Carly Samish, MAcOM, LAc, LMT

Carly Samish is an acupuncturist, massage therapist, and educator based in Olympia, WA. She holds a Masters degree in Acupuncture from the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine with a focus in Japanese meridian therapy and shiatsu. She has worked in hospice facilities, acute detox centers, and integrative healthcare clinics. Carly specializes in pain relief and wellness support, with an attentive and compassionate approach for any stage of health. She teaches continuing education workshops throughout the Pacific Northwest. Learn more at bluefirehealingarts.com.

Previous Articles

Professional Gua Sha Tools—Made by a Dcotor of Acupuncture
October 2019 (Vol. 20, Issue 10)
Hospice Care & Acupuncture: Comfort Care for the End of Life
March 2019 (Vol. 20, Issue 03)
Hiring Other Practitioners: How to Find the Right Candidate for Your Team
October 2018 (Vol. 19, Issue 10)
Working for Someone Else: Know the Rules of the Game
September 2018 (Vol. 19, Issue 09)
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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