Two issues ago, Acupuncture Today reported on the efforts of individual acupuncturists to aid the survivors of Hurricane Katrina. The outpouring of support demonstrated by the acupuncture profession in the past few months has been nothing short of remarkable, as dozens of practitioners have volunteered their time throughout the Gulf Coast region to help people affected by Katrina. In the meantime, suppliers, schools, and state and national associations have all made significant contributions, working together to donate hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of food, clothing, acupuncture needles, herbal remedies, and other items to provide much-needed relief.
Although it is now more than 110 days since Hurricane Katrina made landfall, the effects of the hurricane will continue to be felt by the residents of Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi for many months, perhaps years, to come. Fortunately, the acupuncture community hasn't forgotten the victims of Katrina; even now, practitioners continue to stream into New Orleans and other cities along the Gulf Coast, providing aid and comfort when possible, and doing their best to make the lives of the hurricane victims better.
Consequences for HIPAA violations can often be quite harsh. If someone has breached the HIPAA privacy regulations – even without any malicious intent, civil penalties are applicable: $100 per violation for unawareness, a minimum of $1,000 for reasonable cause, a minimum of $10,000 if willful neglect is present and then rectified, and finally, a minimum of $50,000 for individuals who act with willful neglect and ignore the issue.
The luo vessels are important in the treatment of mental health issues. They are conduits of “ying qi”: blood and fluids. We believe that the shen is “housed” in the heart and circulated through the blood, making a channel system that “conducts” ying qi ideal for treatment of the mind and emotions.
As our health care ecosystem continues to evolve, I’ve found an increased emphasis being placed on an integrative approach to patient care. As an acupuncturist, you are an essential part of this collaborative system and health care team, cooperating with a range of other professionals including medical doctors, chiropractors, massage therapists, and others.
