Educational Perspectives

The Educational Perspectives column provides a forum for top educators within the AOM field to update the profession on the latest developments in teaching.

Previous Articles

Progress Report on Our Profession
Mark McKenzie, LAc
December 2010 (Vol. 11, Issue 12)
First Professional Doctorate: Revolution or Schism?
Richard Browne, LMT, Acup. Phys., OMD (Sri Lanka), Homeo. Phys.
April 2010 (Vol. 11, Issue 04)
Leadership Drives Institutional Culture
Multiple Contributors
Teri Powers, DAOM, LAc
January 2010 (Vol. 11, Issue 01)
Collaboration in AOM
Multiple Contributors
Mark McKenzie, LAc
October 2009 (Vol. 10, Issue 10)
Collaborative Care for Patients, Interns and Physicians
Multiple Contributors
Teri Powers, DAOM, LAc
January 2009 (Vol. 10, Issue 01)
From Passive to Active Learning
Multiple Contributors
Wen-Shuo Wu, MPH, MSAOM, LAc
October 2008 (Vol. 09, Issue 10)
Moving to the Doctoral: Doing the Obvious
Multiple Contributors
Ron Zaidman
July 2008 (Vol. 09, Issue 07)
Integrative Medicine Changing the Face of AOM Education
Multiple Contributors
Marilee Murphy
January 2008 (Vol. 09, Issue 01)
Trending
News / Profession
Classification and Determination of TCM Constitution: China’s New National Standard
Classification and Determination of TCM Constitution

On April 1, 2026, China implemented a landmark national standard: Classification and Determination of TCM Constitution. Although designated as a recommended rather than mandatory standard, it represents a major step in modernizing traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) by converting traditional constitution theory into a clear, measurable and clinically practical framework. By clarifying the relationship between constitution, disease, and pattern differentiation, the standard strengthens professional credibility, supports research, and enhances patient-centered treatment.

Ann Y Wang, CMD (China), LAc
News / Profession
Profession at a Crossroads: What Must Change
Profession at a Crossroads: What Must Change

The field of acupuncture in the U.S. continues to grow in visibility, patient demand and clinical effectiveness. Yet behind the curtain, many acupuncturists are quietly struggling to keep their doors open. While the profession is rooted in centuries of healing tradition, modern economic pressures – particularly those driven by insurance limitations, low reimbursement rates and job-market saturation – are making it increasingly difficult for licensed acupuncturists to thrive.

Shabnam Pourhassani, LAc, QME, DACM
Acupuncture & Acupressure
It’s Time to Stop Prescribing Points
It's Time to Stop Prescribing Points

A student stands over a patient, needle poised. They have a “perfect” prescription: a textbook combination of points harvested from a lecture slide on chronic lower back pain. But as the needle meets the skin, the student hesitates - the symptom of a quiet habit that has taken hold of our profession. We routinely say we “prescribe” points. It sounds efficient. It echoes the authority of biomedical culture and fits neatly into the insurance field. But vocabulary is never neutral; repeated long enough, it dictates behavior.

Bruce W. Park, DACM