From Zooey Deschanel to Trevor Noah, many creative and high-performing people live with ADHD — a reminder that attention can be both a challenge and a superpower.

While stimulant medications remain a first-line treatment, there’s growing curiosity about integrative approaches that help regulate the nervous system more gently — including acupuncture and herbal medicine.

Pediatrician and Chinese medicine scholar Dr. Stephen Cowan has spent decades bridging these worlds, offering a thoughtful, whole-child approach to attention and learning through his book Fire Child Water Child and ongoing work in integrative pediatrics. Learn more at drstephencowan.com/adhd.

Along with his work, below you’ll find studies exploring how acupuncture and herbal medicine can support focus and regulation in both children and adults.

– Kim

NEWS

Lawmakers resume work on legislation to expand access to alternative pain management

Lawmakers in New Hampshire are revisiting legislation to expand health insurance to cover acupuncture, massage, and other non-drug therapies as alternatives to opioids.

www.wmur.com/article/opioid-alternative-legislation-nh-10092025/68963405

RESEARCH

From Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine:

The Therapeutic Effect of the Chinese Herbal Medicine, Rehmanniae Radix Preparata, in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder via Reversal of Structural Abnormalities in the Cortex

In a randomized 8-week study of children with ADHD, those treated with Yizhi Ningshen Granule, a traditional Chinese herbal formula, showed an overall effective rate of 90.9%, slightly higher than the 86.3% seen in the methylphenidate group, with few reported side effects. Researchers noted improvements in attention and behavior, suggesting the formula may offer a gentle, well-tolerated option for managing ADHD symptoms.

onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/2018/3052058

From Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies

Scalp Acupuncture + EEG Biofeedback

Children who received scalp acupuncture combined with EEG biofeedback showed significantly better attention and behavior scores than those using biofeedback alone. Researchers believe scalp acupuncture may help balance brain activity in areas tied to attention control.

europepmc.org/article/med/25876346

From Medicine:

Efficacy and safety of acupuncture on childhood ADHD

A clinical study found that children who received acupuncture alongside standard medication (a ) showed greater improvements in attention and hyperactivity than those using medication alone. Parents also reported better sleep and calmer moods. No serious side effects were noted, and most kids tolerated acupuncture well.

journals.lww.com/md-journal/fulltext/2021/02050/efficacy_and_safety_of_acupuncture_on_childhood.35.aspx

BUSINESS

Community Acupuncture Expansion | MCPHS News

The New England School of Acupuncture (NESA) recently launched a community-style acupuncture clinic in Boston, showing that community / group models remain viable ways to scale service, control costs, and reach more patients — especially in urban or student settings.

www.mcphs.edu/news/what-is-community-style-acupuncture

CEUS

Note: Courses listed are CAB-approved; many also carry other state or NCCAOM approvals. Listings subject to change. Please verify details, CE hours, and eligibility directly with provider. Links point to provider sites; you may need to navigate to the specific registration page.

OCTOBER

Oct 15: Clinical Success in Ophthalmology Cases
3 CEUs • Lotus Institute of Integrative Medicine

Oct 15: PAIN MANAGEMENT A Comprehensive Review Part I of V In-Person
ICCAM, Fullerton, CA

Oct 17: Visceral Manipulation Dissection
15 CEUs • International Alliance of Healthcare Educators

Oct 17: Advanced Fertility Acupuncture Strategies
3 CEUs • Healthy Seminars

Oct 17: Daoist Medicine & Health Preservation In-Person
5 CEUs • Yo San University, Los Angeles, CA

Oct 17: Sports Injury & Performance Training In-Person
25.5 CEUs • ASE Seminars, LLC, Mesa, AZ

Oct 17: Huangdi Neijing Yunqi In-Person
4 CEUs • Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation, Walnut, CA

Oct 18: Daoist Medicine & Health Preservation In-Person
5 CEUs • Yo San University, Los Angeles, CA

Oct 18: Functional Mushrooms and Immune Support In-Person
4 CEUs • Charlotte Maxwell Clinic, Oakland, CA

Oct 18: The Cosmic Map: Course 5
2.5 CEUs • Net of Knowledge

Oct 18: Sleep Disorders: Bridging Neuroscience & TCM
8 CEUs • Healthy Seminars

Oct 18: Practicum 2: Low Back and Hip In-Person
6 CEUs • Whitfield Reaves, Berkeley, CA

Oct 19: Oncology Acupuncture Program: Session 2
4 CEUs • TCM Academy

Oct 19: Advanced Orthopedics & Pain Management: Session 2 In-Person
6 CEUs • AIMC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA

Oct 19: Treating Diabetes with Chinese Medicine
3 CEUs • Net of Knowledge

See All CEUs

Thanks for reading,

Kim Neumann, Publisher

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