During the COVID-19 pandemic, taking care of front-line responders – the ones who take care of us – has been a priority. From N95 masks and other protective equipment, to food for health care workers' families, to free childcare while they work; individuals and organizations continue to step up.
But what about helping front-line responders with potential treatment options for their patients – particularly nondrug options? With all the talk about medications and a vaccine, let's not forget that in some countries, herbal medicine is being both recommended and effectively utilized as a COVID-19 treatment strategy.
Recognizing this, the TCM herbal community is stepping up. Case in point: Tianjiang Pharmaceutical, whose U.S. distributor, Treasure of the East, recently announced that the parent company has donated more than 100,000 doses of herbs to health care professionals in the United States, China, Italy and other pandemic "hot spots" worldwide.
A Treasure of the East press release documents the ongoing donation efforts:
According to the press release, similar efforts to provide TCM expertise and herbal formulas are ongoing. Tianjiang continues to work with organizations and partners worldwide to support front-line responders and the health care community at large during the pandemic.
Editor's Note: Acupuncture Today encourages other companies and organizations making an impact on the COVID-19 pandemic to share their efforts and experiences with our readers. Submit your press release / short article (300-400 words) via email to editorial@acupuncturetoday.com.
Governor Gavin Newsom has retracted the proposed budget cuts to the Medi-Cal acupuncture program for low-income Californians for the 2024-2025 budget year. This decision marks a significant victory for health care providers and advocates who have long championed acupuncture as a vital component of comprehensive medical care.
There’s no doubt that many of your patients visit your practice because they are in pain. And there’s certainly no doubt that curcumin from turmeric (Curcuma longa) can be incredibly effective in stopping that pain, whether due to chronic conditions like arthritis or acute pain from intensive workouts. But your patients may also benefit from curcumin for other reasons.
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Fair and appropriate wages in health care are typically based on economic evaluations. A simple literature review illuminates that acupuncture is missing economic evaluations; which implies you are either underpaid or overpaid. The complexity of services provided by most American acupuncturists, which they are trained and certified to provide, must be reimbursed fairly.
