I began my study of Chinese medicine in the late 1980's. I was first drawn to the vast richness and depth of Chinese medicine through my practice of classical martial arts. Over the decades, I learned various methods of hands-on therapies for the treatment of injuries that would occur during training. I also learned how herbal medicine has been safely and effectively used for millenia to support athletic training. After completing my undergraduate degree and working for a few years as a translator I realized my true calling was in the study and practice of Chinese Medicine.


I received my Master of Science in Traditional Oriental Medicine from Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in 2001 and completed a sports medicine and orthopedics internship treating collegiate athletes at the University of California, San Diego. After obtaining my California State Acupuncture license in 2002, I began to actively study Classical Chinese Medicine under Dr. Jeffrey Yuen, an 88th generation Daoist physician and priest. I continue to study with Dr. Yuen to this day with the belief that it is my responsibility to keep growing as a physician for the sake of my patients. The rich tradition that Dr. Yuen teaches has allowed me to successfully help many patients with difficult neurological complaints, autoimmune disorders and a wide range of functional diseases.

I have personally experienced the shortcomings of the conventional medical system which primarily focuses on the suppression of symptoms and the disempowerment of patients. This motivated me to devote my practice to empowering my patients to take back control of their health and break free from their dependency on medications.

I use a combination of acupuncture, herbal medicine, nutraceuticals, tui na, qi gong, and dietary therapy integrated with functional medicine (customized lab work) to decipher the mystery of each unique patient. Although it is a challenging path, I find it immensely rewarding and cannot imagine doing anything else.


I have practiced and taught classical Chinese martial arts and health practices in the US and internationally for decades. A student at heart, I spend much of my free time reading or thinking about how to be a better physician for my patients. My goal is ultimately to help unlock the miraculous healing capacity that is contained in every individual.


Since beginning my practice in 2002 I've worked closely with many primary care doctors, orthopedic surgeons, neurologists and gasteroenterologists to provide heart-felt care to thousands of patients.

Five Element Style acupuncture and herbs

John Howard completed his degree in acupuncture from the Maryland Institute of Traditional Medicine in Bethesda, Maryland. John holds two professorships; one in Traditional Chinese Medicine and the other in Western Medicine from George Washington University (GWU). Professor (Prof) Howard lectured on suturing and minor trauma management.

Upon completion of his degree Prof Howard entered into a five-year fellowship with the US military under the direction of Dr. Richard Niemtzow, MD, PHD. Prof Howard is both a clinician and an Academician. As an academician, he provides national and international lectures in acupuncture and auriculotherapy. He has authored five books and 21 articles on these two fields. He is also dedicated to the promotion of knowledge and has been awarded the dissemination of seminal works of Dr. Raphael Nogier (The RAFT (Radial Artery Food Test) and of Dr. René Bourdiol (Elements of Auriculotherapy).

In 2014 Prof Howard served as the vice president of the 8th International Symposium of Auriculotherapy in the United States. In 2016 Prof Howard became a consultant for ZeroMed (a holistic medical goods company) to design auriculotherapy protocols. Currently he is the President of the United States branch of the Raphael Nogier School of Auriculotherapy.



Research

John is currently conducting studies on the use of Auriculotherapy in distance runners to enhance performance. Some of men on team USA who won the world 100k gold medal in the Nederland’s in 2011 used his protocol.

Four Flowers Wellness provides acupuncture, shiatsu massage, and herbal medicine in the Wicker Park neighborhood of Chicago. We value the the uniqueness of each client, and tailor holistic treatments to suit each individual and their whole health. East Asian Medicine is a tradition that cares for a person’s body, mind, and spirit as a whole which cannot be divided. By incorporating techniques from acupuncture to herbs, and massage to nutrition, Four Flowers Wellness makes healing as unique as the individual. While each of these therapies is different in application, all share the intent to bring the body into balance and return health to its highest potential.

On the Fraser Coast, Hervey Bay may be your best bet for acupuncture. Registered acupuncturist and herbalist Paul Carter practises in Scarness. Paul Carter's acupuncture clinic is the ideal place for rest and recovery because it is situated immediately across from the beach and encircled by some of the most gorgeous restaurants and bars.
How Does Acupuncture Work?

A part of the conventional Chinese medical system is acupuncture. The history of this medical procedure dates back thousands of years. The main theory behind acupuncture is based on the idea that the body has patterns of energy flow called "Qi" that are thought to be crucial for wellness. The disturbance of this flow, according to the Chinese, is what causes sickness.