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Alternative Health News
What's New in the NCCIH Strategic Plan
The NIH National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) released its draft strategic plan 2016-2021 for public comment in early spring of 2016.

What are the Meridians?
The meridian and collateral system (jing luo, hereinafter referred to as "Meridians") is comprised of the main meridian channels (jing mai) and the collateral vessels (luo mai). Jing takes from meaning of the Chinese word pathway (also jing) and are the main branches of the system.
Know Your Research: Tips for Evaluating Literature Reviews
Clinical and experimental studies are not the only types of published research we might encounter as we look for evidence to inform our practices. One of the most useful types is the literature review, which summarizes a group of studies.
Illuminating the Hidden, Freeing the Source
Amongst the Primary Channels, from a classical point of view, the small intestine is perhaps the most important channel to understand. It is one of the least used acupuncture channels in modern acupuncture, yet it within it can be found a wealth of theories from the Ling Shu.
The Professional and Practice Benefits of Political Activism
Welcome to election season, a vital part of our American culture. Every two years, without fail, we are bombarded with TV, print materials and phone messages seeking our vote.
Adventures with the Pericardium
My previous column on the San Jiao deserves equal time for SJ's loving partner, the pericardium. I nicknamed SJ the travel meridian – but pericardium can also play a crucial role in air travel.
Are Probiotics Doing More Harm Than Good?
Considerable controversy exists concerning the efficacy of probiotic supplements. Very few human studies show any real positive impact on the microbiome or health. The "promise" of probiotics is based on the few animal studies that suggest a positive effect.
Lessons from Functional Neurology
Chiropractic neurology, also known as clinical neuroscience or functional neurology, is moving the chiropractic profession forward by leaps and bounds.

Less Time Than Required
Q: When is it appropriate to use a modifier -52? Can I use it for a timed service when I do less than the time required by the code?
Let's Talk About Biceps Injuries at the Elbow
While most muscles cross over only one joint, the biceps crosses two joints: the elbow and the shoulder. Injuries to the lower biceps cause considerable elbow pain. Here's how to assess and treat an injury to this area conservatively.
Autoimmune Simplified
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) lists more than 80 common autoimmune diseases including asthma, Crohn's disease, Guillain-Barré syndrome, multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus.

Time to Fight for Your Medicare Right
I have heard a lot of noise and a lot of debate about what is going on with Medicare. As an ACA delegate, I often get asked: 'What is the ACA even doing?'
Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine in Taiwan Hospitals
This spring, a team of Western medical doctors and TCM practitioners from Cleveland Clinic traveled to Taiwan to visit Kaiser Pharmaceutical Co. (KP), and China Medical University (CMU), Taiwan's leading integrative medicine hospital.

News in Brief
National Board Cancels January Exams; No More 24-Visit Cap in Calif.?
International Congress on Integrative Medicine
"Bridging Research, Clinical Care, Education and Policy" was the theme for the International Congress on Integrative Medicine and Health 2016 (ICIMH).

MPA Media Wins More Publishing Awards
The American Society of Business Publication Editors (ASBPE) has honored Dynamic Chiropractic with a national award and two regional awards for editorial excellence, and sister publication DC Practice Insights with two regional awards for graphic design excellence.
Overuse Injuries in Young Athletes (Part 1)
More than 45 million children ages 6-18 participate in some form of organized athletics, and 75 percent of American families with school-aged children have at least one child participating in organized sports.
Code Connection: Guidelines for the Use of Modifier -52
Modifier -52 identifies that a service or procedure has been partially reduced or eliminated at the physician's discretion. This is to indicate the basic service described by the procedure code has been performed, but not all aspects of the service have been performed.
Analyzing Acupuncture Case Studies
Confirm the answer quickly by the elimination method. Take this case study as an example. After two treatments for back pain, a patient presents for a third session complaining of rapid breathing and wheezing that is made worse during cold weather.

A Study of Relationships
Sa-Ahm's five element acupuncture method is known to be one of the most effective acupuncture techniques in Korea because it gives an instant response at the time of treatment and has a high success rate in resolving chronic problems.
Don't Ignore the Lower Half of the Pelvis (Part 1)
When your patient complains of lower back or pelvic pain, but your usual treatments are not getting the job done, what do you examine and treat? You may be missing important structures in the lower half of the pelvis.
Work Stress and Musculoskeletal Health: Do Your Patients Get the Connection?
Most people underestimate the impact their job has on their health, especially if that job isn't particularly physically demanding. Big mistake.
Chiropractic in the Eyes of the Public: 2nd Gallup-Palmer Poll
The second Gallup / Palmer College poll has been completed, yielding significant additional data regarding Americans' experiences with and perceptions of chiropractic care.

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My View From Here

By Ralph Stephens, BS, LMT, NCTMB

Current Article
About the Columnist

Other Articles

Death & Health: Very Strange Bedfellows
  August, 2016 (Vol. 16, Issue 08)
Making Things Better
  May, 2016 (Vol. 16, Issue 05)
History Repeats Itself
  April, 2016 (Vol. 16, Issue 04)
Electile Dysfunction: Setting a Dangerous Precedent
  February, 2016 (Vol. 16, Issue 02)
Change is the Only Constant
  November, 2015 (Vol. 15, Issue 11)
FSMTB: Falling Down on the Job
  September, 2015 (Vol. 15, Issue 09)
Having the Opportunity to Change a Client's Life
  July, 2015 (Vol. 15, Issue 07)
How Often Should You Treat?
  May, 2015 (Vol. 15, Issue 05)
If You Bet the Ranch, You Might Just Lose It
  April, 2015 (Vol. 15, Issue 04)
Mismatched Solutions to Our Most Pressing Problems
  February, 2015 (Vol. 15, Issue 02)
For-Profit Chain Schools Find Themselves Under the Gun
  November, 2014 (Vol. 14, Issue 11)
It's Time to Stop Being Needy
  September, 2014 (Vol. 14, Issue 09)
Learning the Right Way to Get Started in this Business
  July, 2014 (Vol. 14, Issue 07)
Understanding Stimulus Response by Engaging with Readers
  May, 2014 (Vol. 14, Issue 05)
Finding a Bridge to Somewhere
  April, 2014 (Vol. 14, Issue 04)
Is Hours and Hours of Education Really the Answer?
  February, 2014 (Vol. 14, Issue 02)
It's Time to Stop Chasing Rainbows
  November, 2013 (Vol. 13, Issue 11)
It's Time to Start Bursting the Education Bubbles
  July, 2013 (Vol. 13, Issue 07)
Encouraging a Call for Cure in the New Year
  February, 2013 (Vol. 13, Issue 02)
Where Did All the Graduates Go?
  November, 2012 (Vol. 12, Issue 11)
The ELAP Project vs. The Seven Deadly Sins of Massage Education
  August, 2012 (Vol. 12, Issue 08)
Moving Massage Therapy Toward a Brighter Future
  July, 2012 (Vol. 12, Issue 07)
Challenging Sacred Cows, Round Two
  February, 2012 (Vol. 12, Issue 02)
Do You Take Supplements? Kiss Them Goodbye
  January, 2012 (Vol. 12, Issue 01)
Challenging Sacred Cows
  November, 2011 (Vol. 11, Issue 11)
Stop the Music
  July, 2011 (Vol. 11, Issue 07)
Massage in Decline
  May, 2011 (Vol. 11, Issue 05)
Time for Change
  February, 2011 (Vol. 11, Issue 02)
The Ugly Quilt Grows
  November, 2010 (Vol. 10, Issue 11)
Falls to Remember
  September, 2010 (Vol. 10, Issue 09)
Marching Toward Therapeutic Irrelevance
  July, 2010 (Vol. 10, Issue 07)
The Corruptibility of Facts
  March, 2010 (Vol. 10, Issue 03)
Heart on the Bottom Line
  January, 2010 (Vol. 10, Issue 01)
Year-End Observations of Our Profession
  December, 2009 (Vol. 9, Issue 12)
Immorality Reigns
  September, 2009 (Vol. 9, Issue 09)
Upsetting the Health Care Pyramid
  July, 2009 (Vol. 09, Issue 07)
An Opportunity and a Double Cross
  May, 2009 (Vol. 09, Issue 05)
Health Care Reform and the Massage Profession
A Crisis Too Great to be Wasted
  March, 2009 (Vol. 09, Issue 03)
It's All in Your Mind
  January, 2009 (Vol. 09, Issue 01)
Economic Crisis: Be Aware, Get Prepared
  November, 2008 (Vol. 08, Issue 11)
Peak Politics
  September, 2008 (Vol. 08, Issue 09)
Suffering for Profit
  July, 2008 (Vol. 08, Issue 07)
Resistance Is Futile
  May, 2008 (Vol. 08, Issue 05)
Beware of the Backlash
  March, 2008 (Vol. 08, Issue 03)
A Pivotal Year in Massage Therapy
  January, 2008 (Vol. 08, Issue 01)
Why Not Health and Wellness
  November, 2007 (Vol. 07, Issue 11)
Help Grow a Pearl
  September, 2007 (Vol. 07, Issue 09)
Where It’s Been, Where It’s Going
  July, 2007 (Vol. 07, Issue 07)
Scope It Out
  May, 2007 (Vol. 07, Issue 05)
What Discipline?
  March, 2007 (Vol. 07, Issue 03)
Winter Wonderland
  January, 2007 (Vol. 07, Issue 01)
Let Them Eat Chemicals!
  November, 2006 (Vol. 06, Issue 11)
Interesting Times
  September, 2006 (Vol. 06, Issue 09)
Put Your Hands on Your Monitor, Part Two
  July, 2006 (Vol. 06, Issue 07)
Put Your Hands on Your Monitor – Part 1
  May, 2006 (Vol. 06, Issue 05)
Education – Where Does Advanced Begin?
  March, 2006 (Vol. 06, Issue 03)
It's About Health
  January, 2006 (Vol. 06, Issue 01)
The Shoe's On The Other Foot Now
  November, 2005 (Vol. 05, Issue 11)
Bad Dog and Good Dog Let Out
  September, 2005 (Vol. 05, Issue 09)
Spa Issues and a Request
  July, 2005 (Vol. 05, Issue 07)
Exciting Times
  May, 2005 (Vol. 05, Issue 05)
What Scope of Practice?
  March, 2005 (Vol. 05, Issue 03)
Medical Massage and More, Part II
  January, 2005 (Vol. 05, Issue 01)
Medical Massage and More, Part I
  November, 2004 (Vol. 04, Issue 11)
Of Cabbages and Kings
  September, 2004 (Vol. 04, Issue 09)
We've Made It!
  July, 2004 (Vol. 04, Issue 07)
Is It Time to Implement Levels of Education?
  May, 2004 (Vol. 04, Issue 05)
A Trade or Profession?
  March, 2004 (Vol. 04, Issue 03)
No Danger Here?
  November, 2003 (Vol. 03, Issue 11)
Privacy Doublespeak
  September, 2003 (Vol. 03, Issue 09)
Changing Focus
  July, 2003 (Vol. 03, Issue 07)
Why Sell Ourselves Short?
  June, 2003 (Vol. 03, Issue 06)
Healthy Dissent and Alignment
  April, 2003 (Vol. 03, Issue 04)
Of Parables and Other Things
  March, 2003 (Vol. 03, Issue 03)
It Won't Hurt for Long
  February, 2003 (Vol. 03, Issue 02)
Interesting Times
  January, 2003 (Vol. 03, Issue 01)
No Better Time Than Now
  December, 2002 (Vol. 02, Issue 12)
Giving Thanks
  November, 2002 (Vol. 02, Issue 11)
Pulling Up the Ladder
  October, 2002 (Vol. 02, Issue 10)
Beyond the Rub
  September, 2002 (Vol. 02, Issue 09)
Hey, Doctor Wanna-Be's
  August, 2002 (Vol. 02, Issue 08)
Massage Education Failing, Part V
  July, 2002 (Vol. 02, Issue 07)
Massage Education Failing, Part IV
  June, 2002 (Vol. 02, Issue 06)
Massage Education Failing, Part III
  May, 2002 (Vol. 02, Issue 05)
Massage Education Failing, Part II
  April, 2002 (Vol. 02, Issue 04)
Massage Education Failing
  March, 2002 (Vol. 02, Issue 03)
Protecting Freedom of Health Care
  February, 2002 (Vol. 02, Issue 02)
Hopeful Views and Empowering News
  January, 2002 (Vol. 02, Issue 01)
Why We Do What We Do
  December, 2001 (Vol. 01, Issue 12)
The Real Purpose of Insurance
  November, 2001 (Vol. 01, Issue 11)
Money and Ethics
  August, 2001 (Vol. 01, Issue 08)
Advice to Future Massage Therapists
  June, 2001 (Vol. 01, Issue 06)
Debunking Insurance Myths
  May, 2001 (Vol. 01, Issue 05)
We Are One! Let's Act Like It
  April, 2001 (Vol. 01, Issue 04)
Will Research Prove Our Point?
  February, 2001 (Vol. 01, Issue 02)
Work More for Less
  January, 2001 (Vol. 01, Issue 01)
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