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Paul C.K. Lin, co-founder of the Texas College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, likens the separation of TCM from classical theory to “chop-suey.” On TCTCM’s website, Dr. Lin explains chop-suey first appeared in the U.S. alongside more traditional Chinese dishes as a response to increased cultural interest in Americans. The Americans…

It was in my first diagnosis class in acupuncture school. Our assignment was to feel the patient’s pulse and report what we felt. I was gung-ho (or naïve) enough to volunteer first. There I stood, eyes closed, concentrating on feeling something meaningful in that regular thumping heartbeat. To be honest,…

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A woman walks into your office and it’s clear she has Spleen qi deficiency. She’s overweight, tired, and a busy executive who travels frequently. You explain to her that she is going to need to eat more millet, less dairy, little-to-no raw fruits and vegetables, and you give her an…

There are a number of well-known tonic and adaptogenic herbs. (Adaptogens help the body cope with any form of stress). Chinese or Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng) and ashwaganda (Withania somnifera), from India, are now commonly used in the Western world to increase endurance and fight fatigue.

Perhaps the most important topic to discuss with patients is the subject of diet /nutrition and its role in the healing process. This subject is also an area many clinicians feel uncomfortable handling and often neglect to confront. I would like to discuss some simple ways to present patients with…

A woman wakes up and walks to the bathroom, her pregnancy test kit waiting by the bathroom sink. She waits impatiently for the magical indicator showing that she is pregnant, and feels her throat swell when it shows she is not. The last time she was checking for pregnancy was…

We all want to become excellent practitioners of Chinese Medicine and provide the best treatments for our patients. Our patients come to us from different walks of life with a single hope - to get better. They do not care what acupuncture technique is used as long as they get…

Over the years I have been privileged enough to work with professional and Olympic teams. One of the sports I work with is professional hockey. The common areas I treat are hip, knee and low back compensation patterns. I would like to address compensation patterns dealing with internal rotators of…

In my last column, I discussed variations on formulas found within the classic TCM text ” Jin Gui Yao Lue ” (Essentials from the Golden Cabinet). I will continue this theme in this installment and present two case studies using formulas from this classic text as well as another classic…

Clinicians should measure and record treatment results of patient’s primary complaint to validate the efficacy of acupuncture treatments. Preferably the measures should be objective. It is easier said than done to measure objectively in regards to acupuncture, but it can be done.

The Integrated Healthcare Policy Consortium (IHPC) held Congressional Briefings in Washington DC on June 8, focusing on the intersection between “integrated care,” patient-centered medical homes (PCMH), and accountable care organization (ACO) models. The briefings were planned by President Obama’s advisor to the Affordable Care Act, Janet Kahn PhD; her specialty…

Within the past two years, Illinois acupuncturists have faced three major efforts by other health professions to dismantle acupuncture practice by licensed acupuncturists in Illinois. These attacks began “under the radar” of the acupuncture profession, and most acupuncturists had no clue that our profession was in any danger. What is…

Only 158 candidates took advantage of the last offering of the NCCAOM® Foreign Language Exams (FLE) in 2009. The number of candidates for the FLEs was similar when offered in the previous administrations within the last 10 years.

Do we mix our ways of thought in collaboration? Closely guarded views can lead to isolation. This piece explores the notion of post-paradox as an inclusive worldview across disciplines. Essential to critical thinking, worldview influences all levels of research, education and practice in general but also acupuncture and Chinese medicine.

Acupuncturists, like many professionals, have to take Continuing Education (also called Professional Development Activity) classes to keep their licenses current. The specifics vary from state to state and from state to the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) licensure. I would like to touch on some common…

I have written many times about the importance of thorough documentation. As much as it does not serve to beat the proverbial dead horse, I have reason to visit that topic again. I was recently called to give my opinions on standard of care in a deposition for a malpractice…