Shabnam Pourhassani, LAc, QME, DACM

Dr. Shabnam Pourhassani attained a bachelor's degree in holistic science (2006) and master's degree in acupuncture and Oriental medicine (2008) from South Baylo University; and her doctorate in acupuncture and Chinese medicine (DACM) from Pacific College of Health Sciences in 2021. She practices in Newport Beach, Calif., and is an inpatient staff member of Cedars Sinai Medical Center and the California Rehabilitation Institute [a Cedars Sinai / University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Health partnership].

Previous Articles

Profession at a Crossroads: What Must Change
May 1, 2026 (Vol. 27, Issue 5)
Who Owns Your Words?
January 1, 2026 (Vol 27, Issue 1)
Navigating the Complexities of Chronic Pain Care Under PPO Plans
October 1, 2025 (Vol. 26, Issue 10)
The Benefits of Building a Referral Culture in Acupuncture
August 1, 2025 (Vol. 26, Issue 8)
Acupuncture Employment Negotiation in the Time of Specialization
November 2023 (Vol. 24, Issue 11)
Ethical Considerations for Acupuncturists: Egg Freezing
January 2023 (Vol. 24, Issue 01)
Infertility Is Not a Disease
November 2022 (Vol. 23, Issue 11)
Caffeine, Acupuncture and Pain
June 2022 (Vol. 23, Issue 06)
Venous Thromboembolism (VTE): Can Acupuncture Help Save Lives?
April 2022 (Vol. 23, Issue 04)
Acupuncture Fees Don't Make Sense
February 2022 (Vol. 23, Issue 02)
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