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A recent study of high-achieving women explored the private and professional lives of highly educated, high-earning women. The Center for Work-Life Policy in New York targeted the top 10 percent of women in the workplace (measured in terms of earning power) to learn what motivated them, how they lived and…

We all have needling stories that endure as “remarkable” over the history of our careers. When I was newly licensed, I had a patient who was face down, with 20 needles in place from head to ankles. He was paying me to stick them in and leave them for awhile.…

Two conferences held in Boston in November featured acupuncture in a number of contexts, as well as in a variety of innovative ways. The 134 th Annual Meeting of the American Public Health Association (APHA) and the 3 rd International Conference of the Society for Integrative Oncology (SIO) showcased a…

A very wise mentor once said: “In life, you’re either a steamroller or the pavement - which one will you choose to be?” The balance is to be as smooth as the pavement, but as powerful as the steamroller. This is a delicate harmony.

Agitation is one of the most challenging symptoms in patients with dementia. They might yell or attack other people, and are at risk of injuring themselves or others. Other such patients might wander, be unable to feed themselves, or undress themselves in public. This can lead to malnutrition, dehydration and…

As a holistic practitioner, it’s very gratifying to be able to teach our patients natural ways to regain and maintain their health. As the saying goes, “The mark of a true professional is one who prevents what they treat.” It’s especially rewarding and fulfilling to have been able to teach…

The Conference Center at Harvard Medical School will play host to the International Fascia Research Congress Oct. 4-5, 2007. The first of its kind, the congress has been conceived and organized by a multidisciplinary committee of science researchers and practicing health care professionals who share a common focus and interest…

As reported in a Jan. 15, 2007 “breaking news” update posted on acupuncturetoday.com, the Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Alliance (AOM Alliance) and the American Association of Oriental Medicine (AAOM) have merged following three days of negotiations in Dallas. Leslie McGee, former Alliance president, will serve as president of the new…

Research plays a huge role in the medical community as the “gold standard” or the ground rules, if you want to play the game. It’s important to understand academics and history in order for our profession to survive as a medical specialty. Academics in mainstream universities and colleges are slow…

When I graduated from the New England School of Acupuncture in 1998 and moved to Portland, Maine, to set up practice, I viewed other acupuncturists in that town as competition for scarce acupuncture dollars. Because I was new, scared and broke, I wanted my business cards and brochures to be…

Those of you who have read “Student Corner” in the past know that this column has tended to focus on what a TCM practitioner should be, or more importantly, what a TCM practitioner could be. This month’s article takes this idea and steps into the “real world:” How do we…

This article examines the mechanisms of addiction and how they relate to traditional Oriental medicine theory and treatment. In part one, I stated that an addiction is a complicated disharmony that has involvement in every phase of the Chinese Five Elements. Making use of this model, it broke the sequence…

Answer for the question: I have, on many occasions, not been completely aware of what my patient’s insurance specifically covered, and to the patient’s and my astonishment, a very large balance was left due. Do you have a checklist or format my staff and I could use that would allow…

Chinese exercises appeal to many beyond our profession. Their wide variety can attract people with many different interests. Young people appreciate the physical discipline of learning a martial art and the self-esteem one gains in strengthening and training the body. These benefits certainly extend to adults and, as people mature,…

In part one of this article (November 2006 issue), I addressed the integration of Western herbs with Chinese medicinals in treating respiratory disorders. In this article, I will continue discussing the topic of respiratory health by examining two Chinese medicinals that are, in my opinion, underused in the West and…

A colleague whose opinion I respect read my previous two articles on healing and the environment. His response was very favorable, but he made a comment that really struck me. He said it didn’t go far enough. I’ve always considered less to be more and subtlety an art form, so…

This month, we welcome the year of the Golden Pig, which only happens every 600 years. When I think of the term golden, I reflect on the first part of the word: gold. In this, the year of the prosperous pig, and with your latest New Year’s resolutions fresh in…

The National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) is in the process of moving its headquarters from Alexandria, Va., to Jacksonville, Fla. The organization hopes to complete the transition by early February 2007.