The State of 21st Century Acupuncture in the U.S.
News / Profession

The State of 21st Century Acupuncture in the U.S.

Part 2: Clinical Utilization of Acupuncture

In 1997, the World Health Organization and the National Institutes of Health convened a multiday conference on acupuncture to evaluate its clinical utilization and mechanisms of action. The resultant document recommended acupuncture for a wide variety of clinical issues; and also recommended acupuncture be taught in medical schools and brought into mainstream medicine.Twenty-eight years later, acupuncture is far from integrated in the way that the document portends.

Clasina (Sina) Leslie Smith, MS, MA, LAc, MD, Dipl. Ac., FAAMA; Bill Reddy, LAc, Dipl. Ac.
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Health & Wellness / Lifestyle
The Missing Piece of the Fertility Puzzle
The Missing Piece of the Fertility Puzzle

When we talk about fertility, the focus is often placed on the ovaries and the uterus. Yet sperm-related factors contribute to nearly half of all cases of infertility. Whether someone is navigating fertility care alone or with a partner, and whether building a family through intercourse, IVI, IUI or IVF, it’s vital to include sperm health in the picture.

Sadie Minkoff, LAc, FABORM, OBAA
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Billing / Fees / Insurance
Multiple-Procedure Claim Reductions?
Multiple-Procedure Claim Reductions?

With some plans – and it starts with Medicare (CMS) – there is a payment protocol that may be referred to as a multi-therapy discount, but its official name is the multiple-procedure payment reduction (MPPR). If a health care provider performs multiple procedures during a single patient encounter, Medicare (and many commercial insurers) typically will pay “full price” for only the highest-valued procedure.

Samuel A. Collins
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News / Profession
The State of 21st Century Acupuncture in the U.S. (Pt. 1): What's in a Name?
The State of 21st Century Acupuncture in the U.S.

Our team of authors offer this paper (and this descriptive AT series) as a support for you as a professional, practitioner and member of the acupuncture community at large. We hope that it will serve to further the needs of acupuncturists everywhere and also act as a guide for those wishing to learn about Acupuncture Medicine – patients, healthcare decision makers, policymakers, and other stakeholders.

Clasina (Sina) Leslie Smith, MS, MA, LAc, MD, Dipl. Ac., FAAMA; Charis M. Wolf, MSc, MSTCM, DTCM, Dipl. Ac.
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Health & Wellness / Lifestyle
A Tale of Halloween Candy and Evil Wind
A Tale of Halloween Candy and Evil Wind

Once upon a time, there lived a doctor of Oriental medicine (DOM). He was lean and clean (4% body fat), fit (a fitness trainer) and healthy (a health coach). Long ago, he’d stopped worrying, hurrying and overeating, and consequently hadn’t gotten sick for such a long time. He thought himself to be nearly invincible. Such hubris rarely ends well.

E Douglas Kihn, DOM, LAc (ret.)
Healthcare / Public Health  |  DIGITAL EXCLUSIVE
Photobiomodulation for Restoring Taste and Smell Post-COVID-19
Photobiomodulation for Restoring Taste and Smell Post-COVID-19

Post-COVID-19 syndrome often includes persistent symptoms after the acute phase of the infection, such as loss of taste and smell, known as anosmia and ageusia, respectively. Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) has shown promise in treating neurological sequelae associated with COVID-19.

Christe Boen, DC, CCSP
Your Practice / Business
The Pros and Cons of AI Marketing: Is It Right for Your Practice?
The Pros and Cons of AI Marketing: Is It Right for Your Practice?

As a small-business owner, you just want to treat patients, but first, you must figure out how to get those patients in your door. Health care, in general, is at a crossroads at which patient care meets technological innovation. As you look to grab the attention of potential patients, is it time to explore the frontier of artificial intelligence (AI) marketing?

Antonio Arias
Featured

Will This Study Convince Medicare of Acupuncturists’ Value?

New Findings Could Help Advance the Acupuncture for Our Seniors Act

A new randomized clinical trial published in JAMA Network Open provides evidence that could help influence Medicare’s coverage decisions for acupuncture (and more importantly, acupuncturists). The trial was conducted “[in] response to a call by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to inform a national-coverage determination for Medicare reimbursement of acupuncture for CLBP among older adults.”

Acupuncture Today Staff
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Evidence / Research / Science
New Research on Treating Depression: The Ears Have It?

A randomized clinical trial suggests auricular acupuncture is effective for reducing symptoms of depression. The study, conducted at four university research centers in Brazil and involving adults (ages 18-50) diagnosed with moderate or moderately severe depression, randomized patients to one of two treatment groups for comparison, featuring a six-week intervention period and three months of follow-up.

Acupuncture Today Staff
News / Profession  |  DIGITAL EXCLUSIVE
Introducing the Acupuncture Herbal Vendor Coalition
Introducing the Acupuncture Herbal Vendors Coalition
Advocating for the Profession - and for You

Typically, when we think of organizations and people who support the growth, integrity and sustainability of any profession, our minds go to schools, practitioners, regulatory and credentialing organizations, and policy advocates. However, a new coalition is emerging from an unexpected corner of our profession: companies that have chosen collaboration over rivalry. Many of the companies you know and support that provide your needles, herbs and practice supplies have joined forces to form the Acupuncture Herbal Vendor Coalition (AHVC).

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Acupuncture Techniques
Acupuncture’s Role in Stimulating the Vagus Nerve
Acupuncture’s Role in Stimulating the Vagus Nerve
How It Can Help Treat Chronic Inflammation and Disease

One of the longest nerves in the body is known as the vagus nerve (VN). The VN is the 10th pair of cranial nerves that originates at the brain stem in the medulla oblongata. This nerve is part of the parasympathetic nervous system, which is a part of the ANS. Research suggests ear acupuncture can activate the VN.

Amanda Archuleta, DAOM, LAc
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Health & Wellness / Lifestyle
A Few Good Eggs: TCM for Fertility and Reproductive Health
A Few Good Eggs: TCM for Fertility and Reproductive Health
Understanding Natural Approaches – Even for Patients Not Trying to Conceive

Traditional Chinese medicine has been used for centuries to support fertility by improving egg quality, balancing hormones and enhancing overall vitality. Whether a patient is actively trying to conceive or simply looking to support long-term reproductive health, understanding these natural approaches can help them maintain wellness at any stage of life.

Daoshing Ni, DOM, LAc, PhD, Dipl. CH
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Education & Seminars
A Milestone in Acupuncture Education
A Milestone in Acupuncture Education
New England School of Acupuncture: 50 Years and Counting

In 2025, the New England School of Acupuncture (NESA) – the oldest professional acupuncture school in the U.S. – celebrates its 50th year. To honor the occasion, we reached out to NESA for insight into the school’s roots and how it has evolved – and in the process, helped evolve the profession – over the years.

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