Vesicle Formation After Cupping: Clinical Insights & Management Considerations
Chinese & Asian Medicine

Vesicle Formation After Cupping: Clinical Insights & Management Considerations

While the formation of erythema and ecchymosis is an anticipated skin response to cupping therapy, the appearance of post-treatment vesicles remains less discussed in clinical literature. This article presents a case study of vesicle formation following cupping therapy, explores underlying pathophysiology, and offers management guidelines to support practitioners in addressing this phenomenon safely and effectively.

Roman Slavinskiy, LAc
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Your Practice / Business
Three Reasons to Make the Switch to Online Appointment Scheduling
Three Reasons to Make the Switch to Online Appointment Scheduling

People today want convenience, whether it be from their bank, credit card, favorite retail store, or restaurant. They demand it from the companies who hold their loyalty, including their health care providers (you). They don’t want to call and possibly be put on hold, and they want to use an app or schedule an appointment on your website. Here are three reasons your practice can gain by switching to online appointment scheduling.

Antonio Arias
Chinese & Asian Medicine
Fire and the Pelvis
Fire and the Pelvis

While there aren’t any meridians associated with fire that cross the pelvis, that doesn’t mean the lower tan tien is void of fire. Fire has a more ethereal quality to it in relationship to the pelvis and can be connected through discussion of the lower tan tien, the lower san jjao, the ming men, and the bao mai. In this article, we’ll journey through the anatomy of subtle fire in the pelvic bowl and look a bit at how it is kindled, carried and cultivated.

Krystal Lynn Couture, DPT, LAc
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Billing / Fees / Insurance
The State of 21st Century Acupuncture in the U.S. (Pt. 3)
The State of 21st Century Acupuncture in the U.S.

Whether you accept it, avoid it or live somewhere in between, insurance coverage has become a defining issue for our profession. Patients increasingly expect to use their benefits, practitioners want to be compensated fairly for their time and expertise, and the system itself remains – at best – fragmented. The encouraging news is that coverage has expanded in meaningful ways. The challenging news is that reimbursement, across the board, remains inadequate.

Clasina (Sina) Leslie Smith, MS, MA, LAc, MD, Dipl. Ac., FAAMA
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Your Practice / Business  |  DIGITAL EXCLUSIVE
Acupuncture Home Visits (Pt. 1)
Acupuncture Home Visits
Preparation and Navigating the Home Environment

What do we do when a patient of ours finds themselves homebound due to injury, illness, incapacitation from surgery or otherwise? While treating patients in their home or residence may be a new experience, with a few guidelines you can offer home visits safely and effectively. We may be asked to do this for patients, or their loved ones, who find themselves homebound due to injury, illness or incapacitation. Patients are often very appreciative of the effort we make to come and see them if they are unable to get to our clinic.

Carly Herrero, LAc
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Changing Acupuncture Practice Models and Compliance Requirements
Changing Acupuncture Practice Models and Compliance Requirements

As the healthcare industry rapidly evolves, a growing number of acupuncturists who traditionally have used a fee-for-service payment model are investigating novel practice structures, such as concierge and direct-pay care models. What are the legal requirements specific to these practice models, particularly as they relate to HIPAA? 

David Bibbey, Dipl. Ac., LAc
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Women's Health
Forbidden Secrets of Women’s Longevity (Pt. 3)
Forbidden Secrets of Women’s Longevity
Ancient TCM Rituals for Preserving Youth, Vitality and Jing

The ancient physicians of the imperial courts recognized that prolonged emotional distress accelerates jing depletion, leading to hormonal imbalances, premature aging and chronic fatigue. This understanding was particularly important for imperial women, who faced extreme psychological pressures – competition, isolation, and the burden of producing heirs; all of which could rapidly weaken the heart-kidney axis.

Oksana Gryvnak, R. TCMP, RAc
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Featured

Pacific College Makes Huge Announcement

Affects San Diego, Chicago Campuses – and Pacific Symposium

Pacific College of Health and Science has signed an agreement with Southern California University of Health Sciences (Whittier, Calif.) whereby Pacific College’s San Diego and Chicago campuses – including students, faculty, staff, and academic programs – will join SCU effective May 2026, pending regulatory approval. PCHS will continue to operate its New York campus and academic programs independently.

Acupuncture Today Staff
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News / Profession
A Return-on-Health Framework for Whole-Person Care (Pt. 1)
A Return-on-Health Framework for Whole-Person Care

In this series of articles, we will explore the factors contributing to our current state of “sick care,” the best practices for integrating holistic healing, and three case studies illustrating the evidence that a bridge between the worlds of traditional Eastern medicine and modern Western medicine is not only achievable, but also offers a more sustainable financial model for the future of our nation’s health.

Leng Tang-Ritchie, DAOM, MSTOM, LAc; Amanda Azadian, BS
Senior Health  |  DIGITAL EXCLUSIVE
Natural Skincare for Seniors
Natural Skincare for Seniors

Natural skincare is an increasingly popular option as more information comes to light regarding chemicals in various daily-use products. For seniors, choosing healthy options is vital to maintain quality of life. Informing cosmetic acupuncture patients about how to choose skincare products can improve treatment outcomes and overall health.

Anna Small, AP, Dipl. OM
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Lasers & Tens
Modulating the Gut-Brain Axis With Low-Level Laser Therapy (Pt. 1)
Modulating the Gut-Brain Axis With Low-Level Laser Therapy
An Integrative Zang-Fu Perspective

The gut-brain axis (GBA) represents a critical bidirectional communication network linking the gastrointestinal and central nervous systems, a concept increasingly explored in contemporary biomedical research. Multiple recent studies have shown low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is efficacious in modulating the GBA and related mechanisms. Acupuncture and TCM herbal treatments have also been shown to influence many of these pathways and positively impact the GBA.

Dustin Dillberg, DACM, LAc, PAS
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Using Email Marketing to Create Loyal Fans of Your Acupuncture Clinic   
Using Email Marketing to Create Loyal Fans of Your Acupuncture Clinic

Emailing your clients can educate them, but more surreptitiously, you can use it for marketing. It’s (mostly) free advertising that can help you grow your business, if that's something you're interested in doing. Here are my top three takeaways from years of sending weekly emails to my clients.

Nicole Lentfer, LAc
Chinese & Asian Medicine
Opening the Extraordinary Vessels (Pt. 1)
Opening the Extraordinary Vessels

When I was a young student of acupuncture, the channel system I was most intrigued with was the extraordinary vessels. Described as the foundation, I initially wanted to always treat with this channel system. As I matured, I came to see that the extraordinary vessels can be quite demanding. They are difficult to access. They don’t easily “open” for every patient; and once they do, they require a lot.

Nicholas Sieben, LAc