“How often should I come in?” is one of the first things a new neck pain patient asks. This week, a clinical trial compared three electroacupuncture sessions a week with one.
RESEARCH
Clinical trial · Journal of Pain Research · Sept 28, 2026
The Journal of Pain Research published a clinical trial in which young adults with chronic neck pain improved faster with electroacupuncture three times a week than once a week. Ninety adults aged 18 to 44 had three sessions a week, one a week or a waiting list for four weeks. At week 4, the three-a-week group had lower disability scores (median 16.2 vs. 25.0) and lower pain scores than the weekly group. A month later, disability scores were similar and only pain still favored three sessions a week. Patients knew which group they were in and everyone was under 45. The study's authors suggest the next trial test frequent visits at first, then fewer.
Protocol: bilateral Jingbailao (EX-HN15) and Jianzhongshu (SI15) in both groups, needled about 20 mm with manual stimulation to deqi, then 2 Hz electroacupuncture for 30 minutes. “Frequency” in the title means visits, not hertz. Adverse events were recorded but not reported.
PRACTICE
Year-end FSA money can pay for care
This week's trial asked for 12 visits in four weeks, and its authors note that weekly visits may suit patients with time, travel or economic constraints. For some patients, the money is already set aside. Acupuncture is a qualified medical expense on the IRS list (Publication 502), so flexible spending and health savings accounts can pay for it, and many FSAs forfeit unspent money when the plan year ends. A line wherever patients see your fees or book, such as “Acupuncture is FSA and HSA eligible. Check your balance before your plan year ends,” gives patients a reason to book before the money disappears.
CEUS
Note: Unless otherwise stated, all courses listed are CAB-approved; many also carry other state or NCBAHM 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. IN‑PERSON and LAW & ETHICS are highlighted.
THIS WEEK
Oct 20: Pregnancy, Birth, and Postpartum – Group Session, Week 2
2.0 CEUs • Net of Knowledge
Oct 20: Skin 101 for NDs: Essential Dermatology Skills for Naturopathic Doctors
2.0 CEUs • California Naturopathic Doctors Association
Oct 21: Cultivating Fertility: A Chinese Medicine Approach
2.0 CEUs • TCMzone
Oct 22: Medical Cannabis in Everyday Practice: GI, Stress, Cardiovascular & Pain Care
4.0 CEUs • Lotus Institute of Integrative Medicine
Oct 23: Mastering Migraine Relief: Practical Acupuncture Strategies for Better Clinical Outcomes
3.0 CEUs • Healthy Seminars
Oct 23: Kampo Internship Module 2 IN‑PERSON
21.0 CEUs • High Desert Hari Society, San Diego, CA
Oct 24: Athletic Intensive Myofascial Release Seminar IN‑PERSON
15.0 CEUs • ASE Seminars, Mesa, AZ
Oct 24: Cultivating the Dao De Jing through Pulse Taking (Oct 24–25) IN‑PERSON
12.0 CEUs • Daoist Healing Arts, Asheville, NC
Oct 25: Herbs that Act Like Antibiotics and Antivirals
3.0 CEUs • Net of Knowledge
Oct 25: Back Pain Relief & Post-Stroke Acupuncture
4.0 CEUs • HealthCMi
Oct 25: Joy Without Mania: Shen, Sleep & Hormonal Rhythm
2.0 CEUs • Yo San University
Oct 26: When Anxiety Is the Diagnosis
2.0 CEUs • Yo San University
NEXT WEEK
Oct 28: Pacific Symposium (Oct 28–Nov 2) IN‑PERSON LAW & ETHICS
40+ courses • Pacific College of Health and Science, San Diego, CA
Oct 28: Acupuncture and Parkinson’s Disease
2.0 CEUs • Healthy Seminars
Oct 29: The Cauldron Is You: Transformation and Daoist Alchemy
2.0 CEUs • Alchemy Learning Center
Oct 31: Tenets of Classical Chinese Medicine
3.5 CEUs • Between Heaven & Earth
Nov 1: Acupuncture Webinar on Treatment Strategies
4.0 CEUs • HealthCMi
Nov 1: Marketing Your Practice: Strategic Position & Target Market
3.0 CEUs • Net of Knowledge
Nov 1: Integrative Case Studies (also Nov 8)
7.5 CEUs • University of East-West Medicine
Nov 2: Advanced Clinical Integration – Autumn Lung Issues, Grief and the Po Soul
1.5 CEUs • A New Possibility
Got a question, or a practice tip you'd like to share? Reply to this email.
FROM THE EDITOR
Kim Neumann, LAc
Kim has worked on behalf of California’s acupuncture profession for 25 years. She ran her own practice in Oakland and San Francisco, worked in marketing and publishing before acupuncture, and has taught CEUs on acupuncture marketing.
