News & Classes

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.

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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

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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!
______________________________

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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Dry Needling Update, Conference, Dāo Needle Class & Other AAC News

Message from the President: Dry Needling & Injection Therapy Updates

Mark VanOtterloo

Dear members, friends and supporters:

On behalf of your volunteer board of directors, we are thankful for your support as we advocate for your right to practice Traditional East Asian Medicine (TEAM) in the state of Colorado and to advance the reputation of Acupuncture as a safe and effective healthcare option. We are informing the public and policy makers with an accurate and unified voice for the practice of TEAM as the use of holistic medicines continues to grow.

We are only as strong as our membership, so please spread the word to your fellow acupuncturists and supporters to join. The membership numbers and donations that we receive from you are the basis of our strength. If you are not yet a member, or your membership has lapsed, please take a moment now to join us.

Join Now

Dry Needling

I am excited to inform you that our lawyers have submitted to the court what we hope will be our final round of legal briefing in our lawsuit to overturn the Colorado PT Board’s rule authorizing dry needling. If we win, Colorado would become the first state to have an existing dry needling regulation legally overturned. We need your help today to raise the funding that we need to see this precedent-setting lawsuit through to the end. While we have already defeated the PT’s Board’s motion to dismiss our case, and also defeated the Physical Therapy Association’s motion to intervene in the case, our final hurdle is to win the court’s agreement that Colorado statute quite simply does not allow physical therapists to insert acupuncture needles. A big thank you to those of you who have already generously donated. If you haven’t yet had a chance, please take a minute now and make a contribution online to protect the safety of Acupuncture patients today and into the future. Also, see the article about the 15 CEU Dāo Needle Certification class later in this newsletter–part of the proceeds will benefit our Legal Fund.

Donate Now

Procuring Substances for Injection Therapy

From 1999 until 2014 acupuncturists were using DORA’s Director's Policy regarding what substances where permissible to use. While some substances were listed, it contained the line: "Injection therapy is the injection of sterile herbs, vitamins, minerals, homeopathics, or other similar-type substances into acupuncture points by means of hypodermic needles." Practitioners and pharmacies had some liberty with "other similar-type substances" when it came to ordering. Now that we are detailing all specific substances, we are running into the issue that specific types of injections that have been used for more than 15 years are now being denied access due to conflicts with Federal law.

In January of this year, we met with DORA regarding this subject and we are attempting to prepare a bill to add limited prescriptive authority to our practice act with the assistance of our new DORA Interim Program Director Abi Gaskins. We have also met with the Colorado Medical Society (CMS) Scope of Practice Subcommittee and are continuing to discuss with them language that will allow us to obtain these substances from FDA regulated outlets. We will continue to keep you apprised of our progress on injectables. Please “Like” the Acupuncture Association of Colorado’s Facebook page, click on “Follow” and turn on notifications by hovering over the “Following” button until a drop-down menu appears and select Notifications “All On”.

As always, thank you for your membership and continued support.

Mark VanOtterloo, DAOM, L.Ac., Dipl. OM
President, AAC Board of Directors
president@acucol.com
(970) 214-6683

Conference Chair Report: Last Call for Volunteers!

 Erika Schultz

This year we will be celebrating our 35th year of bringing Acupuncturists from Colorado and around the country together for learning and connecting. As your new Conference Chairperson I am excited to be leading the charge on this and have been impressed by the enthusiasm expressed by past conference attendees.

Mark your calendar for April 21^st - 22^nd, 2018 when Jeff Nagel, MA, L.Ac., Dipl. Ac. will be our presenter at the 35^th annual conference. Jeff is trained in the 8 Branches of Chinese Daoist Healing Arts, Medicine, Internal Martial Arts and Life Sciences. He is an experienced long-time practitioner, well-seasoned and generous teacher-researcher of AOM, and a Qigong cultivator and healer. People who have learned from Jeff in the past have raved about him, and he was very high on the list of requested instructors by last year’s attendees.

This is an excellent opportunity to get involved. The conference is one of our largest fundraising events all year and we have some even more exciting ideas for increasing these efforts. Do you want to be a part of it? Do you want to make a contribution to the future of acupuncture in your state?

This is our LAST CALL for committee volunteers. We are the verge of forming teams of people who will make an important contribution to this year’s conference. If you want to take part please text your name, email and phone number to me at (720) 460-0766 by Friday October 20th, 2017, and we will include you in our Kick-off Meeting to be scheduled this month.

We expect that his conference will be outstanding on every level, and are looking forward to having you join us.

Kind regards,

Dāo Needle Class November 11^th – 12^th in Boulder:
A New Style of Acupuncture and Acupuncture Needle
15 CEUs & A Portion of Class Proceeds
Will Benefit the AAC Legal Fund! 

Dāo Needle Therapy is a unique modality that bridges ancient east Asian techniques and modern biomechanical therapies. Its therapeutic basis lies in biomechanical tests to identify musculoskeletal, neuromuscular and fascial imbalances; patient positioning to allow better access to dysfunctional tissue and a more effective treatment; and dynamic palpation to evaluate mobility, motility, and mechanical threshold of tissue. A specialized needle is used to break up scar tissue, change the mechanical threshold of ashi points, remodel tissue and break the muscle energy crisis. Dāo Needle Therapy brings Traditional Chinese Medicine meridian therapy into a new era.

Diagnostic Testing

Participants will learn a variety of advanced musculoskeletal diagnostic tests such as muscle testing, range of motion, movement analysis, functional tests, and advanced dynamic palpation. Participants will explore how to identify, map, and use the fascial system and its corresponding meridians, while developing a deeper understanding of how ashi points can be used as a diagnostic guide and therapeutic meter. Practitioners of Dāo Needle Therapy use biomechanical and postural tests to identify and mark a patient’s ashi points.

Original Modality

After marking a patient’s tender points in a specific area, practitioners insert and quickly remove a specialized needle. It is common that 90% of ashi points will no longer be tender immediately after treatment. The remaining points that are still tender are then needled one more time. This result-driven technique resets neurological responses and restores function to muscles. Dāo Needle Therapy will change the way you see and treat pain. 

“I can honestly say that over the last 27 years of study and practice in this medicine, your training ranked high up on my list of all-time favorites. Your enthusiasm is contagious, your knowledge of the subject is broad and deep, and what’s impressive is how I feel after receiving Dāo Needle therapy. Often times, training can be superb, however devoid of real clinical results. This is definitely not the case with Dāo Needle Therapy! I would fully recommend your training series for any practitioner whether they have been in practice 2 days or 40 years."

- Greg Lane, DACM, LAC
Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine
Director of Clinical Services, Pacific College of Oriental Medicine
Completed San Diego Dāo Needle Course, 2017

A Unique Needle

Participants will learn the anatomy of the specialized acupuncture needle used in Dāo Needle Therapy. Its unique bevel edge allows for a different penetration into the skin. Similar to Biomedical Acupuncture, Dāo Needle Therapy creates a lesion in the soft tissue that then releases cytokine/chemokine and neuropeptides to initiate local acute inflammation, which activates local blood circulation. However, the needle penetration is very shallow compared to other acupuncture styles and is more focused on the fascial lines, ashi points (tender points), and their corresponding meridians.

Inventor and Instructor

Dāo Needle Therapy® was developed by Brian Bowen, L.Ac., CMT, PAS. He is the founder and owner of Integrative Health Inc., Dāo Needle Therapy®, and Outch Ointment.

During his 19 years in practice, Brian has specialized in musculoskeletal issues, collaborating with osteopaths, chiropractors, manual therapists and postural alignment specialists. He has studied neuro-muscular therapy, structural integration, myofascial release, active release technique, cranial sacral therapy, postural alignment therapy, functional movement repatterning, Dr. Tan method, dry needling, 5-Element and much more.

Please join us at the class and help us thank Brian for his generous offer to donate a portion of the proceeds of this class to the AAC Legal Fund!

Approved for 15 CEUs by NCCAOM and California

AAC Members receive 10% off registration. Discount code is on the Member Benefits page of Acucol.com.

(You must be logged in to see this page, which is under the Members tab of the Acupuncturists heading on the homepage. If you have trouble logging in, please contact Charissa at info@acucol.com (303) 572-8744.)

For questions about the class call (303) 577-9977 or email info@daoneedle.com.

Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (AOM) Day is October 24th! 

Want a FREE Professionally-Designed Press Release for your clinic?

AOM Day is a great opportunity to raise awareness and generate interest in your practice.  But it can only help you if you have the tools to maximize the opportunity.  One way to make the most of this national holiday is to submit a PRESS RELEASE  to your local news outlets to let them know how you are celebrating, such as with a special offer or event.  

I teamed up with Felicia Slattery, Business Communication Coach, to create a professionally designed Press Release Template for AOM Day for my clinic that we are offering absolutely FREE to AAC members.

Don’t miss this easy marketing opportunity!  Click here  (and be sure you’re logged in) to see the free AOM press release, and adapt it to your clinic's AOM Day offers or activities.  

(You must be logged in to see this page, which is under the Members/Membership Benefits tab of the Acupuncturists heading on the homepage. If you have trouble logging in, please contact Charissa at info@acucol.com or (303) 572-8744.)

There are more AOM Day marketing ideas available at http://aomday.org/get.html

We wish you a happy and successful AOM Day!

Erika F. Marie, L.Ac., Dipl. Ac.
Public Relations Chair, AAC Board of Directors
prchair@acucol.com
(720) 593-1593

Support Your “TEAM” by Getting Involved!

Your Volunteer AAC Board of Directors

Would you like to help further Traditional East Asian Medicine (TEAM) in Colorado? Join a committee! Several AAC committees are looking for members interested in helping us advance our profession. Have fun and support your all-volunteer AAC Board of Directors by joining a committee. For example, you could help coordinate the 2018 AAC Conference, assist with Fundraising, help increase Membership, or promote our profession through Public Relations. Contact Charissa, the AAC office manager at info@acucol.com with the subject line: "I want to help!" and she’ll get you to the right committee chairperson.

Call for Featured Guest Articles!

Do you write about Acupuncture or Traditional East Asian Medicine? Would you like to share your knowledge, drive traffic to your blog or clinic, and gain an online publication with us? Starting in January 2018, the AAC newsletter will be monthly instead of quarterly. Each month will include a “Featured Guest Article” written by one of our members. To submit an article, you must be a current dues-paying member of the AAC. To learn more, contact Erika F. Marie, Chair of Public Relations, at prchair@acucol.com with "AAC Featured Guest Article Submission" as your subject line.

Professional Spotlight: AAC PR Chair Presents at International CAM Meeting

Erika Fayina Marie, LAc., MSOM, Dipl. Ac., and AAC Public Relations Chair, traveled to North Carolina on September 18th, 2017, to present her scientific abstract for publication at the 5th International Meeting on Complementary and Alternative Medicine & Therapies. Her abstract and well-received breakout session, “Saving Organs and Restoring Lives with Integrative Medicine: The Treatment of an Infant with Diamond-Blackfan Anemia (DBA) and Her Mother with Immune Dysfunction and Kidney Failure,”  illuminated the power of an integrative approach for "unbelievable" clinical results. Erika specializes in autoimmunity and other complex conditions at her clinic, Chiyu Center, located in Longmont, Colorado. She is also a professional speaker and would be happy to speak to your group about how to practice truly remarkable integrative care. Reserve time on her clinic or speaking schedule by calling (720) 593-1593 or emailing erika@chiyucenter.com.

Would you like to be the next AAC member featured in our “Professional Spotlight?” Contact Charissa, the AAC office manager, at info@acucol.com with your spotlight submission of 150 words or less. Don’t forget to include a photograph along with your clinic and contact information! Submit via the body of your email with the subject line:  "Professional Spotlight".

The Fall Issue of Meridians Journal is Ready for Members!

The fall issue, v. 4 no. 4, of Meridians: The Journal of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine is now available for AAC members to read on our website! Digital issues of this peer-reviewed, Medline compliant journal are available free to you as a valuable benefit of being an AAC member. Log in to read the Fall issue. (After logging in, scroll down under the Acupuncturists tab to Members, then select Meridians Journal at the bottom of the menu at right.) Having trouble logging in? Contact Charissa at info@acucol.com or (303) 572-8744.

Thank You For Supporting Our Advertisers!

Dry Needling Update & Other AAC News

Message from the President: Dry Needling,
PT Board Review, Injection Therapy

Dear members, friends and supporters:

On behalf of your board of directors, we are thankful for your support as we continue to advocate as your voice to protect our right to practice Chinese Medicine in the state of Colorado. We continue to inform the public and policy makers on an accurate and unified voice for the practice of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine as complementary medicines grow. We are very thankful for your membership as we are aware that our profession in Colorado can only be as strong as our members. Please spread the word to your fellow acupuncturists and supporters to join. Your Acupuncture Association of Colorado is only as strong as our numbers of members and the donations that we receive from you.

Dry Needling: I have good news for you all– the judge denied CCAPTA's motion to intervene in our legal challenge to the Physical Therapy Board’s regulation allowing dry needling! This was the second positive ruling in our favor so far, following our first win that came when the judge denied the State Physical Therapy Board’s motion to dismiss our case. The case is proceeding and we appreciate those of you who have helped support the case through your donations. (Please see the special thank you further down in this newsletter.) We appreciate your continued support as this case progresses and further legal expenses are incurred.

Physical Therapy Sunset Review: As you may be aware, DORA has begun a sunset review of physical therapy. (For those who are not aware, a sunset review is an evaluation of a program or agency by its regulating body. It allows the regulating body to assess the effectiveness and performance of the program or agency and determine the need for its continued existence.) We are working to provide information as a part of this review relating to injuries that have occurred as a result of dry needling since we believe it is important that DORA has an accurate view of patient injury reports. If you are aware of injuries related to dry needling please let us know. Also, if you were not aware, DORA has an online form (below) for reporting any practitioner complaints.

Procuring Substances for Injection Therapy: We continue to work on obtaining the right to procure injectables following the passage of our injectables bill last year. The process has been long and intricate, involving several stakeholders and many meetings. This June we participated in a preliminary meeting with the Colorado Medical Society (CMS) Scope of Practice Subcommittee in order to further solidify our ability to procure injectable substances. We will continue to work with the CMS subcommittee to discuss with them the language that will provide more access for Colorado acupuncturists from FDA regulated outlets. We will continue to keep you apprised of our progress on this subject. Please “Like” the Acupuncture Association of Colorado’s Facebook page, click on “Follow” and turn on notifications by hovering over the “Following” button until a drop down menu appears and select Notifications “All On”.

As always, thank you for your membership and continued support.

Conference Report: Important Changes for 2018!

This year’s 34^thAnnual AAC conference with Kiiko Matsumoto was a big success with 137 attendees and 18 exhibitors. Post conference evaluations showed attendees were overall happy with the venue and food again this year. Some people had a hard time understanding Kiiko’s accent. We also experienced problems with the skills of the hotel’s camera crew who were projecting Kiiko’s demonstrations onto large screens. We are always doing our best to provide a quality experience for our attendees and continue to learn how to improve from year to year.

The plan for 2018 has changed, and we ask you all make note of this in your calendars. Due to scheduling conflicts at the Marriott, our conference will be held there on April 21^st-22^nd, 2018, not the following weekend as previously planned. Lonny Jarrett is not able to join us for the new 2018 dates as they fall on his 60^th birthday. The good news for Lonny Jarrett fans is that we have booked Lonny for 2019. The conference will remain at the Marriott Westminster and be held April 13^th-14^th, 2019.

We are excited to announce that our presenter for 2018 will be Jeff Nagel, MA, L.Ac., Dipl. Ac. Jeff is trained in the 8 Branches of Chinese Daoist Healing Arts, Medicine, Internal Martial Arts and Life Sciences. He is an experienced long-time practitioner, well-seasoned generous teacher-researcher of Acupuncture-Oriental Medicine and a Qigong cultivator and healer. Jeff has studied extensively with several well-known masters and doctors including Daoist Grand Master Share K. Lew, the 23^rd generation of the Yellow Dragon Monastery, China. He is designated as a practitioner and teacher by the AAAOM Pioneers & Leaders in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine acknowledging his contributions to the field.

He has taught at a number of state, national and international conferences. Jeff lives in San Diego, California, where he has a private practice and is the director of and a teacher with the Golden Dragon Health Association offering classes in Classical Chinese Medicine Daoist Style and Qigong around the U.S. and abroad. We expect that his seminar will be outstanding on every level, and look forward to having you join us.

In closing, I have greatly enjoyed my time volunteering for you as Conference Chair for the past four years. It has been my goal to add as much organization as possible to our conference planning so as to offer the best possible venue, education, socializing and networking experiences for you and to help move our medicine forward in Colorado. This year I have taken the position of Treasurer and am passing the baton to Erika Schultz. Please join me in welcoming her.

Kind regards,

treasurer@acucol.com
(303) 471-9355

_______________________________________________________

Meet the New Additions to the
AAC Board of Directors

Your AAC Board of Directors does the important work of keeping the organization running and working for all acupuncturists across the state. Board members are volunteers who must be current AAC members, are elected by the membership at our annual conference and serve for a term of three years. The board meets twice per quarter and alternates meetings between Denver and Boulder. A complete listing of our current board is listed on the Board of Directors page of the AAC website.

We are pleased to Introduce the new board members elected in April:

New Vice President, Liz Spetnagel, DAOM, LAc., is the lead acupuncturist for Centura Health Integrative Medicine. In addition to treating patients, she serves as an adjunct faculty member at the Family Medicine Clinic/Residency program at St. Anthony North Health Campus. Liz also practices at St. Anthony Hospital in Lakewood as part of the CHPG Breast Center. Liz is focused on expanding acupuncture accessibility for Centura patients, both inpatient and outpatient. Personal goals include creating opportunities for fellow East Asian Medicine practitioners as well as bringing options to mainstream medicine to address the crisis around pain management and opioid addiction. Liz hopes to utilize her skills and position in helping the AAC work towards legislation that would make acupuncture a covered benefit under Medicaid and Medicare.

New Secretary and Membership Chair Linda Machol, MSTOM, L.Ac., had a yoga and meditation background before becoming certified in Integrative Sports Medicine and pain management from Five Branches University. She also trained in China. Her other specialties include Skin Care and treating Infertility. She has two offices, one in Cherry Creek and one in DTC. Linda is an advocate for educating patients and western doctors to help them understand the very important role Asian Medicine and acupuncture can play in our healthcare model today. She believes this education must include that Asian Medicine addresses the whole body concurrently, treating both root and branch and including nutritional/dietary changes along with a blend western modalities for lasting results. Linda is very excited to be a part of realizing the AAC’s vision for Colorado.

New Conference Chair is Erika Schultz, LAc, ACN is passionate about helping people become empowered in their health through nutritional and acupuncture healing. She owns and operates two practices: Paramount Wellness in Denver, CO, and Lakeland Acupuncturist in Pinckney, MI. In Denver as the only advanced trained practitioner in a customized nutritional therapy called Nutrition Response Testing she specializes in identifying and addressing root causes of un-resolving chronic health conditions. In Pinckney, MI, her objective alongside two other associate acupuncturists is to make an impact on the increasing reliance on opioid medications by providing private and community style acupuncture treatments to the community. As Conference Chair, Erika hopes to increase knowledge, advocacy and comradery amongst acupuncturists in the state of Colorado.

New Public Relations Chair Erika Fayina Marie, L.Ac., Dipl. Ac., is a licensed acupuncturist in Colorado and Oregon, an Integrative Medicine Consultant, and a Traditional Usui Shiki Ryoho Reiki Master. At her Chiyu Center in Longmont she specializes in reversing auto-immunity and complex disease and restoring health of both adults and children. In patient care, Erika draws upon her training in Classical Chinese Medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tan-style Acupuncture, Kiiko Matsumoto Acupuncture, Five-Element Acupuncture, Naturopathic Iris Evaluation, Shonishin and more. She also holds certification in Constitutional Facial Acupuncture. Prior to her medical career, Erika graduated the United States Military Academy at West Point, where she earned a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Engineering Psychology in 2002. During this time, she designed, analyzed, and conducted multiple randomized-controlled trials. Erika is excited to spearhead important integrative medicine initiatives and promote the safety and proper regulation of acupuncture as a time-honored and effective medicine. 

New Board Member Sandi Lyman, Dipl. Ac., L.Ac. is the owner of MAI Acupuncture Clinic in Buena Vista, Colorado. Working in a rural area brings everything through the door: from 4th generation ranchers to couples looking to start a family. Specializing in digestive troubles, hormone balance, and pain management, Sandi loves helping the people of the High Rocky Mountain Region feel their best. Before studying acupuncture, Sandi worked for over 10 years in healthcare policy as a consumer advocate and communications specialist. She looks forward to using these skills to help the AAC to increase public interest and insurance coverage for acupuncture.

New Student Representative Cherron Dow-Chacon is a student in her last year at the Colorado School of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Denver. She eagerly awaits her graduation in the spring when she hopes to begin her work bringing this amazing medicine to women of all social and economic classes. Cherron received her BS in Physiology from the University of Arizona and has a unique background in western science and patient care. She joined the board as the second student member this year to assist the other wonderful student member, Brittany Chowning, and because she believes in the work the AAC is doing and thinks more students should get involved!

_______________________________________________________

A Special Thank you to Our Donors

The AAC is grateful to every single person who has donated time, effort and money to support our Legal Fund. Our endeavors to protect and further the safe and legal practice of acupuncture in Colorado would not be possible without all of us coming together and contributing however we can. We would like to recognize here a special group of donors who have generously supported us this year with Gold and Platinum donations. Every effort was made to contact donors for permission to use their names, so please forgive us if we somehow missed you.

 Platinum donors  $500+

Michael Lay - Uptown Acupuncture, Denver
Anonymous Donor – CSTCM, Denver
Anonymous Donor – Minneapolis, MN

Gold Donors $250+

Allison Suddard Briggs  - Performance Acupuncture, Evergreen
Andrew Maloney - Jade Mountain Health, Boulder
Carol LeCroy - Acupuncture Plus, Denver
Dayna Larson - Traditional Chinese Medical Clinic, Fort Collins
Karen Marks - Alpenglow Acupuncture, Wheat Ridge
Patty Polman - Jing Japanese Acupuncture, Denver

3­­ Anonymous Donors – Boulder
3 Anonymous Donors – Denver
Anonymous Donor – Broomfield
Anonymous Donor – Cedaredge
Anonymous Donor – Conifer
Anonymous Donor – Colorado Springs
Anonymous Donor – Littleton
Anonymous Donor – SWAC, Boulder

Big thanks also go out to the following members of the AAC Board of Directors who donated not only dollars, but also many hours of their time in calling acupuncturists across the state asking for support of the AAC and our Legal Fund:

Kimberley Benjamin, Brittney Chowning, Mark Costello, George Graf, Kristen Grayce McGary, Yvonne Piper, Scott Richardson, Robin Schiesser, Stephanie Shober, Mark VanOtterloo

Donate Now

_______________________________________________________

The Summer Issue of Meridians Journal is Ready for Members!

The summer issue, v. 4 no.3, of Meridians: The Journal of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine is now available for AAC members to read on our website! Digital issues of this peer-reviewed, Medline compliant journal are available free to you as a valuable benefit of being an AAC member. Log in to read the Summer issue. (After logging in, scroll down under the Acupuncturists tab to Members, then select Meridians Journal at the bottom of the menu at right.) Having trouble logging in? Contact Charissa at info@acucol.com or (303) 572-8744.

Meridians Journal Clinical Pearls Call for Submissions

Topic for the Winter 2018 Issue: How do you treat complex regional pain syndrome in your clinic?

Practitioners:  Please submit your short (approx. 500 words) Clinical Pearl on this topic by or before Nov 1, 2017. See the Meridians Journal website for details.

Thank you for supporting our advertisers!

Last Day to Register for Kiiko Matsumoto at the 34th Annual AAC Conference is Sunday, April 16th!

Stephanie Shober

Kiiko Matsumoto

Don't miss this opportunity to connect with more than 120 of your colleagues April 22nd - 23rd as we learn from world-renowned acupuncturist Kiiko Matsumoto. There are so many reasons to join in:

• The AAC is offering member registration fees at a steep discount compared to standard Kiiko Matsumoto classes. Our member regular rate is $300 where normal rates to learn from Kiiko range between $365 - $419!
• OR save even more money by registering with a friend. The Buy One Get One Half Price offer means getting 14 NCCAOM approved PDAs from this TCM master for only $225 apiece!
• The 2017 Exhibitor Hall has more Exhibitors than ever! Come see the latest TCM tools, technology, supplies and resources from eighteen organizations.
• AND, we have a game this year: Any attendee who visits every Exhibitor booth will be entered into a drawing to win a FREE CASE OF SEIRIN NEEDLES - a $100 value!
• Our venue, the beautiful Marriott Westminster, has a fresh farm to table kitchen. Each day attendees enjoy a complimentary, delicious soup and salad bar luncheon.
• Saturday Evening's Complimentary Wine and Beer Reception will be just as big a hit this year as it was last year!
• Dr. Dave's is back! Have fun bidding on several different Dr. Dave's tinctures at the Silent Auction table.

We are so excited for this conference, which will be a wonderful opportunity to connect with peers, get energized and learn amazing things. We will also be holding elections for the board of directors at our annual meeting on Saturday (see article below). I look forward to seeing you all there!

Kind regards,
Stephanie Shober, L.Ac., Dipl. OM
Conference Chair, AAC Board of Directors
conferencecomm@acucol.com
(303) 471-9355

Message from the President: Dry Needling, Injection Therapy, ASA National Organization

Dear members, friends and supporters:

If you’re already an AAC member, please make a special donation today and help support our efforts to enforce Colorado law! Many of you have already been generous in your donations and we thank you for your contributions.

Donate Now

If you’re not a member, please join the AAC today and stand with us in this important effort that will be closely watched across the United States. We are only as strong as the support we receive from our members and friends.

Procuring Substances for Injection Therapy: Following the passage of our injection therapy bill last spring we had many meetings with DORA about making the necessary rules. DORA did prepare and sign into effect a list of allowed injectable substances, rules for training and changes to the pharmacy practice act that were intended to enable us to purchase injectable substances again. Details can be found in the January 2016 newsletter archived under the News/Classes tab of acucol.com. Unfortunately, according to federal law many injectables considered compounded require a patient-specific prescription, and this is still hindering our ability to procure substances. We may need to pass a bill next session to get prescriptive authority just for these substances. We have met with the lobbyist from the Colorado Medical Society, but will need to present proposed language to their Scope of Practice committee in May. Also, Lorraine Lucero has recently replaced Leanne Duffy as the Acupuncture Program Director at DORA. 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. Please “Like” the Acupuncture Association of Colorado’s Facebook page, click on “Follow” and turn on notifications by hovering over the “Following” button until a drop down menu appears and select Notifications “All On”.

Just one great benefit of our ASA membership is that you can read issues of the peer-reviewed, Medline-compliant Meridians: The Journal of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine for free in the member area of our website. Once you are logged in to acucol.com, go to the dropdown menu under Acupuncturists to Members and a dropdown menu will appear on the right, with Meridians Journal at the bottom. The Spring 2017 issue is now available!

Thank you for your membership. There is strength in numbers and although there are roughly 1300 licensed acupuncturists in Colorado, only about 20 percent are AAC members. Our volunteer organization works on behalf of ALL acupuncturists and is hindered by lack of funds caused by low membership, so it is important to let our colleagues know we need them to join us in order to enable us to keep working with DORA and the legislature, and to educate the public about the benefits of choosing a trained, qualified acupuncturist.

Kimberley Benjamin, L.Ac., Dipl. OM
President, AAC Board of Directors
President@acucol.com
(970) 214-6683

The AAC Needs You: Serve on the AAC Board
Elections are on April 22nd!

The AAC Board of Directors is looking for a few good volunteers to round out our dedicated board team. Our board does the important work of keeping the organization running and working for all acupuncturists across the state. We are supported by a part-time office manager as well as bookkeepers/accountants and we retain a lobbyist for legislative issues, but the direction of the organization and all decisions are made by the volunteer board composed of acupuncturists like you. Board members must be current members and are elected by the membership to serve for a term of three years. We meet once or twice per quarter and alternate meetings between Denver and Boulder.

Why is it important to take a turn serving on the board? Here are just a few reasons:

The board is dedicated to protecting and furthering the safety and reputation of Acupuncture for the benefit of practitioners and patients, as currently evidenced by our recent pursuit of a petition to the Physical Therapy Board.

Without our organization acupuncturists may have lost the right to be licensed in Colorado. Thanks to our membership and board, led by then Legislative Chair Anne Chew, we were able to work with a lobbyist to get our Practice Act Sunset Review passed in 2012. If we had become de-regulated it would have been a huge step backward for our profession as we would no longer be licensed in Colorado and could not obtain malpractice insurance or bill health insurance companies.

We have much more work to do in supporting practitioners and educating the public and prospective patients. We need more person power to coordinate participation in health fairs and other public relations opportunities.

What are the benefits to serving on the board?

Feel good knowing you are contributing to furthering your profession while having fun getting to know and working alongside fellow acupuncturists.

Be “in the know” and have your finger on the pulse of the current issues facing our profession on the state and national level.

Get free registration to the annual AAC conference (including the 14 CEUs) as well as any class that is sponsored by the AAC.

Receive PDA credits toward NCCAOM recertification for serving your profession when your term is complete.

Learn from and receive referrals from fellow board members.

Elections for new board members will be held at the AAC annual meeting during lunch at our conference on Saturday, April 22nd. You need not be registered or present at the conference to run for the board. If you are interested please contact President Kimberley Benjamin at President@acucol.com or (970) 214-6683.

Get Your "Acupuncture Over Opioids" Stickers!

We know that acupuncture is a powerful tool to treat chronic pain and address the current painkiller epidemic. At the AAC Conference next weekend for a donation to the AAC Legal Fund you can get one or more "Acupuncture Over Opioids" UV-resistant stickers to spread the word about our medicine. Look for the stickers at the registration table!

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AAC Files Legal Petition to Repeal Dry Needling Rule & Registration is Open for Kiiko Matsumoto!

Kimberley Benjamin, AAC President

Dear members, friends and supporters:

I am pleased to announce that the Acupuncture Association of Colorado (AAC) and the Colorado Safe Acupuncture Association (CSAA) filed a legal petition in December to repeal the Colorado Physical Therapy Board’s regulation allowing physical therapists to practice acupuncture with almost no training or clinical experience. We do not believe this regulation is legal since nothing in the PT scope of practice adopted by the Colorado Legislature allows the insertion of acupuncture needles or other invasive devices.  Since 2012 Rule 211 has claimed that physical therapists can engage in “dry needling” with a mere 46 hours of training.  After seeing the results, such as the Olympic skier who received a pneumothorax during a Colorado “dry needling” session, the AAC and the CSAA believe we must take action to protect public safety and acupuncture’s hard won reputation as a safe and effective practice.

For this legal effort succeed we need your help today.  

If you’re already an AAC member, please make a special donation to directly support the critical work our legal team is doing on your behalf.

If you’re not a member, please join the AAC today and stand with us in this important effort that will be closely watched across the United States. You may also wish to make an additional donation in support of this cause.

Please, help us meet our goal of raising $25,000 in the next 30 days by making a donation today of $1000, $500, $250 or whatever you can afford. Consider donating a day’s income from your clinic or even just the cost of one treatment. We are only as strong as the support we receive from our members and friends. 

Click Here to Donate

Professional and student members can read a copy of the AAC and CSAA’s legal petition from the Acupuncturists dropdown menu of our website. (You must be logged into the website to see this page. If you have trouble logging in, please contact Charissa at info@acucol.com or (303) 572-8744. Your membership may have lapsed when we moved to the new membership platform last year.)

You let us know that this is an important issue to you and we are working hard to address it. This fundraising effort is being spearheaded entirely by your volunteer board of directors, eleven acupuncturists who, like you, care about the safety of patients and the future of acupuncture in our state. You may be receiving a call from a board member asking for your support. We also need help making calls to the 1400 acupuncturists in the state. If you would like to help in this effort, please contact me or Fundraising Chair (and President Emeritus) Scott Richardson at fundraisingchair@acucol.com or 720-974-0392.

Thank you to so many of you who have already committed to support this effort, we have a real opportunity to set a national precedent that protects patients and the future of acupuncture in Colorado and beyond. Along with the AAC, the mission of the CSAA is to work with newly licensed acupuncturists and acupuncture students to promote, encourage and advocate for the safe and effective practice of acupuncture in Colorado in a manner that protects public health and safety. If you would like to become a member of the Colorado Safe Acupuncture Association, please contact Kristin Grayce McGary at safe.needles@gmail.com or (928) 213-4311.

I look forward to working with you on this, and to seeing you at our 34th annual conference in April for an awesome seminar with Kiiko Matsumoto! And as always, thank you for your membership and continued support.

Kimberley Benjamin, L.Ac., Dipl. OM
President, AAC Board of Directors
President@acucol.com
(970) 214-6683

Registration is Now Open for Kiiko Matsumoto at the 34^th annual AAC Conference in Westminster April 22-23, 2017!

Stephanie Shober                                                                                            Kiiko Matsumoto                                                                            

The AAC is pleased to announce that registration is now open for Kiiko Matsumoto at our 34^th annual conference April 22^nd and 23^rd, 2017 at the Westminster Marriott. Her two-day seminar is entitled Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex and 9-Star Energy (14 NCCAOM PDA / California CEU pending). 

Kiiko Matsumoto was the most requested presenter in the AAC’s 2016 conference attendee evaluations, so we were very happy to make this happen. Additionally, this year our conference will have two 9-foot by 12-foot presentation screens showing live video of Kiiko for all of her instruction and demonstrations to ensure all attendees can easily see what is happening onstage. We have been able to arrange for this audio/visual upgrade and still offer an AAC-member registration fee that is more than $100 less than the usual fee for a Kiiko Matsumoto seminar.

About the class:

The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) is an area of the brain that has recently been the subject of research in chronic pain conditions. Using fMRI imaging to study this part of the brain, Western Medicine researchers have shown that patients with chronic pain have less density in the DLPFC compared to healthy individuals. While the initial cause of the pain may be confined to the site of injury, i.e. low back or knee or wrist – this is where the person feels the pain – over time the communication between the area of injury and the brain becomes part of the chronic-pain-complex. Understanding this connection allows for new treatments and better understanding of chronic pain. In addition, this area also corresponds with mood disorders that often accompany chronic pain such as anxiety, fear and depression.

Using her research into the acupuncture points located in this area of the head, Kiiko Matsumoto found a strong connection between modern understanding of the DLPFC and Classical Chinese medicine. Looking into the etymological development of the ancient Chinese characters used to name points in the region of the DLPFC, she has been able to devise powerful and effective treatment strategies for a wide variety of chronic pain conditions. Through practical experience she also discovered a close relationship between the treatment of this area and changes in symptoms for patients with digestive disorders such as IBS, Crohn’s and more. During her workshop, she will share her discoveries and treatment strategies as well as demonstrate how to apply them.

Read more about Kiiko, the conference and registration here.

We are so excited for this conference, which will be a wonderful opportunity to connect with peers, get energized and learn amazing things. This conference is expected to sell out, so register early. I look forward to seeing you all there!

Kind regards,
Stephanie Shober, L.Ac., Dipl. OM
Conference Chair, AAC Board of Directors
conferencecomm@acucol.com
(303) 471-9355

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