The article highlights the fascinating ways individuals integrate their previous careers and diverse skills into the practice of Asian medicine, enriching their diagnostic abilities and client interactions. Far from being discarded, prior experience becomes a valuable asset. Former engineers find it easy to grasp qi and structural issues. Those from Western medicine, especially physical therapy, build upon their anatomy knowledge with meridians and acupoints. A global journalist's interviewing skills enhance diagnostic nuance. Blind students relate meridian frequencies to guitar strings or sense structural changes from vibratory frequency. An MBA helps an acupuncturist thrive by creating a shared practice space. A theater background aids connecting with diverse patients. School psychology experience provides active listening skills crucial for healing. Even a dance background helps understand how humans "embody, sense, express, and interpret life," informing body mechanics and qi flow in shiatsu and qigong. Ultimately, talking to clients about their work and passions can even inspire tailored healing approaches. This piece celebrates how unique backgrounds forge richer, more effective practitioners.

Osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip, a condition causing significant joint pain, is extensively treated in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Within TCM, OA falls under the category of bi syndromes. Unlike generic supplements like fish oil or glucosamine, Chinese patent herbal medicines offer a more "surgical precision" in treatment by addressing the specific underlying bi syndrome patterns, such as wind-cold damp bi, blood stagnation bi, or heat bi. Diagnosing these patterns involves a detailed examination, including observing tongue and pulse, and understanding how the pain is influenced by seasons, temperature, sleep, and other factors.

Specific herbal formulas target different patterns. For severe, fixed pain with numbness often seen in hip OA, Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang is crucial, invigorating blood and breaking stasis. For seniors with hip OA, especially those with underlying kidney/liver yin deficiency and blood stasis, Zhong Guo Tong Xue Wan / Zhong Guo Shen Jing Tong can offer quick pain relief and stimulate joint tissue healing. For pain with red, warm, swollen joints (Heat Bi), Si Miao Wan is highly effective, particularly for pain below the waist and discomfort worsened by heat or humidity. By precisely addressing these patterns, herbal therapy can provide significant relief and support joint health.

Breaking news for chronic spine pain patients and providers: the latest "Rapid Recommendation" from the BMJ strongly advises against several commonly used interventional procedures for chronic spine pain not caused by cancer or inflammatory conditions. An international expert panel, basing their guideline on systematic reviews of trials, concluded that "all or nearly all well-informed people would likely not want such interventions".

The specific procedures now strongly recommended against include various types of injections like joint radiofrequency ablation, epidural injections (with local anesthetic, steroids, or both), joint-targeted injections, and intramuscular injections for chronic axial spine pain. For chronic radicular spine pain, dorsal root ganglion radiofrequency with or without epidural injection is also not recommended.

This significant shift highlights concerns that these methods, while potentially effective for acute pain, are often ineffective for chronic pain and pose a substantial financial burden on healthcare systems, costing billions annually in the U.S. alone. These procedures should now typically only be considered within the context of a clinical trial.

Treating children of divorced parents presents unique challenges for acupuncturists, carrying significant liability risks. A core issue arises when one parent consents to care, but the other parent, who may share joint custody, demands treatment cease or access to records, having not been informed or consented. Assuming consent from a single parent is sufficient is a mistake, especially in states recognizing joint custody where both parents must consent unless a court order specifies otherwise.

To mitigate these risks, acupuncturists should always seek written consent from both parents unless a court order proves sole decision-making authority. Implementing clear, written office policies for minors from separated families and ensuring parents understand them at intake is crucial. It's vital to remain neutral in parental conflicts, focusing solely on the child's health. Clearly defining financial responsibility upfront prevents billing disputes. Training staff to identify potential red flags during intake is also important for early intervention. Proactive documentation, clear policies, and professional neutrality significantly reduce malpractice risks.

The article explores the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence in enhancing acupuncture practice. AI can significantly aid acupuncturists by analyzing complex patient data, including electronic health records and genetic information, to improve diagnostic accuracy and identify subtle patterns not immediately apparent. This leads to more personalized treatment plans by suggesting optimal points and techniques based on individual patient factors and historical data, potentially increasing efficacy and reducing side effects. AI-powered systems can also automate administrative tasks like scheduling and reminders, and integrate wearable data for real-time patient monitoring, freeing up practitioners for more direct patient care. Furthermore, AI facilitates research and continuous learning within the field by analyzing aggregated treatment outcomes. While offering numerous benefits, the integration of AI requires addressing ethical considerations like data privacy and maintaining the essential personal touch of holistic care. Ultimately, AI offers a future where technology and the ancient art of acupuncture can blend to improve practice efficiency and patient outcomes.

There's great news for acupuncturists billing Medicare and the VA: for 2025, there's been a substantial increase in the allowed rates for the initial acupuncture codes, 97810 and 97813. This significant change, described as roughly a 20% increase and the largest change to any code value for 2025, stems directly from increases in the Relative Value Units (RVUs) for these codes. VA rates are specifically tied to Medicare rates.

This positive shift impacts not only Medicare and VA claims but also other plans in states that utilize RVUs to determine their fee schedules, such as certain worker's compensation and personal injury plans. While the RVUs for subsequent sets (97811, 97814) decreased, the overall impact is still an aggregate increase in reimbursement. The key takeaway is to always bill your regular rate to ensure you receive the maximum allowed amount, and to stay informed about these important updates.

Acupuncturists can significantly enhance their practice by incorporating effective Gua Sha treatment, a powerful modality for addressing myofascial issues, pain, limited motion, and overall well-being. The article highlights three key elements for success. First, always obtain informed consent. Explain Gua Sha's action and show patients what the temporary "sha" discoloration will look like, emphasizing it's a healing response releasing stagnation, not a bruise. Discuss benefits like pain relief and increased mobility to gain their trust. Second, determine the appropriate dosage based on treatment duration, pressure, and area. Deficient or new patients need a low dose (30-60 seconds), while more robust individuals can handle higher doses (up to 15 minutes total), always using a treatment plan to avoid overtreatment and allow recovery. Third, use both hands during treatment. While one hand performs the scraping, the other should rest on the patient nearby. This provides stability and comfort for the patient, allows the practitioner to feel subtle tissue changes in real-time, and supports good body mechanics. Incorporating these keys helps practitioners leverage Gua Sha's historical effectiveness for holistic healing.

The article details the American Society of Acupuncturists (ASA) celebrating its 10th anniversary with a live in-person conference held April 26-27, 2025, in Arlington, Virginia. Attracting practitioners from across the U.S., Canada, and China, the event centered on the theme “Cultivating Our Future Together”, focusing on advancing the acupuncture profession through advocacy, education, and research. The conference structure included a pre-conference webinar series on diverse topics like integrative oncology and AI in acupuncture, meetings for state and national professional issues, two days of presentations covering clinical skills (e.g., trauma-informed care, dry needling, tongue diagnosis) and professional topics (e.g., collaborations, state of the profession). The celebration featured a banquet, recognition of profession leaders, and a special ceremony honoring influential figures who passed. Post-conference events included acupuncture demonstrations on Capitol Hill and training on advocacy. The event underscored the importance of collaboration and unity among all stakeholders to strengthen the profession for a bright future.