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When a new 61-year-old female patient told me 10 years ago that her primary care physician referred her to me for treatment of her neuropathic pain in her legs due to her diabetes and feet, I was puzzled. I asked the patient to show me her feet. While the patient…

How often do you see a patient with that allusive pain between the shoulder blades with the catch-all name “rhomboid pain”? That nagging ache or stabbing, knife-like pain that when once activated, likes to be persistent and hang around for a while, disturbing sleep and disrupting pretty much everything. I…

In my previous article, I discussed the importance of goal setting and understanding patient expectations during the intake process. In this follow-up, let’s explore the practical aspects of creating a treatment plan, managing patient expectations over time, and the critical role of documentation in ensuring successful outcomes

Laser therapy has emerged as a powerful tool in the realm of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). This new modality fits beautifully into the toolbox of the modern acupuncturist, as it can be used as a hybrid form of stimulation to acupuncture points, meridians, organs, nerves, and symptomatic areas in a…

If we ask ourselves what the simplest Chinese medicine definition of health and well-being would be, we might say harmony of yin and yang, and free flow of qi and blood. When we adopt the core qigong standing position (the standard preparation for a qigong session, as well as a…

In prior issues, Neil discussed the Kidney Official as a whole and specific points on the Kidney meridian, which included points 1, 2, 3, 7, and 8. His column in October 2019 featured points 24, 25, 26, and 27; while his January 2024 column focused on KI 9, 10, 12,…

In cases of chronic pain and chronic insomnia in which the standard protocols of differential diagnosis provide only temporary relief of symptoms, I use a three-point acupuncture prescription, inspired by my practice of Zhan Zhuang Qi Gong, which has shown to provide significant improvement.

While lack of insurance for acupuncture services remains a significant barrier to care, new findings suggest there is cause for optimism. According to a study published in JAMA Network Open, the percentage of adult low back pain (LBP) patients with one or more insurance claim filed for acupuncture increased from…

The he-sea points relate to the bowels, which is the area where the Divergent Channels are thought to diverge. The shu-stream point is associated with bi obstruction: lingering dampness causing heaviness and pain. The Nan Jing suggests combining these points with those on the hollows of the body, which are…

One of the things that makes acupuncture so difficult to measure is that the medicine actually does contain some esoteric aspects. There have been numerous studies that demonstrate the neurochemical reasoning behind why acupuncture points stimulate the autonomic nervous system to enact change However, not all the benefits of TCM…

Acupuncture Today interviewed Beverley de Valois, PhD, LAc, lead author of the recently published recommendations for the safe practice of acupuncture in cancer care, “the first international, multidisciplinary, peer-reviewed recommendations for the safe practice of acupuncture in integrative oncology. They are the result of a two-year collaboration of 15 international…

As acupuncturists focusing on clinical practice, it is easy to relate to points or channels as isolated entities and forget that the body is an integrated whole. Elastic spiralling in this way activates the entire channel network at once – the web of primary channels, Extraordinary Vessels, Divergent, Luo-connecting and…

Krystal Lynn

Pelvic pain has a prevalence of >25% in women and >15% in men, and up to 50% of cases are undiagnosed, demonstrating that there is a definite need for pelvic care awareness among health care practitioners. As holistic practitioners, acupuncturists offer a safe space for clients and are often the…

It doesn’t occur to many health practitioners that ageism can be as offensive as racism or sexism. Equally offensive is the practitioner who ignores the client and aims questions at a relative or caregiver. As a teacher of ABT, I sense the inadequacy of training in senior health at most…

Though the creation of a financially sustainable, health-promoting model feels far away today, we are casting a vision for a full return on health, believing that this compels us to keep one foot firmly rooted in caring for the sick and the other foot firmly founded in maintaining health. Shifting…

As modern medical standardization continues, the field of traditional Chinese medicine has the advantage of comprehensive personalization. For rare or complex cases, deeper consideration of constitution is invaluable. Proper constitutional assessment, especially with first-time clients, can guide desirable and predictable outcomes. This leads to a higher rate of return, and…

Discussions regarding the dangers of inflammation are found on every blog and social media site, and are the driving force behind marketing for the majority of supplements. I always use these discussions with patients to explain how Chinese medicine and acupuncture uniquely view the presentations of pain; and how each…

Jule