Board Certification & Licensure
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State of Tennessee | Acupuncture License (L.Ac)
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National Certification Commission for Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) | Diplomate of Oriental Medicine (Dip. O.M.)
SAAT (Soliman Auricular Allergy Treatment) | Certified Practitioner
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Holistic Practitioner for the Treatment of Lyme Disease and Tick-Borne Illnesses | Certified Practitioner
Acupuncture Detox Specialist (ABS) | Certified Practitioner
American Organization for Bodywork Therapy of Asia (AOBTA) | Certified Practitioner (ABT-CP) - Inactive
About Dr. Joe Phiakhamta, DAOM
I am a state licensed in acupuncture and board-certified in acupuncture and Oriental Medicine by The National Certification Commission for Acupuncture (NCCAOM). Previously, I attained my Master’s and Doctorate of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (DAOM) degrees at AOMA Graduate School of Integrative Medicine in Austin, Texas. After completing my master’s degree, I pursued the intensive doctoral program to further enhance my clinical training on the care and management of patients with pain and associated psychosocial phenomena. In addition, I am a certified Chinese Manual Bodywork (Tuina) Therapist, Acupuncture Detoxification Specialist, Holistic Treatment of Lyme Disease/Tick-Borne Illnesses and in the Soliman Auricular Allergy Treatment (SAAT) for allergies.
I received comprehensive clinical training as an acupuncturist, herbalist, cupping and tuina (bodywork) practitioner at the AOMA Health Clinic and went on to provide acupuncture at various community health centers for the medically underserved, as well as a pain management clinic and a rehabilitation center for addiction. I also completed the intensive externship program at TrueNorth Health Center in Santa Rosa, California, receiving hands-on training and learning how to safely and effectively apply nutritional medicine, including water-only fasting, in an integrative medical setting. In addition, I have volunteered my acupuncture services to provide relief to communities affected by natural disasters, military veterans, and events to help with smoke and alcohol addiction.
After my doctorate program, I joined Vitality Integrative and Functional Medicine in Nashville, Tennessee, where I worked and collaborated with Sommer White, MD, to help patients with autoimmune and digestive conditions. I have also worked with renowned acupuncturist and Western-trained medical doctor Xiao Mei Zhao, MD, OMD at Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine. While working with Dr. Zhao, I learned male and female infertility treatments, and manage pain disorders and other complex health conditions.
"The part can never be well unless the whole is well." -Plato
Board Certification & Licensure
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State of Tennessee | Acupuncture License (L.Ac)
National Certification Commission for Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) | Diplomate of Acupuncture
Microneedling (Facial, Hair Loss, & Acne) | Certified Practitioner
Cosmetic Acupuncture | Certified Practitioner
Scheduled to take the national ABORM exam and attain ABORM Fellowship
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About Dr. Alex Patronis, DAc
I am a state-licensed acupuncturist and board-certified in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture (NCCAOM).
My educational journey took me from the Jung Tao School of Classical Chinese Medicine for my Master’s degree to Five Branches University for my Doctorate. Currently, I am in the midst of enriching my expertise with a Certificate in Chinese Herbal Medicine from Virginia University of Integrative Medicine.
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I hold memberships in reputable organizations including the American Society of Acupuncturists (ASA), the Tennessee Acupuncture Council (TAC), and the Florida State Oriental Medical Association (FSOMA).
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My clinical focus revolves around both male and female fertility, adolescent gynecological disorders, menstrual health, and a range of women's hormonal conditions like PCOS, fibroids, and endometriosis. I also have a strong interest in treating migraines, Bell’s Palsy, eye disorders, and gastrointestinal issues.
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What fuels my passion is the transformative impact of acupuncture. I feel incredibly honored to witness my patients attain relief and achieve a balanced state of well-being. For many, this not only alters their life but often sets them on a course toward genuine healing. Having a front-row seat to these transformations is an experience I cherish every day.
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I look forward to partnering with you on your journey to holistic health and well-being!
What is a Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (DAOM)?
A Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (DAOM) is a licensed healthcare professional who specializes in the use of acupuncture, herbal medicine, and other modalities of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to diagnose and treat a wide range of health conditions. The DAOM program is a post-graduate program that typically takes 2-3 years to complete. It focuses on advanced clinical practice, research in TCM, teaching, and deepening the knowledge and skills in the field.
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The program covers advanced topics in the fields of acupuncture and Oriental medicine, including clinical diagnosis, herbology, and acupuncture treatment methods. Graduates of the DAOM program are trained to diagnose and treat complex health conditions taking into consideration the person's physical, emotional, and mental well-being. DAOMs also have a thorough understanding of TCM theory, acupuncture points and meridians, herbal medicine, nutrition and other modalities, such as moxibustion, cupping, and tui na massage.
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In the United States, DAOM programs are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM). In addition to the ACAOM accreditation, the AOMA Graduate School of Integrative Medicine is the only acupuncture school to be regionally accredited by The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACS).
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The DAOM degree is considered to be the highest level of education in the field of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine and is often required for those seeking to advance their careers as acupuncturists or to become leaders in the field.