Industry News

Multiple studies on acupuncture have proven the use of a thin solid needle to be an effective technique for the reduction of pain and stimulation of the immune system. The increase in popularity of acupuncture has resulted in a corresponding increase in acu-waste. With more than 10 million acupuncture sessions being offered annually, the amount of acu-waste or acu-trash has been increasing proportionately to the popularity of the technique.

Dear Practitioners: It is time for our industry to stand up and demand that a review be done to reverse a decision that has been made by Health Canada about moxa that will negatively impact practitioners and patients.

In 2004, when the Natural Health Product Regulations (NHPRs) came into effect, Health Canada officials assured stakeholders who were selling to health practitioners only that there will be additional regulations to address this category of Professional-Use Products. The current regulations are geared to managing risks the of over-the-counter (OTC) natural products. A practitioner-dispensed product has a reduced risk, as the use of the Natural Health Product (NHP) is managed by a learned intermediary.

January 28, 2017 is the start of the Chinese Year of the Red Rooster. The Rooster is Yin to Monkey’s Yang and many of us are still reeling from the Monkey’s shenanigans around the world! The Yin nature of the Rooster forecasts a calmer year and should bring a lot of relief from the shock, strain, tension and anxiety of last year.

In response to the pending Canada Post lock out on July 2, 2016, we have been actively switching our primary shipping carrier over to UPS to avoid any disruptions in delivery of your orders.

This year Eastern Currents offered a twist on the traditional Symposium format of 9 speakers, three days of multiple tracks and one day pre-symposium. This year our COMS In-depth provided practitioners up to four days of learning with two leading practitioners. The event was tailor to meet the needs of practitioners who wanted longer more detailed learning from the exceptional teachers brought to COMS.

All integrative health care practitioners, no matter which paradigm they operate from, bring a philosophy of health and a set of self cultivation skills to offer their patients. Teaching these philosophies and skill sets can provide the patient opportunities for substantial lasting health changes. The problem most practitioners have, is having enough time. Teaching takes time and time in the clinic is valuable.

As practitioners, we want to do it all, but sometimes we just can’t. We often see patients in our clinics with multiple problems, patterns and health goals. We triage the complexity of symptoms with the patient to choose our first interventions. The patient may want to have their neck pain dealt with as a primary goal, but at the same time, may also want to lose weight, stop smoking, sleep better or have some relief from menopausal symptoms.

Spring is now upon us, with everyday gifting us more of itself and darkness shrinking in proportion on the clock. To me, those five minutes of extra light is a cause for celebration. And whenever I notice this, I find myself caught in joy, feeling grateful that the light is still out even at 5:45PM. I give thanks to the powers that be. No wonder our ancestors had big parties to celebrate this increase of brightness and renewal of life. Spring truly is a yearly miracle of Nature’s rebirth.

Written by Lillian Bridges February 8, 2016 ushers in the Year of the Red Monkey. Monkeys are considered the tricksters of the Chinese Twelve Animal Signs and this means it is likely to be an exciting and “interesting” year. But remember that the fortune cookie proverb, “May you Live in Interesting Times” is actually considered a curse!