The National University of Natural Medicine and the Helfgott Research Institute have created the Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Health and Medicine COVID-19 Support Registry to "capture key cases, treatment/supportive care, and outcome variables related to the use of traditional, complementary, and integrative health products and practices, in response to issues related to COVID-19."
You can visit the international registry (click here) and contribute case data by answering questions based on "de-identified data from patients/clients who have been treated for COVID-19 exposure or prevention."
The American Society of Acupuncturists, Society for Acupuncture Research and other organizations collaborated to ensure questions include East Asian Medicine treatment approaches. In its press release, the ASA noted several key benefits for the EAM profession:
"To gather data that demonstrates that EAM practitioners are indeed working during the COVID-19 pandemic; and that EAM therapies are being used to support patients with COVID-19 symptoms."
"Health services data like this may be useful (now, and in future) to lobby legislators/regulators to consider whether EAM practitioners should be deemed essential healthcare workers."
Registry contributions have already been made by a broad range of institutions including National, the ASA, the SAR, Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine, NYU Medical School, Harvard Medical School, Univ. of Toronto, Univ. of Texas, New England School of Acupuncture at MCPHS Univ., Ontario College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern California University of Health Sciences, Weill Cornell Medical College, Immanuel Hospital Berlin, Univ. of Sydney, and others.
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.
