IMPORTANT MESSAGE:
To practice acupuncture and East Asian medicine in Maryland the practitioner (not technician) must be a licensed Acupuncturist. The Maryland Acupuncture Practice Act does not allow licensed Acupuncturists to delegate to or other persons to assume any of the practice scope as Assistants or Technicians. Only licensed Acupuncturists can provide all aspects of scope approved treatment for patients. For more information please review the Board’s
FAQs.
Optimizing Wellbeing in Times of Transition
In acupuncture and East Asian medicine the month of November represents the transition from autumn/fall to winter. As we experience this transition our focus usually lends itself to shorter days, trending warm drinks, soft warm sweaters and the holidays. The not so exciting aspects of winter are the stressors - mental and physical - we experience.
The stress associated with winter can be attributed to a decrease in daylight hours & temperatures, the tendency to decrease social interactions, and the pressure to meet the financial expectations of holiday gifts and meals. All this can lead to a lower quality of sleep, the onset of sadness and in some cases the winter blues, feelings of fatigue, lack of motivation and the symptom manifestation for mental and physical stress such as over or under eating, pain in the body and hair breakage or shedding.
So what exactly is
stress? Stress has two branches: negative known as distress and positive known as eustress. In this case
we are examining the impact of negative stress.
According to the American Institute of Stress, it
encompasses emotional, physical, psychological and social components that
manifest in three phases: alarm, resistance and exhaustion. It is essential to understand how distress
impacts us individually, and in East Asian medicine it is additionally
important to consider the season.
In acupuncture and East Asian medicine, the autumn/fall (metal element) season focuses on the health of the lungs and large intestine while the winter season (the water element and the transition from Yang to Yin energy) focuses on water, the health of the kidneys and protecting the skin. This directly corresponds with the following November health observances:
Common conditions that correspond with the transition to autumn/fall and winter are as follows:
- Respiratory vulnerabilities such as seasonal allergies, sore throat, asthma attacks, shortness of breath, coughing and chest heaviness.
- Dry Skin characterized by irritation, itching, rough texture and cracked lips.
- Digestive Disturbances such as bloating, constipation, feelings of heaviness in the gut and inhibited elimination.
- Weakened immunity secondary to bouts with seasonal illness like influenza, pneumonia, bronchitis, RSV, etc.
- Emotional perspective changes (e.g., nostalgic sadness, anger, tearfulness, etc.) that are intensified by environmental and weather changes.
To combat the aforementioned and ensure optimal health during the current and coming season, acupuncture and East Asian medicine advises us to shift our habits. Such changes include:
- Wearing garments and using products that provide protection against cold temperatures and the dryness of the harsh winds.
- Implementing digestive and respiratory health practices, including breathing exercises.
- Consuming foods that are dark and warm, especially those good for the lungs (e.g., sweet potatoes, squash, black beans, broth, stews, cooked vegetables, garlic, ginger, etc.). Some may even consider the use of herbal remedies after consulting with a licensed practitioner.
- Conserving energy more than you release. View stillness as a tool not torture. Create a rest ritual that allows you to recharge, reexamine and redirect your energy.
- Take note of your emotions and thoughts, 'cleansing and/or shedding' that which drains your energy and enables you to repeatedly ponder unproductive experiences. Including routine exercise , meditation and journaling to give emotions a healthy outlet and build good energy.
- Implementing practices that promote kidney and urinary system health overall.
- Consulting a licensed practitioner about other East Asian medicine therapies such as moxibustion, cupping, Tui Na, Acupressure, Reflexology and ear seeding.
So while everyone else is focusing on what to do with all the trick or treat candy, Thanksgiving dinner and shopping for Christmas gifts, please don't forget to implement health sustaining habits so that you do more than survive the holidays and the winter season. You thrive right into Spring.
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:
- Fall License Renewal Season: October 1st - December 31st
- Veterans' Day Holiday November 11th - office closed
- Council of Colleges of Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine Fall Conference (Virtual) November 12th - 14th
- Thanksgiving Day Holiday November 27th - office closed
- American Indian Heritage Day Holiday November 28th - office closed
- Christmas Day Holiday December 25th - office closed
- Maryland State Legislative Session January 2026
- 9th Edition of International Conference on Traditional Medicine and Integrative Health June 22-24, 2026 | Barcelona, Spain
