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Preparing for your acupuncture board exams doesn’t have to be a long, exhausting marathon. This article outlines proven strategies to help you study smarter, maintain momentum, and avoid burnout so you can pass your exams efficiently and start your practice sooner. Whether you prefer an accelerated course or a steady…

Paul

There are many approaches to contemporary formula creation shaped by factors such as traditional knowledge, clinical insights and modern research. In this piece, I’d like to share one such experience, developed in response to the growing need of patients struggling with Lyme disease.

The stomach, known as “The Official of Rotting and Ripening Food and Drink,” with its paired official, the spleen, represents the earth element within us. I discussed the Stomach Official in detail in the June 2017 issue, including its manifestations at the physical, mental and spirit levels. In the October…

Facial movements are essential for communication, expression and function. But when these movements become involuntary, they can lead to conditions that are not only physically uncomfortable, but also socially and emotionally distressing. Today, we’re taking a closer look at three common facial motor disorders – blepharospasm, hemifacial spasm and facial…

A new randomized clinical trial published in JAMA Network Open provides evidence that could help influence Medicare’s coverage decisions for acupuncture (and more importantly, acupuncturists). The trial was conducted “[in] response to a call by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to inform a national-coverage determination for Medicare reimbursement…

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is rolling out an important new tool to improve access to integrative care for our valued U.S. veterans: external provider scheduling (EPS) . This cloud-based technology enables VA schedulers to book approved appointments directly into providers’ scheduling systems – at no cost to practitioners.…

Anna

Natural skincare is an increasingly popular option as more information comes to light regarding chemicals in various daily-use products. For seniors, choosing healthy options is vital to maintain quality of life. Informing cosmetic acupuncture patients about how to choose skincare products can improve treatment outcomes and overall health.

To explore the mechanisms of scalp acupuncture, I reviewed objective studies on brain function changes following scalp and body acupuncture treatments. Using functional MRI (fMRI) as objective evidence, it was found that several clinical research studies and meta-analyses have provided valuable insights.

MRI is currently the gold standard for identifying radicular pathology in the upper and lower extremities. Unfortunately, MR imaging requires preauthorization, which isn’t easy to obtain. The following brings history and observation to the forefront of radicular diagnostics. Each factor listed can significantly increase the clinician’s ability to diagnose radiculopathies.

In 1997, the World Health Organization and the National Institutes of Health convened a multiday conference on acupuncture to evaluate its clinical utilization and mechanisms of action. The resultant document recommended acupuncture for a wide variety of clinical issues; and also recommended acupuncture be taught in medical schools and brought…

Harmony is the ideal state in the human body. The human body and its functions are best apprehended through understanding that harmony is derived from opposites. Balance and harmony are reached through constant adjustments of yin and yang . In the Ling Shu , fine needles are used to open…

While there aren’t any meridians associated with fire that cross the pelvis, that doesn’t mean the lower tan tien is void of fire. Fire has a more ethereal quality to it in relationship to the pelvis and can be connected through discussion of the lower tan tien , the lower…

During COVID, we all had to adapt; find ways of applying a colorful zeal to Zoom. Bodywork classes required a lot of vigorous movement to stimulate group qi remotely – keep the students awake! Ensure interaction! What about other ongoing “adaptations” post-pandemic? Here's some of what your colleagues are doing…

The ancient physicians of the imperial courts recognized that prolonged emotional distress accelerates jing depletion, leading to hormonal imbalances, premature aging and chronic fatigue. This understanding was particularly important for imperial women, who faced extreme psychological pressures – competition, isolation, and the burden of producing heirs; all of which could…

Yo San University in Los Angeles, Calif., has announced it will offer two unique dual-degree programs in affiliation with Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (ZCMU) in Hangzhou, China: a joint master’s degree program in traditional Chinese medicine and a joint PhD / DAOM program in TCM.

In today’s fragmented healthcare environment, acupuncturists treating chronic pain patients with PPO insurance plans — particularly those with back pain and chronic postsurgical pain — are often faced with an ethical and clinical dilemma. While acupuncture provides measurable relief and functional improvement for these patients, it often reveals a glaring…

Over the past decade, Cleveland Clinic has made significant advancement toward the integration of herbal medicine into its treatment offerings. The renowned leader’s initiative aimed to provide patients with holistic care by complementing conventional Western medicine with evidence-based alternative therapies. This article explores the history, methodology and impact of this…