SPRING 2025 LICENSE RENEWAL
APRIL 1 - JUNE 30, 2025
Calming the Storm of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
The below list of health observances for the month of June were derived from
Healthgrades.com and the
ClinicalAdvisor.com. This month’s focus of East Asian medicine’s potential impact on Western identified conditions is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
PTSD is a mental health diagnosis defined by the
National Institute on MentalHealth as a range of symptoms one experiences in response to a traumatic event from which a person has difficulty recovering. This diagnosis is not age or gender specific, though women are more likely to be diagnosed. The negative behavioral symptoms come as a result of a variety of experienced or witnessed events such as abuse, an attack, an accident, a disaster or learning of someone else’s traumatic situation that is close to you. To be diagnosed with PTSD a person must be able to report a pattern of experiencing specific symptoms – reexperiencing (1), avoidance (1), arousal & reactivity (2) and cognition & mood (2) – for no less than a month. Persons diagnosed with PTSD may have co-occurring conditions such as anxiety, depression, insomnia, panic attacks and suicidal ideations.
The expressed symptoms of PTSD are evidence of the lingering impact of a traumatic event on the person via their nervous system. Since the nervous system is integral to brain and body functioning, PTSD negatively impacts how the sufferer connects with the world. The good news is that there is help for those suffering from PTSD. Once diagnosed, typically by a psychologist or psychiatrist, the most common forms of treatment are pharmaceuticals and psychotherapy. These are Western medicine approaches. Acupuncture and East Asian medicine additionally provide treatment options that compliment Western medicine.
The two main components of the human nervous system are the sympathetic (fight or flight) and the parasympathetic (rest & digest, freeze) systems. In Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) the theory of Yin and Yang are foundational to the medicine, explaining the organizational structure of the entire human body. While this East Asian medical theory is very intricate, it simplistically is about achieving balance between two independent, opposite and yet interdependent systems. Acupuncture applies the Yin-Yang Theory to the nervous system imbalance that is diagnosed as PTSD The aim is to restore balance in the brain and thereby regulating the body processes responsible for creating the unhealthy responses to stressors. Research has shown that PTSD sufferers that receive acupuncture treatment have experienced: the release of neurotransmitters & endorphins to relieve pain; regulation between the sympathetic & parasympathetic nervous system; reduction in anxiety; improved sleep, muscle tension reduction and/or relief; and improvements in digestion & circulation.
While more evidence-based research is needed, there is existing evidence that East Asian medical modalities such as acupuncture have positive impacts on the lives of those diagnosed with PTSD and other mental health conditions. The growing recognition of the value of TCM was reinforced by the creation of the
Integrative Health Coordinating Center (IHCC) within the Office of Patient Centered Care and Cultural Transformation by the Veterans Health Administration. The Veterans Administration has developed a
Whole Health approach to administering veterans healthcare, resulting in the approval of Complementary and Integrative Health (CIH) services being included in veterans health benefits. This list of approved benefits includes acupuncture. The VA has also established a
National Center for PTSD. Just this month the VA announced that “the
National Acupuncture Detoxification Association (NADA) protocol, developed in the 1970s, has broad indications useful for Veterans including but not limited to pain, anxiety, depression, PTSD, sleep problems, substance use disorders and other mental health conditions, and also well-being. The NADA Protocol is applied solely to the ears in a protocolized fashion and may be used by a variety of healthcare professionals
as defined by their state scope of practice or National Standard of Practice (NSP). The NADA Protocol can be easily integrated within the continuum of care. Like
Battlefield Acupuncture
(BFA), the NADA Protocol can help the VHA expand the availability of acupuncture to Veterans”.
As shared in the May message in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, the whole person health theory is proof that Western and Eastern medicine can not only coexist but also work in collaboration to achieve positive outcomes for patients. To learn more check out the resource list below.
Resources:
Regulatory Basics You must have a license to practice. It is illegal to practice acupuncture and use East Asian medical therapies without a license. You must also obtain additional certification to practice on animals. Certain non-acupuncturist professionals may practice as
Auricular Detoxification Specialists if they register with the Board and renew their registration. If your license or registration has lapsed please take action to reinstate before you practice.
The
National Auricular Detoxification Association (NADA), is the professional organization for all certified Auricular Detoxification Specialists (ADS). NADA offers the training to become a certified ADS in Maryland, offers membership and is a valuable resource for ADSes.
The
American Acupuncture Society (ASA), the practice’s professional organization, has a Maryland arm - The
Maryland Association of Acupuncture and East Asian Medicine (MAAEAM)- that offers membership. MAAEAM is a valuable resource for Licensed Acupuncturists.
About Paper Licenses The Board does not issue printed licenses. Please visit the
License Verification and Roster Information page to print and/or save a copy of your license status.
About Forms of Payment The Board no longer accepts checks or money orders. All payments must be made by credit or debit card.
About Practice Scope The practice statutes and regulations can be accessed from the Board’s landing page via the
Regulations, Board Meeting Minutes & Newsletters menu item on the left. The Board does not have the authority to interpret statute or regulations. Please consult with a legal professional if additional understanding is required.
About Continuing Education At present the Board does not approve/accredit/endorse specific
continuing education (CEU) providers. Licensees should ensure that the CEU provider is legitimate and provides content that meets industry standards. From time to time the Board does share training information. This does not mean that the Board has a relationship with this provider.
About License Status The Board has two renewal cycles annually: Spring & Fall. This means that the renewal system is only open twice a year beginning April 1st and October 1st. Spring renewals expire on May 31st and Fall renewals on November 30th. The Board sends notices by email and mail to licensees when it is time to renew.
About Contact Information The Board must be able to contact licensees at all times. This means that the Board must have licensees correct contact information at all times. If you change your address, phone number or email address please
inform the Board of the change so that we may reach you.
About Contact InformationLicensees are required to advertise and practice in the name for which they are licensed. Name changes must be
reported to the Board with supporting documentation.
*The form to report contact and name changes can be accessed in two ways on the Board’s website: 1) on the
Apply for an Acupuncture License page and on the
Resources, Requirements & Information Requests page.
WHAT’S ON THE 2025 CALENDAR:
- Spring License Renewal Season: April 1st - June 30th
- Juneteenth Holiday - office closed
- July Fourth Holiday - office closed
- July 8th Board Meeting
- September 9th Board Meeting
- Fall License Renewal Season: October 1st - December 31st
- November 4th Board Meeting
