Winter Wisdom for the New Year
Happy New Year!
Here in Maryland this time of celebration, enthusiasm and hope occurs in some residents’ least favorite season…Winter. According to the Old Farmers Almanac the shortest day in 2025 was Sunday, December 21st. This day is known as the Winter Solstice and is the first day of [astronomical] winter in the Northern Hemisphere. The winter season will end on March 20, 2026.
One of the reasons that some Marylanders spend all winter waiting for the spring season to start is winter pain. Winter pain is not a medical diagnosis but rather a phenomenon that some experience during the winter season. More specifically it is an increase in the manifestation of symptoms associated with specific medical conditions. The Harvard Health article, “How Winter Affects Chronic Conditions” examines four conditions:
- Psoriasis - a skin condition that is aggravated by the increase of skin dryness associated with the winter season.
- Asthma - a breathing ailment that can be aggravated by inhaling cold air.
- Raynaud’s - a disease of the blood vessels which is aggravated by winter temperatures.
- Arthritis - a disease of the joints that many sufferers report increased discomfort when exposed to water weather temperatures.
Another health condition associated with the winter season is seasonal affective disorder (SAD) also known as the winter blues. SAD is a mood ailment that too is more challenging for sufferers during the winter season.
So what is winter pain? It is not a medical condition but rather a period of time marked by a shift to colder temperatures that negatively impacts specific medical conditions. In winter the barometric pressure decreases and there is a decrease in daylight hours. These changes cause reciprocal changes in the human body such as tissue expansion around joints, blood vessel constriction and mood dulling secondary to the chemical imbalance resulting from reduced sunlight exposure.
Acupuncture and East Asian medicine is a proven refuge [help] for those experiencing winter blues and pain. According to Traditional Chinese medicine (TCA a.k.a. EAM) because SAD is a winter season affiliated aliment, it is directly connected to the water element and thereby the kidneys. This means that habits should shift to that which nurtures kidney function to optimize mood and overall energy preservation. In EAM the elements and temperature of the winter season work together in manifesting an overall flow restricting impact on the body. This means that flow of one’s blood and energy is more stagnate in the winter season, thereby increasing both the incidents and intensity of ailments like those mentioned above.
While it is best to consult a licensed practitioner about an individualized treatment plan to address the manifestations of winter pain and blues, there are some general recommendations that all non-winter lovers can embrace to survive until the spring season starts.
- Make energy conservation a daily intention. This means embracing rest and sleep and minimizing sweat producing activities. If this cannot be avoided, remember to enhance your recovery rituals.
- Stay warm and make time for sun exposure. Remember when our parents insisted that we cover our heads, wear our gloves/mittens as well as our warmest socks? Well EAM agrees with Mom and Dad. Keeping your feet, hands and head warm helps to conserve energy. Taking in the sunlight boosts energy reserves and optimizes energy flow.
- Shift the focus of consumption to cold weather staples that also support kidney function. For example, shift from cold to warm salads. Make soups and stews a regular meal. Consult a practitioner about the foods that digest better in winter and nourish body functions that contribute to optimal energy production and flow.
Hopefully making a few adjustments in our habits and patterns will improve more Marylanders’ opinions of winter and make the months of January, February and March more enjoyable.
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 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:
- First Bi-Monthly Board Meeting - Tuesday, January 13th
- 2026 Legislative Season begins Wednesday, January 14th
- For Licensees: Educating the Public About Acupuncture, Wednesday, January 14th
- State Holiday - Office Closed Monday, January 19th for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- Acupuncture Advocacy Day in Annapolis, Thursday, January 29th. Volunteers Needed! CEUs/PDAs available.
- State Holiday - Office Closed Monday, February 16th for President’s Day
- Second Bi-Monthly Board Meeting - Tuesday, March 10th
- American Society of Acupuncturists Conference April 25th - 26th
- Third Bi-Monthly Board Meeting - Tuesday, May 12th
- State Holiday - Office Closed Monday, May 25th for Memorial Day
- State Holiday - Office Closed Friday, June 19th for Juneteenth
- 9th Edition of International Conference on Traditional Medicine and Integrative Health June 22-24, 2026 | Barcelona, Spain
- State Holiday - Office Closed Friday, July 3rd for Independence Day
- Fourth Bi-Monthly Board Meeting - Tuesday, July 14th
- State Holiday - Office Closed Monday, September 7th for Labor Day
- Fifth Bi-Monthly Board Meeting - Tuesday, September 8th
- State Holiday - Office Closed October 12th for Columbus Day
- State Holiday - Office Closed Tuesday, November 3rd for Election Day
- Sixth Bi-Monthly Board Meeting - Tuesday, November 10th
- State Holiday - Office Closed Wednesday, November 11th for Veterans Day
- State Holiday - Office Closed Thursday, November 26th for Thanksgiving Day
- State Holiday - Office Closed Friday, November 27th for American Indian Heritage Day
- State Holiday - Office Closed Friday, December 25th for Christmas Day
