Nell Smircina, MBA, DAOM, LAc, Dipl. OM

Dr. Nell Smircina is a practitioner, advocate and investor with a passion for helping others become more proficient with the business of acupuncture. She draws from her experience as the founder of COGENT Acupuncture (formerly PIQUE Health), as well as a past president of CSOMA and former vice chair of public policy for the American Society of Acupuncturists. Dr. Nell is constantly looking for ways to strengthen the industry of acupuncture: she is currently partnering with an investment firm to acquire a business in the integrative health space and help the company toward its next stage of growth. Learn more at drnell.com.

Previous Articles

The Acupuncture Industry’s Hidden Value
October 1, 2024 (Vol. 25, Issue 10)
Redefining Your Practice as a Career (Pt. 2)
July 1, 2024 (Vol. 25, Issue 7)
Redefining Your Practice as a Career (Pt. 1)
April 2024 (Vol. 25, Issue 4)
Three Steps to Getting Past Your Issues With Money
December 2023 (Vol. 24, Issue 12)
Think Beyond Your Clinic: The Advantages of Industry Involvement for Acupuncturists
September 2023 (Vol. 24, Issue 09)
You Need a Business Plan! (Pt. 2)
June 2023 (Vol. 24, Issue 06)
You Need a Business Plan! (Pt. 1)
April 2023 (Vol. 24, Issue 04)
Get Creative Building Your Practice
February 2023 (Vol. 24, Issue 02)
It's Time to Remove the Fear of Discussing Informed Consent
December 2022 (Vol. 23, Issue 12)
Get the Most Out of Your Industry Pitch
October 2022 (Vol. 23, Issue 10)
Master the Art of Storytelling: How to Articulate Why You Do What You Do
August 2022 (Vol. 23, Issue 08)
Three Key Elements to an Introduction That Makes People Want to Hear More
June 2022 (Vol. 23, Issue 06)
Ready to Make a Connection? Five Steps to Effective Networking
April 2022 (Vol. 23, Issue 04)
Top 5 Essential Elements for Exponential Practice Growth in 2022
February 2022 (Vol. 23, Issue 02)
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