Acupuncturists are opening their practices again in dramatic numbers following months of stay-at-home orders in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This is encouraging in light of the fact that the profession has been so heavily impacted; particularly because California and New York, the two most populous states in terms of acupuncturists, enacted sweeping restrictions early on.
According to surveys conducted by Acupuncture Today in early April and again in early June, 69 percent of acupuncturists are currently practicing, up from a low of 24 percent in early April. This increase is seen for practitioners whose offices are open regular hours (16 percent, up from 5 percent in early April) and those who are open limited hours (53 percent, up from 19 percent).
The second survey also found 42 percent of practitioners are seeing at least half of their pre-pandemic patient volume, with 7 percent seeing almost all of their previous volume, 11 percent seeing around three-quarters and 24 percent seeing about half .
As of early June, 60 percent are still consulting with patients remotely, up slightly from 58 percent in April. (It will be interesting to see if telemedicine continues to be offered to patients as an option as part of the "new normal" in health care.)
Survey respondents were divided by years in practice and practice community to determine if either of these factors is related to an acupuncturist's clinic being open or seeing at least half of their pre-pandemic patient volume. According to the surveys, there is only a small difference between years in practice, with a greater percentage of newer acupuncturists open. Practicing in a suburban community is associated with a greater likelihood of acupuncturists being open (71 percent), as well as a greater likelihood of seeing at least half of their pre-pandemic patient visit volume (48 percent).
Do you receive text messages from companies letting you know about offers or giveaways, or simply sharing news? If your answer is yes, then you have opted in for SMS (short message service) text-message marketing. SMS text-message marketing uses various platforms and software to send personalized, timely and sometimes interactive messages.
The Oregon College of Oriental Medicine (OCOM) has announced it is closing after 41 years. Pending accreditor approval, OCOM will cease offering classes after September (fourth-year OCOM students graduate Aug. 26). All current / incoming OCOM students have the option of continuing their education at the National University of Natural Medicine or Five Branches University, or transferring to another school altogether.
| Digital Exclusive
The end of cancer treatment does not necessarily signal a return to good health. Cancer survivors report poorer health and well-being than people who have not had cancer; many suffer chronic consequences of cancer and its treatments. Some may also develop new symptoms many years after treatment has ended.
