Message from the AAMA Board

Annual Symposium On-demand Recordings Available

Symposium on-demand recording access is now available! All of the Symposium sessions in Pittsburgh were recorded and are ready for on-demand viewing access. If you were not able to attend in-person, you can purchase access to the on-demand recording package.

The 2025 Symposium was held in-person, March 28-30, 2025 at the Omni William Penn Hotel in Pittsburgh, PA. The theme of this year’s meeting was “Three Rivers and Five Elements: A Confluence of Traditions and Science.” The 2025 On-Demand Recording Package provides access to the event app platform that was used during the in-person meeting that now contains recordings from the sessions.

What Does the On-Demand Package Fee Cover?
  • Symposium Session recording access
  • Up to a maximum of 23.75 CME credits (must complete quiz for each session for credit where applicable)
  • Ability to download all symposium documentation and materials
  • Exhibit company access

Access to the On-Demand Recording Package is available until September 30, 2025. Learn more and register for the On-Demand Recording Package.

Upcoming Professional Development & Educational Opportunities

ICMART Webinar
Acupuncture in Prevention and Health
June 22, 2025

Applied Kinesiology: Applied Muscle Testing Comes Alive
August 16-17, 2025
Indianapolis, IN

ICMART World Congress on Medical Acupuncture
November 7-9, 2025
French Riviera, Antibes Juan-les-Pins, France

AAMA Annual Symposium
April 23-26, 2026
Denver, CO
SAVE THE DATE!

AAMA Website: Education Listings
The AAMA maintains an ongoing calendar of educational events and professional development opportunities related to medical acupuncture. The calendar is accessible on the AAMA website. Members are encouraged to share events and calendar items from their regions and about educational topics that may be of wider interest among peers and fellow AAMA members.

AAMA News & Announcements

Welcome Our New AAMA Members

Please join us in welcoming the following new members who became part of the Academy in March 2025:

  • ZhanTao Yang, DO, of Bentleyville, OH
  • Michael J. Bourgeois, DO, of Beachwood, OH
  • Kelly Lindsay, MD, of Morgantown, WV

If you have peers or colleagues who aren’t currently members of the AAMA, please encourage them to learn more about the benefits of membership by visiting the website or contacting Kendra Unger, the membership committee chair.

DON’T FORGET: If you would like to sponsor a medical student member for $75/year, please email AAMA today and let us know.

Physician Completes 10-Year ABMA Recertification Process

Congratulations to the following physician who has completed the process set by the American Board of Medical Acupuncture (ABMA) to be re-certified as a Diplomate for another 10 years:

  • Kendra Unger, MD, FAAMA of Morgantown, WV

Call for Papers: Special Issue: Battlefield Acupuncture/Rapid Acupuncture

Deadline for Submissions: July 1, 2025

The editors of Medical Acupuncture are pleased to announce a Call for Papers for an upcoming special issue dedicated to the work of Richard Niemtzow, MD.  Until his recent passing, Dr. Niemtzow was Editor-in-Chief of Medical Acupuncture and known throughout the world as the originator of Battlefield Acupuncture and Rapid Acupuncture.

Of particular interest:

  • Retrospective case series that suggest areas for future research
  • Pragmatic clinical trials, systematic reviews and meta-analyses that indicate effect size of Battlefield Acupuncture or Rapid Acupuncture in the treatment of painful conditions in comparison with other methodologies
  • Original research looking at underlying mechanisms of Battlefield Acupuncture or Rapid Acupuncture

Learn more and submit your work. 

Enroll to Provide Services to Veterans Through the VA

If you’re interested in providing medical acupuncture through the VA in your community, there is a process to enroll and receive permission to provide care. Here are some resources to get you started:

How to Become a VA Community Provider (VA)

Policy Information Regarding Integrative Medicine and Health (VA)

Community Care – Provider Overview (VA)

Whole Health – Acupuncture – Policy Background

Are You Following Us?

Join the conversations online with fellow physician acupuncturists from around the country! You can find AAMA on:

There’s even a closed group on Facebook for discussion between members: https://www.facebook.com/groups/aamagroup

In Case You Missed It Last Month

New Scientific Research Related to Acupuncture 

Clinician views on acupuncture for acute pain care in a busy urban emergency department
[Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice]
Conclusion: Strong acceptance of acupuncture as a feasible nonpharmacologic addition to the comprehensive pain care plan used in the ED was observed. Dedicated space, expanded acupuncture staff and hours, and ongoing training of ED staff will require institutional support to sustain acupuncture as a nonpharmacologic treatment option for ED patients.

Acupuncture and moxibustion in Integrative Oncology and new progress in China
[Integrative Medicine Research]
Clinical evidence highlights acupuncture’s efficacy in managing symptoms such as hot flashes, pain, insomnia, fatigue, and constipation. Acupuncture also demonstrates potential effects in reducing chemotherapy and radiotherapy-induced side effects. Recent advancements in China shows integrated therapies combining acupuncture with chemotherapy to enhance therapeutic outcomes. Additionally, laboratory studies reveal the potential of acupuncture and moxibustion to modulate the tumor microenvironment, boost chemotherapy efficacy, and strengthen immunity.

Effects of acupuncture on the signs and symptoms of people with rheumatic diseases: A scoping review
[Complementary Therapies in Medicine]
Acupuncture has beneficial effects on the signs and symptoms of people with rheumatic diseases, constituting a modality which can be easily and quickly applied by any healthcare professional, as long as they are properly trained.

Exploration of Key Brain Regions Involved in Acupuncture and Moxibustion Analgesia: An Imaging-Based Study
[Journal of Pain Research]
Conclusion: Acupuncture and moxibustion modulate key brain regions involved in pain perception, emotional regulation, and cognitive functions. Acupuncture predominantly affects the sensory cortex, enhancing pain perception, while moxibustion has a more pronounced effect on the limbic system and thalamus, influencing emotional and cognitive aspects of pain. The findings indicate that acupuncture and moxibustion serve as effective non-pharmacological therapies for pain management, offering valuable insights into their underlying analgesic mechanisms. Future research should focus on further elucidating these mechanisms and optimizing clinical applications.

Note: Some of these news sources may require you to create a free account to read their content, while others may have a paywall.