Heart to your Health
February is the month of recognition for national observances with a heart theme, either directly or implied by associated symbols like that well known ‘day of love’ celebrated on the 14th of the month. This day is also signified by the color red, another notable symbol, which seamlessly comes alongside the month’s national observances. This month’s list of recognitions include but are not limited to the following:
Western and Eastern medicine agree on the importance of the heart in the role of overall health. The heart is a vital organ, playing the ultimate role of pumping blood throughout the entire body. This fact opens the door to thoughts like,
as goes the health of the heart, so goes the health of the entire body. This pumping distributes life sustaining nutrients to the entire body, hence the emphasis on heart health based on a lifestyle continuum characterized by access to care, activity, diet, environment, family history and personal habits.
In Western medicine, the heart is likened to the engine in a car. The heart circulates blood like the engine circulates oil and without that circulation the car stops running. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) the heart is the leader (akin to the commander & chief) of all organs, having the responsibility to manage body operations based on blood flow. TCM also recognizes the heart through the principle of “Shen Ming” translated as the consciousness center for the body. This means that the heart has responsibility for the development of one's emotional, intelligence and social maturation.
The Western and Eastern medicine, and other associated ancient civilization emphasis on the importance of the heart and its role in sustaining life, makes it easy to imagine how both the color red and the shape of the heart hold iconic symbolism status across culture and time. What are you doing for your heart in 2025?
In January we briefly touched on the fundamentals at the center of the practice of Traditional Chinese/East Asian Medicine (TC/EAM). TC/EAM is a system of medicine whose existence predates Western medicine. TC/EAM, like Western medicine, comprises many branches of treatment, with the most popular treatment being acupuncture. However TC/EAM is not just about needles. Achieving health and wellness through the systemic (meridians and points) balance of energy (Qi) can be achieved through non-needle TC/EAM manual therapy such as acupressure and reflexology. Licensed acupuncturists are trained to provide manual therapy, including massage, that employs the systemic use of meridians and points to balance patient energy (Qi) (address disease and health conditions). Acupressure uses these meridians and points manually impact the entire body. Reflexology is limited to four areas of the body which are considered micro representations of the entire body. These four areas too have mapped meridians and points that correspond to the entire body and therefore balance patient energy in like fashion as acupressure.
Regulatory Basics It is illegal to practice acupuncture and East Asian Medicine for any of the professions - Acupuncturists, Animal Acupuncturists, and Auricular Detoxification Specialists - regulated by the Board without approval. If your license or certificate has lapsed please take action to reinstate.
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.
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’..
The
Maryland General Assembly has convened the 2025 legislative session. Licensed Acupuncturists are constituents in the form of residents, employees and/or business owners. No matter your passion (e.g., acupuncture & East Asian medicine gaining more insurance coverage, business or income tax, daylight savings time, school funding, etc.), as constituents, you have the ability to interact with your legislative representatives. Let your voice be heard.
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. 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.
RESOURCES TO REVIEW:
WHAT’S ON THE 2025 CALENDAR:
- LEGISLATIVE SESSION - the General Assembly will meet in Annapolis, Maryland beginning on January 8th.
- March 11th Board Meeting
- Spring License Renewal Season: April 1st - June 30th
- Annual American Society of Acupuncturists Conference in Arlington, VA on April 26th & 27th
- Acupuncture for Public Servants on Capital Hill on April 28th
- May 13th Board Meeting
- July 8th Board Meeting
- September 9th Board Meeting
- Fall License Renewal Season: October 1st - December 31st
- November 4th Board Meeting
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATION CHECK-IN:
