Woman seeks to become first blind acupuncturist in Texas

In Austin, Texas, Juliana Cumbo is being presented an interesting case as she attempts to get licensed to practice acupuncture. This will be her second time to attempt licensure after failing to receive it in October. She currently practices as a graduate intern, has earned a Masters degree in acupuncture and Oriental medicine, and has passed the national board exams.

What’s the problem, you ask?

Cumbo is blind and the licensure committee of the state board of acupuncture examiners doesn’t think she should be able to practice. In October, the state licensing board cited protecting the public as one of the reasons they had denied her request.

That goes against the beliefs of the president of the academy where Cumbo studied, as well as several of her teachers. Cumbo has modified her technique so that she, “is now better at finding acupuncture points than many students who can see,” according to the president.

If successful and she is approved, Cumbo will be the first blind acupuncturist in Texas. The Lone Star State isn’t alone in not having any blind acupuncturists, though. According to the article in the
Austin American Statesman,
Cumbo’s attorney only found three others in the United States.

While the committee cites protecting the public as their intention, they will be going against established practice in Japan, where more than 30% of the acupuncturists are blind.

The latest update about Cumbo is that the committee met last Friday and showed some insight. Instead of refusing Cumbo’s request outright, they voted to have
two neutral observers evaluate her skills
while she examines two patients, one male and one female. That evaluation will be done within six months and the observers, a physician and an acupuncturist, will report back to the committee.

Go get ‘em, Juliana.