In this draft, the Task Force very strongly recommends a multidisciplinary approach to pain management, including Complementary and Integrative Health, behavioral health/psychological interventions, as well as restorative movement therapies. Acupuncture is specifically named (see section 2.6). This document more clearly and positively includes many types of integrative health providers than any report previously put forth. However, many who are not supportive of integrative approaches are submitting comments arguing for a continued reliance on pharmacological approaches to pain.
This report represents a quantum leap in HHS pain policy, and as an acupuncturist, it is imperative that you, and as many of us in the Complementary and Integrative Health community, respond positively to the call for public comment, due by April 1, 2019.
In your comment please refer to docket number: HHS-OS-2018-0027. Also, identify yourself as a patient, clinician, or representative of an organization with your name and title. You may also send an email to your patients asking them to write a short note of support as well.
Our profession needs to be represented in future clinical practice guidelines, government policy documents, and reports such as this. Once a report such as this is accepted, there will be future opportunities to build on the progress.
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.
