Symposium Objectives

Physicians will be able to:

• Identify barriers and opportunities for the incorporation of acupuncture into existing medical practices, and recognize critical points in developing new practice models for acupuncture delivery;
• Recognize acupuncture’s role in treatment options for acute and chronic pain syndromes of many types, and apply to various clinical cases;
• Discuss the modern evidence base for acupuncture’s mechanisms of action, and recognize how these mechanisms interface with classical and modern treatment strategies.

Peter Dorsher, MD

“Languages of Healing: Bridging Healing Traditions from Prehistoric to Contemporary Times”

This lecture/session is intended to provide a historical, integrative view of ancient and modern healing traditions that illustrates their many commonalities. This has implications for a common underlying mechanism of these healing traditions and the need for integrative treatments that combine manual and acupuncture/needling therapies.

Learning objectives –
At the conclusion of the session, participants should be able to:

• Discuss the 5,200 year old tattoos of Otzi and their relationship to Classical acupuncture points and meridians
• Review ancient Egyptian medicine circa 3000 BCE regarding anatomic/clinicall knowledge and its concepts of metu (“channels”) and disease causes
• List two body points that Mayan curnarderos 800 CE needled to treat illnesses/disease
• Discuss overlaps of the prehistoric, ancient Egyptian, and Mayan healing traditions with those of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Barbara de la Torre, MD, FAAMA

“Overcoming Barriers to Acupuncture in Mainstream Medicine: A Social and Cultural History”

Have you ever wondered why traditional health practitioners ask you if you believe in acupuncture? Professional attitudes toward unconventional medicine in North America stem from language and macrosystemic influences within medical institutions that date back at least two centuries. Acupuncture is powerful medicine, but its efficacy loses value unless we are able to expand access for our patients. This lecture discusses how the boundaries of orthodox and unorthodox medicine were established, deconstructs the anti-quackery movement, and summarizes the systemic barriers that remain today. As acupuncturists and traditionally licensed healthcare professionals, we hold the keys to bridge the gap in order to fully integrate Chinese medicine into mainstream healthcare of the future.

Learning objectives –
At the conclusion of the session, participants should be able to:

• Assess how the boundaries between orthodox and unorthodox medicine were established
• Demonstrate how language from the 19th century still informs our perceptions of nontraditional medical approaches today
• Examine the history of combative relationships between conventional and unconventional medical groups
• Identify the three key institutions involved in shaping professional medical authority

Michael Cummings, MD

“Western Medical Acupuncture – An Overview of Concepts and Perspectives”

Western Medical Acupuncture (WMA) is not Western, and it is not Western acupuncture. The Western in the term relates only to Western medicine and not to any geographical region. Western medicine is a global phenomenon, and WMA is simply the use of acupuncture directly within the framework of Western medicine as opposed to being within the framework of Tradition Chinese Medicine (TCM). WMA is defined as an adaptation of TCM acupuncture using knowledge of anatomy, physiology and pathology, and the principles of evidence-based medicine. WMA goes straight from the Western medicine diagnosis to treatment based on principles derived from the neurophysiological mechanisms of acupuncture. Whatever the ideas and concepts underpinning the choice of acupuncture treatment approaches, the physiological mechanisms of needling are still the same, and therefore it is critical to consider these when developing research protocols, and when interpreting the results of clinical trials.

Learning objectives –
At the conclusion of the session, participants should be able to:

• Define the underlying principals and concepts of Western Medical Acupuncture (WMA)
• Describe where WMA sits in perspective to the broader field of acupuncture as a whole
• Understand what WMA can offer in the development of research protocols

Claudia Citkovitz, PhD, MS, LAc

“Evidence-Informed Acupuncture During Stroke Recovery and Rehabilitation: Development of a Phased Approach”

Incidence of stroke is rising in younger patients, who will in general live longer, have greater capacity for rehabilitation, and expect fuller recovery than older populations. Basic research suggests that neural plasticity after stroke is greater than previously understood, and is modified by activity and experience. There is thus a heightened imperative to develop novel, patient-centered approaches to rehabilitation therapy throughout subacute and chronic care. The clinical and basic research literature on acupuncture after stroke is promising on the whole, but difficult to operationalize in the context of existing health care systems. This lecture will describe the development of a manual suited for research and clinical practice, based on iterative cycles of literature review and structured self-observation by acupuncturists in an acute rehabilitation unit. This ‘responsive manualization’ is adaptable to other conditions, and has since been used to study group and individual acupuncture for chronic pain in underserved populations.

Learning objectives –
At the conclusion of the session, participants should be able to:

• List the main therapeutic targets of acupuncture therapy during acute, subacute, and chronic phases of post-stroke care
• Be familiar with the main techniques of scalp, auricular, and body acupuncture used in Dr. Citkovitz’ manual for post-stroke care
• Understand the steps taken to develop a manual for consistent and repeatable care across phases of care, and how this approach can be applied to other conditions

Moderator – David Coggin-Carr, MD, PhD, DABMA

“Editors’ Round Table”

This session has been envisioned as an informal workshop in which delegates with any amount of experience of research and publishing can directly question a panel of editorial team members representing two major acupuncture journals regarding the publication process (both for their specific journals and more generally). The aim is to impart practical advice catered to the level of experience of each prospective attendee (ranging from complete newcomers to potentially seasoned scholars). An open forum type approach will be taken to maximize the personalized value to delegates; however, in the case of limited questions from the audience and/or incomplete coverage of the relevant material, panel members will didactically present information about a wide range of issues related to publishing in order to meet the learning objectives detailed above.

Learning objectives –
At the conclusion of the session, participants should be able to:

• Describe how to identify an appropriate journal for submission of a manuscript based on aims and scope, impact factor, indexing, article processing charges, etc.
• Understand how to go about formatting a manuscript for submission (including common pit falls to avoid)
• Recall “top tips” for getting published across a range of different article types

Darrell Wallace, LAc

“Yamamoto New Scalp Acupuncture (YNSA)“

Scalp acupuncture is a commonly used therapeutic approach for pain and neurological illnesses. Fifty years ago, a Japanese physician Dr. Toshikatsu Yamamoto developed a Yamamoto New Scalp Acupuncture system (YNSA). YNSA has been applied for stroke rehabilitation 1-4, perioperative analgesia 5, migraine 6, and sudden sensorineural hearing loss 7. We will review acupuncture microsystem and biomedical understandings of scalp acupuncture. Through this workshop, the attendees will be familiar with YNSA basic points, several other points have been discovered namely sensory point, brain points, Y points, and extra points. Demonstrations will be provided for participants to learn about the practice of scalp acupuncture.

Learning objectives –
At the conclusion of the session, participants should be able to:

• Describe western biomedical knowledge in scalp acupuncture
• Explain acupuncture lines in scalp acupuncture
• Demonstrate the practice of Yamamoto New Scalp Acupuncture
• Evaluate evidence-based scalp acupuncture in facial palsy, parkinsonism, and stroke rehabilitation

Claudia Citkovitz, PhD, MS, LAc

“Manualized Acupuncture During Stroke Recovery and Rehabilitation: Key Techniques of Scalp, Auricular and Body Acupuncture“

The clinical and basic research literature on acupuncture after stroke is promising on the whole, but difficult to operationalize in the context of existing health care systems. This hands-on workshop will introduce participants to an evidence-informed treatment manual for acupuncture during acute, subacute, and chronic care, including key techniques of scalp, auricular, and body acupuncture that may be unfamiliar to participants. The workshop will also address the logistics of integrative care delivery in inpatient and outpatient settings.

Learning objectives –
At the conclusion of the session, participants should be able to:

• Comfortably use the manualized protocol to treat patients in all phases of post-stroke recovery
• Understand how to use the Zhu Mingqing scalp acupuncture microsystem, as well as mapping of the central nervous system onto the auricle, in combination with the more commonly used Jiao Shunfa scalp acupuncture system to address a wider variety of presentations in stroke and other conditions
• Use the Zhu microsystem to identify and treat musculoskeletal pain in themselves and/or others

Barbara de la Torre, MD, FAAMA

“A Systems Approach to Transform Acupuncture into Mainstream Medicine“

This workshop expands upon the plenary topic in more detail regarding the call for active reform in the macrosystem arena. The following reflect the three institutions that initially elevated the physician to a professional level. – State Medical Boards/Legislature – Medical Societies (like the AAMA) – Medical Education A workshop like this could also encourage attendees to increase membership in the AAMA through awareness of the power of these institutions.

Learning objectives –
At the conclusion of the session, participants should be able to:

• Identify the three key institutions involved in shaping acupuncture’s role in mainstream medicine: State Medical Boards (+/- Legislature), Medical Societies, Medical Education
• Define the rise and fall of physician sovereignty in medicine in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries
• Discuss the definition of systems theory, how it relates to the healthcare system
• Name and define the seven principles of systems theory as it applies to the healthcare system – using a systems approach to facilitate the integration of acupuncture into mainstream healthcare
• Demonstrate how each attendee can influence each of the three institutions for effective and lasting reform through communication, education, and service.

Melanie Gold, DO, DABMA

“Evolution and Expansion of Acupoint Therapies and Other Integrative Modalities at an Academic Tertiary Care Pediatric Hospital and School Based Health Centers in New York City”

This plenary will describe the evolution and expansion of acupoint therapies and other integrative pediatric modalities at an academic tertiary care pediatric hospital and at 7 school-based health centers in New York City. In describing the clinical, teaching, and research history of this journey, attendees will identify their own goals and activities to facilitate offering acupoint therapies and other integrative modalities to their pediatric patients and their families.

Learning objectives –
At the conclusion of the session, participants should be able to:

• Describe 4 key elements to successfully implementing acupoint therapies in pediatric settings
• Identify 4 acupoint therapies that are well suited for the pediatric inpatient and outpatient setting
• List 3 specific goals related to offering acupoint therapies within your pediatric patient practice
• Identify 3 specific integrative activities you intend to start in the next 3 months for your own self-cultivation

Larissa Bresler, MD, DABMA

“Recognizing Signs of Physician in Distress and Physician Suicide Prevention”

Physicians’ suicide and distress remain a significant problem. Every physician should be able to recognize the signs of their colleague being in distress and at risk for suicide.

Learning objectives –
At the conclusion of the session, participants should be able to:

• Recognize worrisome signs of physician in distress
• Identify appropriate resources to help a colleague in distress
• Discuss wellness and suicide prevention strategies

Bradley Lawrence, MD, FAAMA

Joseph M. Helms Founders Lecture
“PTSD: Soldier’s Heart and Beyond”

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition classified as a “Trauma- and Stressor-related Disorder” in the DSM 5. Attention is now being given to acupuncture as a possible treatment for this condition. This lecture will describe PTSD, provide evidence-based information on acupuncture as a treatment, and share acupuncture protocols for PTSD.

Learning objectives –
At the conclusion of the session, participants should be able to:

• Describe the evolution of PTSD from ancient warriors to present day trauma survivors.
• Identify changes in brain function related to PTSD.
• Compare symptomatology between Western medicine and TCM perspectives on PTSD.

Melanie Gold, DO, DABMA

“Chinese Medicine Acupoints of Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) Tapping with Children and Adolescents”

In this workshop, attendees will learn the history of EFT tapping with a particular focus on use within the pediatric setting. Topics will include history of EFT tapping, the nine acupoints used in EFT tapping including their Chinese Acupoint names and hidden meanings, developmentally appropriate ways of introducing tapping to children, adolescents, and parents including use of a developmentally appropriate book using child friendly names for the acupoints. Attendees will review the evidence-based literature on the use of EFT tapping with an emphasis on use with pediatric and adolescent patients. Attendees will also experience EFT tapping and practice in pairs explaining EFT tapping to pediatric patients and families. Demonstration of EFT tapping with children at different developmental stages will be part of the workshop.

Learning objectives –
At the conclusion of the session, participants should be able to:

• Identify the nine acupoints used in EFT tapping by their Chinese medicine acupoint names and their hidden meetings
• Identify at least 3 indications for using EFT tapping in the pediatric setting
• Describe how to explain EFT tapping in a developmentally appropriate way to a child and parent including how to do tapping, locations of the 9 points, what tapping is, and indications for use.
• Describe the evidence base for EFT tapping for adolescents

Special Faculty Panel

“Point/Counterpoint Panel Session”

This special panel session features case-based presentations on commonly encountered clinical problems.  A panel of medical acupuncture industry experts will discuss varying management approaches to cases.  Topics include, but are not limited to, management of pain, both chronic and acute, immune support/long-COVID, fatigue, mood disorders, and practice management.

Learning Objectives

At the end of this activity, participants will be able to

• Compare varying treatment approaches to common clinical problems.
• Identify and evaluate the practical details of utilizing medical acupuncture to treat frequently encountered medical complaints.
• Discuss varying practice management approaches utilized in a medical acupuncture setting.

Michael Cummings, MD

“Western Medical Acupuncture Protocols in Chronic Pain”

This workshop will briefly summarize the Western Medical Acupuncture (WMA) approach based on neurophysiological mechanisms of deep somatic nerve stimulation via acupuncture needling and electroacupuncture. It will use these mechanisms to explain the common WMA approaches to chronic peripheral musculoskeletal pain conditions, neuropathic pain conditions and chronic primary pain conditions (the latter are conditions where there is no obvious peripheral source).

Learning Objectives

At the end of this activity, participants will be able to

• Summarize the key mechanisms of acupuncture needling and electroacupuncture
• Describe the typical Western Medical Acupuncture (WMA) approach to peripheral musculoskeletal pain
• Describe the typical WMA approach to neuropathic pain
• Describe several different acupuncture approaches to chronic primary pain conditions

Richard Niemtzow, MD, PhD, MPH

“Advanced Battlefield Acupuncture; 2nd Generation”

Battlefield Acupuncture (BFA) was invited by Dr. Richard C. Niemtzow in August 2001 for acute and chronic pain relief. A 2nd generation of BFA has been introduced over the past 5 years that is more efficient and easier to practice. This 2nd generation of BFA is called Advance Battlefield Acupuncture and it consists of needling the dominant ear with dissimilar metals of semi-permanent needles in a linear or cluster formation on the cingulate gyrus, thalamus, or omega 2 areas of the dominant ear. The metals may be gold, stainless steel, and titanium. It is believed that dissimilar metals just touching each other produce a tiny electrical stimulation. Thus, making this 2nd generation BFA more rapid, efficient, and possibly produce longer remission rates.

Learning Objectives

At the end of this activity, participants will be able to

• Determine the dominant ear.
• Place linear and cluster semi-permanent needles on the cingulate gyrus, thalamus and omega 2.
• Place dissimilar metals; gold, stainless steel, titanium semi-permanent needles.
• Appreciate the advantages of advanced battlefield acupuncture.

TBD

“Medical Acupuncture Research Foundation Session”

COMING SOON!

Jennifer Stone, LAc

“Advances in Acupuncture Research – How Acupuncture Made it into the ASCO and NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines for Oncologists”

Acupuncture is listed as a therapeutic option for multiple symptoms experienced by cancer patients and survivors in both the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) clinical practice guidelines for physicians. This session will take a deep dive into the acupuncture evidence that informed the clinical practice guidelines for physicians and oncologists, and the process used by ASCO and NCCN to develop the guidelines. Participants will learn how clinical practice guidelines are developed, how an evidence map is created, what type of evidence is included in an evidence map and how the evidence is graded for strength. We will discuss and critically evaluate the research studies that are referenced in the guidelines.

Learning Objectives

At the end of this activity, participants will be able to

• Describe how treatment guidelines are developed
• Recognize what type of evidence is included and how the evidence is graded for strength
• Search the literature for the evidence that’s used in the guidelines

David Coggin-Carr, MD, PhD, DABMA

“Electroacupuncture: A Promising Treatment for Fetal Growth Restriction Due to Uteroplacental Insufficiency”

This session will begin with a review of FGR (a common complication of pregnancy in which the fetus fails to reach its genetically predetermined growth potential) including etiology and current management approach based on clinical evidence. The potential role of electroacupuncture (EA) will be introduced with a review of its putative effects on uterine blood flow (through autonomic neuromodulation) based on previous research in animal and human subjects. Finally, new data demonstrating a positive effect of EA on fetal and placental growth in a rat model of maternal obesity (derived from original research carried out by the presenter) will be shared, and future directions discussed.

Learning Objectives

At the end of this activity, participants will be able to

• List the various causes of fetal growth restriction (FGR) encountered in clinical practice
• Describe the autonomic control of uterine blood flow during pregnancy and how it may be impacted by acupuncture and related modalities
• Recall a standardized approach to electroacupuncture treatment (as applied in an animal model of FGR)

Tate Kauffman, MD

“Top Articles in Acupuncture”

The session will review a selection of recent acupuncture research articles with the potential to improve treatment practices. The relevance of the results will be discussed as they relate to common neuroanatomical and traditional treatments and the demands of evidence-based practice.

Learning Objectives

At the end of this activity, participants will be able to

• Summarize the results of selected recent acupuncture articles
• Discuss the contributions of these results to current practice
• Integrate current acupuncture research into clinical practice

Stephen Cowan, MD

“Alienation-Inflammation Syndrome – A Paradigm Shift Towards “Relational Health””

The COVID-19 pandemic and in particular long-Covid syndrome have created a number of paradigm shifts in the way we live our lives, do business and think about health. One critical shift has underscored the important role inflammation plays in both physical and mental suffering.  Symptoms of chronic physical disorders, anxiety and depression have significantly increased during the pandemic.  Emergency room visits for suspected and attempted suicide have also risen, increasing 51% for adolescent girls and 4% for boys in early 2021 compared to the same period in 2019.  This represents a unique form of “Alienation-Inflammation Syndrome.”  Long-Covid syndrome has now brought new attention from the medical establishment to other chronic debilitating autoimmune conditions such as Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). Relational health is a term promoted in a recent American Academy of Pediatrics policy statement on childhood toxic stress which acknowledges the benefits of an ecobiodevelopmental model in understanding the childhood origins of adult-manifested disease. By focusing on safe, stable, and nurturing relationships (SSNRs) that buffer adversity and build resilience, pediatric care is on the cusp of a paradigm shift that could reprioritize clinical activities and research. Medical practitioners trained in Chinese medicine are in a unique position to play a critical role in managing Alienation-Inflammation Syndromes with low-cost effective treatments.  Based on San Jiao Principles, this 2-hour workshop will explore practical ways of promoting optimal relational health through both qi-gong practice and specific acupuncture techniques.

Learning Objectives

At the end of this activity, participants will be able to

• Recognize the connection between chronic inflammation syndromes, toxic stress and the epidemic of alienation in our society.
• Appreciate the implications of polyvagal theory, Oxytocin system in promoting allostatic resilience.
• Review current western research on “Relational health” and its role in Chinese medical treatment
• Recognize the role the San Jiao system plays in alienation-inflammation syndromes.
• Effectively treat patients suffering from alienation-inflammation syndrome.

Jennifer Stone, LAc

“Out of the Clinic and Into the Lab”

Physicians who are clinicians have a specific skill set to do their job. They follow state and federal laws, rules of ethics and practice guidelines for physicians. A research scientist has a separate set of skills, and must follow different federal and international guidelines that apply to the scientist – but not to a physician in a clinical setting. In this workshop, clinicians who aspire to be researchers will learn how to put their needles and stethoscopes down and step into a different role – the role of a research scientist. Participants will learn the process of designing a research protocol to test a hypothesis with the goal of answering a research question. To reach this goal, attendees will be given resources for conducting different kinds of research including; reviews of existing research, surveys, data mining studies and clinical trials.

Learning Objectives

At the end of this activity, participants will be able to

• Design a feasible research study
• Search the literature
• Participate in a research working group or team

Peter Dorsher, MD

“Laser or Metal Needle Acupuncture Therapeutic Considerations”

This workshop will discuss laser acupuncture and contrast it to metal needle acupuncture. The principals of low-level laser will be reviewed and its advantages and limitations for treating acupuncture points. Safety issues using laser will be discussed. With the widespread availability of low price, small diameter, red lasers of adequate power output, this modality could be incorporated into practices and especially be useful for acupuncture microsystems treatments and needle phobic patients.

Learning Objectives

At the end of this activity, participants will be able to

• Discuss the depth of tissue penetration of red and infrared low level laser light beams
• Discuss the proper energy dose (Joules) for a given acupuncture point and how to calculate appropriate treatment time
• List 2 potential side effects of low-level laser