Acupuncture Today cover art

Acupuncture Today

Acupuncture Today

By: Acupuncture Today
Listen for free

Acupuncture Today is the only national publication serving licensed acupuncturists and doctors of traditional medicine. It is the most complete resource for news and product information in this profession for 20+ years. AT reaches 30,000+ doctors and students of acupuncture and traditional medicine through our print and online editions each month.©2025 Acupuncture Today™ All Rights Reserved Politics & Government
Episodes
  • Mast Cell Activation Syndrome: Hiding in Plain Sight

    Mast Cell Activation Syndrome: Hiding in Plain Sight
    Jun 1 2026
    Often hiding in plain sight, Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) is a pervasive yet frequently overlooked condition affecting over 15% of the U.S. population. Its wide-ranging and seemingly disconnected symptoms—from skin rashes, hives, and digestive distress to tachycardia, brain fog, and sudden anxiety—make it a diagnostic chameleon, eluding even experienced clinicians. This article serves as a crucial guide for practitioners to bring MCAS onto their clinical radar. Mast cells, a type of white blood cell, are designed to release chemical mediators like histamine to fight pathogens. In MCAS, these cells become overzealous, triggered not just by genetics but predominantly by environmental factors like mold and pesticides, or chronic infections such as Lyme disease and long COVID. The result is a constant, inappropriate inflammatory response. Diagnosis can be challenging, as standard lab tests are difficult to time correctly. A simple clinical clue, however, is when a patient’s symptoms improve with over-the-counter antihistamines. Management requires a multi-faceted approach, starting with trigger avoidance and incorporating supervised fasting, detoxification protocols, and targeted supplements like quercetin and luteolin to stabilize mast cells. Acupuncture offers another powerful tool, with points like ST 36 and GB 34 helping to modulate immune function and calm the storm.
    Show More Show Less
    5 mins
  • Guarding the Essence

    Guarding the Essence
    Jun 1 2026
    One of the great strengths of Chinese medicine is its ability to identify and treat underlying deficiencies of qi, blood, and yin/essence. This article emphasizes a proactive approach to protecting these vital substances, especially in anticipation of draining seasons like the long, hot summers in Texas. Instead of waiting for depletion to set in, the focus should be on "guarding the essence" by building reserves ahead of time. It is far easier to generate qi and blood than it is to restore yin/essence, a deep foundational resource that declines insidiously. Practitioners must look beyond a patient’s subjective feeling of energy, which can be masked by stimulants, and use objective measures like tongue and pulse diagnosis to assess their true reserves. The cornerstone of guarding the essence lies in prioritizing quality sleep, which is literal medicine for rejuvenation. For patients who struggle, herbal formulas that calm a disturbed shen can be transformative. The patent medicine Bu Nao Wan is specifically highlighted for its ability to nourish blood, calm the mind, and clear phlegm that can cause mental malaise in the heat. This approach, combined with the vitality-building practice of qi gong, helps patients build resilience and face challenging seasons with strength and vitality.
    Show More Show Less
    5 mins
  • Protecting Jing in Modern Women (Pt. 1)

    Protecting Jing in Modern Women (Pt. 1)
    Jun 1 2026
    In classical Chinese medicine, jing, or essence, is the sacred foundation of life, governing our growth, fertility, and longevity. While traditionally, jing depletion was seen as a natural part of aging, a concerning new trend is emerging. Women in their 30s are now presenting with symptoms of essence depletion once reserved for much later in life. The relentless pace of modern society—fueled by chronic stress, disrupted sleep, and inadequate nourishment—is silently consuming this vital constitutional inheritance. Women arrive in clinics with deep-seated fatigue that sleep cannot fix, perplexing hormonal irregularities, and a pervasive sense of anxiety. This accelerated depletion often goes unnoticed in its early stages, manifesting as subtle shifts in menstrual cycles or a reduced resilience to stress. This article delves into the critical role of jing in women's physiology, particularly its connection to the Chong and Ren vessels. It identifies two primary clinical patterns of jing dysfunction: "Depletion-Dominant," common in high-performing women experiencing burnout, and "Obstruction-Dominant," often seen in metabolic conditions where essence is present but blocked. By learning to recognize the subtle early warning signs, practitioners can intervene, offering a chance to restore vitality and protect women's long-term health before serious disease develops.
    Show More Show Less
    9 mins
adbl_web_anon_alc_button_suppression_t1
No reviews yet