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What is arnebia? What is it used for? Arnebia is a perennial herb that goes by many names, including lithosperm and purple gromwell. It gets the name "purple gromwell" because of its root, which turns purple when dried. It is indigenous to Korea, China and Japan, and can reach a…

What is arnica? What is it used for? Arnica is a perennial plant in the mountainous regions of Canada, the U.S. and Europe, with dark brown roots and a simple (lightly branched) stem that reaches a height of 1-2 feet. Each plant contains 1-9 large, daisy-like yellow flowers, with notched…

What are artichoke leaves? What are they used for? The artichoke is a round, perennial plant native to southern Europe, northern Africa and the Canary Islands. It was first cultivated by the ancient Romans and Greeks, and is now grown worldwide. The plant’s petals and the “heart” of its flower…

What is ash bark? What is it used for? The ash is a family of approximately 70 species of trees and shrubs, most of which grow in North America. The timber of the ash tree is valued for its beauty and strength; many early baseball bats were made of ash,…

What is ashwagandha? What is it used for? Ashwagandha is a small bush related to the pepper family found throughout India and Africa. In India, the shoots and seeds of the plant are used to thicken milk. The roots are used medicinally and are frequently included in ayurvedic formulas. The…

What is Asian ginseng? What is it used for? Asian ginseng is considered the "king of all herbs" in many countries. The scientific name of the herb (panax ginseng) is derived from the Greek words pan (all) and akos (cure), meaning that the root is a sort of panacea. Asian…

What is aster? What is it used for? Aster is an average-sized perennial plant native to east Asia. It blooms in September in October, and flourishes in sunny areas with moist, wet soils. In China, aster is produced predominantly in the Hebei and Anhui provinces. It is usually harvested in…

What is astragalus? Astragalus is an herb native to northern China. While more than 2,000 varieties of astragalus exist worldwide, the Chinese version is the type that has been tested most extensively. Why do we need astragalus? What is it used for? Astragalus contains numerous compounds, including flavonoids, polysaccharides, amino…

What is red atractylodes? What is it used for? Red atractylodes is an aromatic herb found throughout Asia, especially China. The plant consists of a tall, thin wooden stem, with serrated leaves that have small, hairlike projections at the end. The rhizome is used medicinally. The main active ingredients of…

What is white atractylodes? What is it used for? White atractylodes is one of the most commonly used herbs in traditional Chinese medicine. An aromatic herb, the plant is indigenous to China and has a thin, wooden stem and large, serrated leaves. The rhizome is used medicinally. GA_googleFillSlot(“acupuncturetoday_com_Default_Rectangle”); White atractylodes’…

What is aurantium? What is it used for? Aurantium is also known as bitter orange - specifically, bitter orange fruit. The fruit of the bitter orange is not to be confused with the peel of the bitter orange. Bitter orange peel is used for other conditions, and discussed elsewhere in…

The relative value units of CPT codes were adjusted, as they are each year; for 2023, that was about a 1-2% change in the common codes used by licensed acupuncture providers. Learn how you can use relative value units to set fair and reasonable fees for the acupuncture services you…

With one in eight U.S. couples suffering from infertility, it is likely you know or have worked with someone struggling to have a baby. Some may need to undergo assisted reproductive treatments like in vitro fertilization (IVF) and experience more psychological distress than fertile folks.

The liver, belonging to the wood element, is associated with the season of spring. The powers of spring include birth, growth, regeneration, vision, activity, forward movement, upward direction, vitality, optimism and hope.

The dorsal vagal freeze response is thought to be the oldest response of our nervous system.There are several basic patterns to consider when treating someone in a chronic dorsal vagal freeze response. It is important to treat not just the pattern diagnosis of the patient, but also incorporate empirical points…

We schedule every aspect of our lives. Many of us live by our calendars, especially when it comes to the day-to-day running of our private practices or engaging in patient care. How could we possibly survive without the quick glance at the calendar to know what we are supposed to…

In the past five years of my clinical practice, I have seen an astonishing upsurge in the chronic use of proton-pump inhibitor (PPI) medications for the gastrointestinal issue diagnosed by allopathic medicine as GERD. It is not uncommon to encounter patients taking these prescriptions for five-plus years.

The word why is defined as “for what reason or purpose.” In recent months, I've been suggesting to students who are in their school clinics to request medical records from other doctors about their patients. You, as a provider in the acupuncture profession, may ask: Why? I'm here to tell…

In any given year, nearly 40 percent of the U.S. population will develop a low back injury severe enough to limit activity. Once injured, there is a 22 percent chance of reinjury within three months and a nearly 80 percent chance of reinjury within the next three years.