Constance Scharff, PhD

Constance Scharff has a PhD in transformative studies from the California Institute of Integral Studies. The focus of her research is on the spiritual and transformative experiences of alcoholics and addicts. She can be reached at cscharff@sbcglobal.net.

Previous Articles

From a Patient's Perspective: Creating Trusting Practitioner Patient Relationships
September 2011 (Vol. 12, Issue 09)
From a Patient's Perspective: Herbs Work Better When You Take Them
April 2011 (Vol. 12, Issue 04)
The Key to Treating Suicidal Patients
February 2011 (Vol. 12, Issue 02)
When You Love Your Acupuncturist
October 2010 (Vol. 11, Issue 10)
The TCM Vs. Five-Element Acupuncture Divide
July 2010 (Vol. 11, Issue 07)
Patient Noncompliance
April 2010 (Vol. 11, Issue 04)
Treatment Away from Home
January 2010 (Vol. 11, Issue 01)
From a Patient's Perspective: Touching the Patient
October 2009 (Vol. 10, Issue 10)
From a Patient's Perspective: Half-Truths, Omissions and Lies
September 2009 (Vol. 10, Issue 09)
From a Patient's Perspective: Creating Rapport
August 2009 (Vol. 10, Issue 08)
From an Acupuncture Patient's Perspective, Part I
July 2009 (Vol. 10, Issue 07)
Trending
Acupuncture & Acupressure
Open the Orifices: Point Combinations for Allergy Presentations
Open the Orifices: Point Combinations for Allergy Presentations

Acupuncture can be highly effective in cases of nasal congestion so common in allergy presentations; so much so that I often treat such issues using acupuncture protocols alone. In cases of seasonal allergies with highly predictable causes such as obvious elevations of environmental allergens, I use a skeleton acupuncture prescription that can easily be fleshed out to target potential underlying patterns and effectively customized to the patient.

Craig Williams, LAc, AHG
Lasers & Tens
The Laser Learning Curve for Light-Based Fertility Treatments
The Laser Learning Curve for Light-Based Fertility Treatments

Low-level laser therapy is having a moment in acupuncture circles for good reason. With a growing body of research supporting its role in reducing inflammation, enhancing circulation and stimulating mitochondrial activity, more practitioners are exploring its application in fertility care. But in the nearly 20 years I’ve used laser therapy in clinical practice, I’ve seen a wide range of outcomes. It’s not because laser therapy doesn’t work. It’s because many of us don’t realize how much the details matter.

Marcy White, LAc, Dipl. Ac., MAc, CFMP
Evidence / Research / Science
TEAM Dietary and Herbal Therapies for Cancer Patients
TEAM Dietary and Herbal Therapies for Cancer Patients

“Integrating Traditional East Asian Medicine Dietary and Herbal Therapies for Supporting Cancer Treatment and Survivorship in the West,”published in Perspectives on Integrative Medicine (2025), provides a detailed exploration of how traditional East Asian medicine (TEAM) can support cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiation. This article summarizes findings from the two case reports included in the study.

John Chen, PhD, PharmD, OMD, LAc