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As a practitioner, you know foot pain should be addressed as soon as possible, as pain in one or both feet can potentially lead to impairment of foot function, which in turn may increase the risk of falling. Rather than over-the-counter pain and anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen, or prescription…

In 2025, the New England School of Acupuncture (NESA) – the oldest professional acupuncture school in the U.S. – celebrates its 50 th year. To honor the occasion, we reached out to NESA for insight into the school’s roots and how it has evolved – and in the process, helped…

The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) has called for “a common-sense trade policy” in the face of tariffs on imported herbs that “threaten [the] U.S. wellness industry and consumer access.” Graham Rigby, AHPA president and CEO, emphasized the necessity of exemptions for essential imported herbs from current and proposed tariffs…

Bruce W.

In the art of acupuncture, two concepts – qizhi ( qi arrival) and deqi (obtaining qi ) – form the clinical foundation of effective needling. Though often used interchangeably, they describe distinct and sequential phases of therapeutic engagement. To truly feel and guide qi , a practitioner must learn to…

Many people, particularly older people, begin taking a drug or group of drugs to address a particular ailment or condition. Unfortunately, the path of least resistance for both the prescriber and the patient is to maintain the drug regimen without questioning whether the prescription is still necessary, should be reduced…

For centuries, the imperial courts of China safeguarded their most treasured secret – not gold, not silk, but the elusive key to eternal youth and vitality. Hidden within the private medical manuscripts of empresses, concubines and Daoist priestesses were intricate formulas, breathwork techniques and acupuncture protocols aimed at preserving jing…

Jenn

As an acupuncturist, your focus is on healing your patients – not juggling phone calls, scheduling appointments or answering the same questions multiple times a day. Yet these administrative tasks are crucial for running a thriving practice; and they’re often the first point of contact a client has with your…

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…

Claudia

For novel health challenges such as COVID-19 – as well as non-mainstream therapies such as acupuncture, which may be seen as “novel” despite their long history, case studies and series are critically important in documenting the methods and results of individual patient encounters. The more such studies are published, the…

I have touched upon the important concept of how the environment temperature can have a significant impact on mood in past articles. In this article, let’s discuss an acupuncture point prescription I use extensively in the clinic for helping patients adapt and manage their health during long periods of seasonal…

Hemifacial spasm (HFS) is a neuromuscular condition characterized by involuntary muscle spasms on one side of the face, most commonly the left. Unlike facial or eyelid tics, which can occur on either side and typically cease during sleep, HFS spasms can persist throughout the day and continue during rest. This…

Instead of gaining traction and progressing as a profession in the past decade, needle acupuncture has become the darling of complementary medicine, while acupuncturists are being largely passed over by mainstream medical and allied health providers, regulators, legislators, insurance plans, and governmental agencies. Understanding the profession’s role and responsibility for…

For millennia, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has relied on refined skills of observation, palpation and experiential knowledge to diagnose and treat patients holistically. But the landscape of health care is evolving. From AI-supported diagnostics to thermal imaging, laser acupuncture and intelligent cupping systems, these technologies are not disrupting TCM –…

Typically, when we think of organizations and people who support the growth, integrity and sustainability of any profession, our minds go to schools, practitioners, regulatory and credentialing organizations, and policy advocates. However, a new coalition is emerging from an unexpected corner of our profession: companies that have chosen collaboration over…

The California Assembly and Senate has agreed to keep acupuncture as a covered Medi-Cal benefit, despite Gov. Newsom proposing it be removed as part of a 2024-25 budget revision. Acupuncture faced a similar battle last fall when Gov. Newsom proposed the original 2024-25 budget.

Christina

The Acupuncture Coalition of New Jersey is a nonprofit corporation and new association led by a group of acupuncturists dedicated to growing the profession by expanding the scope of practice for licensed acupuncturists in New Jersey. Our innovative initiatives include the integration of acupuncture injection therapy (AIT), IV vitamin therapy,…