FALL 2024 RENEWAL STARTS OCTOBER 1ST! FOR LICENSES THAT EXPIRE ON NOVEMBER 30, 2024
SEPTEMBER IS NATIONAL HEALTHY AGING MONTH
Healthy Aging Month is one of the health observances featured by the
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP). ODPHP’s focus is to “...promote ways people can stay healthy as they age.” The focus of this health observance is on health and wellness for older adults, a necessity in a society in which the
U.
S. population is older than it has been . This upward trend is predicted to continue. As we recognize Healthy Aging Month in the traditional sense, let’s broaden the population of this health observance. Imagine Health Aging Month focusing on health and wellness at every age and stage of life in order to promote quality of life in each development stage. In doing so we make the connection to traditional Chinese medicine and East Asian medical theories.
The month of September is characterized by refocusing energy, seasonal transition in health practices, fertility, abundance and harvest. All of these characterizations can be directly connected to the practice of acupuncture and East Asian medicine and are applicable to every stage of life, not just our senior years. Imagine if our lifelong development included the influence of us intentionally nurturing ourselves in the context of seasonal change, healthful diets, consistent movement, adequate rest of the body and mind, and holistic healthcare. The expected outcome would not only be an improved quality of life through each stage but also an increased possibility of longevity (quantity) and more vibrance in our senior years. A vibrancy that is less impacted by
age related disease that negatively impacts our social emotional and socio-economic experience as community elders.
The intent of traditional Chinese medicine/East Asian medical theories is to help patients establish balance across life systems (encompassing every aspect of the lived experience) in order to promote overall wellness. Patients daily lived experience is categorized as follows:
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Traditional Chinese/East Asian Medicine Fives
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Foundations of Medicine
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Elements
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Seasons
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Pillars of Healing
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Acupuncture
Herbal Medicine
Massage
Dietary Therapy
Exercise Therapy
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Water
Wood
Fire
Earth
Metal
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Spring
Summer
Late Summer
Autumn
Winter
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Moxibustion
Tui Na
Acupuncture
Herbal Medicine
Qi Gong
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Organs
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Spirits
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Vital Fluids
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Shu Points
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Liver
Heart
Pancreas
(including spleen)
Lung
Kidney
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Shen (Mind)
Po
(Corporeal Soul)
Hun
(Ethereal Soul)
Yi
(Thought and Intellect)
Zhi
(Will Power & Wisdom)
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Qi
Xue
(Blood)
Jinye
(Body Fluids)
Jing
(Essence)
Shen
(Spirit)
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Jing
Xing
Shu
Jing
He
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Senses
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Emotions
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Flavors
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Virtues
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Hearing
Sight
Taste
Smell
Diction
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Anger
Joy
Worry
Grief
Fear
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Bitter
Sweet
Spicy
Salty
Sour
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Benevolence
Righteousness
Propriety
Wisdom
Trustworthiness
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U.S. culture has embraced many stages of developments, punctuating them with rites of passage such as
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Learning to walk and talk
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Getting a driver’s license
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The first day of school
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Graduating high school
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Educational promotions
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1st post high school related employment
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Becoming a teen
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Starting college & graduating college
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Sweet sixteen
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1st post college related employment
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It's only within the last decade that we have really started trying to rebrand aging with trends such as: “Fifty & fabulous or fine”, “Sixty & sassy or sensational” and “Spectacular at seventy”.
With the population of
centenarians predicted to increase and the proportion of age related diseases being attributed to
younger people, it seems like an ideal time to consider: (1) healthy aging across a broader spectrum of our population and (2) the integration of traditional Chinese/East Asian medical theories as a companion to traditional U.S. healthcare practices (Western medicine).
The month of September is home to more than two dozen health observances. All are more than worthy of being highlighted, so please take a moment to visit
Healthline’s Health Observances Calendar to view the full list. The bonus for viewing the list on Healthline’s webpage is that they provide links to relevant informational resources.
RESOURCES TO REVIEW:
WHAT’S ON THE CALENDAR:
- CLEAR’s 44th Annual Educational Conference in Baltimore, MD: September 16 - 19, 2024
- Fall 2024 License Renewal Season: October 1 - December 30, 2024
- Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine Day - October 24, 2024
- First day of the 2025 session of the General Assembly: January 8, 2025
- Society for Acupuncture Research Conference in Newport Beach, CA: April 3 - 6, 2025
- Last Day of the 2025 session of the General Assembly: April 7, 2025
DON’T FORGET that the Board has eliminated manual payments (checks and money orders). Electronic payments are a convenience for Licensees and improves the efficiency of the services provided by the Board. Board staff is excited about the progress made in this area of the operation and is appreciative of your cooperation.
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