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

Profession at a Crossroads: What Must Change
Co-Author: Shabnam Pourhassani, LAc, QME, DACM
May 1, 2026 (Vol. 27, Issue 5)
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
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