Acupuncture Today

This article argues that true healing relies far more on the patient's commitment to their own process than on the practitioner finding the perfect technique. Many patients arrive hoping to be "fixed," carrying a misconception from Western medicine, but this approach treats them as passive recipients rather than active collaborators in their transformation. The author observes that internal incong...

Provide a 200 word engaging and interesting summary of the article Pacific College of Health and Science (PCHS) has finalized an agreement for the transfer of its San Diego and Chicago campuses to Southern California University of Health Sciences (SCU), effective May 2026, pending regulatory approval. This agreement includes the transfer of students, faculty, staff, and academic programs from the...

The article explores the potential of curcumin, a natural polyphenolic substance extracted from turmeric, to reduce Delayed-Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) and support athletic recovery. DOMS is caused by microscopic muscle fiber tears and subsequent inflammation, involving the release of reactive oxygen species and inflammatory markers like COX-1 and COX-2. Curcumin demonstrates promising anti-infla...

This article discusses the management of Lyme disease using modern herbal formulas that effectively target the pathogen (Borrelia burgdorferi) while restoring constitutional balance. Because historical TCM classics lack direct instruction on Lyme, practitioners must utilize "borrowed knowledge" by applying insights from similar spirochete-caused disorders, such as syphilis and leptospirosis. Herbs...

This article summarizes a study evaluating Electroacupuncture (EA) as a synergistic adjunct therapy for Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC), particularly addressing complications arising from chemotherapy, such as resistance, bone marrow suppression, and immunosuppression. The research, conducted using an NSCLC mouse model, combined EA applied at Zusanli (ST 36) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) with the chemo...

Dry needling is rapidly becoming a mainstream treatment for musculoskeletal pain, but the acupuncture profession faces a crisis as physical therapists (PTs) increasingly adopt this technique. With PTs significantly outnumbering acupuncturists and only requiring minimal training (as little as 20-80 hours), acupuncturists risk becoming irrelevant in this fastest-growing area of pain relief. The arti...

This article highlights the critical, often overlooked, role of the Seven Affects (anger, joy, worry, sorrow, thought, fear, and fright) as instigators of chronic disease, or "long disease," a concept typically centered on external factors like the Six Excesses. Emotional states, when sustained at an abnormal intensity and duration, cause internal damage by directly damaging internal organs and di...

The article provides essential guidance for acupuncturists navigating the complex landscape of insurance billing, dispelling the common myth that licensing requires credentialing to bill insurance. Many insurance plans cover acupuncture out-of-network, meaning providers can bill without enrollment, with true HMO-style plans being the primary exception. The fundamental decision is strategic: does n...

The article highlights the critical, often overlooked, need for continued care for oncology patients after they achieve "NED" (No Evidence of Disease) and complete their acute treatment. Upon entering remission and ringing the ceremonial bell, many patients feel a pervasive sense of anxiety and depression as the consistent support from their primary oncology team sharply decreases. Cancer is recog...

Acupuncture is an ancient therapy characterized by a rapidly expanding scientific basis, increasingly integrated into U.S. healthcare systems despite persistent barriers in reimbursement and professional recognition. This segment details the robust research evidence concerning acupuncture’s mechanisms of action, particularly in pain management. At the local level, needle insertion generates immedi...

This intriguing article proposes that the biting patterns of female mosquitoes may not be random but could, in fact, provide an observable biological demonstration of the subtle energy maps, or meridians, long recorded in East Asian medicine. The author suggests that mosquitoes, driven by evolutionary precision, seek not only blood but also qi—the vital energy of the body. Mosquitoes are known to...

This article explores the valuable role of acupuncture as a supportive therapy during In vitro fertilization with embryo transfer (IVF-ET), demonstrating its ability to enhance success rates and increase the chances of pregnancy. From a modern biomedical perspective, acupuncture administered before and during the IVF cycle helps regulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, promote hormonal ba...

The article focuses on the significance of the BackInAction randomized clinical trial, published in JAMA Network Open, which evaluated the use of acupuncture for Chronic Low Back Pain (CLBP) in adults aged 65 and older. This trial was a direct response to a call by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to inform coverage decisions regarding acupuncture reimbursement for older adults. Th...

The modern healthcare landscape is driving acupuncturists away from the traditional fee-for-service model toward appealing alternatives like concierge and direct-pay care. These models offer stability and reduce the administrative burden associated with insurance processing, facilitating more individualized patient care. Key differences exist: direct-pay uses an all-inclusive membership fee, while...

This article provides crucial clinical insights regarding the formation and management of vesicles (fluid-filled blisters) following cupping therapy, a skin response less common than ecchymosis but requiring proper clinical discernment. A case study involved a patient who developed multiple small, clear vesicles within 24 hours after moderate-to-strong stationary silicone cupping along the Bladder...

This article addresses the systemic issues of fragmented insurance coverage and inadequate reimbursement defining the acupuncture profession in the U.S., arguing that this problem is shared by all frontline providers whose cognitive and relational services are undervalued. Currently, Medicare coverage is limited strictly to chronic low back pain, and Licensed Acupuncturists (L.Acs) lack recognitio...

This article provides an in-depth look at three involuntary facial motor disorders: blepharospasm, hemifacial spasm, and facial tics. Blepharospasm involves bilateral, forceful closure of the eyelids (orbicularis oculi muscles), often triggered by stress, and usually stops during sleep. Hemifacial spasm is unilateral twitching, commonly caused by vascular compression of the facial nerve (cranial n...

This installment in the "Spirits of the Points" series delves into the spiritual and emotional uses of Stomach meridian points ST 36 through ST 40, specifically addressing imbalances in the earth element. ST 36 (Leg Three Miles) is a powerful point for instilling energy, endurance, and the spiritual will needed to endure an arduous situation, particularly when a patient is close to giving up. ST 3...

The American Society of Acupuncturists (ASA) has appointed Paul Magee as its new chair, effective September 1, 2025, succeeding Dr. Olivia Hsu Friedman. Magee is noted for bringing extensive experience and steady leadership to the ASA's governance. From 2018 to 2023, he held the inaugural position of Lead Acupuncturist for Allina Health’s expansive integrative health program, operating under the P...

This article explores the complexities faced by herbalists in applying foundational Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) principles to intricate modern illnesses like Lyme disease, caused by Borrelia burgdorferi. Lyme often progresses to debilitating chronic or post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome (PTLDS), affecting the neurological, digestive, and joint systems. While Western antibiotics are effect...

This research highlight offers compelling scientific support for using fire needling (FN) acupuncture as a treatment for knee osteoarthritis (OA), focusing on both pain relief and crucial cartilage protection. A study conducted on rats with induced OA (MIA model) found that the FN group, treated at common knee acupoints like Xuehai (SP 10) and Zusanli (ST 36), demonstrated significant post-treatme...

This article shines a light on the alarming ocular complication associated with GLP-1 receptor agonists (such as semaglutide and liraglutide): Non-arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy (NAION). NAION is a serious condition causing sudden vision loss due to reduced blood flow and optic nerve damage. Troubling research indicates that semaglutide may approximately double the risk of NAION. Giv...

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is making a significant stride toward improving U.S. veterans' access to integrative care, including acupuncture, through the rollout of external provider scheduling (EPS). This new cloud-based tool modernizes VA scheduling and drastically simplifies community care coordination. EPS allows VA schedulers to book approved appointments directly into a community...

This article serves as an essential guide for acupuncturists venturing into home visits, a crucial service for patients who are homebound due to injury, illness, or incapacitation. Providing safe and effective care outside the clinic demands meticulous preparation. Before the visit, practitioners must handle logistics, asking about crucial in-home factors like parking, pets, firearms, or smoking....

This article challenges the problematic educational trend of encouraging acupuncture students to prolong board exam preparation over 12 to 20 months, arguing that this delays licensure and fosters burnout and financial pressure. The core thesis is that momentum is the most powerful tool for students. The author advocates for an accelerated, structured study approach, citing models where students c...