The Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine has finalized a program naming policy recognizing & accrediting only these entry-level and advanced-practice doctoral programs as of Jan. 1, 2022:
1. Entry-Level Programs
A. Necessary for licensure and national certification in acupuncture
Master of Acupuncture (MAc)
Doctor of Acupuncture (DAc)
B. Necessary for professional licensure in acupuncture that includes Chinese herbal medicine and/or national certification in Chinese herbology
Master of Acupuncture (MAc) with a specialization in Chinese herbal medicine
Doctor of Acupuncture (DAc) with a specialization in Chinese herbal medicine
Master's-level certificate in Chinese herbal medicine
2. Advanced-Practice Doctoral-Level Programs
Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (DAOM)
ACAOM adopted the policy at its February 2020 semi-annual meeting in response to public comments regarding the now-retired ACAOM Degree Structure and Naming Convention Policy, with the new policy effective March 6, 2020.
In its Rationale for Program Namingposition paper, issued in conjunction with the naming policy, the commission states: "There is longstanding confusion by the general public, patients, and other healthcare and insurance providers about the various levels of acupuncture and Oriental medicine (AOM) training, related degree titles, and associated terminology. ... [ACAOM] believes that well-understood and consistently applied degree titles will help eliminate this confusion and ultimately contribute to growth and recognition of the AOM profession."
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.
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.
Facial movements are essential for communication, expression and function. But when these movements become involuntary, they can lead to conditions that are not only physically uncomfortable, but also socially and emotionally distressing. Today, we’re taking a closer look at three common facial motor disorders – blepharospasm, hemifacial spasm and facial tics – and how both Western medicine and TCM view and treat them.
