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Manesh

Spearheaded by burgeoning scientific and clinical research literature, psychedelics have reached a level of media coverage and popular interest not seen for over half a century. We highlight the large body of research indicating they can be used safely in clinical contexts for the majority of individuals, while also acknowledging…

This is a reminder for those of you who have not yet completed the NCCAOM Job Task Analysis Survey. The deadline to complete the survey has been extended to May 5, 2024. You can still receive up to 12 Professional Development Activity (PDA) credits in the core recertification categories for…

Insomnia affects nearly one quarter of the global population. It is associated with mental health disorders, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes, among other health complications. Increased fatigue, impaired work productivity, reduced quality of life, and relationship dissatisfaction are also common in those with insomnia.

Kristen

In part 1, I discussed how the six tastes are made up of different combinations of the five phases that impart the therapeutic properties of herbs (and foods), allowing us to use herbal medicine more effectively and safely. Pt. 1 discussed how the sweet, sour, and salty tastes affect our…

We take it for granted when we’re young, but the ability to stand up from the floor becomes progressively more difficult as we get older. The age-related impaired performance with floor-to-stand transitions is particularly troublesome following a fall, as nearly 50% of people over the age of 70 who fall…

“Is this the reason I was depressed? Is this why you are always talking about heat?” One of my recent patients brought these questions to me during their recent acupuncture session. My patient was discussing recent research on the link between body temperature and depression, which suggests that individuals with…

Recovery following a stroke can be a complicated and arduous process, depending on the extent of the damage and its resulting limitations on function. Post-stroke motor aphasia, or language function impairment following the event, is a common limitation – and one that acupuncture appears to help mitigate, according to the…

Practitioners who are intentional about the way their patients interact with their clinic, even before they are treated, is an important first step in creating trust in a health care setting. Practice management and electronic medical records (EMR) systems can help to facilitate the above and essentially guide the patient…

A new study adds to the evidence suggesting acupuncture can positively influence PTSD psychobiology and symptomatology. The two-arm, parallel-group, prospective, blinded, randomized clinical trial compared traditional (verum) acupuncture to sham acupuncture, with veterans ages 18-55 assigned to receive acupuncture or sham (the control) for 15 weeks (one-hour sessions, twice weekly,…

Microneedling has emerged as a widely embraced therapeutic modality for acupuncturists, offering diverse benefits ranging from addressing fine lines and wrinkles to treating conditions such as acne, acne scars, hair loss, melasma, and rosacea. This article focuses specifically on the application of microneedling as a therapy for acne and acne…

Many are beginning to understand that when it comes to PPO (and managed care) plans, the expected benefit is that the provider will have greater access and more patients and visits. However, with this comes reduced payments and possibly a requirement for preauthorization.

TrA-2, my primary needle location, I needle 95% of the time and I think it works the best. You’ll know you have the right point location when you discover the muscle twitching when applying electric stimulation.

The NCCAOM distributed the Job Task Analysis (JTA) Survey on Wednesday, March 13, 2024, to all licensed acupuncturists and herbal medicine practitioners. Your participation in this effort is invaluable in defining NCCAOM exam content outlines at the entry-to-practice level. The data collected is essential for recognition and advancing the acupuncture…

As long as one can accurately taste (a chemical reaction) an herb, one can know how to use it and apply it effectively. Taste is, most likely, the way ancient herbal medicines were discovered and used. Taste and smell are probably how our animals know what herbs to eat when…

On Dec. 7, 2023, the World Health Organization (WHO) released its “Guideline for Non-Surgical Management of Chronic Primary Low Back Pain in Adults in Primary and Community Care Settings.” The purpose of the 244-page document is to “provide evidence-based recommendations on nonsurgical interventions for chronic primary LBP in adults” that…

This case study aims to explore the effectiveness of photobiomodulation with a class 4 therapy laser in treating low back pain. A 45-year-old patient who suffered from chronic low back pain due to degenerative disc disease underwent a series of class 4 laser therapy sessions over a period of four…

Christine