Kristen E. Porter, PhD, MS, MAc, LAc

Kristen E. Porter, PhD, MS, MAc, LAc is a social entreprenuer, gerontologist, and acupuncturist. She founded Zen Executive, LLC, to provide marketing support to holistic practitioners. Her gerontological research includes the study of CAM and aging, HIV/AIDS, and minority aging. Her two decades in integrated health included 16 years as a director at Pathways to Wellness, the creation of 15 hospital-based acupuncture programs, and NCCAM funded research on acupuncture, HIV/AIDS and substance abuse.

Previous Articles

Climate Change: An Asian Medicine Perspective
November 2017 (Vol. 18, Issue 11)
An Interview With A Thought Leader in Public Health: Ayurvedic Medicine & TCM
July 2017 (Vol. 18, Issue 07)
The Key to Recovery
January 2017 (Vol. 18, Issue 01)
Update from the International AIDS Conference
November 2016 (Vol. 17, Issue 11)
International Congress on Integrative Medicine
October 2016 (Vol. 17, Issue 10)
Complementary & Integrative Health for Gerontology
March 2016 (Vol. 17, Issue 03)
The Importance of Health in All Policies
January 2016 (Vol. 17, Issue 01)
Syncretism: Acupuncture and Public Health in Cuba
November 2015 (Vol. 16, Issue 11)
Preaching to the Choir: How to Extend Our Reach Beyond the CAM Community
September 2015 (Vol. 16, Issue 09)
Integrative Medicine for the Underserved: A Seat at the Table
July 2015 (Vol. 16, Issue 07)
Synergy Doesn't Happen in Silos: Acupuncture in Hospitals and Other Healthcare Settings
April 2015 (Vol. 16, Issue 04)
Helping to Create the Healthiest Generation
February 2015 (Vol. 16, Issue 02)
The Tao of Gender
November 2014 (Vol. 15, Issue 11)
Spotlight on Acupuncture Research at IRCIMH
August 2014 (Vol. 15, Issue 08)
Wellness: A New Buzzword at the Aging in America Conference
July 2014 (Vol. 15, Issue 07)
Successful Strategies in Integrating Acupuncture and Shiatsu in a Hospital Oncology Program
April 2014 (Vol. 15, Issue 04)
Think Global, Act Local: CAM's Role In Public Health
February 2014 (Vol. 15, Issue 02)
Acupuncture Research in the 21st Century: Innovative, Trans Disciplinary and Focused on Public Health
October 2013 (Vol. 14, Issue 10)
Healing the Qi: The Boston Marathon Bombing
July 2013 (Vol. 14, Issue 07)
Economics of Complementary/Integrative Care
June 2013 (Vol. 14, Issue 06)
Open Your Doors to the LGBT Community
May 2013 (Vol. 14, Issue 05)
Emphasis on Wellness at APHA Meeting
February 2013 (Vol. 14, Issue 02)
International Symposium on Acupuncture and Meridian Studies: Conference Recap
December 2012 (Vol. 13, Issue 12)
Hospital-Based Pediatric Integrative Therapies
July 2012 (Vol. 13, Issue 07)
OM School Puts Public Health in Action
May 2012 (Vol. 13, Issue 05)
Public Health & Gerontology Groups Support CAM
March 2012 (Vol. 13, Issue 03)
Global Visions: Acupuncture as an International Public Health Modality
January 2012 (Vol. 13, Issue 01)
Public Health Initiatives Bring Acupuncture to Natural Disaster Survivors
November 2011 (Vol. 12, Issue 11)
Caring For Elders With Acupuncture: Healing a Growing Population
September 2011 (Vol. 12, Issue 09)
Evolution of the Massachusetts Acupuncture Bill
July 2011 (Vol. 12, Issue 07)
Globalization of Acupuncture: Interview with Visionary Paul Kadetz
May 2011 (Vol. 12, Issue 05)
From the Field: Acupuncture and Public Health
January 2011 (Vol. 12, Issue 01)
Equal Access for Cancer Patients
November 2010 (Vol. 11, Issue 11)
CAM at the International AIDS Conference
October 2010 (Vol. 11, Issue 10)
Cultural Competency in the Mormon Community
September 2010 (Vol. 11, Issue 09)
Acupuncture in the Global Village
July 2010 (Vol. 11, Issue 07)
Treatment Planning: Good Clinical and Public Health Practice
April 2010 (Vol. 11, Issue 04)
'Tis the Season of Giving
December 2009 (Vol. 10, Issue 12)
The CAM Legislative Scorecard
November 2009 (Vol. 10, Issue 11)
We've Got Answers, Part 2
September 2009 (Vol. 10, Issue 09)
Just About To Graduate? We've Got Answers!
July 2009 (Vol. 10, Issue 07)
Promoting the Nation's Health
May 2009 (Vol. 10, Issue 05)
Acupuncture and Public Health: Myth & Reality
March 2009 (Vol. 10, Issue 03)
AOM a Highlight of APHA Annual Conference
January 2009 (Vol. 10, Issue 01)
17th International AIDS Conference: Increasing Appreciation of Traditional Healing
November 2008 (Vol. 09, Issue 11)
Question and Answer Session
July 2008 (Vol. 09, Issue 07)
Refugees: Feeling At Home With Acupuncture
May 2008 (Vol. 09, Issue 05)
National Resources for the Integrative Medicine Movement
March 2008 (Vol. 09, Issue 03)
Report From the American Public Health Association
January 2008 (Vol. 09, Issue 01)
Reports From the Field: Kang Wen Acupuncture Clinic in Seattle
November 2007 (Vol. 08, Issue 11)
Training Non-Acupuncturists to Provide Care: Experience of the Pan-African Acupuncture Project
September 2007 (Vol. 08, Issue 09)
Highlights From the 10th East-West Integrative Medical Conference
July 2007 (Vol. 08, Issue 07)
Hospital Integration: The Art of Contracting
May 2007 (Vol. 08, Issue 05)
National Conferences Highlight Role of Acupuncture
March 2007 (Vol. 08, Issue 03)
Acupuncture in the Global Village: A Report From the 15th International AIDS Conference
December 2006 (Vol. 07, Issue 12)
Acupuncture and Asian Medicine at the American Public Health Association Annual Meeting
Practice Models for the 21st Century: An Interview With Michael McCoy
October 2006 (Vol. 07, Issue 10)
Reports From the Field: Seattle's Success Story
August 2006 (Vol. 07, Issue 08)
Innovative Models of Care
June 2006 (Vol. 07, Issue 06)
Questions and Answers About Building Programs and Patient Populations
March 2006 (Vol. 07, Issue 03)
Q & A: The Art of the Presentation
February 2006 (Vol. 07, Issue 02)
Voices From the Field: Experiences of Two Acupuncturists Who Work in Public Health
January 2006 (Vol. 07, Issue 01)
Public Health Concerns: Q & A
December 2005 (Vol. 06, Issue 12)
Acupuncturists Without Borders Organizes Hurricane Relief Efforts
November 2005 (Vol. 06, Issue 11)
Report on the 3rd International AIDS Society Conference: Asian Medicine Highlights
October 2005 (Vol. 06, Issue 10)
Hospital Partnership: Q & A
September 2005 (Vol. 06, Issue 09)
Acupuncture in the Global Village: The Guatemala Acupuncture and Medical Aid Project
August 2005 (Vol. 06, Issue 08)
If You Build It ...
July 2005 (Vol. 06, Issue 07)
Working in a Hospital Setting, Part Two
May 2005 (Vol. 06, Issue 05)
Integrating Acupuncture Services at Massachusetts General Hospital
March 2005 (Vol. 06, Issue 03)
PanAfrican Acupuncture Project Continues to Train Ugandan Health Workers
January 2005 (Vol. 06, Issue 01)
Acupuncture in the Global Village: Report From the 15th International AIDS Conference
November 2004 (Vol. 05, Issue 11)
Soup to Nuts: Ingredients for Starting a Nonprofit Program
September 2004 (Vol. 05, Issue 09)
Acupuncture in the Global Village: Experience of the PanAfrican Acupuncture Project in Uganda
July 2004 (Vol. 05, Issue 07)
Promoting Harmony Through Cultural Competence
May 2004 (Vol. 05, Issue 05)
Acupuncture: Part of the Public Health Equation
March 2004 (Vol. 05, Issue 03)
Expanding the Paradigm of Acupuncture Research
November 2003 (Vol. 04, Issue 11)
The Dance of Yin and Yang: Transgender Health, Part Two
August 2003 (Vol. 04, Issue 08)
The Dance of Yin and Yang: Transgender Health, Part One
May 2003 (Vol. 04, Issue 05)
Acupuncture in the Global Village
March 2003 (Vol. 04, Issue 03)
It's Time for Accidental Needle-Sticks to Come Out of the Closet
January 2003 (Vol. 04, Issue 01)
Report from the 14th Annual International AIDS Conference
November 2002 (Vol. 03, Issue 11)
Suicide: A Public Health Issue
September 2002 (Vol. 03, Issue 09)
Putting the "Public" Back in Public Health
July 2002 (Vol. 03, 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