June 2024 – AAMA Member Newsletter

Welcome Our New AAMA Members

Please join us in welcoming the following new members who became part of the Academy in May 2024:

• Vitu Van, MD, of Upper Marlboro, MD
• Sara N. Hanson, DO, of Elysian, MN
• Victoria Belle Shin, DO, of Gardena, CA

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 Earns ABMA Certification

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

• Robert Brislin, DO, DABMA, of Chadds Ford, PA

Learn more about DABMA certification requirements.

Physicians Complete 10-Year ABMA Recertification Process

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

• William Clearfield, DO, FAAMA of Reno, NV

  James Won, MD, DABMA of Brandon, FL

  Chonghao Zhao, MD, PhD, DABMA or San Gabriel, FL

AAMA Legislative Committee Report

The Legislative Committee is following 71 bills on acupuncture, chronic pain, integrative medicine and dry needling. Most of the bills remain in committee at this time.

REMEMBER: The committee members will contact you when legislation in your state may affect your ability to practice acupuncture. In that event, you are encouraged to write your representatives and senators since they prefer to hear directly from their constituents. If you learn of relevant legislative activity, please connect with the committee by email: info@medicalacupuncture.org.

DON’T FORGET: Renew Your AAMA Membership by June 30

The AAMA is planning big things for 2024-2025! Please renew your AAMA membership by June 30 to make sure you don’t miss anything.

The most important part of the Academy is YOU! Through your membership and participation, the Academy will continue to advance in stature and quality. Your membership supports your growth and success as a medical acupuncturist. We thank you for your current AAMA membership and for your dedication to medical acupuncture. We are in this together — and together we will thrive. Please take a few minutes and renew your membership today! 

Your AAMA Membership comes with valuable benefits, including:

ACCESS TO MEDICAL ACUPUNCTURE CME
Choose from online, journal and other educational activities to earn free and/or low-cost CME related to your practice of medical acupuncture.

SUBSCRIPTION TO MEDICAL ACUPUNCTURE JOURNAL
Academy members receive the journal every other month and have access to an online version through the Academy’s website — included in your membership fee!

ANNUAL SYMPOSIUM
The AAMA Annual Symposium typically includes four days of scientific and clinical presentations and clinical workshops presented by some of the best teachers in the field.

MEDICAL ACUPUNCTURE RESEARCH
As the scientific evidence mounts in support of medical acupuncture, the AAMA will continue its efforts to promote new discovery and encourage clinical research. New research is supported through dissemination and funding opportunities.

LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY
The AAMA’s hard-working Legislative Committee reviews and responds to legislation related to medical acupuncture, actively fighting against possible erosion of your rights to perform and be reimbursed for providing acupuncture. They work year-round on your behalf, protecting your work and your patients.

PATIENT REFERRAL
The “find an acupuncturist” directory on the AAMA website is always the most-visited page on the site, allowing thousands of patients each year to search for a provider in their area. Inclusion in the directory is FREE to all eligible members.

SUPPORTING THE GROWTH OF MEDICAL ACUPUNCTURE
The AAMA’s proactive outreach to various sectors — legislators and policymakers, fellow medical professionals, fellow acupuncture providers, insurance companies, media outlets, and more — increases awareness and acceptance of the evidence-based practice of medical acupuncture.

2024 Symposium On-Demand Registration

PURCHASE ON-DEMAND RECORDINGS ACCESS NOW

All of the Symposium sessions were recorded and are available for on-demand viewing. If you were not able to attend in-person, you can now purchase access to the on-demand recording package! Access is available until October 1, 2024.

What Does the On-Demand Package Fee Cover?

• Symposium Session recording access
• Up to a maximum of 26 CME credits (must complete quiz for each session for credit where applicable)
• Review of all symposium documentation and materials
• Exhibit company access

Purchase access now and view all the recorded sessions until October 1, 2024!

Last Call for Presentation Proposals: 2025 Annual Symposium

You can help move our organization forward by sending us your submissions for 2025 Annual Symposium presentations: pre-symposium workshops, plenary sessions and/or workshops. As an added bonus, presenting at the AAMA Symposium is a prestigious national experience to showcase on your CV and credentials.

We invite you to submit a proposal for next year’s meeting. DEADLINE: June 30, 2024.

• Are you an expert in a facet of Medical Acupuncture?
• Is there a topic that you’re particularly knowledgeable and passionate about?
• Are you able to describe the importance of your material and rationale for presenting at a large national meeting?
• Can you summarize your presentation in a few specific and measurable learning objectives?
• Can you present to physicians and healthcare professionals in an engaging manner so they can take home specific acupuncture skills and/or knowledge?
• Are you prepared to stand in front of a sophisticated group of physicians, managing your talk, as well as follow up questions?

Learn more and submit your presentation proposal.

New Requirements for Physician Practice Owners

As reported in FPM (Family Practice Management / AAFP) a new requirement for business owners is relevant for doctors and their practices. It is recommended that physician practice owners review exclusion criteria for this requirement to determine whether they need to register their practice. Here’s an excerpt:

Sole or partial physician practice owners need to report basic information about themselves to a division of the U.S. Department of Treasury this year to comply with the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA).

The CTA, passed in 2021, is intended “to make it harder for bad actors to hide or benefit from ill-gotten gains through shell companies or opaque ownership structures.”The law requires certain domestic and foreign LLCs, corporations, and other entities to file information about individuals who directly or indirectly own or control companies registered to do business in the United States. Business owners, including physician practice owners, must report beneficial ownership information (BOI) to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) at https://boiefiling.fincen.gov/ or via select third-party providers. Companies established before Jan. 1, 2024, must report their info before Jan. 1, 2025. Companies registered this year must report their information within 90 days of receiving their notice of registration.

Read the full article.

Clinical Pearls: Call for Submissions

Medical Acupuncture, the official journal of the AAMA, publishes an interactive section called Clinical Pearls in each issue of the journal. The editors are seeking details about how you treat groin pain in adult patients with acupuncture and/or Chinese herbs for possible publication in the next issue of the journal. Please submit your 500-750 word contribution online at our Manuscript Submission Site by June 30, 2024. Learn more.

Buy AAMA “Merch” Now in Our New Online Shop!

To show your AAMA pride and support, we invite you to pick your favorite items and purchase them today. A portion of each sale directly supports the AAMA and the programs you have come to appreciate. Show off your AAMA spirit whether it is at home, in the hospital/office or on the go. Watch the video below then go shopping here: https://medicalacupuncture.org/shop/swag-shop/

AAMA Webinar – Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Acupuncture Treatment Approach

Presented by Norman Zavela, MD, FAAMA

Wednesday, June 26, 2024
8:00 pm ET/ 7:00 pm CT /5:00 pm PT
1-hour educational event from the AAMA

This presentation will provide treatment options from an acupuncture perspective for a patient with carpal tunnel syndrome after a review of the anatomy of the arm including the nerve pathways. Carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms and other treatment options will also be presented. Acupuncture meridians and points will be presented in relation to various acupuncture approaches. Learn more and register.

REMINDER: Treating Musculoskeletal Pain & Dysfunction Without Drugs And Surgery

Treating Musculoskeletal Pain & Dysfunction Without Drugs And Surgery: Integrating Dry Needling, Osteopathic Manipulation And Manual Muscle Testing 
Saturday October 5-6, 2024 (14.5 HRS OF TRAINING)
Ann Arbor, MI

Presenters: Dr. Joseph Audette and Dr. Jay Sandweiss

Drs. Audette and Sandweiss will present a highly effective approach for diagnosing and treating common musculoskeletal problems such as: tennis elbow, golfer elbow, rotator cuff syndrome, carpal tunnel syndrome, knee pain, ankle pain, neck, hip and back pain. Attendees will learn to integrate osteopathic manipulation, dry needling and manual muscle testing. Learn more.

NIH Back Pain Researchers Note Previous Experience with Acupuncture in Study Participants

Many older adults who participate in acupuncture research may have prior experience with acupuncture, according to an analysis of data from the BackInAction trial. The finding has implications for the design and conduct of future pragmatic clinical trials involving acupuncture. BackInAction, an NIH Collaboratory Trial, is testing strategies for the delivery of acupuncture to older patients with chronic low back pain. Learn more.

Volunteer to Serve on the AAMA Board of Directors and/or Committees

Committee volunteers are welcome year-round. The Board of Directors holds elections in the spring each year, when Directors and Officers are chosen by the members to guide the Academy for the following year. If you are interested in being considered for a committee this year or a seat on the Board of Directors next year, please reach out and let us know. We welcome your inquiry! Learn more.

Are You Following Us?

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

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/american-academy-of-medical-acupuncture/about/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/AAMAcupuncture
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AAMAmedicalacupuncture/
• Instagram: @aamacupuncture

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