Richard Blitstein began his study of Asian culture over 18 years ago with his first trip to China and other Asian countries. Since that time he has spent 5 years living and traveling in Asia while during the same period graduating with a B. A. in Asian Studies from Cornell University and a M.A. in International Studies from the University of Washington where he studied Asian Religions.

He began his study of Chinese Medicine while living in Argentina and returned to the United States to finish his studies at the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, one of the most prestigious oriental medicine shool in the United States, where he earned a M.S. in Traditional Oriental Medicine. He is licensed in the state of Illinois in acupuncture and is nationally certified in both acupuncture and Chinese herbology. In his private practice Mr. Blitstein sees patients with a broad spectrum of illnesses and has a special interest in fertility, pediatric, digestive system, lung and liver disorders. He has lectured on these subjects to both the general public and medical students on numerous occasions.

Besides maintaining an active private practice Mr. Blitstein is a faculty member at the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in Chicago where he teaches courses in pulmonology, gastroenterology, neurology and hepatology. He is also Director of Continuing Education for the school, bringing speakers from across the country and around the world to lecture for the professional Chinese medicine community.

Mr. Blitstein has completed research in interobserver reliability in the Chinese medicine diagnosis and is currently working at Children’s Memorial Hospital in a study on the treat ment of Cyclic Vomiting patients with acupuncture. He has presented his research at the Pacific Symposium in 2004 and will be presenting new work at the American Association of Oriental Medicine in October 2005.