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
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