The State of 21st Century Acupuncture in the U.S.
News / Profession

Acupuncture Education: Today and Tomorrow

The State of 21st Century Acupuncture in the U.S. (Pt. 5)

Education is the currency of access. It determines which practitioners are trusted in hospital credentialing, which programs qualify for federal loan forgiveness, which providers are recognized by insurers, and which voices shape policy. As the healthcare system expands coverage for nonpharmacologic therapies, acupuncturists must be ready to step into those spaces – competently, confidently and collectively.

Clasina (Sina) Leslie Smith, MS, MA, LAc, MD, Dipl. Ac., FAAMA; Bill Reddy, LAc, Dipl. Ac.
Listen to this article
Trending
Health & Wellness / Lifestyle
Cultivating the Empowered Patient: Help Them Commit to Their Own Process
Cultivating the Empowered Patient: Help Them Commit to Their Own Process

The most important relationship I seek to nurture in the treatment room is the one a patient has with their own body. We live in a culture that teaches us to override pain, defer to outside authority, and push through discomfort. Patients often arrive hoping I can “fix” them, but the truth is, we can’t do the work for them. We can offer guidance, insight and support, but healing requires their full participation.

Aiden Jakob Seraphim, DACM, LAc
Listen to this article
Senior Health
TCM’s Potential in Preventing and Treating Cognitive Decline
TCM’s Potential in Preventing and Treating Cognitive Decline

In the U.S alone, approximately one in nine adults (11.1%) report experiencing subjective cognitive decline. A comparable percentage will go on to develop Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. As researchers and clinicians seek integrative solutions outside of conventional pharmacological approaches, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) emerges as a promising, multimodal strategy in the prevention and treatment of cognitive decline.

Regina Robles, LAc, DAOM
Listen to this article
Chronic / Acute Conditions
Transformational Work With Anxiety (Pt. 1): Panic Attack
Transformational Work With Anxiety

When we are in the grips of an anxious pattern, it dominates our brain and nervous system, and we lose our normal body-mind regulation. In this and subsequent articles, I present effective mindfulness-based method* via case study, that we can add to our acupuncture treatments to help clients consciously stop the dysregulating cascade of events and bring “distressed parts” into coherent body-mind-spirit integration.

 |  Digital Exclusive
Kamala Quale, MSOM, LAc
Listen to this article
Current Issue
Get the Issue
Recent Webinar
Editor's Picks
Education & Seminars
Asian Medical Bodywork Opens Another Door to the Profession
Asian Medical Bodywork Opens Another Door to The Profession

The Seattle Institute of East Asian Medicine (SIEAM) is expanding its long tradition of apprenticeship-style education with the launch of a new Certificate in Asian Medical Bodywork (CAMB) program, scheduled to begin in May 2026. While this inaugural program is based in Washington, its structure offers a practical template that other institutions can adapt: It aligns with new national standards, integrates East Asian medical bodywork with biomedical training, and creates an entry-level pathway that can stand alone or lead into master’s and doctoral programs in acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine.

Kathleen Lumiere, DAOM, LAc; Kathy Taromina, DACM, MS, LAc
Listen to this article
Billing / Fees / Insurance
Should You Be in-Network or Out-of-Network With Insurance?
Should You Be in-Network or Out-of-Network With Insurance?

A new year is around the corner and many acupuncturists are looking to boost their practices. One of the most common questions I get is: “Do I need to be credentialed to bill insurance, and what are the best plans to join?” This is a loaded question – but one every acupuncturist ponders. The decision comes down to evaluating whether joining a network adds value – or simply limits your income potential.

Samuel A. Collins
Listen to this article
Your Practice / Business
The Pros and Cons of AI Marketing: Is It Right for Your Practice?
The Pros and Cons of AI Marketing: Is It Right for Your Practice?

As a small-business owner, you just want to treat patients, but first, you must figure out how to get those patients in your door. Health care, in general, is at a crossroads at which patient care meets technological innovation. As you look to grab the attention of potential patients, is it time to explore the frontier of artificial intelligence (AI) marketing?

Antonio Arias
Featured

From Needle to Knife

My Metamorphosis From Acupuncturist to Colon and Rectal Surgeon via Hand Yangming

Chinese medical theory details each meridian’s functions and associations, which can be extrapolated for metaphorical significance. For example, the Large Intestine (LI) meridian expels physical and emotional waste, supporting systemic purification and renewal. Its anatomical trajectory, which traverses the index finger, upper extremity, shoulder, neck, and terminates at the contralateral nasolabial groove, also serves as a narrative metaphor, eloquently illustrating my journey from acupuncturist to colon and rectal surgeon.

Vanessa Hortian, DO, MS, LAc, CHSE
Listen to this article
Reader Favorites
Anti Aging / Healthy Aging  |  DIGITAL EXCLUSIVE
Gaze Stabilization: Clinical Relevance
Gaze Stabilization: Clinical Relevance
Simple Eye Exercises That Can Help Improve Balance, Prevent Falls and Even Enhance Cognition as We Age

Although often overlooked, the reflexes required to maintain proper eye alignment during head movements while walking or running involve highly intricate processes. Enhancing balance in older adults with cognitive impairment is particularly important, as research indicates these individuals are five times more likely to experience falls compared to cognitively healthy older adults.

Thomas Michaud, DC
Listen to this article
Women's Health
Acupuncture for IVF Embryo Transfer
Acupuncture for IVF Embryo Transfer
Exploring Its Benefits and the Therapeutic Window

In vitro fertilization with embryo transfer (IVF-ET) is a key procedure in assisted reproductive technology, involving the fertilization of eggs outside the body followed by the transfer of embryos into the uterus. Acupuncture has been utilized and proven to improve IVF success rates and increase the chances of pregnancy by enhancing endometrial receptivity, balancing hormones and reducing psychological stress. Let’s explore how to administer acupuncture to achieve optimal outcomes during the IVF process.

Yan Zhou, DAcCHM, LAc
Listen to this article
Evidence / Research / Science  |  DIGITAL EXCLUSIVE
An Auricular Point for Migraines: New Research
An Auricular Point for Migraines: New Research

Migraines are unilateral, throbbing headaches, often with concurrent nausea, photophobia, and phonophobia. Approximately 10% of the global population suffers from migraines, with women more than three times as likely as men to experience them. Medication remains a mainstay treatment option, making nondrug alternatives critical to safer practices. New research suggests auricular acupuncture may be one such alternative.

Acupuncture Today Staff
Your Practice / Business
Beyond Burnout: Transitioning My Clinic Into a Worker-Owned Cooperative
Beyond Burnout: Transitioning My Clinic Into a Worker-Owned Cooperative

Have you ever built something so deeply tied to your values that the idea of handing it off felt impossible? This is the story of how I navigated the often-overlooked world of selling an acupuncture clinic and how I ultimately transitioned mine into a worker-owned cooperative. My hope is that by sharing what I learned, I can help you start thinking about your future now, before burnout decides for you.

Jennifer Stukey, MSOM, LAc, Dipl. Ac.
Listen to this article
Chinese & Asian Medicine
Mosquitoes, Meridians, Mast Cells, and More
Mosquitoes, Meridians, Mast Cells, and More

Does the mere mention of mosquitoes strike fear, anxiety or loathing? Have you ever been drifting off to sleep only to hear that high-pitched buzz and leap into action, scanning the room with superhero-like focus? But what if mosquitoes are telling us something through where they land and bite us? What if their sensory systems are tuned not only to blood, but also to something deeper – like the qi that flows through acupuncture meridians?

Lili Tom, FNP-C, MSN, RN, LAc, MSOM, DAIM
Listen to this article