Clinical Trials in Chinese Herbology

Dao Dan Pai qigong exercises are a series of standing exercises that harmonize and balance the major energy channels of the body. First taught in the West by Taoist Master Share K. Lew, a Taoist monk from the Yellow Dragon Temple in the Lo Fo Shan mountains of Guangzhou, China, these exercises integrate movement with breath and posture to activate and balance qi.

In this session, you will learn about PEMF (Pulsed Electromagnetic Field) stimulation and how it can enhance acupuncture. PEMF has been extensively studied since World War II. Veterinarians working with racehorses were early adopters of this modality. The FDA approved the first non-invasive PEMF devices for human use in the 1970s. Interest increased when NASA research showed that PEMF therapy could alleviate the most common health problems experienced by astronauts, which also happen to be the most frequent complaints among terrestrial patients who come to PEMF therapy, including pain in muscles and joints, fatigue, insomnia, inflammation, impaired blood flow, and kidney stones among others. This presentation will provide an overview of mechanisms, theory, function, and benefits of PEMF. An overview of PEMF devices will also be provided.

Stroke is already prevalent in the US and increasing along with diabetes and other metabolic- and inflammation-related illnesses.  COVID-19 patients are at elevated risk of stroke and other neurological diseases, both during and after acute infection.  Dr. Citkovitz will discuss current best available research on these emerging health challenges, and what we as acupuncturists can do to help.

The increased utility of Chinese herbal formulations worldwide during the pandemic has spotlighted the use of herbal botanicals for treatment of Covid-19. The need for clinical trials is more important than ever to affect changes in health policy to encourage integration of herbal formulations into conventional care and insurance coverage. Understanding the role in clinical trials of relationship building, developing common goals and objectives, partnering, funding, and integrating with established biomedical research structure, methodology, and language is crucial. This talk will address special considerations regarding Chinese herbal botanicals in clinical trials conducted in the US, including a general overview of getting FDA approval for an Investigational New Drug (IND) study and addressing concerns about safety.

Dao Dan Pai qigong exercises are a series of standing exercises that harmonize and balance the major energy channels of the body. First taught in the West by Taoist Master Share K. Lew, a Taoist monk from the Yellow Dragon Temple in the Lo Fo Shan mountains of Guangzhou, China, these exercises integrate movement with breath and posture to activate and balance qi.

In this session, we will explore how to combine acupuncture and PEMF (Pulsed Electromagnetic Field) stimulation in order to enhance an acupuncture treatment outcome. PEMFs can stimulate acupuncture points and also enhances cellular and mitochondrial function. Introducing PEMF alongside acupuncture can improve clinical effectiveness. Applications range from optimization of general health and wellness to the treatment of serious injuries or pathologies. We will discuss how to plan integrated PEMF-Acupuncture treatments for different types of conditions by varying intensity, frequency, and duration. A range of PEMF devices will be demonstrated.

State board complaints against acupuncturists are on the rise. More comprehensive regulations have been put in place by licensure boards, and many acupuncturists are being caught unaware and uninformed. Learn about recent changes in regulations and how you can implement small changes that will add extra layers of protection for your practice. Discover simple tools for patient communication and different ways to approach informed consent among other strategies to protect you in an ever-changing landscape. A panel of experts in the field will share their real-life insights and answer your questions. Panelists include Marilyn Allen, Editor of Acupuncture Today and longtime leader in the profession; Galina Roofener, Cleveland Clinic Acupuncturist and NCCAOM advisory panelist; and Brandon Hoffman, American Acupuncture Council expert on risk management and ethics with Panel leader American Acupuncture Council’s Dr. Nell Smircina, DAOM, L.Ac., Past Chair of CSOMA and current American Society of Acupuncturists Board Member. Includes 2 Ethics credits required by NCCAOM (pending).

The elements of planning, protocol development, implementation, and the lessons learned in the multi-site MACH-19 study featured in the JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association) Newsletter are instructive for anyone considering clinical research with Chinese herbs. Challenges faced and solutions implemented at different stages of planning, development, carrying out the trial and its final completion will be discussed.  This seminar will examine relationship building and roles of team members including principal investigators, co-investigators, project manager, study coordinators, statistician, and herbal subject matter experts, as well as interaction with universities and outside organizations including the FDA and DEA.

In this session, Dr. Citkovitz will introduce key points on acupuncture for recovery and rehabilitation post stroke.  She will also present the full approach she uses for counseling patients on identifying and addressing risk factors for ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke, from both biomedical and East Asian medical viewpoints.  Participants will receive a full set of resources for office treatment and/or virtual counseling visits, for patients who wish to mitigate their risk due to previous stroke, COVID-19, or other factors.

This lecture will introduce the twelve-official physiology to the practitioner of Chinese medicine, as conveyed by Chapter Eight of the Suwen, "The Secret Compendium of the Miraculous Orchid.” It will provide an overview of the opening passages to that chapter looking at the original Chinese text and English translation. It will then delve into the etymology of selected lines, providing the student of Classical Chinese medicine with a window into the holotropic landscape of early Chinese medical writings. We will  explore the ways in which these insights illuminate the human body, health, and disease as dynamic, cybernetic systems. The presentation will include case studies to illustrate the use of twelve-official physiology to inform treatment planning, including the selection of herbal formulas, acupuncture points, and lifestyle guidance.