Acupuncture Continuing Education Acupuncture CEU

Flawed research slams acupuncture on labor induction

Administrator — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 18:43:03 +0000

The BJOG has published flawed acupuncture research claiming that acupuncture cannot induce labor. Perhaps one of the more difficult and lengthy treatments to perform, labor induction is typically over 70% effective with acupuncture. However, the proper protocols and procedures require a 3-6 hour acupuncture treatment in many cases. The study from Denmark published in BJOG merely used two 30 minute appointments. The study also failed to use the proper type of acupuncture needle. Choosing an ultra-thin needle for the study, the researchers failed to follow correct equipment procedures. The correct needle has a slightly thicker gauge. In addition, no report of standardizing the depth of needle insertion was reported. Moreover, the needles were applied by nurse midwives and not by skilled, licensed acupuncturists and electroacupuncture was not applied. Finally, points UB67, LI4, SP6, and GV20 were chosen by the researchers. However, standard procedure throughout China includes points UB31, UB32, LI4, SP6 and supplementary points SP6, GB21, Liv3, and UB60.

Studies conducted in China show a 72% effective rate for acupuncture labor induction using LI4 and SP6 with electroacupuncture. This method employs ipsilateral insertion on only one side of the body and electrical stimulation is applied for 6 to 8 hours at approximately 3 Hz at a mild, comfortable intensity level. This procedure is conducted on three consecutive days and is applied to alternate sides of the body each day. The study out of Denmark did not attempt to use electroacupuncture.

The researchers from Denmark from Herning Regional Hosptial and Aarhus University Hospital never had a chance to prove or disprove anything because their acupuncture procedure was flawed. A short excerpt from their published study reveals problems:

In the acupuncture group (AG), thin acupuncture Seirin B-type needles (Serin Corporation, Shizuoka, Japan) were used, whereas Park-Sham acupuncture needles were used in the control group (CG). In both groups, sticky tubes were used to conceal the type of needle used. The tube was fixed to the skin at the acupuncture point. The needle was then inserted into the tube. The real acupuncture needle penetrated the skin, while the sham needle had a blunt point so that the needle retracted into the needle handle and did not penetrate the skin.9,10 All the midwives were trained in acupuncture according to the guidelines described by Deadman et al.,8 and they were all regular practitioners of acupuncture, performing acupuncture treatments approximately five to six times a week.

This is an irresponsible study that fails to follow basic procedures. The problem may have arisen in trying to match the acupuncture procedure to the control group procedure. In order to have a double-blind randomized controlled study, neither the practitioner nor the patient may know whether or not acupuncture has been performed. Due to the complexity of this treatment, this is often not possible. For example, the raising and thrusting technique is necessary in many instances. During this procedure, the practitioner can and must visibly see the insertion depth of the needle varying. This technique was not employed in this study although it is standard procedure. Raising and thrusting is not a double-blind technique but rather requires careful visual monitoring by the practitioner. A better designed study might choose the LI4, SP6 electroacupuncture procedure. However, difficulties would emerge because the practitioner must ask the patient when she perceives mild electrical stimulation. Again, this breaks the double-blind aspect of the research. Overall, expect to see a lot of poor research on the effectiveness of acupuncture due to the limitations of double-blind research. Leaving out important acupuncture needle manipulation techniques is not standard procedure and will yield deficient outcomes.

Research shows herbal benefit in Parkinson’s Disease

Administrator — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 23:03:00 +0000

New research shows that the herbal formula Yi Gan San exhibits neuroprotective effects and rescues dopaminergic neurons from toxicity. The Acupuncture & Meridian Science Research Center at Kyung Hee University conducted research showing that Yi Gan San is correctly used for the management of neurodegenerative disorders. Yi Gan San showed significant neuroprotection in an induced Parkinsonian mouse model. The study notes that “in the mouse Parkinson's disease model, treatment with Yi-Gan San also significantly improved motor functioning and prevented dopaminergic loss.” In another study, 'The Journal of Brain Disease' reported that Yi Gan San may be helpful in treating schizophrenia and many neuropsychological disorders because it has been shown to restore glutathione levels in the brain. In yet another study published in 'Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry', the Shimane School of Medicine concluded that Yi Gan San is a serotonin modulator and is a “safe and useful” formula for treating behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia and borderline personality disorder. That study also shows a statistically significant improvement in tardive dyskinesia, psychosis, schizophrenia.

An Acupuncturist-Hebalist View

Yi Gan San (Restrain the Liver Powder) contains Dang Gui, Fu Ling, Bai Zhu, Gou Teng, Chuan Xiong, Chai Hu, and Gan Cao. This formula is often used for headaches, dizziness, anxiety, panic attacks, teeth grinding, chills & fever, seizures, palpitations, infantile epilepsy, disturbed dreams, insomnia, and spasms. Traditionally this formula quells rebellious Liver Qi and treats Liver Blood deficiency.

Kombucha Tossed from Whole Foods on TTB Guidance

Administrator — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 02:03:37 +0000

Whole Foods and New Leaf markets have pulled Kombucha Tea from the shelves after the US Alcohol and Tobacco Tax Trade Bureau (TTB) issued guidance on Kombucha’s alcohol content levels. The TTD began investigating Kombucha Tea after receiving inquires from the states of Maine, Minnesota, Arizona, and Vermont. Kombucha is a fermented tea and is usually marketed as a non-alcoholic beverage. Non-alcoholic beverages may contain trace amounts of alcohol up to 0.5 percent by volume. The TTB notes that some Kombucha products have alcohol contents that substantially exceed 0.5 percent. The TTB has not determined the full scope of which brands exceed the legal limit for non-alcoholic beverages in its ongoing investigation.

All Kombucha products exceeding 0.5 percent must comply with the Federal Alcohol Administration Act (FAA Act). This act covers regulations for permitting, labeling, and advertising. All Kombucha teas exceeding 0.5 percent alcohol by volume must also comply with the Alcoholic Beverage Labeling Act which requires labeling the product as an alcoholic beverage and also requires a health warning on the label. In addition, the alcoholic beverage designation makes products subject to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. This includes other labelling requirements and excise taxes. Under this code, beverages exceeding 0.5 percent alcohol by volume can be seized and forfeited unless compliant with the applicable taxes, permitting, and labeling requirements.

The TTB is advising producers and distributors of kombucha products to ensure that labeling laws for alcoholic beverages are followed. The TTB cites concerns for pregnant women, children, and individuals who must avoid alcohol for medical reasons. The TTB is in the process of testing samples of kombucha products in an effort to determine which brands are affected. Whole Foods is also working to determine which products are in compliance with federal regulations. Whole Foods operates over 290 stores in the US, Canada, and the UK.

3 iPhone Apps for Acupuncture Education

Administrator — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 01:57:20 +0000

This month we review three iPhone apps for acupuncturists and their patients. iFitness covers exercise, TCM Clinic Aid is a clinical application app, and QLecture Acupuncture LITE is an acupuncture channel video lecture for the iPhone.

iFitness

iFitness is a first rate iPhone app. It features pictures, videos, and descriptions of exercises that are laid out in a very user-friendly format. iFitness covers weight lifting, isotonics, cardiovascular, and stretching exercises. Major categories include: abdominals, arms, back, chest, legs, shoulders, cardio, and stretches. The descriptions and visuals are very clear. It is easy to use correct form when following the iFitness advice. iFitness allows the user to setup their own routines and also customize and track workouts. It includes a weight monitor, BMI calculator, and a section for tracking body measurements. At HealthCMI, we give iFitness our highest rating. It is fully compatible with the new iOS 4.0 Apple operating system and will soon feature iPad updates. iFitness sells for $1.99 .

TCM Clinic Aid

In our last herbal iPhone app review, we gave a thumbs up to Ben Cao. We like its ergonomic interface and appreciate the accuracy of the individual herb and herbal formula information. Today, we are reviewing TCM Clinic Aid which sells for $5.99 . It offers three major categories to search: diagnosis, herbs, and acupuncture points. Regarding herbs, we much prefer the Ben Cao app. The TCM Clinic Aid interface is a bit clunky, searching is more difficult, and it lacks the easy-touch cross referencing of Ben Cao. However, TCM Clinic Aid’s acupuncture point descriptions offer nice pictures of the points for easy location. Although the ergonomics and layout have a long way to go, we like the accuracy of the information presented. The diagnostic section breaks down into internal organs, four levels, residual pathogenics, and six stages. It includes accurate theory information but we felt the layout could be improved significantly. Overall, we look forward to improvements in this iPhone App’s cross-referencing capabilities, layout, and ergonomics.

QLecture Acupuncture LITE

Qpuncture offers 14 different iPhone Apps. Today, we look at QLecture Acupuncture LITE. This is a basic review of the Lung channel from a videotaped lecture. At $0.99, it is an affordable review of the channel which may be helpful for acupuncture students looking to pass board examinations or perhaps acupuncturists interested in continuing education who are wishing to listen to a nice review. The instructor offers clear, accurate, and concise information on the Lung channel. The video and audio quality are acceptable but could be significantly better. Despite these low production qualities, the instructor’s excellence overcomes these technical setbacks to deliver a quality lecture. We really like the ability to tap on the name of a point and the lecture jumps to that section. There is also an option to “Play Lectures in One Section”. When selecting this option, the entire video plays from the starting point selected. Otherwise, it will only play the individual acupuncture point selected. This makes for a quality interface. We give the ergonomics a thumbs up. To get all 12 major channels plus the Du and Ren channels, you will need QLecture Acupuncture. This costs $99.00 and therefore warrants pause. We suggest giving the LITE version a try and deciding for yourself. Our official suggestion is that you can’t really lose at the 99 cent price point. In the future, we look forward to improvements in both video and audio quality to better enhance the lectures.

Acupuncture Stops Pain & Treats Infertility

Administrator — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 18:41:53 +0000

A recent study published in Nature Neuroscience created a media buzz that hit many major news outlets. The study concludes that adenosine is released during acupuncture treatments. Adenosine is a neuromodulator with anti-nociceptive attributes. A nociceptor is a sensory receptor that responds to stimuli by conducting nerve signals to the spinal cord and brain. The process itself is referred to as nociception and commonly results in the perception of pain. Lead investigator Maikin Nedergaard, co-director of the Center for Translational Neuromedicine at the University of Rochester Medical Center in New York stated, “We have produced the first evidence that acupuncture releases a natural pain-relieving molecule into the body…. Adenosine is a key to reducing pain during acupuncture treatment.”

Adenosine and the Heart

Adenosine not only blocks pain transfer but also promotes sleep due to its role as an inhibitory neurotransmitter. Adenosine also functions to dilate the coronary arteries and relaxes the smooth muscle inside the artery walls. Adenosine is an antiarrhythmic agent and is responsible for helping individuals cardiovert from an abnormal heart rhythm to a normal heart rhythm. Interestingly, since caffeine’s chemical structure tends to bind to the same receptors are adenosine, the pharmacological effects of adenosine can be reduced from the intake of coffee, tea, and chocolate.

Fertility

The discovery of the adenosine release helps to understand the function of acupuncture in a western clinical model. However, numerous studies show that acupuncture stimulates the release of beta-endorphins which are also pain-killing chemicals. Generally, any major news of acupuncture mediating the pain response makes headlines. However, recently singer Celine Dion, age 42, notes that she used acupuncture to help get pregnant. This also created a media flurry. Studies show that acupuncture patients have a lower miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy rate and a higher rate of live births than comparative non-acupuncture groups. In one randomized, double-blind study in Fertility and Sterility it was found that acupuncture improves implantation rates for in-vitro fertilization by 180% while discovering a significant reduction of gonadotrophins.

Research and Diabetes

There are many chemicals that are mediated by acupuncture treatments and what research on an individual chemical release fails to show is the natural homeostatic drive of an acupuncture treatment. Homeostasis, the tendency toward a relatively stable equilibrium in physiological processes, goes far in explaining why acupuncture is able to stimulate entire cascades of chemicals within the body to help stimulate optimal health. For example, Life Science published research showing that the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) index changed with acupuncture. HOMA is a method used to quantify insulin resistance and beta-cell function. The thrust of the study showed that acupuncture significantly improved glucose tolerance in rats with diabetes. In conclusion, studies support acupuncture’s effects on chemical pathways that help restore normal physiological processes. While researching the release of individual chemicals helps to understand acupuncture, it is only one part of understanding acupuncture’s ability to balance entire system of chemicals and neuropathways within the body. Continuing educational research into the methods of acupuncture's actions now begin to uncover a broader picture of its effects on bodily responses.

San Francisco Giants & New York Yankees Acupuncture

Administrator — Tue, 25 May 2010 22:15:18 +0000

What do the New York Yankees and the San Francisco Giants have in common besides baseball? It’s acupuncture. Both teams employ a staff acupuncturist and the players are happy to share their clinical successes with the public. It is not uncommon for both amateur and professional athletes to use acupuncture. From olympic gymnastics to professional basketball, acupuncture has an important role.

New York Yankees

New York Yankees starting pitcher A.J. Burnett gets acupuncture from the team acupuncturist. When Burnett was considering signing with the Yankees, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman sweetened the deal by promising to sign on a team acupuncturist. Burnett says of acupuncture, “There’s no doubt in my mind that I think it’s helped… I found that I responded really well to the acupuncture….”

San Francisco Giants

Looking at the West Coast, San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Randy Johnson gets acupuncture from the SF Giant’s team acupuncturist. Randy Johnson is the 24th pitcher to win over 300 games and, at age 46, his is also one of the oldest to do so. Professional athletes have aged well using acupuncture. Morten Anderson, former field goal kicker for NFL’s Atlanta Falcons, received two acupuncture treatments per week as part of his ongoing healthcare program. At age 48, he was the second oldest player ever in the National Football League and retired as the NFL’s all-time leading scorer. He set the NFL record with the most games played at over 368 and has scored in excess of a record breaking 346 consecutive games.

Football, Basketball, Olympics

Other athletes who benefitted from acupuncture are football’s Joe Montana and defensive lineman Michael Strahan, basketball’s Dwayne Wade, Shaquille O’Neal, Jason Kidd, and Vladimir Radmonovic; and professional golf’s Fred Couples. Looking at olympic gold 2008, Nastia Liukin took the gymnastics women’s all-around olympic gold medal home with the help of acupuncture. Coming off of a bad year in 2007 with an ankle injury, this gymnastic from Texas used acupuncture to make a come-back all the way to olympic gold. In a process of continuing education, it is important for athletes to recognize the important tools for success and acupuncture is one of those important tools.

Acupuncture and Herbs iPhone Apps

Administrator — Mon, 24 May 2010 04:56:42 +0000

There are many iPhone apps for licensed acupuncturists. Today, let’s look at Ben Cao, Pocket TCM, and Points. The first two are Chinese herbal medicine iPhone apps and the last is an acupuncture app. These apps provide acupuncturists with educational opportunities for clinical cross referencing and acupuncture continuing education studies.

Ben Cao is an excellent herbal medicine iPhone app. Individual herbs can be looked up by pinyin, pharmaceutical name, English name, category, and channel. Formulas can be referenced by pinyin, English name, and category. There is also a ‘symptoms’ reference which allows users to research both individual herbs and formulas by indications. This is a handy and useful tool for licensed acupuncturists looking to refine or cross reference herbs and formulas. Yet another search reference tool is the ‘syndromes’ tool which allows users to look up herbs and formulas by the Chinese medicine differential diagnosis. In all cases, when one is viewing the infomation on an individual herb it is a simple tap to select any of the formulas that the herb appears in. Many aspects of the app are cross referenced so as important keywords appear in the description of an herb or formula, they can be tapped for further cross referencing. For example, if I look up the ‘syndrome’ of Empty Heat - all I need to do is tap on the topic. Next, a list of all of the herbs (properly categorized) appears and relevant formulas. The user can tap on any individual herb or formula to learn more. Let’s say the user chooses Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang. Now the user sees all of the data about this formula and can tap on any individual herb within the formula and many of the important ideas within the formula such as low grade fever, no sweating, Yin, and formulas that clear deficient heat. Overall, Ben Cao is an excellent resource. It is easy to use, fast, and fun. It contains hundreds of herbs and formulas and sells for $29.99. Our only suggestion is to expand the program to contain thousands of herbs and formulas. We want to see it grow because it is already a great contribution to the practice of acupuncture and herbal medicine.

Points is a simple guide to looking up the locations and functional information on acupuncture points on the iPhone. When looking at a pictured diagram of an acupuncture channel, one is NOT able to select a point by tapping on its location. Rather, points are selected by a number wheel. This does make for some ergonomic issues and is non-intuitive. Overall, Points is fun but lacks the power and depth of something like Manual of Acupuncture on DVD for use on laptops. Other issues with Points is the use on non-standard language for indications and also we found minor errors. We’d like to see more from Points both in ergonomics and raw data. However, it is fun and costs $19.99. With some development and editing, Points may yet become a great program. In the meantime, Points may be more relevant to the layperson until these basic improvements are made. There are other acupuncture point programs for the iPhone which may better suit licensed acupuncturists.

The Pocket TCM iPhone app sorts herbal formulas by pinyin or English. It also has a search function to look-up a formula. It doesn’t do much more than this. There is no individual herb, function, diagnosis, or syndrome cross referencing. It’s just a plain ol’ list of formulas. However, the information is accurate and clear. We like the price point for this herbal formula iPhone app at $4.99. If you need more power, bump up to Ben Cao. The two make nice companions for a licensed acupuncturist with a busy schedule.

Wisconsin Ginseng Disaster

Administrator — Tue, 18 May 2010 22:55:11 +0000

Wisconsin’s ginseng crops were devastated in May due to heavy snow and freezing temperatures. Wisconsin’s U.S. Senators Russ Feingold and Herb Kohl have requested federal disaster relief for the area. Feingold has urged the Department of Agriculture to provide emergency credit and assistance to farmers so that they can salvage their crops before they are completely lost. Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle has asked U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to declare Marathon County, Wisconsin a disaster area so that the necessary relief can help to save the crops. Disaster declaration will allow farmers to obtain crop insurance payments and emergency loans.

Wisconsin produces 95% of ginseng in the United States. Marathon County accounts for most of the ginseng produced in Wisconsin. Licensed acupuncturists use ginseng in herbal formulas to benefit their patients. Over the counter sales and exports to China account for a large percentage of ginseng sales. Wisconsin ginseng has a value of approximately $70,000 per acre. Wisconsin produces over 500,000 pounds annually with a value of over $15,000,000. Ginseng is a native plant to Wisconsin and Wisconsin ginseng has a high concentration of ginsenocides, powerful active medicinal ingredients in the plant.

It takes 18 months for the seed to become a plant and another three years of root growth for ginseng to be harvested. Ginseng is planted in raised beds and covered with straw to protect it from the winter cold. Shade structures are placed over the ginseng to protect it from the sun in the spring and summer. During the May snow storms, the shade structures collapsed exacerbating damage to the crops. In the 1990’s, growers replaced sturdy wood shade structures with the light-weight plastic shade covers which then failed in the snow storms. The plastic structures can only handle about 2 inches of snow. Growers erected the shades two weeks earlier than usual due to unexpected sunny weather. Unfortunately, the winter storm hit just after the shades were set in place.

There are approximately 200 ginseng growers in Wisconsin working about 1,500 acres. There could be several years of damage to the crops because of the time it takes to bring ginseng from a seed to a mature plant. All plants in all stages of growth are affected. Butch Weege, Executive Director of the Ginseng Board of Wisconsin, has stated that growers will asses the damage and honor contracts to China despite the losses. A Chinese company is the exclusive distributor of Wisconsin ginseng since an agreement was signed in October of 2009. Weege notes that 22 Wisconsin counties with ginseng operations are affected and that this may cause ginseng prices to go up. Acupuncturists may need to raise prices for their patients for herbal medicines due to this disaster. Weege notes that carry-over crop from 2009 may help to offset the 2010 disaster.

New Research- Ginseng Fights Rheumatoid Arthritis

Administrator — Mon, 17 May 2010 00:01:19 +0000

New research has discovered that several ginsenosides, biologically active compounds found in the herb ginseng, have strong anti-inflammatory effects. The research demonstrates that ginsenosides can reduce inflammation in septic shock, rheumatoid arthritis, and dermatitis including psoriasis. In the laboratory, researchers have applied this knowledge by creating a new ginsenoside called G-Rp1. This ginsenoside, made from the ginsenosides G-Rg5 and G-Rk1 found in ginseng root, exhibits an even stronger anti-inflammatory effect than naturally occuring ginsenosides. Further, all of the aforementioned ginsenosides have important immunosuppressive effects in fighting autoimmune diseases.

The immune system response defends the body from pathogens such as toxic materials, microorganisms, and viruses. Inflammation is the first step towards eliminating these pathogens created by the immune system response. One important chemical created by the immune system response is TNF-alpha. It creates redness, pain, and swelling to help fight off invading pathogens. However, unregulated excess TNF-alpha in the bloodstream leads to excess inflammation, auto-immune disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, and psoriasis.

Excessive TNF-alpha causes damage to normal cells and stimulates the production of other inflammatory chemicals thereby creating an unhealthy and destructive cycle of inflammation. The research proves that G-Rp1, G-Rg5, and G-Rk1 have powerful therapeutic effects in fighting psoriasis, contact dermatitis, and rheumatoid arthritis. The research also suggests that G-Rb1 can be developed into a new drug to alleviate arthritis. Other ginsenosides also had anti-inflammatory effects including G-Rg3, G-Rf, and G-Rh2. Also, G-Rp1 showed a powerful ability to reduce edema in the joints. The researchers Jongsun Park and Jae Youl Cho note, “These results suggest that G-Rb1 can be regarded as the most potent medication currently available for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.”

An important note, do not take ginseng without first consulting your licensed acupuncturist to determine whether or not it is appropriate. There are many forms of ginseng, each of which apply in differing circumstances.

Acupuncture Not Legal

Administrator — Fri, 14 May 2010 08:05:30 +0000

A consortium of professional acupuncturist associations have combined to help make acupuncture legal in every state in the US and to promote Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (AOM) education, research, and outreach with the AOM National Organizations Strategic Plan. There are no laws governing acupuncturists in Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Oklahoma, and Alabama. Two of the most recent states to legalize the acupuncture profession are Delaware in 2008 and Kentucky in 2006. One of the first states to create oversight for the practice of acupuncture was California in 1972 when the California Board of Medical Examiners began regulating acupuncture for use in medical schools. In 1975, California Governor Jerry Brown signed a law legalizing the practice of acupuncture by licensed acupuncturists and the California Acupuncture Board was created. In an interesting turn of events, Jerry Brown is again running for Governor which may support efforts to enhance accessibility to licensed acupuncturists should he win the race.

Acupuncture organizations nationwide have combined to create the AOM National Organizations Strategic Plan. This is a master plan that states, “By 2014, acupuncture and Oriental medicine (AOM), an independent, licensed profession, will be fully accessible to the public throughout American healthcare.” Key goals include promoting research, education, public awareness, and outreach. Also central to the plan is creating job opportunities for licensed acupuncturists in multiple healthcare settings. One important goal is to obtain federal recognition for licensed acupuncturists. Finally, the strategic plan seeks to achieve licensure for acupuncturists in every state. The participating organizations include: American Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (AAAOM), Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM), Council of Colleges of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (CCAOM), Federation of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Regulatory Agencies (FAOMRA), National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM), National Federation of Chinese Traditional Chinese Medicine Organizations (NFCTCMO), and the Society for Acupuncture Research (SAR).

A key element is working toward federal recognition of AOM under Medicare and by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Currently, the BLS does not recognise licensed acupuncturists as a standalone profession. The BLS recognizes acupuncture as a procedure that may be applied by nurses and chiropractors and not as a profession. Recognition is widely considered the first step towards gaining Medicare coverage for acupuncturist services by licensed acupuncturists.

Section 3502 of the new health reform law recently signed by President Obama states that primary health care practitioners must “provide coordination of the appropriate use of complementary and alternative (CAM) services to those who request such services.” The goals of the AOM National Organizations Strategic Plan are synergistic with this legal provision. The new health reform law may help to move the BLS to formally recognize the acupuncture profession thereby opening the door to Medicare coverage for patients.

Health Reform Law Provides Acupuncture

Administrator — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 09:50:45 +0000

The terms acupuncture and acupuncturist do not directly appear in The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that was signed into law by President Obama. However, the health reform law cites three indirect instances inclusive of acupuncturist services. The term ‘licensed complementary and alternative medicine practitioners’ appears in the law and pertains to licensed acupuncturists.

The first mention is in section 3502 of the 2,393 page healthcare law. Section 3502 charges the Secretary of Health and Human Services with the responsibility of establishing “a program to provide grants to or enter into contracts with eligible entities to establish community-based interdisciplinary, interprofessional teams (referred to in this section as ‘health teams’) to support primary care practices.” Acupuncturists are “eligible entities” as "licensed complementary and alternative medicine practitioners" meaning that they may receive funds from the government in the form of a grant or contract to meet healthcare needs of communities and individuals. These grants and contracts “establish health teams to provide support services to primary care providers” and “provide capitated payments to primary care providers.” As written in the new health reform law, this provision provides support for local primary care providers to “provide coordination of the appropriate use of complementary and alternative (CAM) services to those who request such services.” Overall, the thrust of this section is to promote integrated healthcare provisions across multiple medical disciplines in order to improve patient outcomes.

Section 5101 is entitled the National Health Care Workforce Commission. The Workforce Commission is charged with the responsibility of serving as “a national resource for Congress, the President, State, and localities” on the subject of healthcare. The commission is composed of 15 members appointed by the Comptroller General. Members are chosen on the basis of their expertise in healthcare. “Licensed complementary and alternative medicine providers” are defined as both health professionals and separately as members of the healthcare workforce in this section. Therefore, the responsibility of government recommendations regarding acupuncturist services are under the purview of this commission.

The Workforce Commission must coordinate with the “Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor, Veterans Affairs, Homeland Security, and Education.” A major goal of the commission is to determine whether or not the needs of healthcare workers are met. The commission must also recommend ways to remove barriers to Federal, State, and local cooperation regarding healthcare. Finally, the commission is charged with providing “innovations to address population needs, constant changes in technology, and other environmental factors.”

The language is broad regarding the relationship between government programs and acupuncturists. As programs are enacted, expect to see integrated medical models emerge that include the services of acupuncturists. Perhaps this new federal mandate to include “complementary and alternative (CAM) services to those who request such services” by “licensed complementary and alternative medicine practitioners” will result in the inclusion of acupuncturists in the Medicare system or other government sponsored programs.

Acupuncture Medicare Benefits & Veteran Support

Administrator — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 18:51:15 +0000

NCIRE - The Veterans Health Research Institute (Northern California Institute for Research and Education) has submitted a formal request to the 12th US Congressional Districts’s Citizens Oversight Panel to fund the “Resilience and Wellness Center for the U.S. Warfighter” project. The NICRE supports medical research at the San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center (SFVAMC) and works in conjunction with the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), VA, DoD, and industry. The project seeks to develop treatments for military injuries and deploy them worldwide. This includes training healthcare providers and researchers methods to approach wellness for warfighters and veterans.

Primary areas of focus are psychological health, reintegration, post-traumatic stress, brain trauma, Gulf War illness, heart disease, cancer, infectious diseases including HIV and hepatitis, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and chronic kidney and liver diseases. The project seeks to build a prototype resilience and wellness mental and physical health center in San Bruno, CA. A direct benefit to the San Francisco Bay Area military and veterans, this project includes standard medical care combined with complementary and alternative medicines. Acupuncture, yoga, meditation, and nutritional resources are included in the project. Research at the center will focus on patient outcomes and determine methods for disseminating medical care worldwide. The NCIRE receives support from recording artist John Mayer. Proceeds from his concerts have helped to fund the NCIRE. Mayer’s latest contributions will come from his collaboration with Tickets-for-Charity in his upcoming Battle Studies World Tour. This high-profile support helps to bring treatment and awareness for comprehensive recovery and recuperation methods to warfighters and veterans.

In related news, Rep. Maurice Hinchey of New York’s 22nd Congressional District continues his work to get the Federal Acupuncture Coverage Act passed in the US House of Representatives. Hinchey’s bill, the Federal Acupuncture Coverage Act, adds acupuncture therapy to the Medicare and Federal Employees Health Benefits programs. Hinchey notes that "Passage of this bill would provide 52 million Americans with health coverage for acupuncture services. This is the humane thing to do and I encourage my colleagues to pass this important piece of legislation…. The majority of private insurers cover acupuncture, yet the federal government's health plans continue to ignore this very valid and effective form of medical treatment. In a country as great as ours no American should ever be denied access to any legitimate forms of medical care that can make them healthier and more comfortable."

Hinchey’s support for acupuncture dates back to 1976 when he wrote legislation as a New York State Assemblyman that licensed acupuncture professionals. An early pioneer in acupuncture legislation, now almost every state licenses acupuncturists. As US Congressman, Hinchey now has over 51 supporters for the Federal Acupuncture Coverage Act.

Another early adopter of acupuncture licensing is California’s gubernatorial candidate Jerry Brown. In California, acupuncturists were commonly arrested and prosecuted for engaging in the practice of acupuncture. In 1972, the CA Board of Medical Examiners began regulating acupuncture for use in medical schools. In 1975, Governor Jerry Brown signed a law legalizing the practice of acupuncture by licensed acupuncturists.

Acupuncture Combats Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Administrator — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 22:47:21 +0000

The NCCAM (National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine) reports that acupuncture demonstrates effectiveness in the treatment of PTSD (posttraumatic stress disorder). PTSD is an anxiety disorder that may occur after violent assaults, military combat, disasters, or any incident in which severe physical harm is threatened. In a randomized controlled study, Dr. Michael Hollifield, MD, and his team at the University of Louisville School of Medicine in Louisville, Kentucky; concluded that acupuncture yields beneficial therapeutic results similar to that of cognitive-behavioral therapy.

Acupuncture is gaining wide acceptance in areas where both physical and mental trauma are serious issues. Doctors at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington now recommend acupuncture for the treatment of physical pain due to injuries. Acupuncture is now used in war zones. The Air Force runs the only acupuncture clinic in the US military located at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland. They train doctors to bring acupuncture to war zones in Iraq and Afghanistan. A pilot program is currently training 44 Air Force, Navy, and Army doctors to add acupuncture therapy to emergency care in combat zones and war-zone hospitals. This training focuses on reducing physical pain with acupuncture protocols. The Navy has recently instituted a new acupuncture training pilot program for doctors at Camp Pendleton in California.

The US military first took note of acupuncture in 1967 when an Army surgeon wrote an article in Military Medicine magazine on the effectiveness of acupuncture therapy. During the Vietnam War, the Army surgeon observed local physicians practicing acupuncture on Vietnamese patients at a US Army surgical hospital. Looking forward, Col. Richard Niemtzow, an Air Force physician, first offered acupuncture in 1995 at McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey. Later, he founded the acupuncture clinic at Andrews in Maryland. Acupuncture has a long history of repairing injuries and many acupuncturists practice movements arts such as Qi Gong, Tai Qi, and martial arts. Over the centuries, acupuncture has co-evolved with the martial arts and has provided relief and recovery for many types of injuries.

Infertility Cured with Chinese Herbs

Administrator — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 23:00:42 +0000

Dr. Ting Ting Zhang presented advanced methods for treating infertility at the American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine (ACTCM) in San Francisco, California. New research shows that both common and rare Chinese herbal medicines vastly enhance both the process of conception and subsequent nutrition to the fetus thereby creating a healthy pregnancy. Dr. Zhang was granted a special visa from the Chinese government to bring this vital information to the United States for an acupuncturist continuing education conference at ACTCM. Dr. Zhang is the Gynecology Department Chair of Yue Yang Hospital at the Shanghai University of TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) and is renown for her experience in the field of infertility. Dr. Zhang unveiled new ultrasound and hormone testing research revealing that special Chinese herbal medicines promote ovulation and egg development, increase sperm motility and count, and prevent miscarriage. Further, western data confirms that Chinese herbal medicine greatly increases the conception rate of women undergoing artificial insemination.

Dr. Zhang opened up the conference with some basic statistics before presenting detailed cures for infertility. In a recent study of 500 women who were not treated with Chinese herbal medicines, regular sexual intercourse resulted in a 60-70% conception rate. At six months, women became pregnant at a rate of 75-80%. At one year, the rate increased to 80-90%. From age 30 to 34, one in seven women experience infertility. Between the ages of 35 and 40, one in five women are infertile and between the ages of 40 and 44, one in four women experience difficulties with infertility. In up to 55% of cases, infertility is caused by a female reproductive disharmony. In 25-40% of cases, infertility is caused solely by a male reproductive issue. Notably, in 20% of all cases, infertility is caused by both the male and female partners. Using Dr. Zhang’s and the famous Dr. Tai’s treatment regimes, Dr. Zhang demonstrated an incredibly high rate of clinical success in reversing infertility. Dr. Zhang noted that “infertility is a symptom, not a disease.”

Dr. Zhang presented Chinese medicine differential diagnostics in relation western medical findings. Basal body temperature (BBT) charts were revealed to express a process of emerging Yin Essence in the first 12 days of a menstrual cycle followed by a powerful Yang stage. A direct reading of the BBT chart translates into an exact Chinese medicine diagnosis. In addition, Dr. Zhang introduced methods for analyzing hormone tests. For example, high FSH is linked to Yin Deficiency and high LH is linked to Yang Deficiency. A multitude of ways to view BBT, ultrasound, sexual hormone tests, and other western related data were correlated into the Chinese medicine theoretical framework. Dr. Zhang closed the divide between western medical data and Chinese medicine differential diagnostics in her presentation. Acupuncturists can now read the western data, make a Chinese medicine diagnosis, and choose from the correct herbal medicines to promote conception and a healthy pregnancy.

Common conditions leading to infertility are Kidney Yin and Yang deficiency, Liver Qi Stagnation, and Blood Stasis. For women, the main concern is to harmonize the menstrual cycle. Dr. Zhang presented important herbal formulas to address many clinical scenarios and included special herbs to promote ovulation and nourish the fetus. Moreover, Dr. Zhang presented herbal remedies to prevent anti-sperm antibodies such as AsAb and other autoimmune system disorders from leading to infertility. Dr. Zhang also covered the topic of uterine fibroids, their exact relationship to infertility, and how to overcome any impediments they may present. This requires, at the very minimum, an ultrasound test of existing fibroids to determine their exact placement and size.

Dr. Zhang presented step-by-step methods to take an abnormal BBT charted cycle to one that follows a healthy pattern from follicular phase through ovulation to luteal phase and menstruation. The herbal medicines restore the normal ovulation window, optimize the fertility cycle, and enhance the process of a healthy pregnancy and fetus. Dr. Zhang detailed the exact herbs needed to promote egg maturation and those needed to facilitate uptake and transport of eggs into and through the fallopian tube. Further, she presented a detailed herbal medicine regime to optimize the window of opportunity for patients undergoing IVF and IUI. In cases where artificial insemination has previously failed, adding Chinese herbs balances the health of the patient such that artificial insemination becomes successful.

The American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine (ACTCM), located in San Francisco, CA, has a long history of presenting valuable information in the field of Chinese medicine in acupuncture continuing education courses. Without exception, Dr. Zhang has lived up to this reputation and has raised the bar on the efficaciousness of Chinese Medicine in the treatment of infertility. Adam White, L.Ac., President of the Healthcare Medicine Institute, notes that “Dr. Ting Ting Zhang has managed to fully integrate the western model for the treatment of primary and secondary infertility into the Chinese medicine system. We now have a fully integrated understanding of western medical test data in terms of Chinese medicine theory and we have a new understanding of herbs that promote the various stages of conception. Dr. Zhang and her colleagues at Shanghai University of TCM have employed western testing methods to measure the effects of herbal medicines on processes such as ovum development and release, fallopian tube function, and fetal development. Thanks to Dr. Zhang, the clinical efficacy of Chinese medicine in the treatment of infertility has advanced tremendously.”

California Acupuncture Board Moves On Drugs

Administrator — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 00:09:56 +0000

The California Acupuncture Board, a division of the California State Department of Consumer Affairs, is considering changes to its examination and book reference list. Notably, Tina and John Chen’s books CHINESE MEDICAL HERBOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY and CHINESE HERBAL FORMULAS were cited as having received many support letters from the acupuncture community. This topic coincides with the Board’s discussion of pharmaceutical drugs and their interactions. The Chen books detail drug-herb interactions and include coverage of contraindications, chemical composition, pharmacological effects, and toxicology. Robert Brewer, Chair of the California Acupuncture Board, agreed to continue discussions on booklists, recommended books, and the booklist review process including a discussion of the NCCAOM’s (National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine) booklist and review process.

The California Acupuncture Board Executive Officer, Janelle Wedge, introduced new herbs and herbal formulas to be added to the Acupuncture Board’s list as recommended by Subject Matter Experts (SME). According to the California Acupuncture Board minutes, John Chen “supported the review of the current Herb/Formula List so as to reflect contemporary Common Practices as well as setting up a more formalized Herb/Formula submittal process. He indicated that in the modern medical system it is crucial for Acupuncturists and Doctors to understand interactions between drugs and herbs.” Acupuncture Board member Adam Burke noted that any additional herbs or herbal formulas must be added to the California Acupuncture Board exam. Brewer added that a modernized and revamped drug/herb list will ensure that acupuncturists may, according to Board minutes, “prescribe herbs with confidence that it won’t interfere with patients’ pharmaceutical prescriptions.”

These developments suggest that the California Acupuncture Board is moving toward increased requirements for acupuncturists concerning prescription drug medications. This topic has not surfaced as readily as expected partially because the list of FDA allowable herbs is highly restricted such that most available herbs do not have harmful reactions with pharmaceuticals. Warfarin, brand named Coumadin as produced by pharmaceutical giant Bristol-Myers Squibb, has been an issue in the herbal medicine community. Notably, herbal toxicity and reactions have not been of primary issue but rather that herbal medicines may compete with Warfarin for absorption. Essentially, the questions is to what extent and which herbs may decreased or increase the efficacy of Warfarin. The Chen books cover this topic extensively and inclusion of its material in California State acupuncturist academic requirements and State Board exams would address the pharmaceutical interaction issue. It appears that the California Acupuncture Board is moving in this direction as of its last meeting.

Learn more at Acupuncture CEUs at http://www.healthcmi.com .

President Obama Supports Acupuncture

Administrator — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 00:50:00 +0000

1-14-2010: Healthcare reform may include alternative medicine therapy language. In a recent town hall meeting in St. Louis, MO, President Obama noted that he supports acupuncture. A licensed acupuncturist noted that the National Institutes of Health and the Wold Health Organization have “discovered through their studies that alternative medicine is often more cost-effective and very effective”. The President replied, “it is pretty well documented through scientific studies that acupuncture, for example, can be very helpful in relieving certain things like migraines and other ailments — or at least as effective as more intrusive interventions”. He also discussed the challenges of integrating preventative medicine into policy making noting that the new Secretary of Health and Human Service, Kathleen Sebelius, former governor of Kansas, is charged with the task of implementing effective healthcare solutions.

In the St. Louis 4-29-09 meeting, Obama noted that policymakers are reticent to invest in preventative medicine because the political payoff is long-term and therefore does not help with immediate re-election concerns. The President further commented that “in the private sector insurance system, oftentimes insurers make the same calculation. Their attitude is, well, people change jobs enough for us to pay for the preventive medicine now when the problem may not crop up for another 20 years and they’ll be long out of our system, so we don’t want to reimburse it because it will make things more costly. That’s the logic of our health care system that we’re going to have to change”. Obama went on to state that the “recovery package put a huge amount in prevention”.

Acupuncture first received national attention in 1972 when President Nixon went to China and New York Times reporter James Reston successfully received acupuncture resulting in successful post-operative pain control. In 1997, the US National Institutes of Health published a report supporting the safety and effectiveness of acupuncture treatments for a wide range of healthcare issues. Under the Clinton administration, the White House Commission on Complementary and Alternative Medicine Policy was formed and The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) became part of the US National Institutes of Health (NIH), Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).

Great Britain recently added acupuncture into its national healthcare system. Private insurers in the US including AETNA, United Healthcare, Blue Cross, and Blue Shield offer acupuncture insurance coverage options in their policies. However, it is unclear at this stage whether or not acupuncture and alternative medicine regulation will appear in federal law. Technically, the Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS) does not list acupuncture as a unique profession in the US Standard Occupational Classification codes. Rather, acupuncture is listed only as a modality. This technical glitch prevents acupuncture by licensed acupuncturists from inclusion into Medicare and Medicaid along with insurance coverage for federal employees. The National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) has collaborated with other national organizations to fix this omission.

Acupuncture is already practiced in several major hospitals including Cedars Sinai, UCSF, Maui Memorial, Clifton Springs, and Novato hospitals. The Harvard Medical School Osher Institute also supports the use of acupuncture and conducts ongoing studies. The advent of healthcare reform sheds light on the cost-effectiveness issue. Given the research and practical application supporting acupuncture as an effective means to control pain and treat illness, the federal government may open the door to alternative therapies in an attempt to reduce healthcare costs.

About the Author: Adam White, L.Ac., Dipl.Ac. is an Acupuncture Continuing Education provider with the Healthcare Medicine Institute (HealthCMI). To learn more about medical news and medical continuing education visit http://www.healthcmi.com .

Acupuncture Stops Heartburn

Administrator — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 12:03:18 +0000

12-30-09, Capitola, CA: A recent study notes that “acupuncture proved to exert a great influence in minimizing the heartburn in pregnancy.” The study further concludes that “Acupuncture, as was demonstrated in this study, seems to be an effective means of reducing the symptoms and improving the quality of life.” The study also concludes that acupuncture care for heartburn “can reduce the need for medication.” Heartburn symptoms decreased significantly for 75% of pregnant women receiving acupuncture in this randomized, controlled study compared with 31% in the control group. Acupunct Med 2009;27:50-53

The professors running the research project suggest that reducing the need for medication is a distinct advantage to the use of acupuncture care for pregnant women. The study also notes that there were no important adverse effects of acupuncture care and further concludes that acupuncture improved the quality of life for the pregnant women.

The study maintained the use of predetermined acupuncture point selection to allow for control in the study. Normally, an acupuncturist customizes acupuncture point selection according to the patient’s signs and symptoms. Acupuncture points preselected in the study included P6 (located on the forearm) and SP4 (located on the foot). The combination of acupuncture points P6 and Sp4, termed Neiguan and Gongsun in Chinese respectively, has been employed for over 1,000 years for the treatment of heart, chest, and stomach disorders.

This point combination is selected from what is known in Chinese medicine as the Eight Confluent Points. These eight acupuncture points have been marked as especially effective in numerous texts, studies, and case histories throughout the history of Chinese medicine. Each of the acupuncture points individually have the function to address medical issues yet combined create special functions to address whole systems of internal medicine disorders. Other Confluent Points include SI3 paired with BL62. Combined, these points treat disorders of the neck, shoulder, back, and inner canthus of the eye. Points TB5 with GB41 address retroauricle (ear), cheek, and outer canthus of the eye disorders. The final pair of Confluent Points, LU7 and KI6, address throat, chest, and stomach disorders.

Many studies have focused on the application of an individual point on the health of the patient. In practice, however, acupuncturists combine points to enhance the efficacy of acupuncture treatments . Of significance is that this study followed both the general guidelines of individual acupuncture point selection for the treatment of heartburn and the Chinese medicine principles of point combination selection.

About the Author: Adam White, L.Ac., Dipl.Ac. is an Acupuncture & Nursing Continuing Education provider with the Healthcare Medicine Institute (HealthCMI). To learn more about medical news and medical continuing education visit http://www.healthcmi.com .

Acupuncture Eczema Research

Administrator — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 03:55:10 +0000

December 11, 2009, Munich, Germany: Dr. Florian Pfab, professor at theTechnical University of Munich, notes that a recent study confirms the efficacy of acupuncture for the treatment of eczema. The German study showed that acupuncture reduced skin inflammation after the skin has been exposed to pollen or dust mites. The study included a sample size of 30 test patients.

California Acupuncture

Administrator — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 20:45:53 +0000

4-29-09, Sacramento, CA: Due to budget cuts, the State of California will eliminate acupuncture as a benefit from the Medi-Cal system as of July 1, 2009. The California State Medical Association (CSMOA) now lobbies for restoration of acupuncture benefits in the Medi-Cal system. The Medi-Cal system was known for limiting acupuncture visits to 2 patient visits per month per patient and reimbursing at a rate of only $16.22 per visit for follow-up office visits. Initial examination office visits were limited to reimbursement rate of $27.03 per visit. The majority of acupuncturists in California were not able to use this program due to its unusually low reimbursement rates.

Acupuncture for Hot Flashes

Administrator — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 14:56:42 +0000

9-22-08: Washington, D.C.: Acupuncture is as effective as venlafaxine, also known as Effexor, in treating hot flashes and night sweats. A team of researchers led by Dr. Eleanor Walker of Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit announced this finding and noted that acupuncture’s benefits have a longer duration and are without harmful side effects. Effexor is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressant. Half of the forty-seven breast cancer patients who took part in the study received acupuncture and half took Effexor. Each group received 12 weeks of treatment. For the acupuncture group, the women experienced reduced symptoms for 15 additional weeks. For the Effexor group, the women experienced reduced symptoms for 2 additional weeks. The report was presented at the Boston meeting of the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology. The researchers noted that the women receiving acupuncture reported no side effects from acupuncture and also more energy, a sense of wellness, and increased libido. The researchers noted that the Effexor group experienced side effects from the medication. The side effects included higher blood pressure, nausea, headaches, dizziness, insomnia, low energy and anxiety. Walker noted that the acupuncture is more cost effective for insurance companies and the patient because the acupuncture regime would need only be administrated three or four times per calendar year.

Acupuncture for Fertility, Menstrual Pain, and Headaches

Administrator — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 21:26:05 +0000

A recent University of Virginia Health System study concludes that acupuncture is effective for treating infertility related to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Acupuncture was also shown to restore regular periods for women with amenorrhea. In another recent study reported in the ‘American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology’, acupuncture was proven to relieve menstrual pain. The study concludes that “acupuncture should be considered as a viable option in the management of these patients.” In yet another study reported in the journal ‘Cephalalgia’, German researchers concluded that acupuncture is effective for the treatment of headaches. This conclusion parallels that of a study conducted recently by Italian researchers that was published in the March 2008 issue of the journal ‘Headache’ which concluded that acupuncture is an effective treatment for migraines.

NCCAOM Promotes National Acupuncture Recognition

Administrator — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 17:06:14 +0000

August, 2008: The NCCAOM is working with the CCAOM, AAAOM, FAOMRA, ACAOM, and the NAF to have “acupuncturist” listed as a distinct profession by the US Dept. of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics. Currently, “acupuncture” is only listed as a treatment modality technique under the professions of nursing and chiropractic. Other than this listing for chiropractors and registered nurses, there is no other recognition for acupuncture in the bureau’s listings. This clerical oversight hampers the progress of acupuncture in the US. Inclusion of “acupuncturist” as a distinct profession will facilitate improvements with insurance reimbursements and possibly the institution of Medicare coverage. This will also help to create legal protections for the profession regarding the use of medicinal herbs. The NIH (National Institutes of Health) will also provide direct funding for grant research once the listing is created. As it stands today, the NIH cannot provide direct funding due to this oversight. The work of the NCCAOM (National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine), CCAOM (Council of Colleges for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine), AAAOM (American Association for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine), FAOMRA (Federation of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Regulatory Agencies), ACAOM (Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine), and the NAF (National Acupuncture Foundation) may also assist with the creation of a federal loan forgiveness program for licensed acupuncturists.

Delaware Licenses Acupuncture

Administrator — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 16:45:12 +0000

June, 2008: Delaware now has an acupuncture licensing law regulating acupuncture standards. The existing 27 acupuncturists in the state will be grandfathered in as licensed practitioners. A local acupuncturist, the Maryland Acupuncture Society, and the Delaware Medical Society promoted the bill to bring acupuncture as a licensed profession to Delaware.

California Acupuncture Insurance Program

Administrator — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 04:46:58 +0000

February 2008, Sacramento, CA: The California Acupuncture Bill, AB54, passed in the California State Assembly. According to the California State Assembly analysis of the bill, AB54 "requires every health plan contract and health insurance policy sold on a group basis that provides coverage for hospital, medical, or surgical expenses to provide coverage for expenses incurred as a result of treatment by acupuncturists." Democratic Assemblyman Mervyn Dymally of Los Angeles authored the bill and it passed 46 to 27. This California acupuncture program also has strong support from San Francisco Assemblywoman Fiona Ma. AB54 must make its way through the Senate before the summer recess for this acupuncture insurance coverage bill to have a chance to become law.

Tiger Ban and Chinese Medicine Education

Administrator — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 01:22:54 +0000

Santa Cruz, CA, Feb. 2008: China imposed a ban on the trade of tiger bones in 1993. There has been continuing pressure on the Chinese government to lift the ban. The tiger product ban has significantly contributed to the survival of the few remaining tiger populations in the wild. One source, reported in China’s Xinhua news agency, requests that the bones of deceased tigers in a Heilongjiang Siberian tiger refuge be allowed for sale to help fund expansion of the refuge. Conservationists note that easing the ban and allowing the legal sale of tiger products opens the door for the poaching of wild tigers.

China has about 30 tigers in the wild and has several breeding centers which house approximately 5,000 tigers. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITIES), a consortium of 171 member countries, has supported the ban and has resisted pressure to lift the ban. In 2007, CITIES cited strong language in favor of the tiger product ban. The World Wildlife Fund has also supported the tiger ban and a continuing education effort to better inform individuals and governments about this issue. Investors in tiger breeding farms are expected to make substantial profits should this ban be lifted. Since the inception of the ban, the market for tiger products has dramatically reduced.

Acupuncture Continuing Education :
Historically, Hu Gu (tiger bone) was used in Chinese Medicine to treat weakness and soreness of the lower back and knees. HealthCMI encourages the use of plant based replacements for Hu Gu including Mu Gua (Fructus Chaenomelis) and Wu Jia Pi (Cortex Acanthopanacis). Tigers are precious and are endangered, as such, HealthCMI strongly supports the Tiger trade ban to help protect and preserve the future of Tigers on our planet.

Acupuncture Education and Hypertension

Administrator — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 07:20:38 +0000

Seoul, Korea: January 24, 2008 - A recent study from Seoul, Korea concludes that acupuncture is effective in the treatment of hypertension. A radomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial measured significant reductions in blood pressure for patients treated with acupuncture. More significantly, the study measured lasting results using acupuncture for the treatment of hypertesion (Neurological Science, v29, s1, 2-07, pp98-103(6)).

Nausea and IBS treated with Chinese Herbal Medicine

Administrator — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 06:53:23 +0000

The 'Annals of Oncology' published a study concluding that Chinese herbal medicine is effective in reducing nausea for chemotherapy patients. The double-blind placebo controlled randomized study of Chinese herbal medicine notes that Chinese herbal medicine “does have a significant impact on control of nausea” ('Annals of Oncology' 2007 18(4):768-774). Interestingly, the report cites an earlier study that appears in the 'Journal of the American Medicine Association' (JAMA. 1998;280:1585-1589). In it, the study concludes that Chinese herbal medicine is effective for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome.

Acupuncture as effective for migraines as drugs

Administrator — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 12:05:59 +0000

An important study on acupuncture for the treatment of migraine headaches concludes that acupuncture is “of comparable efficiency to several proven drug therapies for the treatment and prevention of migraine.” The treatment of migraines, a disabling and often severely painful form of headache, was researched across 25 randomised controlled trials involving 3,004 patients. Acupuncture was concluded to be superior to a wait list, sham acupuncture, and comparable to drug therapy for the treatment and prevention of migraines in the study (Scott SW, Deare JC. Acupuncture for migraine: a systematic review. ‘Aust J Acupunct Chin Med’ 2006;1(1):3-14).

Acupuncture for Labor Pain

Administrator — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 11:47:40 +0000

Labor pain has been treated with Chinese Medicine for over a thousand years and now receives attention by modern researchers. A recent study (Smith C, Collins CT, Crowther C. Acupuncture and acupressure for pain management in labour: a systematic review. 'Aust J Acupunct Chin Med' 2007;2(1):25-32) concludes that “ Acupuncture may be beneficial for the management of pain during labour.” The focus of the study was to examine the effects of acupuncture and acupressure on labor pain and its relationship to maternal and perinatal morbidity. Women receiving acupressure noted less anxiety and labor pain in clinical trials. Women also showed significant benefits from acupuncture for pain management during labor. The women studied were in either spontaneous or induced labor of the first or second stage. The 'Australian Journal of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine' published these findings in 2007.

Acupuncture in California, Florida, Texas, New York, Colorado, and Oregon

Administrator — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 08:21:30 +0000

How many acupuncturists are in the US? California (CA) leads the December 2007 count with over 6,680 acupuncturist. Florida (FL) gets the silver medal with over 1,350 licensed acupuncturists. Texas (TX) has approximately 680 acupuncturists followed by New York (NY) with 678, Colorado (CO) with 675, and Oregon (OR) with 659 acupuncture practitioners. Massachusetts (MA) has 573 acupuncturists and Maryland (MD) rings in with 509. Illinois (IL) has 491 licensed acupuncturists and New Mexico (NM) pulls through with a respectable 416 acupuncturists. Overall, it is estimated that there are over 17,000 licensed acupuncturists in the US and approximately 4,000+ acupuncture students. CA and FL have their own acupuncture licensing boards and the NCCAOM offers certifications for all other states that have legislation supporting the licensure of acupuncture.

Pediatric Ear Infection Continuing Education Course

Administrator — Sat, 01 Dec 2007 11:05:36 +0000

HealthCMI announces the course ‘Chinese Medicine Pediatrics and Ear Infections’ for January 2008. This course covers the clinical treatment of pediatric otitis media (middle ear infections / inflammation) including acupuncture, herbal medicine, moxa, and shoni-shin treatment modalities. It is approved for 7 NCCAOM national continuing education points, 7 Florida CE's, and 8 California acupuncture CEU's. As with all HealthCMI acupuncture courses, it is approved for continuing education credit in all states that license acupuncturists in the US and parts of Canada.

Ear infections account for approximately 30,000,000 pediatrician office visits per year in the USA and nearly 50% of all anitbiotic prescriptions for children. Otitis media occurs predominantly in children between the ages of 4 months and 5 years of age and the majority of children in the USA have had an ear infection before the age of 3. It is estimated that the allopathic medicine related costs for the treatment of childhood ear infections is approximately $2 billion dollars per year. This HealthCMI course comes at a very important time. The October 17th, 2007 issue of the ‘Journal of the American Medical Association’ reports that a new antibiotic resistance strain of streptococcus pneumoniae causing otitis media in children has recently been reported. The report notes that levofloxacin, which is not FDA approved for pediatric use, is currently the only known antibiotic to treat this strain of ear infections. The HealthCMI course ‘Chinese Medicine Pediatrics and Ear Infections’ will cover diagnostics, parent and child compliance issues, effective treatments, and a variety of other important topics concerning this substantial health risk to children.

Green Tea and EGCG Catechins

Administrator — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 06:34:38 +0000

EGCG (Epigallocatechin gallate) is a catechin found in green tea. A recent study states that EGCG protects the skin from UV radiation damage and tumor formation. This study can be read in the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, 2007, v. 18:5, p287-296, S. Katiyar, C. Elmet. The article is entitled “Green tea and skin cancer: photoimmunology, angiogenesis and DNA repair.” EGCG has received a lot of attention in the scientific world but is one of many catechins that has potential health benefits. Catechins are flavonoids found in many plants but are especially abundant in tea (Camellia Sinensis). Catechins are also found in chocolate, wine, fruits, and vegetables. Studies suggest that they may help reduce atherosclerotic plaques and carcinogenesis. Catechins in green tea have been shown to convert carcinogens into benign substances.

Kentucky legalizes acupuncture

Administrator — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 00:00:00 +0000

In April of 2006, Kentucky enacted a law to regulate and therefore legalize a license process for acupuncturists. In Kentucky, a licensed acupuncturist uses the term "certified acupuncturist" (C. Ac.). Herbal medicine was not mentioned in the law and acupuncturists must pass the NCCAOM (National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine) exam. That leaves the countdown at six. There are six states without laws regarding the practice of acupuncture: Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Oklahoma, Mississippi, and Alabama. In some of these states, an M.D. or D.O. may practice acupuncture. Due to the lack of oversight, the physicians are not required to have a substantial formal education in acupuncture or Chinese Medicine. Of historical record, it was 1973 when Maryland, Nevada, and Oregon created the first laws providing for the legalization and training of acupuncturists. In California, acupuncturists were commonly arrested and prosecuted for engaging in the practice of acupuncture. In 1972, the CA Board of Medical Examiners began regulating acupuncture for use in medical schools. In 1975, Governor Jerry Brown signed a law legalizing the practice of acupuncture by licensed acupuncturists.

FDA Ruling on Dietary Supplements Update

Administrator — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 08:54:18 +0000

The final ruling for 2007 by the FDA on GMP's (Good Manufacturing Practices) for dietary supplements has been issued. Look forward to updates as to how acupuncturists and acupuncture schools will be affected by this course of regulatory action. It is possible that acupuncture college pharmacies may be affected and that individual acupuncture practices may also be affected. Under the new ruling, the FDA now mandates that "manufacturers are required to evaluate the identity, purity, strength, and composition of their dietary supplements."

New California Acupuncture Continuing Education (CEU) Requirements

Administrator — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 00:00:00 +0000

The California Acupuncture Board has changed the continuing education requirements for licensed California acupuncturists. The 30 hours of acupuncture continuing education units required every two years has been increased to 50 hours of acupuncture continuing education units (CEU’s) every two years in order to maintain an acupuncture license. Twenty-five CEU’s of the total 50 CEU’s may be acupuncture distance learning credits. All acupuncture courses for continuing education credit at HealthCMI are California Acupuncture Board approved as well as NCCAOM, CTCMABC, and Florida approved. This makes all HealthCMI certificates for acupuncturists approved in every state that licenses acupuncture.

To view online courses CLICK HERE. To learn more about California acupuncture continuing education legal requirements click: California Acupuncture Continuing Education . For Florida click: Florida Acupuncture Continuing Education . For NCCAOM national click: NCCAOM Acupuncture Continuing Education .

PanAfrican Acupuncture Project update

Administrator — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 10:24:14 +0000

The PanAfrican Acupuncture Project (PAAP) initiates acupuncture training for medical professionals in Africa. Since 2003, PAAP has trained many medical workers in Uganda including nurses, midwives, and nurse midwives. In April of 2007, PAAP returned to Africa to continue with this important and vital relief program. PAAP has plans to expand training programs to Malawi, Ethiopia, and Zimbabwe.

Laser Acupuncture for California?

Administrator — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 09:09:25 +0000

The February 2007 California Acupuncture Board meeting included a discussion of the use of low-level laser stimulation in acupuncture. A motion was seconded to consider the expansion of the acupuncture scope of practice for California licensed acupuncturists to include the laser therapy. It was noted that the FDA has not approved low-level lasers yet and that a further discussion of training, education, and safety standards is required. Learn more about the educational requirements associated with lasers and acupuncture in our online news updates for HealthCMI.

NCCAOM New Continuing Education Requirements

Administrator — Mon, 14 May 2007 00:00:00 +0000

The NCCAOM now requires acupuncturists seeking acupuncture license renewal to obtain four hours of continuing education credit in the area of ethics and safety. The NCCAOM allows courses in First Aid and CPR to fulfill this requirement.

Acupuncture for Knee Pain and Dysfunction Research

Administrator — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 00:00:00 +0000

The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine and the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases have proven that acupuncture is effective in reducing pain and functional impairment of the knee. The report was published in the 12-04 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine. The report specifically states that acupuncture is an effective treatment for osteoarthritis of the knees.

Laser Acupuncture for Infantile Digestion Problems

Administrator — Tue, 12 Dec 2006 01:00:00 +0000

A recent study in the Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine (24 : 280-281, 2004) entitled the Treatment of Infantile Diarrhea by Acupuncture and Laser Irradiation- A Report of 60 Cases by Ding Duming of the People's Hospital of Danyang Municipality reports that acupuncture combined with laser acupuncture is effective in the treatment of infantile diarrhea. The report notes that the laser therapy has the action of restoring "affected tissue to its normal function." Also, the report shows the effects of acupuncture and laser acupuncture in the repair of intestinal mucosa through the process of stimulating epithelial cells.

Celebrity Athletes Using Acupuncture Update

Administrator — Wed, 08 Nov 2006 01:00:00 +0000

The October 2007 issue of Sports Illustrated Magazine writes that Morten Anderson, field goal kicker for NFL’s Atlanta Falcons, receives two acupuncture treatments per week as part of his ongoing healthcare program. At age 47, he is the second oldest player ever in the National Football League and is the NFL’s all-time leading scorer. He has set the NFL record with the most games played at over 368 and has scored in excess of a record breaking 346 consecutive games. Other NFL greats to utilize acupuncture include Joe Montana and defensive lineman Michael Strahan. Turning to NBA basketball, Dwayne Wade uses acupuncture for knee and shoulder pain. Other basketball stars using acupuncture include Shaquille O’Neal, Jason Kidd, and Vladimir Radmonovic. In professional golf, Fred Couples is noteworthy for having utilized acupuncture to treat severe back pain.