Donald M. Petersen Jr., BS, HCD(hc), FICC(h), Publisher Emeritus
Publisher Emeritus

Donald M. Petersen Jr. is the editor/publisher of Acupuncture Today, the profession's most widely circulated and read publication. While not an acupuncturist himself, his goal is to operate Acupuncture Today and its website, including the popular digital edition of the publication, as effective tools stimulating growth and communication within the AOM profession. Don is also the president of MPA Media, parent company of AT, which also publishes the most widely circulated / read chiropractic trade publication (Dynamic Chiropractic) and provides a variety of other services to the professions, including educational webinars, patient health and wellness e-newsletters, and more.

Previous Articles

Deprescribing: It's a Thing (and You Can Help)
August 1, 2025 (Vol. 26, Issue 8)
When Research Catches Up to Reality
July 2021 (Vol. 22, Issue 07)
For Such a Time as This...
May 2020 (Vol. 21, Issue 05)
A New Opportunity for Health and Wellness
April 2020 (Vol. 21, Issue 04)
AAAOM: Facing An Ultimatum
May 2014 (Vol. 15, Issue 05)
AAAOM – The Beginning of the End (Part II)
April 2014 (Vol. 15, Issue 04)
AAAOM – Making Promises They Can't Keep
April 2014 (Vol. 15, Issue 04)
Why the New Design?
May 2004 (Vol. 05, Issue 05)
Trending
Diagnosis
That Nagging Qi Stagnation Between the Shoulder Blades (Pt. 2)
That Nagging Qi Stagnation Between the Shoulder Blades

After a thorough examination to rule out the cervical and thoracic spine, what you have left is sharp, localized qi stagnation of the soft tissues causing the “rhomboid pain.” If it’s not the C or T spine causing the problem, then what could be causing this tissue issue? It can be a bunch of different reasons such as dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, poor posture, muscle imbalances, trauma, deconditioning, overuse, etc.

Christopher Chapleau, DAc, LAc, Dipl. Ac., AIT, IMT, MSHP, CES, HMS
Herbal Medicine
TCM for GERD, Gluten Intolerance
TCM for GERD, Gluten Intolerance

The patterns expressed under the umbrella of a GERD diagnosis typically include various combinations of liver qi stagnation (potentially with depressive heat), spleen qi deficiency, rebellious stomach qi, stomach fire, food stagnation, and stomach yin deficiency. In long-term cases of GERD, it is not uncommon for three to four patterns to overlap at the same time.

Craig Williams, LAc, AHG
Your Practice / Business
The Benefits of Building a Referral Culture in Acupuncture
The Benefits of Building a Referral Culture in Acupuncture

As licensed acupuncturists with the ability to evaluate, diagnose and treat using a variety of modalities, including herbal medicine, we are entrusted with a high level of clinical responsibility. Yet in an age of professional forums, online groups and social media communities, there is a growing trend of practitioners asking for case-specific treatment advice instead of referring the patient in question to a trusted colleague.

Shabnam Pourhassani, LAc, QME, DACM