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Glowing skin starts from within, but how do you combine internal balance with external results?

In this episode, I am sitting down with skin expert and acupuncturist Stefanie Makagon to explore the world of cosmetic acupuncture and integrative skincare. From Microneedling and LED therapy to Gua Sha and Buccal massage, Stefanie shares how to create real, lasting results by treating both the body and the face.

In this episode, you’ll learn:
• The difference between Cosmetic acupuncture vs Microneedling, and when to combine them

 • How tools like LED light, Gua Sha, and Buccal massage enhance results

• Why treating the root with TCM Diagnosis is essential before focusing on the face

• Simple, effective skincare: barrier repair, minimal products, and treating acne holistically

If you want to elevate your cosmetic treatments or better support patients struggling with skin issues, this episode blends TCM wisdom with modern skincare strategies. 💜

☯️ More AcuPro Episodes you'll love:

• Facial Cupping is the New Anti-Aging Device with Sakina Di Pace
• This SKIN Expert Uses Science to Show the Benefits of Acupuncture with Marie Reynolds
• Giving your Patients a Natural Option to Botox with Cosmetic Acupuncture with Dr. Rebecca Stephens

➡️ Visit the show notes for all the links mentioned in this episode!

Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. So many fantastic episodes are coming your way! If you’re not following, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out.

🩵 This episode is brought to you by Jane, the practice management software I use in my clinic. It’s been a total game-changer for keeping scheduling, charting, and everything running smoothly.

Check it out here, and use my code ACUPRO1MO for a one-month grace period on your new account! 💜

And connect with @AcuProAcademy on all social media!

💌 Sign up for my FREE weekly newsletter where I share exclusive content I don't share anywhere else.

The Gallbladder channel is one of the most clinically powerful (and often underutilized) channels in Chinese medicine.

In this episode, I am breaking down the Gallbladder meridian and its 44 acupuncture points, exploring its role in decision-making, courage, musculoskeletal health, and Shaoyang dynamics. From its zigzagging pathway across the body to its deep connection with the Liver, this is your go-to clinical guide to mastering the GB channel.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

 • The key functions of the Gallbladder in TCM (qi movement, tendons/ligaments, bile, and emotional balance)

 • The full channel pathway, including branches to the ear, Dai Mai, and Liver connection via GB41

 • Must-know clinical points like GB34, GB37, GB40–41, and GB44 for pain, headaches, hormones, and more

 • How to treat common conditions like migraines, Bell’s palsy, TMJ, insomnia, hypertension, and when to use caution (e.g. GB21 in pregnancy)

If you want to sharpen your channel theory and elevate your point selection, this episode will make the Gallbladder meridian clinically clear and immediately usable. 💜

☯️ More AcuPro Episodes you'll love:

• How to Use the 11 Acupoints of the Lung Meridian
• How to Use the 27 Acupoints of the Kidney Meridian
• The LUO Connecting Points in Acupuncture

➡️ Visit the show notes for all the links mentioned in this episode!

Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. So many fantastic episodes are coming your way! If you’re not following, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out.

🩵 This episode is brought to you by Jane, the practice management software I use in my clinic. It’s been a total game-changer for keeping scheduling, charting, and everything running smoothly.

Check it out here, and use my code ACUPRO1MO for a one-month grace period on your new account! 💜

And connect with @AcuProAcademy on all social media!

💌 Sign up for my FREE weekly newsletter where I share exclusive content I don't share anywhere else.

What if AI could help you reach more patients, without replacing the heart of Chinese medicine?

In this episode, I sit down with former fertility acupuncturist Kirsten Karchmer, founder of the Conceivable app, to explore how technology is expanding access to care. With over 20 years of experience and helping over 10,000 women in her clinical career, Kirsten is pioneering TCM Diagnosis into the digital world.

We discuss how AI can support and will not ever replace practitioners, and how tools like Conceivable are making fertility care more accessible for patients who can’t afford regular treatment.

In this episode, you’ll learn:
• How Kirsten transitioned from clinic to tech, and why accessibility in fertility care matters
• How the Conceivable app works, including AI diagnostics, tongue analysis, and personalized plans
• The role of AI in supporting TCM diagnosis and patient care
• Why practitioners should embrace both strong diagnostic skills and new technology

If you’re curious about the future of TCM, fertility care, and how AI fits into your practice, this episode will expand your perspective. 💜

☯️ More AcuPro Episodes you'll love:

Empowering Women’s Health: Fertility & TCM with Allison Locke

Fertility Acupuncture with Mike Berkley

Postpartum Healing with Chinese Medicine with Emily Montague

➡️ Visit the show notes for all the links mentioned in this episode!

Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. So many fantastic episodes are coming your way! If you’re not following, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out.

🩵 This episode is brought to you by Jane, the practice management software I use in my clinic. It’s been a total game-changer for keeping scheduling, charting, and everything running smoothly.

Check it out here, and use my code ACUPRO1MO for a one-month grace period on your new account! 💜

And connect with @AcuProAcademy on all social media!

💌 Sign up for my FREE weekly newsletter where I share exclusive content I don't share anywhere else.

Preparing for acupuncture board exams can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be chaotic.

In this episode, I walk you through a smarter, more strategic way to study, drawing on my own board exam experience and my experience teaching future acupuncturists since 2008.

 A little while back, I taught a live 90-minute masterclass on exactly how to approach your TCM and acupuncture exams. Strategically, what to prioritize, how to structure your study session, and how to practice for the exam.

Today I'm giving you a 20-minute snippet from that class, plus real examples of pattern differentiation and a full case study to help you think like a practitioner under pressure.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

 • How to structure your study sessions and prioritize what actually matters for exams

• Key pattern differentiation strategies (tongue, pulse, and symptom analysis made clear)

• Common diagnostic traps and how to think through questions under exam conditions

 • A full Bi syndrome case study with step-by-step reasoning from intake to diagnosis

If you want to feel more confident, focused, and prepared walking into your exams, this episode will give you a clear path forward. 💜

☯️ More AcuPro Episodes you'll love:

• Study Acupuncture with Richard Lai
• Study Tips for Acupuncture Exams, TCM views on Fasting, Treating Pain + Skin Disorders
• Being a Modern Acupuncturist in a Modern World: Key Points on How to Thrive Long-Term with Dr. Lixing Lao

➡️ Visit the show notes for all the links mentioned in this episode!

Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. So many fantastic episodes are coming your way! If you’re not following, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out.

🩵 This episode is brought to you by Jane, the practice management software I use in my clinic. It’s been a total game-changer for keeping scheduling, charting, and everything running smoothly.

Check it out here, and use my code ACUPRO1MO for a one-month grace period on your new account! 💜

And connect with @AcuProAcademy on all social media!

💌 Sign up for my FREE weekly newsletter where I share exclusive content I don't share anywhere else.

What if the key to better patient outcomes isn’t restriction, but adding the right foods?

In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Melissa Carr to explore Chinese medicine nutrition through a modern, practical lens. We discuss her book "Modern Chinese Medicine Food Cures" and how to bridge Eastern wisdom with Western nutrition, without overwhelming your patients.

From improving compliance to making food therapy realistic and enjoyable, this conversation is full of insights you can immediately bring into clinic and everyday life.

In this episode, you’ll learn:
• How to improve patient compliance by focusing on adding foods—not restricting them

• Why there’s no one perfect diet and how to tailor nutrition to the individual, season, and environment

• Simple food strategies for Spleen Qi deficiency (think warm, nourishing meals like soups and roasted veggies)

• The importance of mindful, enjoyable eating—slowing down, chewing, and reconnecting with your body

If you’ve ever struggled to make nutrition advice stick, this episode will completely shift your approach. 💜

☯️ More AcuPro Episodes you'll love:

• Gut Health in Naturopathic Medicine & Chinese Medicine with Dr. Alex Dragan
• How to Customize TCM Nutrition for Optimal Healing with Tara Akuna & Sara Ward
• Bridging the Gap Between TCM and Western Medicine with Dr. Alex Dragan

➡️ Visit the show notes for all the links mentioned in this episode!

Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. So many fantastic episodes are coming your way! If you’re not following, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out.

🩵 This episode is brought to you by Jane, the practice management software I use in my clinic. It’s been a total game-changer for keeping scheduling, charting, and everything running smoothly.

Check it out here, and use my code ACUPRO1MO for a one-month grace period on your new account! 💜

And connect with @AcuProAcademy on all social media!

💌 Sign up for my FREE weekly newsletter where I share exclusive content I don't share anywhere else.

Moxibustion is one of the oldest—and most powerful—tools in Chinese medicine, yet it’s often overlooked in modern practice. In this episode, I break down how moxa therapy works, when to use it, and why it may have even predated acupuncture in early Chinese medical history.

From warming the meridians and strengthening Yang to treating menstrual pain and supporting breech presentation, this episode blends classical theory with practical, clinic-ready protocols—plus essential safety guidelines every practitioner needs to know.

In this episode, you’ll learn:
• What moxibustion is, its ancient origins, and why it’s essential in TCM

• The different types of moxa and techniques (cones, sticks, ginger, salt, garlic, and more)

• How to treat dysmenorrhea patterns (cold, qi stagnation, yang deficiency, cold-damp) and when to use BL67 for breech

• Critical safety rules, ventilation tips, and pregnancy precautions

If you want to confidently integrate moxa into your treatments and deepen your understanding of this powerful therapy, this episode is a must-listen 💜

➡️ Visit the show notes for all the links mentioned in this episode!

☯️ More AcuPro Episodes you'll love:

• How Cupping Therapy Can Support Your Acupuncture Patients
• Acupuncture & TCM for Painful Menses
• How Foot Reflexology is the Perfect Addition to Your Acupuncture Practice!

Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. So many fantastic episodes are coming your way! If you’re not following, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out.

🩵 This episode is brought to you by Jane, the practice management software I use in my clinic. It’s been a total game-changer for keeping scheduling, charting, and everything running smoothly.

Check it out here, and use my code ACUPRO1MO for a one-month grace period on your new account! 💜

And connect with @AcuProAcademy on all social media!

💌 Sign up for my FREE weekly newsletter where I share exclusive content I don't share anywhere else.

What if scoliosis isn’t just a structural issue, but a whole-body, neurological adaptation?

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Mark Morningstar, a board-certified expert in chiropractic, functional, and naturopathic medicine, to explore scoliosis through a deeper, integrative lens. 

From hormones and brain mapping to posture retraining and nutrition, this conversation reframes how we understand and treat spinal curvature.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

 • The different types of scoliosis (idiopathic, neuromuscular, degenerative) and when they typically develop

• Why scoliosis may be driven by neurological patterns, hormones, stress, and whole-body imbalances

 • The role of bone density, vitamin D3 + K2, and posture retraining in slowing progression

• New insights on treatment, including laser acupuncture + Schroth therapy and functional medicine approaches

If you’re ready to move beyond a purely structural view of scoliosis, this episode will expand how you assess and support your patients. 💜

➡️ Visit the show notes for all the links mentioned in this episode!

☯️ More AcuPro Episodes you'll love:

• The BEST Acupuncture Points for Lower Back Pain (Podcast)
• Managing Rheumatoid Arthritis Pain with Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine (Podcast)
• Let’s Talk Balance Acupuncture with Dr. Sonia Tan (Podcast)

Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. So many fantastic episodes are coming your way! If you’re not following, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out.

🩵 This episode is brought to you by Jane, the practice management software I use in my clinic. It’s been a total game-changer for keeping scheduling, charting, and everything running smoothly.

Check it out here, and use my code ACUPRO1MO for a one-month grace period on your new account! 💜

And connect with @AcuProAcademy on all social media!

💌 Sign up for my FREE weekly newsletter where I share exclusive content I don't share anywhere else.

Constipation is one of the most common digestive complaints seen in clinic, driving over 2.5 million doctor visits each year in North America. In this episode, I break down how Chinese medicine approaches chronic constipation—and why accurate pattern diagnosis is essential for acupuncture to truly work.

Let's explore how both TCM and Western contributors to constipation, from stress and emotional stagnation to sedentary lifestyles, diet, medications, and conditions like IBS or hypothyroidism. 

I also share practical treatment strategies, including ear seeds, core acupuncture protocols, and lifestyle recommendations to support lasting relief.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

 • The major TCM patterns of constipation (Liver Qi stagnation, heat, food stagnation, and deficiency types)

• Key acupuncture strategies like the Digestive Diamond (Ren 6, Ren 9, ST25) and ear points for digestion

• Important pregnancy precautions and how to adjust treatment approaches

• Lifestyle tips for patients, including movement, stress reduction, hydration, diet, and magnesium support

If constipation is something you frequently see in clinic, this episode will help you refine your diagnosis and treatment approach for better patient outcomes. 💜

➡️ Visit the show notes for all the links mentioned in this episode!

☯️ More AcuPro Episodes you'll love:

The Top 15 Acupuncture Points for Digestive Symptoms

What Really Happens in a TCM Consultation (Live Case!)

Spleen Qi Deficiency in Chinese Medicine: Symptoms, Causes, Acupuncture, Food and more!

Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. So many fantastic episodes are coming your way! If you’re not following, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out.

🩵 This episode is brought to you by Jane, the practice management software I use in my clinic. It’s been a total game-changer for keeping scheduling, charting, and everything running smoothly.

Check it out here, and use my code ACUPRO1MO for a one-month grace period on your new account! 💜

And connect with @AcuProAcademy on all social media!

💌 Sign up for my FREE weekly newsletter where I share exclusive content I don't share anywhere else.

Cupping is so much more than round marks on the back. In this episode, we explore cupping as one of the most versatile tools in Chinese medicine as I sit down with acupuncturist Sakina Di Pace, aka the Facial Cupping Expert.

Sakina shares how witnessing Bell’s palsy improve with acupuncture changed her career path—from economics to Chinese medicine. She explains how she began using silicone facial cups along cranial nerve pathways for Bell’s palsy and trigeminal neuralgia, later integrating them into cosmetic acupuncture for relaxation, lymphatic drainage, and skin health.

In this episode, you’ll learn:
• How facial cupping can support Bell’s palsy, trigeminal neuralgia, and cosmetic results

 • Sakina’s six-step facial cupping protocol and safety tips (especially around eyes and lips)

• The best oils to use (jojoba, rosehip, prickly pear) and how often to treat

• How to build an authentic online presence—and turn Instagram into a real business

🎁 Special offer for listeners:
 Get 10% off Sakina’s CE course and everything in her store mentioned in this episode. Use code ACUPRO10 at checkout! 

➡️ Visit the show notes for all the links mentioned in this episode!

☯️ More AcuPro Episodes you'll love:

This SKIN Expert Uses Science to Show the Benefits of Acupuncture with Marie Reynolds

Study Tips for Acupuncture Exams, TCM views on Fasting, Treating Pain + Skin Disorders

How Cupping Therapy Can Support Your Acupuncture Patients

Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. So many fantastic episodes are coming your way! If you’re not following, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out.

🩵 This episode is brought to you by Jane, the practice management software I use in my clinic. It’s been a total game-changer for keeping scheduling, charting, and everything running smoothly.

Check it out here, and use my code ACUPRO1MO for a one-month grace period on your new account! 💜

And connect with @AcuProAcademy on all social media!

💌 Sign up for my FREE weekly newsletter where I share exclusive content I don't share anywhere else.

What if some of the most powerful acupuncture points you’ll ever use aren’t even on the 12 primary meridians?

In this episode, we're exploring the power of extraordinary (empirical) acupuncture points—often under-taught in TCM school, yet absolute game changers in clinic. 

In this episode, you’ll learn:

 • Why extra points are clinically powerful—and when to use them

 • 15 must-know extra points like Yin Tang, Tai Yang, An Mian, Zi Gong, Hua Tuo Jia Ji, and Dan Nang Xue

 • Point combinations for sleep, pain, digestion, fertility, respiratory issues, and musculoskeletal conditions

 • Practical safety tips, bleeding techniques (Shi Xuan), and ways to integrate these into everyday treatments

If you want to expand beyond the meridians and sharpen your clinical edge, this episode is packed with pearls you can use immediately. 💜

➡️ Visit the show notes for all the links mentioned in this episode!

☯️ More AcuPro Episodes you'll love:

The LUO Connecting Points in Acupuncture

Combine Essential Oils with Acupuncture Points for Powerful Health Benefits

How To Use The Xi-Cleft Acupoints For Better Results

Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. So many fantastic episodes are coming your way! If you’re not following, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out.

🩵 This episode is brought to you by Jane, the practice management software I use in my clinic. It’s been a total game-changer for keeping scheduling, charting, and everything running smoothly.

Check it out here, and use my code ACUPRO1MO for a one-month grace period on your new account! 💜

And connect with @AcuProAcademy on all social media!

💌 Sign up for my FREE weekly newsletter where I share exclusive content I don't share anywhere else.

What happens when the Gene Keys, the I Ching, and Chinese medicine intersect? In this episode, Clara sits down with Gene Keys guide Claire Norman to explore how the 64 archetypes of consciousness connect with acupuncture, shadow work, and personal transformation.

Claire shares how the Gene Keys—created by Richard Rudd—reframe “shadows” as pathways to gifts and higher awareness. 

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• What the Gene Keys are and how they connect to the I Ching and TCM philosophy

• How to generate your free profile and understand the Activation Sequence

 • How shadow patterns transform into gifts, and why this mirrors Chinese medicine

• How personal inner work creates a ripple effect in families, clinics, and communities

If you’re curious about consciousness, ancient wisdom systems, and deeper layers of healing, this conversation will expand your perspective. 💜

➡️ Visit the show notes for all the links mentioned in this episode!

☯️ More AcuPro Episodes you'll love:

• Balancing Yin and Yang & Unlocking Feminine Energy with Dr. Irene Sanchez-Celis
• Psycho-Emotional Pain using the 8 Extra Vessels with Dr. Yvonne Farrell
• Chinese Medicine meets the 7 Hermetic Principles with Positively Angela

Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. So many fantastic episodes are coming your way! If you’re not following, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out.

🩵 This episode is brought to you by Jane, the practice management software I use in my clinic. It’s been a total game-changer for keeping scheduling, charting, and everything running smoothly.

Check it out here, and use my code ACUPRO1MO for a one-month grace period on your new account! 💜

And connect with @AcuProAcademy on all social media!