursework to sit for the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) board exams. Many programs in the US are over 3,000 hours. One quarter of this schooling focuses directly on biomedical pathophysiology. Traditional Chinese Medicine education also includes cupping, herbal medicine, gua sha, tui na, moxibustion, tai chi, qi gong and nutrition.

Please be aware that “dry needling” is a form of orthopedic, trigger point acupuncture being practiced mostly by those not licensed in acupuncture. They typically get trained in one weekend. It is considered illegal to be performed by non-acupuncturists in many states.

There is also Medical Acupuncture. This refers to a training for which Medical Doctors and Chiropractors attend a basic 200 hour acupuncture course.

WHICH CREDENTIALS MATTER?

The most common licensure designation for an acupuncturist is that of Licensed Acupuncturist (L.Ac. or Lic.Ac.) This title indicates an acupuncturist who has completed the aforementioned requirements to earn a license and who is generally board certified. Florida licensure title is Acupuncture Physician or AP. In some states the licensed title is Doctor of Oriental Medicine or DOM, DACM, or DAOM, which signifies a postgraduate doctorate in acupuncture and Oriental medicine, which focuses on research or translation. NCCAOM board certification is specifically designated by the abbreviations Dipl. OM, Dipl. AC, and/or Dipl. CH. The NCCAOM is the only externally regulated, national certifying body for the acupuncture profession.

WHAT WILL MY VISIT LOOK LIKE?

After scheduling your appointment, we will send you a link to the onpatient portal. This is where you can fill out your intake and sign consent forms. If you do not fill out forms online please arrive 15 minutes early for your appointment to fill out forms at the clinic. For automated reminders before your appointment, you may choose between email, automated call, or text. When you arrive at Joy Vision Acupuncture, we will greet you and check you in. If you are receiving Acunova, we will also conduct a quick eye chart exam. You will then go to your treatment room where there will be a recliner or massage table for you to get comfortable and remove your shoes. There is an additional chair in each treatment room for anyone accompaning you. Erica Joy will then conduct a consultation and answer any questions. She will then proceed by placing needles in the points. You will then rest with the needles in for 30-40 minutes. Most people take a nap or go into a state of relaxation. Erica Joy will then remove the needles. For traditional acupuncture you then check out. If receiving Acunova, there is a 1 hour break. You may relax in your room or the lounge areas, go for a walk or go out for lunch. We have wifi if you’d like to get some work done during the break. For Acunova you’ll then proceed with treatment 2, another 30 minute acupuncture session. For Acunova, plan to be at the clinic for 2 hours per treatment day. For traditional acupuncture, plan to be at the clinic for 1 hour.