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Harmony is the ideal state in the human body. The human body and its functions are best apprehended through understanding that harmony is derived from opposites. Balance and harmony are reached through constant adjustments of yin and yang. In the Ling Shu, fine needles are used to open conduits and…

While there aren’t any meridians associated with fire that cross the pelvis, that doesn’t mean the lower tan tien is void of fire. Fire has a more ethereal quality to it in relationship to the pelvis and can be connected through discussion of the lower tan tien, the lower san…

During COVID, we all had to adapt; find ways of applying a colorful zeal to Zoom. Bodywork classes required a lot of vigorous movement to stimulate group qi remotely – keep the students awake! Ensure interaction! What about other ongoing “adaptations” post-pandemic? Here's some of what your colleagues are doing…

The ancient physicians of the imperial courts recognized that prolonged emotional distress accelerates jing depletion, leading to hormonal imbalances, premature aging and chronic fatigue. This understanding was particularly important for imperial women, who faced extreme psychological pressures – competition, isolation, and the burden of producing heirs; all of which could…

Yo San University in Los Angeles, Calif., has announced it will offer two unique dual-degree programs in affiliation with Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (ZCMU) in Hangzhou, China: a joint master’s degree program in traditional Chinese medicine and a joint PhD / DAOM program in TCM.

In today’s fragmented healthcare environment, acupuncturists treating chronic pain patients with PPO insurance plans — particularly those with back pain and chronic postsurgical pain — are often faced with an ethical and clinical dilemma. While acupuncture provides measurable relief and functional improvement for these patients, it often reveals a glaring…

Over the past decade, Cleveland Clinic has made significant advancement toward the integration of herbal medicine into its treatment offerings. The renowned leader’s initiative aimed to provide patients with holistic care by complementing conventional Western medicine with evidence-based alternative therapies. This article explores the history, methodology and impact of this…

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a complex and chronic metabolic disorder frequently accompanied by psychological comorbidities such as depression and anxiety. A recent randomized, controlled trial (RCT) investigated the effectiveness of combining acupuncture with an anti-inflammatory diet in improving mental health outcomes, metabolic parameters, and anthropometric indices in patients…

There is no perfect formula when determining which specific points / number of points will shift a patient’s pattern of disharmony and suffering. However, it is not uncommon for clinicians and students alike to either fall into a rut using the same acupuncture points over and over in clinical autopilot,…

Susan

The National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) has announced it is formally adopting a new name, effective January 2026: the National Certification Board for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (NCBAHM). The organization’s Board of Commissioners voted to adopt the new name after considering input from diplomates and other…

Arthur Yin

Junxia

To explore the mechanisms of scalp acupuncture, I reviewed objective studies on brain function changes following scalp and body acupuncture treatments. Using functional MRI (fMRI) as objective evidence, it was found that several clinical research studies and meta-analyses have provided valuable insights.

William

It’s been more than a year since I decided not to renew my acupuncture license after earning California’s AC1390 in 1982. I am grateful for having had such a rewarding career, which included over 100,000 unique patient visits. But even as I like to think I have years of accumulated…

Clasina (Sina) Leslie

Charis M.

Our team of authors offer this paper (and this descriptive AT series) as a support for you as a professional, practitioner and member of the acupuncture community at large. We hope that it will serve to further the needs of acupuncturists everywhere and also act as a guide for those…