About Us

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• Alhambra Medical University (AMU), located in the San Gabriel Valley of Southern California is within easy driving distance of the Pacific Coast beaches, Century City, and Downtown Los Angeles. Alhambra Medical University is a private institution of higher education and is closely associated with seven hospitals in the area. The goal of the graduate programs is to educate healthcare professional who can contribute to the integrative care of patients. 

• Alhambra Medical University offers one of the best educational programs in Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine. The Master’s degree started its first class in Spring of 2005. It has been licensed to operate by the California Bureau of Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE) and the California Acupuncture Board since 2007.  

• Alhambra Medical University Alumni Association  (AMUAA) is composed of distinguished graduates who have completed their studies at the university. Its primary goal is to unite alumni, foster strong connections, and promote collaboration within the medical community. As an organization rooted in shared values and a common vision, the alumni association is dedicated to advancing the development and innovation of the medical field. Through organizing academic exchanges, professional training, and public service activities, the association strives to uphold the spirit of Ren'ai, promote medical humanities, and make positive contributions to medical practice and research.

• Additionally, the alumni association is committed to supporting current students by providing guidance and mentorship, helping them navigate their future careers. We believe that the collective strength of our alumni will bring about more innovation and breakthroughs in medicine, ultimately contributing to societal health and well-being. Upholding the core values of "Compassion, Professionalism, and Dedication," the AMUAA aims to move forward together and create a brighter future for the medical community and society at large.
  

• Certainly. As a traditional medical system with a long history, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) contains many interesting aspects. For example, TCM emphasizes "differentiation of syndromes and treatment," meaning that treatment plans are tailored to an individual's specific constitution and symptoms, which is relatively rare in modern medicine. 

• Additionally, the theories of "Yin and Yang" and the "Five Elements" not only influence medicine but also impact Chinese philosophy, culture, and lifestyle, reflecting a holistic and harmonious worldview. 

• There are also fascinating phenomena, such as the meticulous processes involved in harvesting and preparing medicinal herbs, which often carry rich cultural connotations. These aspects showcase the profound cultural heritage and unique healing philosophy of TCM.

Characteristics of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)

Holistic Viewpoint：

•  TCM emphasizes the concept of "harmony between man and nature" and views the human body as an organic whole closely connected with its environment. 
• It values the “balance of Yin and Yang”, believing that health is a result of internal balance among organs, as well as harmony between the human body and nature.
•  Treatment is based on “syndrome differentiation”, tailoring therapies to each individual's constitution and specific condition.

Syndrome Differentiation and Treatment (Bian Zheng Lun Zhi)：

• This is the core of TCM diagnosis and treatment. Instead of treating symptoms in isolation (e.g., just the headache), TCM collects comprehensive information through the “four diagnostic methods”: observation, listening/smelling, questioning, and pulse analysis.
•  It emphasizes “personalized, flexible treatment” depending on the person, time, and environment.
• TCM applies the principles of "different treatments for the same disease" and "same treatment for different diseases", based on the underlying patterns or syndromes.

Emphasis on Prevention and Wellness：

• TCM values “preventive care”, also called "treating illness before it happens". 
• It promotes:  Healthy lifestyle and diet;  Adapting to seasonal and climatic changes; The use of  “diet therapy, herbal tonics, qigong, and tai chi”  for health maintenance and disease prevention.

Diverse Treatment Methods

• TCM includes a wide range of therapeutic approaches, not just herbal prescriptions: Chinese herbal medicine (in the form of decoctions, pills, powders, etc.); Acupuncture; Tuina (therapeutic massage); Cupping and Gua Sha (scraping); Moxibustion (burning mugwort near acupuncture points); External treatments(e.g., topical applications, therapeutic baths, fumigation).

Natural Medicine Sources：

• Chinese herbal medicine is mainly derived from  “natural sources”—plants, animals, and minerals. 
• Herbal formulas follow a specific structure known as the “Emperor–Minister–Assistant–Guide” principle, ensuring synergy and balance in prescriptions.

Deep Philosophical and Cultural Roots：

• TCM is deeply influenced by traditional Chinese philosophies such as “Taoism, Confucianism, and the Book of Changes (I Ching)”.
•  Key theoretical foundations include: Yin-Yang and Five Elements theory; The concept of  Qi (vital energy); The Meridian (channel) system; The unity of “body and mind”, and internal-external harmony.