AAC Members, select ALUMNI for your discount. Code is active Jan. through Feb. 20

Note - Go to tickets, then promo codes and select your discount code.

Hurry, seats are limited and this offer expires to Feb. 20, 2023 12:00 am PST.

All the best,

Matt Callison and the PSOAS Team
AcuSport Education

Contact Us
917.880.9230

Want to bring an exciting, lucrative and sought-out specialty into your acupuncture practice?

Integrative Microneedling for Acupuncturists
IN-PERSON Seminar

When: September 10th and 11th, 9:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

 Where: Southwest Acupuncture College in Boulder, CO 

 Taught by: Amelia Vargas, L.Ac., LE & Diana Horowitz, L.Ac.

 Earn: 14 NCCAOM CEU's

Cost: $695 (AAC member discounts below)

LEARN HOW TO:

• Provide microneedling to your patients in a safe, effective and holistic manner guided by the principles of Eastern and Western medicine.

• Artfully integrate microneedling into your aesthetic acupuncture practice or as a stand-alone service.

• Manage patient expectations, compare microneedling devices, effectively market this specialty, identify appropriate skincare products, navigate legalities and more…

• Skillfully provide microneedling through hands-on practice time. Class size is limited to 16 participants, allowing for ample personalized guidance. 

TAKE HOME:

• A dermaroller and dermastamper to practice with on yourself.

• Detailed seminar notes and essential customizable forms for your practice.

• Access to EastWest Microneedling's private facebook group for ongoing instructor and community support.

• Discounts on a motorized microneedling device.

• Discounts and samples of Blue Poppy's ReDerma Vive's TCM-based skincare line, and JL Essencials CBD-based skincare line.

 EastWest Microneedling, LLC is proudly sponsored by Blue Poppy, Procell Therapies and JL Essencials. 

“I took EastWest's Integrative Microneedling seminar with Diana and Amelia... My patients are amazed at how great their skin is looking when I combine microneedling with my new device into their cosmetic acupuncture treatments!...I have not spent any time marketing and within three months I have already paid for the cost of the class, the microneedling device and turned a profit...I highly recommend taking this class! ” R.R. Acupuncturist, Colorado

****************************************************************************************************************************

Integrative Microneedling for Acupuncturists
ONLINE COURSE

Can’t make EastWest’s in-person seminar? No worries. Learn ALL the above in our online course, at your own pace and from the comfort of your home. 

EastWest’s Online Learning Experience Includes:

• 11 NCCAOM CEU’s.

• Detailed videos of our protocol in action, review questions after each chapter to reinforce memory retention and a final exam. 

• Opportunities to participate in upcoming supervised online practicums with the instructors.

• Detailed seminar notes and essential customizable forms for your practice.

• Access to EastWest Microneedling's private facebook group for ongoing instructor and community support.

• Discounts on a motorized microneedling device.

• Discounts and samples of Blue Poppy's ReDerma Vive's TCM-based skincare line, and JL Essencials CBD-based skincare line.

• Cost: $487 (AAC member discounts below)

 “This online CEU course was one of the best I have participated in, and I've been in practice for 17 years. The material was advanced, the teachers were very knowledgeable and they presented the information in a digestible way. I will be able to take what I learned into my practice with confidence.”  - C.H. Acupuncturist, January 2022

AAC Member Discounts:

“Refer-An-Acu”: Refer a colleague who registers for our in-person course, and receive 50% off of your registration cost! This offer expires on August 3rd, 2022, and cannot be combined with any other offers. Email us at eastwestmicroneedling@gmail.com for the discount code and to let us know whom you referred to us. 

OR

AAC Practitioner Members: use code aac10 for a 10% discount on the in-person or online seminars.

AAC Advanced Students (3rd year): use code aacstudent20 for a 20% discount on the in-person or online seminars.

Bio: 

In 2015, Amelia Vargas, L.Ac., LE, and Diana Horowitz, L.Ac. discovered and started practicing motorized microneedling in Colorado. As facial rejuvenation acupuncture specialists both trained in The Wakefield Technique^TM, they strongly shared a belief in supporting a patient’s constitutional wellbeing during any aesthetic acupuncture process. They are long-time advocates for an acupuncturist’s right to practice microneedling, and joined the Acupuncture Association of Colorado’s Board as Co-Chairs of the Microneedling Task Force in 2016.  

Amelia and Diana’s passion for microneedling education propelled them to create and teach the most comprehensive microneedling course of its kind for acupuncturists. Their purpose is to help acupuncturists to successfully, and with integrity, bring an exciting, fulfilling and lucrative speciality into their acupuncture practices. 

7/6/22

LET THE SPINE BE YOUR GUIDE:

AN INTRODUCTION TO BACKUPUNCTURE

With Ben Hawes

8 PDAs (NCCAOM Approved)

PDA Course #: PDA-9238-1

Saturday, October 16, 2021

Back by popular demand!

Backupuncture® is a system of combining distal points with manual palpation of the spine and meridians for quickly and accurately diagnosing and treating issues relating to vertebral misalignments through any system of distal acupuncture. Distal access of the spine allows for movement and palpation of the injured or diseased area during treatment, thus providing immediate feedback, and learning to diagnose misalignments distally can allow for treatments in cases where the spine is inaccessible, such as the bed or wheelchair-bound, or simply in cases where it is easier to treat supine. Conversely, learning to associate shifts in the spine with the use of distal points found by palpation enhances palpatory skills on acupuncture meridians, and provides immediate feedback to stimulation of points.

This will be a small (12 participants or fewer), intensive hands-on class.

Course Objectives:

Upon completion of the course, participants will be able to

·      Correctly palpate misalignments of the spine

·      Correlate spinal misalignments with distal points and then palpate the resultant change in the spine after needling the distal points

·      Correctly palpate points along the mirrored meridian indicating misalignments both to diagnose and treat them

·      Employ multiple distal point systems for use in correcting misalignments

Location: Backupuncture of Denver, 925 S. Niagara St., Suite 418, Denver CO 80224

Cost: $200 by Sept. 30th ($180 for AAC members) , $250/$225 Oct. 1st until Oct. 15th

Register: Please register below. After you submit, you will be redirected to a payment screen. Contact Ben at info@backupuncture.com or 720-370-2711 if you have any issues or questions.

REGISTER HERE

**Due to Covid-19 concerns, all participants must be able to show proof of full vaccination. Mask use will be optional unless required by local, state or federal mandates at the time of the class.

Ben Hawes is a graduate of Brown University (1996) and the New England School of Acupuncture (MAOM: 2001). He has been practicing in rural Southwest Colorado since 2003 and Denver since 2017. Ben has studied Kyojung Korean Physical Manipulation, has been practicing distal styles (Master Tung and Richard Tan’s Balance Method) since 2007, and completed an 18 month internship in Japanese Acupuncture with Jeffrey Dann, PhD in 2016. He is a former faculty member of CSTCM.

Besides acupuncture, he has studied craniosacral therapy with Pat Cunningham, LAc, has been a long-time student of shamanic healing practices with John Myerson, PhD, LAc, and has been an instructor of Zen and pain-relief meditation since 1995.

NCCAOM PDA Provider #9238

Backupuncture® is a registered trademark of Benjamin Hawes and Backupuncture LLC.

8.24.21

Happy 2021 and the upcoming Year of the Ox!

This newsletter finds the AAC Board of Directors and committees working hard to make the upcoming year impactful and productive for acupuncturists as we enter in the heart of our Practice Act process.  We are looking for acupuncturists who would like to volunteer on our subcommittees and for one volunteer to sit on our Legislative committee.  If you have interest, please contact a board member or email info@acucol.com.

Please read through the rest of the newsletter for more useful information.  Happy New Year!

Kacey Wardle, L.Ac.
President, AAC Board of Directors

Vaccine Update

Most counties have included acupuncturists specifically in phase 1B with other healthcare who regularly come within 6ft contact with patients. There is some confusion around acupuncturists getting vaccines in Phase 1B. So please be patient with county health departments and vaccine providers.  Once you have an appointment, make sure you bring your license.

In general, we are finding that you can check with pharmacies at both Safeway and King Soopers and make appointments (be patient and check back often, spots seem to open up fairly randomly). We have also heard of many people successfully emailing their county health departments and giving the name of their clinic and requesting vaccines.  Boulder County seems to currently not allow acupuncturists or massage therapists to receive the vaccine. We are very aware of this and working on it.  

Acupuncturists in counties that are giving us a hard time have in most cases found if they just go to the Safeway or King Soopers pharmacy and search for available spots, the acupuncturists are being given the vaccine.

.https://mhealthcheckin.com/covidapptfbclid=IwAR0BFeg_eP_FdBF8O4ByAVOJh3bhsMhvRnQwdPkd3p14Tj4fCe8WZZgAI7w 

AND

https://www.saludclinic.org/covid-vaccine

If you still have trouble, here is the link to the CDPHE documenting professions who should be in Phase 1A and 1B.  While acupuncturists and chiropractors are not listed specifically, it clearly states that this is just a guideline and not all professions who should be vaccinated are included.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/19HVTM3NYiSoaKvKFwSzxYrcnjzqL14KjzOn4tx0SHlU/edit

CDC, State and County Guidelines on Known Exposures at Clinics

We are receiving more and more reports of health clinics (not necessarily acupuncture clinics) giving incorrect information to patients after a known exposure.

While we acknowledge it can be very confusing and personal, there are clear guidelines that must be followed if you, as a healthcare professional, becomes infected.  Please know what your county is recommending.  Here are the current State and CDC recommendations:

https://covid19.colorado.gov/workplace-outbreak-guidance

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/testing.html

Thank you for keeping you and your patients safe. Acupuncturists in general are doing great.  We must be extra cautious, not only to keep all our patients and families safe, but also because this is the year of our Practice Act and Scope of Practice Review.  If one of us messes up, it could reflect on all of us and possibly result in more onerous reporting and infection control being included into law for us.

Legislative Update:

The initial report to DORA to begin the review stage of our Practice Act was submitted the past Monday.  We will now meet with both acupuncture stakeholders (acupuncturists, schools, and national organizations) as well as external stakeholders to get feedback.  DORA will be doing the same.  Please stay tuned for specific updates. Again, we are looking for member volunteers. If you have interest please contact the AAC.

Additionally we are working on getting acupuncturists who are qualified to do injections to get on the list to be cross trained to give vaccines.  This has been a challenge but we are making progress.  So please be patient if this is something you would like to do or contact the AAC if you would like to work on this.

The CO Secretary of State recently announced an Additional Paycheck Protection Program Resources Available for Colorado Businesses

The U.S. SBA recently re-opened the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) for new borrowers and certain existing PPP borrowers. Updated PPP guidance outlining Program changes to enhance its effectiveness and accessibility was released on January 6 in accordance with the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Non-Profits, and Venues Act.

The first step in accessing these forgivable loans is to prepare the materials necessary to apply. That includes confirming your eligibility, gathering the necessary records (payroll, rent, utilities, tax and bank records) and estimating the eligible amount of your forgivable loan.

For additional details on the Paycheck Protection Program’s forgivable loans and a comprehensive list of state and federal resources available for Colorado’s businesses, visit https://oedit.colorado.gov/covid19#ppp. Please check the website frequently, as the Colorado Office of Economic Development & International Trade will be making updates as a hotline and new information becomes available. 

The next Board meeting is this coming Sunday, January 24th at 10 am.

Register in advance for this meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYpfuyqrDoiGdE6jw8LKjBFpKjHhR1kmQ1c 

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Thank you to everyone’s ongoing support in the King Sooper’s Community Reward Program! Every little bit counts.

If you don’t know, you can earn money for the AAC when you use your loyalty card at King Soopers or City Market. You, your family, and your friends can all help raise money for the AAC just by doing the shopping you already do

Register your rewards card from King Soopers or City Market to the AAC Non-Profit Organization (NPO, number AP717), and the AAC will earn cash for purchases. As you can se above, the AAC has earned over $400 in the last quarter!

It only takes a few moments to set it up. Here’s how:

Onlin

• Sign into your Kings Soopers/City Market account. New users please create an account.

• Look for King Soopers Community Rewards (or City Market) selection under the MENU > SAVINGS> KING SOOPERS COMMUNITY REWARDS tab.

• Search for the Acupuncture Association of Colorado either by name or AP717 and click enroll. 

Phone app

• Sign into your Kings Soopers/City Market account on the phone app.

• Tap the 3 bars menu tab on the upper right. Tap Rewards. Tap Community Rewards.

• Follow the instructions for enrollment. Search for the Acupuncture Association of Colorado either by name or AP717 and click enroll.

Easy-peasy. It’s free money for the AAC that doesn’t cost you anything.

The AAC thanks you!

For any questions contact the AAC at 303.572.8744 or email info@acucol.com

Our mission is to advance the profession of Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine as an integral component of health care in Colorado.

Message from the President:

As we move into the fall season, I hope everyone takes time for appreciation for the unexpected changes as well as some acknowledgment of sadness for some of the missed experiences and loss of the year.

As an organization it’s been a year of change and movement.  I am so impressed with all the acupuncturists who have volunteered so much time, mental energy and thoughtfulness into growing our profession.   We are lucky to have such caring and passionate people in our profession.  I for one, look forward to the growth we can bring in the next few years.

We have lots going on, so as always read carefully, there is LOTS of info this month on member benefits to help you and your practice near the end of the newsletter.

Membership should have its benefits ;).  

In appreciation,

Kacey Wardle,  L.Ac

AAC Board of Directors, President

DORA sent out a notice recently regarding a Virtual Permanent Rulemaking Hearing for the Director to consider adopting new and revised Rules 1.1, 1.2, 1.12, and Appendix B to implement Colorado House Bill 20-1326 (Endorsements/Creation of an Occupational Credential Portability Program), and Colorado Senate Bill 20-102 (Patient Disclosures Regarding Sexual Misconduct) to be held on Thursday, October 1, 2020, at 2:00 P.M. (MDT). 

You can attend and make comments. The board has put together written comments before these final rules were published about current NCCAOM exams and board certifications. This is standard procedure for rule changes.  If you or any acupuncturists have issues with DORA dropping the requirement of certification, and only requiring NCCAOM exams along with appropriate schooling, then you are able to testify or give DORA written comments on why.

As of now, the AAC board is remaining neutral on the new proposed rule as it seems inline with new law and still maintains safety for our patients.

In an effort to represent the diversity of our profession, learn about career satisfaction and create opportunity by promoting the highest standards of professional practice, the ASA would like your input. 

Please take the survey (approx 15 min to complete & chance to win $25 gift card).

The annual AAC conference will be:

April 17-18, 2021 

Marriott Westminster 

Key Speaker: Lillian Bridges

Please mark your calendars.  We hope you will be able to join and learn. It is currently scheduled in person. We are committed to keeping everyone safe and will keep this in mind in planning for this conference.

Thank You Volunteers & More Opportunity

We had a few volunteers step up for the 2021 Conference and we are so excited! Sara Lohmeyer with help from Piper Mullins (thank you both!!) will lead the committee.  

The annual conference is the biggest fundraiser for the AAC as well as a chance for our acupuncture community to come together.  With the sunset review coming up, we can use all of the help and participation we can get. 

Please consider volunteering. Email info@acucol.com to let us know you’d love to help out!

We are also looking for members who are interested in stepping into leadership roles in fundraising, membership, and legislation. If taking a more active and vocal role in the AAC appeals to you please email info@acucol.com and we will put you in touch with the right person. 

Good News!  

Based on ASA Insurance Committee inquiries, Triwest informed us yesterday that the "VA responded with authority for TriWest to remove the mid-level provider reduction required by Medicare." For dates of service of 9/1 and after, TriWest will be paying 100% of Medicare rates and NOT applying the 15% reduction for acupuncture claims. However, they did not provide information about whether they would reimburse claims reduced prior to 9/1 or follow up on our other claims processing concerns as of yet. We will keep you posted as we find out more! 

ICD-10 Changes Go Into Effect October 2020

ICD-10 Changes going into effect Oct. 2020 - please read this article from Acupuncture Today for more info!

New CPT Code for Additional Supplies: 99072

With COVID still very much active, CMS has released a new code that can be billed during this public emergency. The code is 99072 and it is used for additional supplies and time for cleaning.

99072- Additional supplies, materials, and clinical staff time over and above those usually included in an office visit or other non-facility service(s), when performed during a Public Health Emergency as defined by law, due to respiratory-transmitted infectious disease.

This code can be billed once per visit and the average charge is anywhere between $10-$20.

Spam alert

Some AAC members have received some phishing scams. The AAC has not been hacked and no accounts have been compromised. 

Emails listed on the AAC website are public. AAC members can choose whether or not to share your email on the website.  If you wish to update your privacy settings you can go to this link to get help in doing so: https://gethelp.wildapricot.com/en/articles/147#by

If you choose to share your email on the website, then it runs the risk of being picked up by spammers now and again. Please always be mindful of emails that look suspicious. Keep in mind that if your email is not public, your contact information would not be visible to someone looking on our site for an acupuncturist.

UPCOMING 

5-Day Private Sale 

for ALL AAC Members

October 26 – 30, 2020

20% OFF + FREE SHIPPING 

AT LHASAOMS.COM

ACTIVE MEMBERS:

Mark your calendars & check your inbox

for a special promo code

  NON-MEMBERS:

Join AAC today & get access to this

Private Sale

Lhasa is offering a one-time 20% discount with free Ground Shipping to AAC members.   There will be some exclusions to the discount such as:  KPC Herbs, Golden Flower Chinese Herbs, Mayway Herbal Products, Massage Tables, Chair & Stools, Monthly Specials and Outlet Deals.   All orders with the promo code will get free Ground Shipping and orders over $250 will qualify for our Fast & Free 2-Day Delivery.   

Encourage your acupuncture friends who aren’t AAC members to join the AAC and they can also get the sale price!

Earn money for the AAC  when you use your loyalty card at King Soopers or City Market.

You, your family, and your friends can all help raise money for the AAC just by doing the shopping you already do.

Register your rewards card from King Soopers or City Market to the AAC Non-Profit Organization (NPO, number AP717), and the AAC will earn cash for purchases.

It only takes a few moments. Here’s how to do it:

Online

• Sign into your Kings Soopers/City Market account. New users please create an account.
• Look for King Soopers Community Rewards (or City Market) selection under the MENU > SAVINGS> KING SOOPERS COMMUNITY REWARDS tab.
• Search for the Acupuncture Association of Colorado either by name or AP717 and click enroll. 

Phone app

• Sign into your Kings Soopers/City Market account on the phone app.
• Tap the 3 bars menu tab on the upper right. Tap Rewards. Tap Community Rewards.
• Follow the instructions for enrollment. Search for the Acupuncture Association of Colorado either by name or AP717 and click enroll.

Easy-peasy. It’s free money for the AAC that doesn’t cost you anything.

The AAC thanks you!

For any questions contact the AAC at 303.572.8744 or email info@acucol.com

Mark your calendar: the next Board meeting is October 18th.

Board meeting will be virtual, look out for the zoom link to register.

Stakeholder Meetings for Sunset Review

This past month The AAC held the first of its internal stakeholder meetings for our upcoming Sunset Review. Becky Burgess, LAc of Urban Herbs in Avon hosted a group of AAC members from the Vail Valley, Carbondale and Paonia. The AAC board was represented by President, Liz Spetnagel and the AAC lobbyist, Lara Lee Hullinghorst. Please keep an eye out for announcements of upcoming opportunites to attend a stakeholder meeting near you! We will also be hosting a meeting via ZOOM to accommodate who might not be able to make their local meeting.

Here is some great feedback from the Colorado Acupuncture Group on Facebook from fellow practitioners who attended the stakeholder meeting in Vail Valley. 

“Today I attended the first stakeholder meeting for the Acupuncture Association of Colorado, which was held for the practitioners in Summit through Garfield counties.

I wanted to hop on here and encourage everyone to attend their respective stakeholder meetings. It was incredibly informative and productive.

I received a better understanding of the importance of the upcoming Sunset Review on our Practice Act. I feel strongly that our lobbyist, Lara Lee Hullinghorst, is more than qualified. She has a thorough understanding of the political process, a strong alliance to acupuncture, and is well-connected within our legislation to make sure we are doing a better job at protecting our profession over the next 10 years.

I was also given some tactical resources- like who I should be contacting in my area and the best way to raise awareness, issues, and garner support from local legislators.

Please join the AAC and show your support for the folks that are voluntarily working their butts off on our behalf!! And definitely show up to your stakeholder meeting- they are listening!”

-Becky Burgess

 “I was there as well, and want to second Becky's experience. It was informative, illuminating and ultimately empowering. Most of us are very busy, so taking a couple hours away from work or recharge time can be low on your priority list. Make the time and get to know what we can and cannot expect. Every single one of us that attended got more out of it than we expected!”

-Kellie Krasovec

 AAC Board Meetings

Speaking of meetings, please check our website for the dates, times, agendas and call-in information for upcoming AAC Board meetings.

June ended with Liz Spetnagel, DAOM; Mark VanOtterloo, DAOM; and Tuesday Wasserman, DACM. representing the AAC in Vermont at the Society for Acupuncture Research Conference. SAR (https://www.acupunctureresearch.org/) is an important organization for anyone interested in being aware of and participating in, the most current research around our profession. The topic of this conference, “Acupuncture Research, Health Care Policy, & Community Health...Closing the Loop”, provided extremely useful information as the AAC moves forward in our work with the Opioid and Other Addictive Substances Interim Committee this summer in Denver where we will be represented by Tuesday Wasserman, DACM.

______________________________________________

Please Support Our Advertisers!

Message from the President

Dear Acupuncture Advocates,

Dry Needling: As I write this the proposed Physical Therapy Practice Act renewal bill (HB18-1155) bill is still in the Senate Health & Human Services Committee and we await their vote on Thursday. We will continue to update you on the bill’s progression and interpretation.

As we previously informed you, with barely 24 hours’ notice, the PT Board added an amendment to HB18-1155 in the House HHS Committee to add “dry needling” to their scope of practice. The move makes clear that they are concerned about our legal challenge to Rule 211, which is before the Colorado Court of Appeals, and are attempting an end run around the judicial process. The bill passed the House, but we managed to have 14 people testify to the Senate Health & Human Services Committee to help educate them on the public safety dangers of a physical therapist, with no formal training in the use of acupuncture needles, starting a weekend course on Friday and by Monday beginning to insert acupuncture needles as deep as 6 inches into patients who have no understanding of the risks of such limited training. This issue and the legislative process are incredibly complex, and timing is often unpredictable.  As the bill continues to make its way through the legislature our lobbyist is doing his best to impress upon legislators the importance of protecting the public.

We have let the legislature know that at least 34 patients—including at least three patients in Colorado—have suffered serious adverse events caused by physical therapists performing dry needling. We continue to hear reports of injured patients in Colorado from both our change.org petition and social media. The injuries that are citable are shared with the National Center for Acupuncture Safety and Integrity (NCASI) so that injury reports are tracked. The three cited injuries on NCASI’s website for Colorado are: (www.acupuncturesafety.org)

• Case 1. In November 2013, 17-year-old professional freeskier Torin Yater-Wallace suffered a penetrating right lung injury caused by a physical therapist performing dry needling. The penetrating right lung injury resulted in a traumatic pneumothorax (an accumulation of air in the pleural cavity resulting from blunt or penetrating chest injury and causing lung collapse). He was treated for the traumatic pneumothorax at the emergency department of the St. Anthony Summit Medical Center in Frisco, Colorado, and was admitted to that hospital on the same day. The traumatic pneumothorax required medical and surgical intervention. He was hospitalized for five days.

• Case 2. In April 2015, 36-year-old senior recruiter Amanda Hilton suffered a penetrating left lung injury caused by a physical therapist performing dry needling. The penetrating left lung injury resulted in a traumatic pneumothorax. She was treated for the traumatic pneumothorax at the emergency department of the Good Samaritan Medical Center in Lafayette, Colorado, and was admitted to that hospital on the same day. The traumatic pneumothorax required medical and surgical intervention. She was hospitalized for three days.

• Case 3. In June 2015, 41-year-old clinical social worker Lisa Kerscher suffered a penetrating lung injury caused by a physical therapist performing dry needling. The penetrating lung injury resulted in a traumatic pneumothorax. She was treated for the traumatic pneumothorax at the emergency department of the Rose Medical Center in Denver, Colorado. The traumatic pneumothorax required medical intervention.

Also, if you come across someone who has been injured by dry needling it is important to have them record a complaint to DORA through their website. They cannot call DORA nor can they send them an email. The complaint forms for DORA are found here: https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/dora/DPO_File_Complaint

Finally, please remember that dry needling is acupuncture in which an acupuncture point (a specific muscle or connective tissue site) that has become exquisitely tender, commonly known in the West as a trigger point, is punctured with an acupuncture needle (a fine needle of up to six inches in length) to cure, mitigate, treat, or prevent disease or other conditions, especially musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders, including musculoskeletal pain. The American Medical Association (AMA) states, “Dry needling is indistinguishable from acupuncture.” For your fellow Coloradan’s safety please remember how to describe what dry needling is to your friends, neighbors, colleagues, and patients. A weekend course of training in an invasive procedure is inadequate and represents a significant public safety concern that we have shared with the Colorado judicial and legislative branches.

Procuring Substances for Injection Therapy: We have continued to meet with our new director at DORA about making the necessary rules to allow acupuncturists to procure appropriate injectables. According to federal law many injectables considered compounded require a patient-specific prescription, and this is still hindering our ability to procure substances. We have continued to research if we will need to pass a bill to get prescriptive authority just for these substances. The lobbyist from the Colorado Medical Society will be arranging a meeting so that we may discuss with CMS how we can obtain the necessary prescriptive authority for the listed injectables. Our legislative committee will continue researching a possible bill giving us prescriptive authority with the goal of resolving our issues in procuring substances for injection therapy. We will continue to keep you apprised of our progress on this subject.

American Society of Acupuncturists: AAC Immediate Past President, Kimberley Benjamin, and I represented the AAC membership at the annual ASA meeting last month in Denver, Colorado. The meeting was very productive and we were able to collaborate with and learn from other state trade associations and national entities. For a full overview of the weekend’s events please visit https://goo.gl/EpsCVk.

The meeting was attended by 27 state associations represented by 41 delegates, as well as representatives from CCAOM, NCCAOM, AAPAS, and DVCIPM.  We had Skype/Zoom Meeting addresses by ANF and ACAOM, including a screening of the first segment of “Getting to the Point”– a new film by film maker Doug Dearth via the Acupuncture Now Foundation. Marilyn Allen and the American Acupuncture Council also sponsored a lunch program presenting information on ICD 11, which will include Traditional Medicine codes, and opened discussion for the potential for course development in orthopedic acupuncture. NCCAOM also presented a lunch program answering stakeholder questions. Our evening gathering was generously sponsored by Modern Acupuncture, and we had a valuable breakfast program sponsored by CM&F insurance looking at malpractice coverage options for the industry. We thank our general supporters as well, including Golden Flower Chinese Herbs, AcuClaims, Lhasa OMS, and Legendary Herbs. With help from these very generous sponsors, we completed a dense and meaningful agenda with fine spirit and strengthened collegial bonds. We are thrilled as well to announce that next year’s 4th annual ASA Council Congress will occur in conjunction with our first profession-wide national meeting in Washington, D.C.! Please keep your eyes open for more information (coming soon) on this industry-wide conference: “The State of Our Union: American Acupuncturists in U.S. Healthcare”. This will be a phenomenal event which will bring our industry into the national arena.

I hope to see you all at the conference April 21^st - 22^nd. As your industry trade association run by an all-volunteer board of directors, the AAC uses membership dues and conference income to maintain our efforts on your behalf, and we greatly need and appreciate your involvement and support. “Like” the Acupuncture Association of Colorado’s Facebook page for continued updates from the association and interesting news in the field of acupuncture.

Mark VanOtterloo DAOM
President, AAC Board of Directors
President@acucol.com
(720) 295-9323

_______________________________________________

Tuesday April 17^th is the Last Day to Register for the 35^th Annual AAC Conference!

Dear Colorado Acupuncturists:

The AAC volunteer Board of Directors has been working hard on behalf of Colorado Acupuncturists to educate legislators about the risks involved with Physical Therapists being able to perform acupuncture after attending a weekend course. We are making progress but WE NEED YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT.

Here are FIVE REASONS you should attend the conference April 21^st - 22^nd this year: 

1. Fundraising - The annual AAC Conference is our largest fundraising event for the year. The AAC is run by a group of volunteer Board Members who donate their time to further the profession of acupuncture in Colorado. We cannot do this without your support. Please consider contributing to this mission by attending the conference this year while obtaining 14 NCCAOM approved and CA (pending) CEU's.

2. Networking - this year we are inviting ALL Colorado Acupuncturists (members and non-members) to attend our Membership Mixer sponsored by Blue Poppy and KPC Products. Even if you are unable to attend the conference, please consider attending the Membership Mixer Saturday 4/21 starting at 6:30! This is a great way to network with other acupuncturists and chat with AAC Board Members. We only ask that you make a $10 donation to the AAC organization if you are a non-member. If you sign up for membership that evening the fee for the event will be waived. All mixer attendees receive two drink tickets for beer, wine, soda or bottled water, and there will be live music to enjoy!

3. AAC Annual Meeting - All Members of the AAC are welcome to attend the annual meeting on Saturday 4/21 from 12:30pm - 2pm. An update on our legislative efforts around Dry Needling will be included, and we have proposed By-laws changes to vote on (stay tuned for an email soon to come). Complimentary lunch will be provided to conference attendees. All others will be charged $25 if you would like to have lunch. Payment can be made at the registration table, but if you are not registering for the conference and would like to attend the meeting (with our without lunch) please notify me at Conference@acucol.com or (720) 460-0766 by Monday, April 16th.

4. Silent Auction - this will be the largest AAC Silent Auction to date. We have incredible donations this year including trips, sports memorabilia, artwork, acupuncture supplies, CEUs and more. Take advantage of these incredible donations from our conference sponsors by bidding on these items and donating to the AAC! (See more info below.)

5. Jeff Nagel, L.Ac., Dipl. Ac. (last but by no means least!) - People rave about his presentations and unique style of acupuncture, and he was one of our most highly requested presenters. Jeff's innovative approach to training and healing will make this event unlike any other you have you attended before.

DON'T MISS THIS EVENT! We have a fantastic venue and event planned and we want to see as many Colorado Acupuncturists come together as possible this year!
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Registration closes Tuesday, April 17th for this event on April 21st and 22nd, 2018 at the Westminster Marriott.

Jeff Nagel, MA, LAc, Dipl Ac. Jeff is trained in the 8 Branches of Chinese Daoist Healing Arts, Medicine, Internal Martial Arts & Life Sciences and is an experienced long-time practitioner.

His two-day seminar is entitled Healing Stress, Anxiety, Depression & Pain - Precursors to Disease in Your Practice & in Your Life (Classical Chinese Medicine Daoist Style Special Applications of Master Tung's Holographic).  14 NCCAOM PDA / California CEUs pending.

More about the Course:

Classical Chinese Medicine traditions raise the question: What causes and promotes health and vitality and not just dis-ease? Some of the most effective answers and solutions to this question will be covered in this class:

“7 parts patient lifestyle adjustment + 3 parts doctor’s treatment”

Teachings include:

·         How to cultivate Relax & Calm Down Qigong Breathing & Taiji Ruler Heart Calming Qigong for patients and practitioners.

·         Learn simple & effective methods of Acu-Touch Pulse for diagnosis & treatment.

·         Learn how to use internal-external herbal polarity-5 phase nutrition.

·         Learn practical clinical applications to diagnose and treat stress, anxiety, depression, PTSD and pain before dis-ease sets in using Master Tung's Acupuncture and the 5 Phase Organ-Meridians and 12 Attitudes Method.

·         Learn how to harmonize the emotions with Temporal Pulse Balancing, the “10 Essentials of Life” & Geopathic Medicine for stress, anxiety, depression, PTSD and pain.

These methods are practical and highly effective and can be implemented immediately in practice. The class will be taught through a combination of lecture, hands-on experience, and question and answer opportunities. Bring your most difficult case studies to class for group feedback and applied practical clinical applications.

Read more about Jeff, the conference and register here.

We are so excited for this conference, which will be a wonderful opportunity to connect with peers, get energized and learn amazing things. Register with a friend now and take advantage of buy one, get one half off discounts. I look forward to seeing you all there!

Kind regards,
Erika Schultz, L.Ac., Dipl. OM, ACN
Conference Chair, AAC Board of Directors
conferencecomm@acucol.com
(720) 460-0766

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Our Most Exciting Conference
Silent Auction Ever!

The AAC's 2018 Silent Auction offers you an array of items to boost your practice as well as your fun time. Are you planning a vacation? Be prepared to be wowed with local, national and international trips, and the best news is you get a great discount and at least 30% of the proceeds go to our Legal Fund! Are you a Colorado Sports Enthusiast? We have Autographed Sports Memorabilia available for you, too! Enjoy CEUs and certifications! Do you want to get your holiday gift shopping started? We have gift cards, handmade items and much, much more to choose from.  

Can't attend the full Conference this year? That’s ok! Join us at the Membership Mixer Saturday night starting at 6:30 to check out and bid on the Silent Auction items. If you cannot attend the mixer, but still would like to participate, you can request a list of the items via email at omwellnessllc@gmail.com, send bids to the same address and a volunteer will be in touch as the weekend bidding continues.

Yvonne Piper, DOM (NM), L.Ac., Dipl. OM
DirectoratLarge3@acucol.com,
Conference Committee
(720) 387-9522

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Activity Report 2018

This past year has once again been an incredibly busy one for your volunteer AAC board. We do our best to keep you up-to-date with our quarterly email newsletters. If you are a member and are not receiving our emails, please contact Office Manager Charissa Haines at info@acucol.com or call (303) 572-8744. If you have missed previous newsletters they are archived in the News/Classes tab of Acucol.com. As Mark mentioned above, many announcements, updates and interesting information are posted more rapidly on the Facebook page, so please “Like” the Acupuncture Association of Colorado’s Facebook page, click “Follow” (next to the “Like” button) and turn on notifications by hovering over the Following button until a drop-down menu appears and select “Notifications - On (Highlight Posts)”.

AAC board meetings: This year your volunteer board alternated 7 meetings between Denver and Boulder in addition to a few call-in meetings on timely actions. We have had board members from Fort Collins and as far afield as Colorado Springs and Buena Vista. Those who are not within driving distance may call in for the meetings which occur every 6-8 weeks. Please consider contributing to your profession by running for a board position as your help is needed! Last fall we were able to hold the first weekend board retreat in many years to train new board members, perform a S.W.O.T (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities & Threats) Analysis, set one- and five-year goals and refine our Mission: To advance the profession of Acupuncture and Traditional East Asian Medicine as an integral component of health care in Colorado. All AAC members are welcome to attend board meetings to witness and participate in the process of running the organization and working for our profession. Watch the AAC Facebook page for board meeting announcements and be sure to RSVP to hold your spot at the table.

Goals: While still dealing with paramount judicial and legislative issues, we are working hard on one of our most important one-year goals: to increase professional membership to 500 from 246 through outreach of the Membership, Conference, Fundraising, and PR committees. A robust membership is the only way our voices can be heard by policy makers and we can educate the public in a meaningful way. Five-year goals include having 50% of licensed acupuncturists in Colorado as professional members, hiring an Executive Director, Mandatory Insurance coverage - Medicare/Medicaid, and inclusion in CDC Pain Guidelines.

ch appreciated!

Linda Machol, L.Ac., Dipl. Ac.
Secretary@acucol.com
Secretary & Membership Chair, AAC Board of Directors
(720) 299-8278

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