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Board of Acupunct​ure

Board Digest​​​
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S​​eeds That Spring Into Wellness​​​​

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“No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn.” Hal Borland

Here in Maryland the hallmarks of the Spring season are:

  • Warming temperatures;
  • Perennial blooms and annual plantings;
  • Vacations and visits to ballparks, beaches, festivals, state parks, etc., and
  • Dedicating time to outdoor activities like biking, boating, fishing, hiking, kayaking, running, etc.

In Traditional Chinese/East Asian medicine the hallmarks of Spring are:

  • A focus on growth, renewal and moving energy upward (Wood element);
  • The health of the liver and gall bladder (Qi flow);
  • Emotional regulation, reducing anger & frustration to make room for calm, patience and the development of motivation toward action planning;
  • Physical activity that contributes to increased sun exposure, increased blood flow & improved cardiovascular function, strengthening of both bones & muscles, reducing both the incidence & risk of some chronic diseases, impactful mental health outcomes like boosted mood, and improved sleep & enhanced cognitive function; and
  • Adjusting dietary patterns to reduce & even eliminate foods that are prepared by frying to concentrate on the consumption of fresh fruits (citrus) & vegetables (leafy greens), as well as complimentary herbs that support cleansing and ease the impact of the seasonal transition on the body and mind.

All of these hallmarks work to nourish the organs, harmonizing body & mind functionality and clearing overall stagnation. 

While acupuncture is the celebrity of Traditional Chinese/East Asian medicine in the United States, it is only one of the treatment modalities in this system of medicine.  Two treatments that are integral to this system of medicine are ear and herbal seeds.  An ear seed is a non-invasive form of auriculotherapy.  This treatment is based on acupressure, applying adhesive backed seeds (typically from the Vaccaria plant but also can be metal or ceramic) to the outer ear. Ear seeds can be used alone or combined with acupuncture to treat anxiety, digestive issues, insomnia and pain in order to promote natural endorphin release as well as the ease of stress and relaxation.  Herbal seeds are just one aspect of the Traditional Chinese/East Asian medicine herbal practice and are used to treat a variety of health issues such as digestive disturbances and hormonal imbalances.  The goal is to use the most nutrient dense (potent) areas of the plants to harness therapeutic benefits including the flow of energy (Qi).

In Traditional Chinese/East Asian medicine the Spring season is the launching pad for warmer weather wellness and the use of seeds can reap a harvest of wellness benefits that transfer to the Summer season.  In the case of ear seeds, this is a year-round treatment that is uniquely beneficial to Spring wellness because its effects are in line with Traditional Chinese/East Asian medicine hallmarks.  More specifically, ear seeds can be a powerful boost to the Spring health goals of cleansing/detoxification and renewal for conditions like allergies, managing stress and naturally boosting energy.   In the case of herbal seeds, the benefits of this treatment are medicinal, nutrient enhancement as well as added flavor.  Herbal seeds too offer value toward Spring health goal achievement in that they are often used to treat conditions related to kidney, liver and lung function.  All of which contribute to optimal organ function and thereby patients’ quality of life.  

To learn more about the Traditional Chinese/East Asian medicine perspective on Spring wellness practices, including ear and herbal seeds, it's best to consult a licensed practitioner about an individualized treatment plan and/or self-administered approach.  Generalized wellness practices to consider in preparation for a consultation are as follows:

  • Get moving!  Engage in physical activity to discourage energy (Qi) blockages.
  • Adopt dietary habits (bitter, green & sour drinks and foods) that promote overall wellness and liver health (wood energy) to optimize the body’s ability to cleanse.
  • Implement habits (e.g., journaling, meditating, deep breathing, etc.) that promote emotional balance and participate in growth oriented activities (e.g., identify new goals, create plans to achieve the new goals, etc.)
  • Go to bed!  Sleep helps with energy (yang) balance and flow.

Planting the right seeds in Spring can be the best predictor of an enjoyable Summer (June, July and August) experience. 

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 ADS practitioners.  

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 Statues, Regulations & Newsletters menu item on the left.  The Board does not interpret statute or regulations nor give legal advice.  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 Information Licensees 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 2026 CALENDAR:

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BOARD OFFICE

Contact the Maryland State Board of Acupuncture​ staff as follows:

Tiffany L. Smith-Williams, Executive Director

Stephanie K. Coley, Deputy Director &  Licensing Administrator

Email: [email protected]

Phone: (410) 764 - 4766

Fax: (410) 431 - 3072

TTY/MD Relay:  (800) 735-2258 or 711​​

Mailing Address:
4201 Patterson Avenue
Third Floor
Baltimore, MD 21215

Questions for The Board?   Please address your inquiries as follows: 

Professional Organization Check-in:

Additional Resources: