The Business of Acupuncture

Nell Smircina, MBA, DAOM, LAc, Dipl. OM

Dr. Nell Smircina is a practitioner, advocate and investor with a passion for helping others become more proficient with the business of acupuncture. She draws from her experience as the founder of COGENT Acupuncture (formerly PIQUE Health), as well as a past president of CSOMA and former vice chair of public policy for the American Society of Acupuncturists. Dr. Nell is constantly looking for ways to strengthen the industry of acupuncture: she is currently partnering with an investment firm to acquire a business in the integrative health space and help the company toward its next stage of growth. Learn more at drnell.com.

Previous Articles

The Acupuncture Industry’s Hidden Value
October 1, 2024 (Vol. 25, Issue 10)
Redefining Your Practice as a Career (Pt. 2)
July 1, 2024 (Vol. 25, Issue 7)
Redefining Your Practice as a Career (Pt. 1)
April 2024 (Vol. 25, Issue 4)
Three Steps to Getting Past Your Issues With Money
December 2023 (Vol. 24, Issue 12)
Think Beyond Your Clinic: The Advantages of Industry Involvement for Acupuncturists
September 2023 (Vol. 24, Issue 09)
You Need a Business Plan! (Pt. 2)
June 2023 (Vol. 24, Issue 06)
You Need a Business Plan! (Pt. 1)
April 2023 (Vol. 24, Issue 04)
Get Creative Building Your Practice
February 2023 (Vol. 24, Issue 02)
It's Time to Remove the Fear of Discussing Informed Consent
December 2022 (Vol. 23, Issue 12)
Get the Most Out of Your Industry Pitch
October 2022 (Vol. 23, Issue 10)
Master the Art of Storytelling: How to Articulate Why You Do What You Do
August 2022 (Vol. 23, Issue 08)
Three Key Elements to an Introduction That Makes People Want to Hear More
June 2022 (Vol. 23, Issue 06)
Ready to Make a Connection? Five Steps to Effective Networking
April 2022 (Vol. 23, Issue 04)
Top 5 Essential Elements for Exponential Practice Growth in 2022
February 2022 (Vol. 23, Issue 02)
Trending
Headaches & Migraines
Resolving Chronic Migraine With Ocular Complications: Case Study
Resolving Chronic Migraine With Ocular Complications

The sternocleidomastoid muscle, which connects the head, neck and upper spine, has direct neurological relationships with both the trigeminal system and upper cervical nerves. When irritated or tight, this muscle can mimic or drive migraine symptoms – headache, eye redness, drooping eyelids, and restricted neck movement. This case demonstrates how important it is to assess and treat the musculoskeletal system in patients whose migraines don’t respond to conventional care.

Chris DiStefano, LAc
Senior Health
TCM’s Potential in Preventing and Treating Cognitive Decline
TCM’s Potential in Preventing and Treating Cognitive Decline

In the U.S alone, approximately one in nine adults (11.1%) report experiencing subjective cognitive decline. A comparable percentage will go on to develop Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. As researchers and clinicians seek integrative solutions outside of conventional pharmacological approaches, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) emerges as a promising, multimodal strategy in the prevention and treatment of cognitive decline.

Regina Robles, LAc, DAOM
Chronic / Acute Conditions
Transformational Work With Anxiety (Pt. 2): Changing the Inner Story
Transformational Work With Anxiety

An anxious part of the self can be very persistent. It is a self-contained story with a pattern of somatic repercussions based on beliefs and coping strategies from life experiences that often start in childhood. The good news is that since anxiety presents with a repeatable pattern, we can start to recognize it as such and begin to question its validity in the moment. In the following case study, I outline three “heartmind” techniques that preceded acupuncture and took about 20 minutes.

 |  Digital Exclusive
Kamala Quale, MSOM, LAc